Canon M3 has a
24.0MP APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features DIGIC 6 processor. On the other hand, Canon M has a
18.0MP APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Digic 5 processor.
Canon M3's sensor provides 6MP more than Canon M's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely.
On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.
Below you can see the M3 and M sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Canon M3 and Canon M Cameras
Canon M3 and Canon M have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture. On the other hand, since Canon M has 33% larger pixel area (18.54µm 2 vs 13.84µm 2 ) compared to Canon M3, it has larger pixel area to collect light hence potential to have less noise in low light / High ISO images.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Canon M3 and Canon M sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, M3 has scored 72, 7 points higher than M.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Canon M3
72
22.8 bits
11.8 Evs
1169 ISO
Canon M
65
22.1 bits
11.2 Evs
827 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Canon M3
or the
Canon M ,
including hyperfocal distance.
