Canon G1X vs Canon EOS M5

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Canon G1X vs Canon EOS M5

1.5 inch 261.8mm²
14.3 megapixels
28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G1X Review.
See real-world photos taken with the G1X.

APS-C 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon EOS M5 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon EOS M5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the EOS M5.
Compare Canon EOS M5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon EOS M5 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon G1X Mark II
Compare G1X vs G1X Mark II
Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Canon EOS M5

Buy From

Differences

Canon G1X advantages over Canon EOS M5

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 4.30 vs 3.72 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 18 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Canon EOS M5 advantages over Canon G1X

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1.5 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~1.20 vs 1.9 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
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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 M5 test data on DxO Mark G1X test data on DxO Mark

1,262 vs 644 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
EOS M5 test data on DxO Mark G1X test data on DxO Mark

12.4 vs 10.8 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
7 years vs 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
540k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.70 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.2 vs 14.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
9.2 fps vs 4.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
27 vs 6 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.3 fps vs 1.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G1X User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read EOS M5 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon G1X

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M5

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 Lens (Black)
Kit with 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 Lens (Black)

All EOS M5 Deals

Review Excerpt

Large-sensor image quality. Sharp lens with useful zoom range. Tilt/swivel LCD. Twin dials. Smaller than competing interchangeable-lens cameras with a similar lens. Lots of photographer-friendly features.
Not as small as you might hope. Mediocre burst shooting and autofocus speed. Far too easy to accidentally change exposure compensation. Viewfinder is of surprisingly little use. Battery life could be better.
Read our Canon G1X Review

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.
Read our Canon EOS M5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Canon G1X

Sigma DP1 Merrill

$576
1.5 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G1X vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Canon EOS M5

Sigma DP1 Merrill

$679
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon EOS M5 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Compared to Sigma dp2 Quattro

Canon G1X

Sigma dp2 Quattro

$576
1.5 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon G1X vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

Canon EOS M5

Sigma dp2 Quattro

$679
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon EOS M5 vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

Compared to Canon G1X Mark III

Canon G1X

Canon G1X Mark III

$576
1.5 inch

Bigger pixels
More telephoto lens reach

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon G1X vs Canon G1X Mark III

Canon EOS M5

Canon G1X Mark III

$679
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS M5 vs Canon G1X Mark III

Compared to Canon EOS M50

Canon G1X

Canon EOS M50

$576
1.5 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

$579
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon G1X vs 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

Compare Canon EOS M5 vs Canon EOS M50

Compared to Fujifilm X-T100

Canon G1X

Fujifilm X-T100

$576
1.5 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

$599
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon G1X vs Fujifilm X-T100

Canon EOS M5

Fujifilm X-T100

$679
APS-C

Fast startup
NFC

$599
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M5 vs Fujifilm X-T100

Compare Other Cameras?