• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 45.7 megapixels
  • ISO 64 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon EOS M5 advantages over Nikon D850

  • Less expensive
    $699 vs $2497*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer video battery life
    85 vs 70 minutes
    Capture more video
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.2 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.3 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Nikon D850 advantages over Canon EOS M5

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.35 vs 3.72 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Fast startup
    ~0.20 vs 1.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    26.4 vs 23.4 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,660 vs 1,262 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.8 vs 12.4 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1840 vs 295 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More pixels
    45.7 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 27 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    200 vs 18 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M5

Review Excerpt

  • Enthusiast-oriented compact camera body; Good image quality in most situations; Built-in electronic viewfinder; Impressive Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Very good overall performance.

  • High ISO image quality and dynamic range aren't quite up to par with some of its competition; No 4K video recording; Native EF-M lens selection is still limited; Below average battery life.

  • Class-leading resolution; Excellent dynamic range; Very good high ISO performance; Very fast AF and burst shooting; Durable weather-sealed body; Improved ergonomics; Touchscreen; Dual card slots; 4K video.

  • Live view/video mode still uses sluggish contrast-detect AF; Viewfinder only tests at ~98% coverage; No 4K at 60p; 30-minute video clip limit; Focus peaking not supported with 4K.

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro2

Canon EOS M5
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D850
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Sony A99 II

Canon EOS M5
Sony A99 II
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D850
Sony A99 II
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Canon EOS M5
Pentax K-1 II
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D850
Pentax K-1 II
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon EOS M50

Canon EOS M5
Canon EOS M50
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
Nikon D850
Canon EOS M50
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Fujifilm X-T100

Canon EOS M5
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D850
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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