Canon EOS M vs Nikon J5

Cameras
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Canon EOS M vs Nikon J5

APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon EOS M Review.
How does it shoot? Canon EOS M in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the EOS M.
Compare Canon EOS M image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon EOS M conclusion.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.8 megapixels
ISO 160 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon J5 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon J5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the J5.
Compare Nikon J5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon J5 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon EOS M3
Compare EOS M vs EOS M3
Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Nikon J5

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Differences

Canon EOS M advantages over Nikon J5

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.30 vs 2.37 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
EOS M test data on DxO Mark J5 test data on DxO Mark

827 vs 479 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/200 vs 1/60 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon J5 advantages over Canon EOS M

Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~2.00 vs 2.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Lighter weight
345g vs 503g
Lighter weight
Less shutter lag
0.07 vs 0.74 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.8 vs 18.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
59.4 fps vs 4.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
20 vs 13 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
59.4 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
20 vs 6 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Adorama
Read EOS M User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read J5 User Reviews

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Kit with 10-30mm lens (Black)

Kit with 10-30mm lens (Black)
Kit with 10-100mm lens (Silver)
Kit with 10-100mm lens (White)
Kit with 10-30mm & 30-110mm lenses (Silver)
Kit with 10-30mm & 30-110mm lenses (White)
Kit with 10-30mm lens (Silver)
Kit with 10-30mm lens (White)

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality similar to Rebel T4i, T5i and SL1 DSLRs, with 18-megapixel APS-C-type sensor delivering considerable resolution for a mirrorless camera; Solid build and sleek design; Bright, high-resolution 3-inch LCD touchscreen monitor; Full 1080p HD video recording that's virtually silent with an STM lens.
Barely acceptable autofocus speed still lags far behind most mirrorless cameras despite firmware update fix; Limited physical controls and buttons, including no Program, Priority, or Manual on Mode dial; Lacks built-in flash or electronic viewfinder option; Only two compact EF-M mount lenses currently available.
Read our Canon EOS M Review

Photographer-friendly controls; Impressive dynamic range for its class; Very fast hybrid autofocus; Fast high-speed shooting capabilities; Tilting touchscreen display.
No hot shoe or viewfinder; Aggressive noise reduction, even at base ISO; 4K video is limited to 15fps.
Read our Nikon J5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-C3

$600
APS-C

Touchscreen
On-sensor phase detect

$559
APS-C

Lens selection
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-C3

Nikon J5

Sony NEX-C3

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$559
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J5 vs Sony NEX-C3

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5N

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-5N

Nikon J5

Sony NEX-5N

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J5 vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5R

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

$499
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-5R

Nikon J5

Sony NEX-5R

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Internal flash

$499
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon J5 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Canon EOS M

Samsung NX Mini

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$600
1 inch

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon EOS M vs Samsung NX Mini

Nikon J5

Samsung NX Mini

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
On-sensor phase detect

$600
1 inch

Longer stills battery life
Thinner

Compare Nikon J5 vs Samsung NX Mini

Compared to Nikon J4

Canon EOS M

Nikon J4

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$350
1 inch

In-camera panoramas
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon EOS M vs Nikon J4

Nikon J5

Nikon J4

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Tiltable Screen

$350
1 inch

Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon J5 vs Nikon J4

Compare Other Cameras?