• 1 inch 115.3mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon S2 advantages over Canon EOS M5

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 60 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 9.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (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

Canon EOS M5 advantages over Nikon S2

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.72 vs 2.85 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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
  • Higher-res screen
    540k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 30 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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

  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S2

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.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax Q7

Nikon S2
Pentax Q7
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon EOS M5
Pentax Q7
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Nikon S2
Samsung NX Mini
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Canon EOS M5
Samsung NX Mini
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Pentax Q-S1

Nikon S2
Pentax Q-S1
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon EOS M5
Pentax Q-S1
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro2

Nikon S2
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Canon EOS M5
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon EOS M50

Nikon S2
Canon EOS M50
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Canon EOS M5
Canon EOS M50
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
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