• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Canon EOS M5 advantages over Sony A6400

  • Less expensive
    $699 vs $848
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~1.20 vs 1.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher-res screen
    540k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition

Sony A6400 advantages over Canon EOS M5

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • 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
  • Longer video battery life
    125 vs 85 minutes
    Capture more video
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 410 vs 295 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    5 years vs 7 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.0 fps vs 9.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    87 vs 27 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.1 fps vs 9.3 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    42 vs 18 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • 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
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A6400

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.

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro2

Canon EOS M5
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $679
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A6400
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon EOS M50

Canon EOS M5
Canon EOS M50
  • $679
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
Sony A6400
Canon EOS M50
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Fujifilm X-T100

Canon EOS M5
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $679
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A6400
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Fast startup
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon EOS M6 Mark II

Canon EOS M5
Canon EOS M6 Mark II
  • $679
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Fast startup
Sony A6400
Canon EOS M6 Mark II
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • More pixels

Compared to Sony A6100

Canon EOS M5
Sony A6100
  • $679
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A6400
Sony A6100
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
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