EOS M3vs Z50 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.
All-Round Photography — Z50 II (2024): Nikon's updated APS-C body with 4K/60p, improved subject tracking, and a vari-angle screen — a solid all-rounder.
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
Z50 II (2024)
- Beginners stepping into the Nikon Z system wanting improved autofocus
- Content creators who want APS-C Z quality with subject detection AF
- Z50 owners who want meaningfully better AF performance for people and pets
- Travel photographers wanting a compact, capable Z body at an accessible price
Quick take: The eos m3 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the eos m3 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS M3 (2015) | Z50 II (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £150 | £899 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 20.9MP |
| Video | 1080p/30p | 4K/60p uncropped, 1080p/120p, N-Log |
| Autofocus | Hybrid CMOS AF III (phase-detect + contrast-detect) | Phase-detect, 249 points, subject detection (human/animal/vehicle) |
| Stabilisation | — | None (no IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 4.2fps | 11fps mechanical, 30fps electronic |
| Battery Life | ~250 shots (CIPA) | ~330 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 366g (body only) | 385g body only |
| Dimensions | 110.9 × 68.0 × 44.4mm | 127.0 × 96.8 × 66.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | None (optional EVF-DC1 accessory) | EVF, 2.36M dots |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Canon EF-M mount | Nikon Z-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | EOS M3 | Z50 II |
|---|---|---|
| Casual | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Street | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Family & Everyday | — | |
| 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