EOS M3vs EOS M5
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Casual & Everyday — EOS M3 (2015): The EOS M3 was a meaningful upgrade over the original EOS M — bringing 24MP, a tilting touchscreen, and improved Hybrid CMOS AF III. Video tops out at 1080p/30p and burst shooting is modest, but for stills photographers wanting affordable APS-C quality, the M3 is a competent used-market option.
Travel & Portrait — EOS M5 (2016): The EOS M5 was the first EF-M camera with a built-in EVF — and it made the system feel complete. Fast Dual Pixel AF, a 9fps burst, and a high-resolution articulating screen deliver a confident shooting experience. No IBIS and 1080p video only limit its appeal for hybrid work, but for stills photographers it remains one of the most well-rounded EF-M bodies available.
Who should buy what
EOS M3 (2015)
- Photographers who want affordable 24MP APS-C quality on a budget
- Casual shooters who want a compact EF-M camera with a tilting screen
- Users looking for an affordable entry into the Canon EF-M ecosystem
- Used-market buyers wanting a capable but inexpensive mirrorless
EOS M5 (2016)
- Enthusiast photographers who want an EVF in a compact EF-M body
- Photographers switching from DSLR who want familiar handling
- Portrait and travel photographers who value fast AF and good ergonomics
- Used-market buyers wanting a capable EF-M stills camera
Quick take: The eos m3 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS M3 (2015) | EOS M5 (2016) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £150 | £350 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS (Dual Pixel) |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 1080p/30p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Hybrid CMOS AF III (phase-detect + contrast-detect) | Dual Pixel CMOS AF with face detection |
| Burst Rate | 4.2fps | 9fps |
| Battery Life | ~250 shots (CIPA) | ~295 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 366g (body only) | 427g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 110.9 × 68.0 × 44.4mm | 116.2 × 88.1 × 60.6mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | None (optional EVF-DC1 accessory) | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.39" type |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.62M dots |
| Mount | Canon EF-M mount | Canon EF-M mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | EOS M3 | EOS M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Casual | ||
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Street | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Landscape | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history