With the EOS M3, Canon wants to make a lot of things better that weren’t so well received on the market with the EOS M. For example, the still very compact housing now has a small grip bead that not only improves the grip of the camera, but also the shutter release placed on it is more ergonomically accessible. He is still surrounded by an adjustment ring. Something has also changed on the back: the 7.5 cm touchscreen can now be folded down and up, and the 180-degree swivel range even makes it possible to shoot selfies with the EOS M3, while the monitor can be tilted down 45 degrees. Thanks to the intuitive touch operation familiar from EOS DSLRs, the essential shooting parameters can be adjusted very easily. But if you like, you can also use the buttons, even the second dial on the back is still there. Many of the keys can be individually assigned. A new feature is the ability to slide an electronic viewfinder into the TTL system hot shoe, the same viewfinder as on the PowerShot G1 X.

The Canon EOS M3 has a touchscreen that folds down 45 degrees and up 180 degrees with the intuitive operation familiar from EOS DSLRs. [Photo: Canon]

However, there have also been some changes on the inside. The Digic 6 is now used as image processor. The APS-C sensor now has a resolution of 24 megapixels and offers phase detection sensors for the much-accelerated Hybris CMOS AF III, which, with 49 measuring points, works six times faster than the admittedly slow autofocus of the first EOS M. The phase sensors are used for rapid control of the focal plane, while contrast measurement ensures precise fine adjustment. Those who want to focus manually are now supported by a peaking function that highlights contrasting edges in the plane of sharpness.