Canon EOS M5 Image Quality

Since these two siblings share very similar or perhaps even the same 24-megapixel APS-C sensor, we wanted to see how they compare in terms of image quality, since they are also similarly priced. There is a difference in image processors, though, with the M5 employing the newer DIGIC 7 chip versus DIGIC 6 for the 80D. As expected here at base ISO there are only minor differences between the these two Canons, with the 80D producing colors that are a bit warmer. Otherwise, resolution, noise, sharpness and contrast are all very similar indeed.

The image from the Nikon D7200 is sharper, crisper and slightly more detailed than the M5's at base ISO, thanks to the D7200's lack of an AA filter, as well as more aggressive processing. We do see higher luminance noise from the Nikon, though, and both cameras generate obvious sharpening halos. Aliasing artifacts are more visible from the Nikon, however it did a pretty good job at avoiding visible moiré patterns we often see in our notorious red-leaf swatch, while still resolving more of the fine thread pattern. We do see indications that the M5's AA filter is fairly weak, though, as ironically moiré patterns are more visible from the Canon. The Nikon's colors are warmer and more saturated, but not as accurate overall as the Canon's.

The 24-megapixel APS-C Canon M5 out-resolves the 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds Olympus E-M5 II, however the Olympus produces a crisper, punchier image. Both produce obvious sharpening haloes but the Olympus' are smaller and tighter. The E-M5 II also doesn't have an optical low-pass filter, so its images are a bit sharper to begin with. Noise from the Olympus is a bit higher in the shadows, but keep in mind the higher base ISO of 200. Both cameras produce pleasing colors with the Canon M5 just a touch more accurate overall.

The 24-megapixel Canon M5 has a slight resolution advantage over the 20.2-megapixel Micro Four Thirds Panasonic GX8, but it isn't resolving significantly more detail in most areas here (the majority of the resolution advantage is in the width of the image because of its wider 3:2 aspect ratio). The Panasonic shows slightly higher noise levels (but keep in mind its higher base ISO), yet it does show some artifacts from its area-specific noise reduction already here at base ISO, in the form of rough edges. Color and contrast are more pleasing from the Canon, however the GX8 does noticeably better with fine detail in our red-leaf swatch, and its image is also a bit sharper despite showing less obvious sharpening halos.

In this comparison, we pit the Canon M5 against Sony's similarly priced 24-megapixel APS-C mirrorless, the A6300. It has either a very weak or no AA filter which helps maximize sharpness and detail, and Sony's default processing produces crisp images without the obvious and unsightly sharpening halos produced by the Canon. We do see stronger aliasing artifacts from the A6300, though, especially in the red-leaf fabric. Color is however noticeably better from the Canon, without the slight yellow to green shift seen from the Sony.

As expected, there's very little between these two siblings in terms of image quality at ISO 1600, with just very minor differences in color and contrast.

The Nikon D7200 still manages to produce a sharper, crisper image with better detail in most areas at ISO 1600, however the Canon M5 does noticeably better with our tricky red-leaf fabric. Noise levels are similar, however the Nikon's more aggressive sharpening makes luminance noise somewhat more conspicuous in flatter areas.

Here at ISO 1600, the Olympus E-M5 II produces a cleaner, crisper image, however the effects of noise reduction are more obvious, with smudging and smearing of fine detail. The Canon on the other hand shows a much stronger noise "grain", but it has a film-like appearance with fewer noise reduction artifacts, though the image is quite a bit softer than at base ISO.

It's a similar story here against the GX8, with the Panasonic showing less noise and a tighter grain, but with more obvious noise reduction artifacts as it applies stronger noise suppression in areas with less detail. The Canon continues to produce a brighter, contrastier, more vibrant image, though it's a little soft.

Like we saw at base ISO, the Sony A6300 delivers a much sharper image with better detail at ISO 1600, though aliasing artifacts are more visible. Noise levels are comparable, however the noise "grain" from the Canon is more consistent and film-like, while the Sony's noise reduction processing produces some darker pixels and other artifacts which give flatter areas a less natural look.

Once again, there is little difference between these two 24-megapixel APS-C Canon ILCs at ISO 3200 despite the different processors. Both produce somewhat soft images with a fairly strong but natural-looking noise "grain" in flatter areas. The 80D however holds on to a touch more detail in our red-leaf fabric.

Once again, the Nikon D7200 delivers a sharper, more detailed image than the M5 at ISO 3200. Overall noise levels appear just a bit lower from the Nikon, but its more aggressive processing means the grain pattern isn't quite as uniform as the Canon's. The Nikon actually renders a bit more fine detail in the red-leaf fabric, but some of it is distorted and false, and contrast is a little better from the Canon.

Similar to what we saw at ISO 1600, the E-M5 II continues to produce a cleaner, much crisper image, but detail-robbing noise reduction artifacts are much more visible giving the Olympus image a more processed look.

The Panasonic GX8 does a bit better than the Canon M5 when it comes to holding onto fine detail while at the same time suppressing luminance noise better, but once again more noise reduction artifacts are a result. Both cameras struggle about equally with our red-leaf swatch, but the Canon continues to produces more pleasing colors while the Panasonic continues to produce a sharper image.

The Sony A6300 continues to produce a crisper, more detailed image than the Canon M5 at ISO 3200, however its area-specific noise reduction generates more artifacts in flatter areas and along edges than Canon's more traditional approach to noise reduction. The M5 blurs our tricky red-leaf fabric lot more here at ISO 3200, but much of the Sony's apparent detail in that fabric is false.