Canon M3 vs Panasonic G90

The Canon EOS M3 and the Panasonic Lumix DC-G90 (labelled Panasonic G95 in some countries) are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in February 2015 and April 2019. Both the M3 and the G90 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are based on an APS-C (M3) and a Four Thirds (G90) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 24 megapixels, whereas the Panasonic provides 20.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon M3		Panasonic G90
Mirrorless system camera		Mirrorless system camera
Canon EF-M mount lenses		Micro Four Thirds lenses
24 MP, APS-C Sensor		20.2 MP, Four Thirds Sensor
1080/30p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 100-12,800 (100 - 25,600)		ISO 200-25,600
Viewfinder optional		Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots		3.0 LCD, 1240k dots
Tilting touchscreen		Swivel touchscreen
4.2 shutter flaps per second		9 shutter flaps per second
Lens stabilization only		In-body stabilization
not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
250 shots per battery charge		290 shots per battery charge
111 x 68 x 44 mm, 366 g		130 x 94 x 77 mm, 536 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS M3 and the Panasonic Lumix DC-G90? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon M3 and the Panasonic G90. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The M3 can be obtained in two different colors (black, white), while the G90 is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic G90 is considerably larger (62 percent) than the Canon M3. Moreover, the G90 is substantially heavier (46 percent) than the M3. It is noteworthy in this context that the G90 is splash and dust-proof, while the M3 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the M3 gets 250 shots out of its LP-E17 battery, while the G90 can take 290 images on a single charge of its DMW-BLC12 power pack. The power pack in the G90 can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon M3	111 mm	68 mm	44 mm	366 g	250	n	Feb 2015	679
2.		Panasonic G90	130 mm	94 mm	77 mm	536 g	290	Y	Apr 2019	999
3.		Canon M50 Mark II	116 mm	88 mm	59 mm	387 g	305	n	Oct 2020	599
4.		Canon M50	116 mm	88 mm	59 mm	390 g	235	n	Feb 2018	779
5.		Canon M6	112 mm	68 mm	45 mm	390 g	295	n	Feb 2017	779
6.		Canon M100	108 mm	67 mm	35 mm	302 g	295	n	Aug 2017	499
7.		Canon M5	116 mm	89 mm	61 mm	427 g	295	n	Sep 2016	979
8.		Canon M10	108 mm	67 mm	35 mm	301 g	255	n	Oct 2015	499
9.		Canon T6i	132 mm	101 mm	78 mm	555 g	440	n	Feb 2015	749
10.		Canon T6s	132 mm	101 mm	78 mm	565 g	440	n	Feb 2015	649
11.		Canon G7 X	103 mm	60 mm	40 mm	304 g	210	n	Sep 2014	699
12.		Canon M	109 mm	66 mm	32 mm	298 g	230	n	Jul 2012	599
13.		Olympus E-M1 III	134 mm	91 mm	69 mm	580 g	420	Y	Feb 2020	1,799
14.		Olympus E-M5 III	125 mm	85 mm	50 mm	414 g	310	Y	Oct 2019	1,199
15.		Olympus E-M5 II	124 mm	85 mm	45 mm	469 g	310	Y	Feb 2015	1,099
16.		Panasonic G80	128 mm	89 mm	74 mm	505 g	330	Y	Sep 2016	899
17.		Panasonic GX8	133 mm	78 mm	63 mm	487 g	330	Y	Jul 2015	1,199
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The M3 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 32 percent) than the G90, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon M3 features an APS-C sensor and the Panasonic G90 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the G90 is 32 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.6 and 2.0. The sensor in the M3 has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the G90 offers a 4:3 aspect.

In terms of underlying technology, both cameras are build around CMOS sensors.

With 24MP, the M3 offers a higher resolution than the G90 (20.2MP), but the M3 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.72μm versus 3.34μm for the G90) due to its larger sensor. However, the G90 is a much more recent model (by 4 years and 1 month) than the M3, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the G90 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Canon M3 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the M3 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Panasonic G90 are 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm for good quality, 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm for very good quality, and 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The M3 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Canon EOS M3 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Panasonic Lumix DC-G90 are ISO 200 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-25600.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon M3	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.8	11.8	1169	72
2.		Panasonic G90	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
3.		Canon M50 Mark II	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/24p	..	..	..	..
4.		Canon M50	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/24p	..	..	..	..
5.		Canon M6	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
6.		Canon M100	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.5	12.9	1272	78
7.		Canon M5	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.4	12.4	1262	77
8.		Canon M10	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.2	11.4	753	65
9.		Canon T6i	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.7	12.0	919	71
10.		Canon T6s	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.6	12.0	915	70
11.		Canon G7 X	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	23.0	12.7	556	71
12.		Canon M	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.1	11.2	827	65
13.		Olympus E-M1 III	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
14.		Olympus E-M5 III	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
15.		Olympus E-M5 II	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	23.0	12.5	842	73
16.		Panasonic G80	Four Thirds	15.8	4592	3448	4K/30p	22.8	12.5	656	71
17.		Panasonic GX8	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	23.5	12.6	806	75

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the G90 provides a better video resolution than the M3. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Canon is limited to 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the G90 has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the M3 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the M3 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the EVF-DC1. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon M3 and Panasonic G90 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon M3	optional	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	4.2	Y	n
2.		Panasonic G90	2360	n	3.0	1240	swivel	Y	1/4000s	9.0	Y	Y
3.		Canon M50 Mark II	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	10.0	Y	n
4.		Canon M50	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	10.0	Y	n
5.		Canon M6	optional	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	9.0	Y	n
6.		Canon M100	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	6.1	Y	n
7.		Canon M5	2360	n	3.2	1620	tilting	Y	1/4000s	9.0	Y	n
8.		Canon M10	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	4.6	Y	n
9.		Canon T6i	optical	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
10.		Canon T6s	optical	Y	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
11.		Canon G7 X	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	6.5	Y	Y
12.		Canon M	none	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.3	n	n
13.		Olympus E-M1 III	2360	n	3.0	1037	swivel	Y	1/8000s	18.0	n	Y
14.		Olympus E-M5 III	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
15.		Olympus E-M5 II	2360	n	3.0	1037	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
16.		Panasonic G80	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	9.0	Y	Y
17.		Panasonic GX8	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y

One feature that differentiates the G90 and the M3 is in-body image stabilization (IBIS). The G90 reduces the risk of handshake-induced blur with all attached lenses, while the M3 offers no blur reduction with lenses that themselves do not provide optical image stabilization.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the G90 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Panasonic G90 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the M3 and the G90 write their files to SDXC cards. The G90 supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the M3 can use UHS-I cards (up to 104 MB/s).

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS M3 and Panasonic Lumix DC-G90 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon M3	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
2.		Panasonic G90	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
3.		Canon M50 Mark II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
4.		Canon M50	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
5.		Canon M6	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
6.		Canon M100	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
7.		Canon M5	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
8.		Canon M10	-	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
9.		Canon T6i	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
10.		Canon T6s	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
11.		Canon G7 X	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
12.		Canon M	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Olympus E-M1 III	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
14.		Olympus E-M5 III	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
15.		Olympus E-M5 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
16.		Panasonic G80	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
17.		Panasonic GX8	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

It is notable that the G90 has a headphone jack, which makes it possible to attach external headphones and monitor the quality of sound during the recording process. The M3 lacks such a headphone port.

The G90 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Panasonic. In contrast, the M3 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the M3 was succeeded by the Canon M6. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon and Panasonic websites.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon M3 and the Panasonic G90? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS M3:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (24 vs 20.2MP) with a 11% higher linear resolution.
• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• More compact: Is smaller (111x68mm vs 130x94mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 170g or 32 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (32 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2015).

Advantages of the Panasonic Lumix DC-G90:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/30p).
• Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
• Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1240k vs 1040k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (9 vs 4.2 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (290 versus 250) out of a single battery charge.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
• More modern: Reflects 4 years and 1 month of technical progress since the M3 launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the G90 is the clear winner of the contest (16 : 8 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon M3 and the Panasonic G90 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the M3 or the G90 perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon M3	4/5	o	75/100	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2015	679
2.		Panasonic G90	4.5/5	+	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2019	999
3.		Canon M50 Mark II	..	..	..	4.5/5	3.5/5	Oct 2020	599
4.		Canon M50	..	+	79/100	..	3.5/5	Feb 2018	779
5.		Canon M6	..	..	80/100	4/5	4/5	Feb 2017	779
6.		Canon M100	3/5	+	..	4/5	3.5/5	Aug 2017	499
7.		Canon M5	4/5	+	82/100	4/5	4/5	Sep 2016	979
8.		Canon M10	..	..	..	..	4/5	Oct 2015	499
9.		Canon T6i	5/5	..	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	749
10.		Canon T6s	5/5	+	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	649
11.		Canon G7 X	4/5	+ +	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2014	699
12.		Canon M	3/5	+	..	4/5	4/5	Jul 2012	599
13.		Olympus E-M1 III	5/5	..	83/100	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2020	1,799
14.		Olympus E-M5 III	5/5	+	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2019	1,199
15.		Olympus E-M5 II	5/5	+ +	81/100	5/5	5/5	Feb 2015	1,099
16.		Panasonic G80	..	+ +	84/100	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	899
17.		Panasonic GX8	5/5	+	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2015	1,199
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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Specifications: Canon M3 vs Panasonic G90

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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