Canon EOS M3 vs Nikon D3x

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS M3 and Nikon D3x. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS M3 is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D3x is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS M3 were released 2015 and Nikon D3x was released 2008. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS M3 2015
Nikon D3x 2008

Type of camera

Canon EOS M3 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D3x is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS M3 has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D3x has a "Nikon FX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS M3 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Nikon D3x 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS M3 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3x has 24,5 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS M3 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Nikon D3x 24,5 MP
24385536 pixels
6048 x 4032

Nikon D3x has a 2 % larger resolution than Canon EOS M3. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS M3 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3x. Canon EOS M3 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D3x has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS M3 100-12800
Nikon D3x 100-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS M3 belongs to the Canon EOS M-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS M

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M3
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3x

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS M3 can shoot up to 4,2 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3x can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS M3 4,2
Nikon D3x 5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Canon EOS M3. Unfortunately Nikon D3x does not support recording movies and movie clips.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D3x weighs 1260 gr (equal to 2.78 lb) which is 244% heavier than Canon EOS M3 and its 366 gr (or 0.81 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS M3 366 gr
0.81 lb
Nikon D3x 1260 gr
2.78 lb

Canon EOS M3 vs Nikon D3x Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS M3 and Nikon D3x, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D3x
Name Canon EOS M3 Nikon D3x
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D3x
Release Year 2015 2008
Release Date 2015-02-06 2008-12-01
MSRP 679 USD 7470 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D3x
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D3x
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 6048 x 4032 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 24,5 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 6 EXPEED
Image
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D3x
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D3x
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Focus Points 49 51
Lens Mount Canon EF-M

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D3x
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1040000 920000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type ClearView II TFT-LCD Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic (Optional via Canon EVF-DC2) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D3x
Frames per second 4,2 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 0 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/0 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 5 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D3x
Video recording Yes No
Video format H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D3x
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D3x
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
No
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) Yes
GPS No Yes
Optional through GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D3x
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 250 shots 4400 shots
Width 111 mm 160 mm
Height 68 mm 157 mm
Depth 44 mm 88 mm
Weight 366 gram 1260 gram