EOS M3vs S1 II
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.
Hybrid & Video — S1 II (2025): The S1 II is the full-frame L-mount hybrid camera Panasonic's system has been waiting for — phase-detect AF, 4K/120p, class-leading IBIS, and a professional build in one complete package. It addresses every weakness of the original S1 and positions Lumix firmly back in the conversation for serious hybrid shooters.
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
S1 II (2025)
- Hybrid photographers who need excellent stills and serious video capability
- Video professionals who want full-frame quality with 4K/120p
- Landscape and portrait photographers who want maximum stabilisation
- L-mount system users upgrading from S1 or S5 II
Quick take: The eos m3 is the most affordable; only the s1 ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS M3 (2015) | S1 II (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £150 | £2,200 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS | 24.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 1080p/30p | 6K/30p, 4K/120p, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal |
| Autofocus | Hybrid CMOS AF III (phase-detect + contrast-detect) | Phase-detect AF with subject recognition (human, animal, vehicle) |
| Stabilisation | — | 5-axis IBIS, up to 8 stops |
| Burst Rate | 4.2fps | 30fps (electronic), 9fps (mechanical) |
| Battery Life | ~250 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 366g (body only) | 680g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 110.9 × 68.0 × 44.4mm | 138.5 × 100.0 × 91.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | None (optional EVF-DC1 accessory) | Electronic, 3.68M dots, 0.78× |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.84M dots |
| Mount | Canon EF-M mount | Leica L-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual slot: CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | EOS M3 | S1 II |
|---|---|---|
| Casual | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Street | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Wildlife | — |
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