Did Canon Mirrorless Camera EOS M3 Impress You?

Finally, the 3rd edition of the Canon EOS M (EOS M3) reaches Singapore. With its Digic 6 processor, a bigger sensor and a flip screen (for selfie), I think Canon is trying to recapture this market. If you have been following, you will know that the 2nd edition of EOS M (EOS M2) did not make it here. So, I actually has high expectation for this 3rd edition.

EOS M3 (White 3)

In the current market, there are so many other models in this category to choose from. In my opinion, based on the look, I will not choose the Canon EOS M3. I have not tried it but I guess most people who will buy cameras in this category will want to have a portable and good looking one. I don’t think the EOS M3 is interesting enough (at least for me) although it is much better than its predecessor (M1 and M2).

Now, it is up to Canon to provide a competitive price, good performance and ways to convince people to buy it. I am actually quite disappointed with its look. However, if you have lots of Canon lenses, it might be a good choice to have it. Thank goodness Canon has added NFC and WiFi capability to this edition.

Here is the Press Release

Press Release

Canon advances its EOS M line-up with the Versatile EOS M3

EOS M3 features a slim form factor, produces high quality images, and clocks in a faster AF (AutoFocus) speed.


SINGAPORE, 6 February 2015
– Canon today launched the highly anticipated and advanced EOS M3 – Canon’s third-generation mirrorless camera – placing it at the forefront of the EOS M class. The Canon EOS M range of cameras combines the performance and versatility of a DSLR with the portability of a compact camera.

Powered by Canon’s Hybrid CMOS AF III technology, the EOS M3 features fast AF speed and a 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor working in tandem with the latest DIGIC 6 image processor to ensure superb image quality. Complementing the white option of EOS M3, Canon reintroduces the most compact lens in the EF-M range, the pancake EF-M22mm f/2 STM Silver, now also available in silver.

“Canon’s latest mirrorless camera, the EOS M3, is designed to appeal to photographers who want the flexibility and versatile features of a DSLR camera without its bulk,” said Edwin Teoh, Assistant Director, Consumer Business Marketing, Canon Singapore. “Packed with Canon’s newest, fastest mirrorless AF technology, the EOS M3 pairs seamlessly with Canon’s range of interchangeable lens to deliver crisp, beautiful images.”

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High Speed AF ensure key moments are captured

EOS M3 comes equipped with the newly developed Hybrid CMOS AF III technology. With optimisation of AF elements on the CMOS sensor auto focusing during live view shooting  is approximately 6.1x faster than that in the EOS M[1] (equipped with the first generation of Hybrid CMOS AF technology), making it the highest AF speed in the EOS M class. Under certain conditions, focus is attained solely from the rapid focal plane phase difference method, resulting in faster and precise AF and a better user experience.

The increase in AF speed is crucial for users to swiftly snap images in clear focus without missing out on key moments. This would come in handy for users looking to capture moving subjects; pet owners and parents with active children would appreciate the improved AF speed.

Impressive image quality with 24.2 MPS and DIGIC 6 Image Processor

The newly designed 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor is paired with DIGIC 6 image processor, Canon’s most powerful image processor to date, setting a new benchmark in Canon’s mirrorless camera image quality.

Without the aid of a flash or tripod, low-light photography comes through with rich natural colours on the EOS M3 due to its high ISO speed performance. The ISO speed ranges from 100-12800 and is expandable to 25600 where higher light sensitivity is required. Despite the high ISO speed performance, the DIGIC 6 image processor is excellent in controlling image noise at higher ISO settings.

Intelligent Design

A first in Canon’s mirrorless range is the incorporation of a tilting touchscreen LCD. The screen flips 180 degrees upwards to assist with low angle shots or selfies, and 45 degrees downwards for high angle photography.

The intuitive touch panel incorporates a sophisticated user interface (UI) that blends the best features from both EOS and compact cameras. Users familiar with DSLRs will be adept with the EOS M3 as the UI displays all necessary information required by professional photographers. The unique two-handed touch style of the EOS M has been further enhanced and gives quick access to various settings. The EOS M3 also caters to users who may prefer to operate with a viewfinder instead of the Live View LCD. The EOS M3 is the first of its class to accommodate an EVF with the optional EVF-DC1 electronic viewfinder.

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Packed into a mirrorless camera size, the EOS M3 body inherits the EOS philosophy for a sophisticated design that makes shooting an enjoyable process. The ergonomic grip on the EOS M3 allows the photographer to concentrate on shooting while maintaining a firm one-handed operation.

The shutter button placed on a smooth curved surface enables the index finger to rest comfortably when shooting. An exposure compensation and mode dial placed around the shutter button ensures a comfortable and holistic EOS shooting experience.

The EOS M3 is the first in the EOS M series range to include a built-in flash. With a hot-shoe, the camera also allows for advanced Speedlite flashes or Speedlite transmitter to wirelessly connect to a separately mounted flash, expanding the range of photographic expressions. For shooting at close range, the macro ring light evenly projects light around close up subjects.

By adopting the optional EF-EOS M mount adapter, the EOS M3 has the advantage of tapping into Canon’s arsenal of over 70 EF/EF-S lenses.

Creative play on expressions

In Creative Assist mode, aperture, exposure compensation, contrast, colour saturation, and white balance can be adjusted via sliders with user-friendly terms such as Blur – Sharpen, Darker – Brighter, etc. These sliders will help users understand the various shooting modes better and ultimately improve photo-taking skills. Users are able to change parameters in real time to achieve the desired look for the image before committing to the shot.

Preferred settings can be easily imported from photos that were shot with Creative Assist. Should a user like a particular photo, the Creative Assist settings used can be instantly replicated for shooting new photos.

Effortless mobile connectivity for easy sharing

With advanced Wi-Fi capability, the EOS M3 connects to smart phones for image transfer or printers for wireless printing. Images and movies on the EOS M3 can be wirelessly uploaded to social media sites via Canon iMAGE GATEWAY (CiG) or cloud storage and PCs via Image Sync.

For maximum convenience, Near Field Communications (NFC) technology can be activated. A tap of the camera to the NFC-enabled smart phone will launch an app for transfer of files, via Wi-Fi connection.

Lightweight Silver EF-M22mm f/2 STM packs a punch

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Pricing and Availability

Pricing and availability of the EOS M and EF-M22mm f/2 STM Silver will be announced at a later date.

Product Specifications

EOS M3

  • Dimensions: Approx. 110.9 x 68.0 x 44.4mm
  • Weight: Approx. 319g (body only) 366g (includes battery and memory card, CIPA standards)
  • Image sensor: 24.2megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
  • Imaging processor: DIGIC 6
  • ISO speed: 100-12,800 (expandable to 25,600)
  • Continuous shooting speed:  approx. 4.2 fps
  • Maximum video quality: 1920 x 1080 Full HD, 30fps
  • AF: Hybrid CMOS AF III
  • Wi-Fi: Yes, NFC-enabled
  • LCD: 180/45 degree tilt touch panel LCD – approx. 1.04 million dots

About Canon Singapore Pte. Ltd.

Canon is a global leader in photographic and digital imaging solutions.  Canon Singapore Pte. Ltd. is the headquarters for South & Southeast Asia driving sales, marketing and service strategies. Besides handling the domestic market, the company leads 18 other countries including subsidiaries in India, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The parent company Canon Inc has a global network of close to 300 companies and employs close to 200,000 people worldwide.  It is dedicated to the advancement in technology and innovation and commits about 10% of its total revenue each year to R&D.  Canon is consistently one of the top few companies to earn the most number of patents over the last 20 years.  As a Fortune Global 500 company, Canon is guided by its kyosei philosophy that focuses on living and working together for the common good.

More information is available at www.canon.com.sg

[1] Calculated from AF time results conforming with the CIPA guidelines (results will differ according to shooting conditions and lenses used). Test conditions – Exposure amount: using LV11, shooting mode: P mode/one-shot AF, single-point AF, Continuous AF [Disable], EF-M18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM lens, with a focal distance of 18mm.

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