It certainly did look different, with a single funnel (Although it was in fact two combined in one exit):
http://www.kbismarck.com/mgl/canarias.gif
According to the info I have readed, the Canarias (And sister ship Baleares) were based in the british County-class cruisers. Hull and armament was the same, but funnels were restructured and a better armour added in the deck (The british County class cruisers had almost none there). Superstructures were also reworked with more compact and streamlined forms.
BTW, Canarias served with the fascist forces, so it is not a target for german submarines
EDITED: Link in english:
http://www.kbismarck.com/mgl/cruisers.htm