Canon EOS M3 review

Image quality

The M3 appears to use the same sensor and JPEG-processing engine as the EOS 750D, and photo quality was just as high. That places it above the majority of CSCs for noise levels, narrowly outperforming the Sony A6000 and Samsung NX500 (which shares its sensor with the NX1) but unable to match the low noise of the Fujifilm X-E2.

We’ve always had a soft spot for the colour processing in EOS cameras, with a tendency towards richly saturated tones while still delivering lifelike skin tones. Automatic exposures were well judged, with face detection successfully coping with strong backlights. Shutter and ISO speeds were sensibly managed to balance the risks of noise and motion blur in low light. The kit lens delivered too, with sharp focus across the frame and throughout the zoom range. ^ Lush colours and sharp focus from corner to corner at the telephoto end of the zoom. (1/400s, f/6.3, ISO 160, 88mm equivalent)^ As usual, the JPEG output can’t match RAW files (via Lightroom) when it comes to resolving fine detail

^ The wide-angle end of the zoom range is just as impressive. (1/200s, f/6.3, ISO 160, 29mm equivalent)

^ Canon’s JPEG engine excels for rich colours alongside natural skin tones. (1/250s, f/4.5, ISO 160, 45mm equivalent)

^ Shooting into a shady spot at the long end of the zoom has pushed the ISO speed up to 1600. There’s barely any sign of noise and details are still intact. (1/320s, f/5.6, ISO 1600, 88mm equivalent)

^ Skin and hair textures remain excellent at ISO 1600. (1/100s, f/4, ISO 1600, 35mm equivalent)

^ Few CSCs turn in respectable skin tones at ISO 6400. There’s some grain here but none of the scruffy smudges that we’re used to seeing. (1/40s, f/5, ISO 6400, 56mm equivalent)

Conclusion

At £515, the EOS M3 is keenly priced considering its upmarket controls and superb image quality. If you’re quick, there a £50 cashback offer www.canon.co.uk/summercashback until 19 August 2015. There are lots of bundle deals too, with some including a pivoting 2.36-million dot electronic viewfinder (part EVF-DC1) that adds £100 to the price.

The small range of compatible lenses is a concern, though, and so is the pedestrian performance and short battery life. These issues keep it from receiving five stars. However, you’d have to spend £200 more on the Fujifilm X-E2 to get something substantially better.