Canon EOS M vs Nikon V2

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Canon EOS M vs Nikon V2

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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
14.2 megapixels
ISO 160 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon V2 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the V2.

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

Succeeded by the Nikon V3
Compare V2 vs V3

Compare CANON EOS M3 vs NIKON V3

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Differences

Canon EOS M advantages over Nikon V2

Less expensive
$600 vs $900 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.30 vs 2.86 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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 V2 test data on DxO Mark

827 vs 403 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
32 mm vs 45 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More pixels
18.0 vs 14.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon V2 advantages over Canon EOS M

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

310 vs 230 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Less shutter lag
0.07 vs 0.74 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Faster JPEG shooting
60.6 fps vs 4.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
40 vs 13 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
58.8 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
40 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

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
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
Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read EOS M User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read V2 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon EOS M

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon V2

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 10-100mm Lens
Kit with 10-30mm & 30-110mm Lenses
Kit with 10-30mm Lens

All V2 Deals

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

We haven’t reviewed the Nikon V2.
Read our Nikon V2 Initial Test

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 V2

Sony NEX-C3

$900
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
On-sensor phase detect

$559
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon V2 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 V2

Sony NEX-5N

$900
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
On-sensor phase detect

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon V2 vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Nikon V1

Canon EOS M

Nikon V1

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$900
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Canon EOS M vs Nikon V1

Nikon V2

Nikon V1

$900
1 inch

Higher effective ISO
On-sensor phase detect

$900
1 inch

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Nikon V2 vs Nikon V1

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 V2

Sony NEX-5R

$900
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Internal flash

$499
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon V2 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Nikon AW1

Canon EOS M

Nikon AW1

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$797
1 inch

Waterproof
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon EOS M vs Nikon AW1

Nikon V2

Nikon AW1

$900
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Longer stills battery life

$797
1 inch

Waterproof
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon V2 vs Nikon AW1

Compare Other Cameras?