Leica M3 vs Canon P [A Brief Comparison]

This time around I want to take a look at the Canon P and compare it to the Leica M3. For those of us unwilling to hand our entire savings over to Leica, but who still want the amazing industrial design and rugged yet simple qualities of the Leica M3, there exists a camera that will satisfy both you and your wallet.

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The Canon P [A Brief History]

Let me begin with a question; why do so many people still shoot on rangefinder cameras? Some will argue that early rangefinders maintained an image-quality advantage over their SLR counterparts thanks to the lens elements being closer to the image plane because there is no mirror taking up space within the camera body. Okay, that makes sense. Others make claims that being able to see the image you are taking without any “blackout,” otherwise known as the very short period when the mirror is flipped up in an SLR allowing film to be exposed, provides a clearer perspective of what is being captured. I would argue against this point. On an SLR, you are seeing what the lens is seeing; on a rangefinder, you are literally never seeing what the lens is seeing. If it were a matter of “follow through,” as you would hold your swing for a moment after you hit the ball in golf, then you might as well not be looking through the viewfinder at all; the clearest perception you’ll have of that moment of time around you is not through a viewfinder of any sort, but rather if you directly observe your surroundings. However, there are two arguments for rangefinders that make a lot of sense to me. Firstly, rangefinder cameras are compact and durable; this makes them great for street photography, but also for rugged conditions and travel. Secondly, and the reason I believe the Leica M3 is still so popular today, is that rangefinder cameras, especially Leicas, are ingenious pieces of industrial design. Quick to operate and easy to replicate the same actions on, these cameras put you in full control of your settings, without overwhelming you with inputs. Oh, and they are also nice to look at.
So, what if you find yourself drawn to an M3, but you don’t want to spend upwards of a thousand dollars on a camera body just to feel that industrial design? Que the Canon P rangefinder camera; looks familiar, doesn’t it?
Before we talk about this camera today, I think it’s only fair to give a little bit of background first. The Leica M3 was released in 1954, greeted by near-instant widespread popularity among professional photographers. With multiple framelines for 50, 90 and 135mm lenses, a large and life-like viewfinder, a highly accurate rangefinder system, and shutter speeds all the way down to 1/100th of a second, this camera was revolutionary in a lot of ways. So then, it makes sense that when the Canon P was released in 1958, and it also featured a 1:1 viewfinder, a 1/1000th second shutter, multiple framelines, including 35mm framelines, and just about every other feature the M3 had and then some, it was Canon’s most popular rangefinder of all time, with sales totals higher than every Nikon rangefinder combined.
So yes, the Canon P is basically a Leica M3 clone, with a few innovations to make the camera even easier to use for the everyday shooter. The rewind toggle is a knurled ring integrated with the shutter button. The frame counter is easy to read and automatically resets when the back of the camera is opened, and loading film is a breeze with the full-back film door. The rewind lever is cleverly hidden within the top-plate, lending to the aesthetically pleasing lines on this camera. Everything about this camera honestly seems like Leica was directly consulting for Canon on this one, and the best part? The Canon P is cheap! I mean, it’s not cheap, it’s a little pricey if we’re being completely logical here. But when compared to, what is seemingly, the Canon P’s closest competition, this camera is an incredible value!
So, if you’re pining after an M3 because of its beautiful design, simple functionality, and great compactness; you might consider this alternative. I know your wallet will thank me, and if you’re anything like me, I think you’ll fall in love with the Canon P just like I have.


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Personal Instagram:   / alecjlangton  
Linkedin:   / alec-lang.  .

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Current Fav Film Camera: Canon P
Current Fav Film Lens: Leica 100mm f/2.8 APO
Fav Digital Cam: Canon EOS R
Fav Digital Lens: Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM

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Used for this video:
Canon EOS R
Canon EF-S 10-16mm f/4.5
Rode VideoMic Pro
Zoom H5 Audio Recorder
Apurture 300D MkII

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