Canon EOS M vs Sony RX100 V

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Canon EOS M vs Sony RX100 V

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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
20.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 V Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX100 V in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100 V.
Compare Sony RX100 V image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX100 V conclusion.

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

Succeeded by the Sony RX100 VA
Compare RX100 V vs RX100 VA

Compare CANON EOS M3 vs SONY RX100 VA

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Differences

Canon EOS M advantages over Sony RX100 V

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.30 vs 2.41 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 RX100 V test data on DxO Mark

827 vs 586 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Sony RX100 V advantages over Canon EOS M

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~2.00 vs 2.7 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
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.
RX100 V test data on DxO Mark EOS M test data on DxO Mark

12.4 vs 11.2 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
8 years vs 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Less shutter lag
0.19 vs 0.74 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Faster JPEG shooting
23.8 fps vs 4.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
150 vs 13 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
24.1 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
72 vs 6 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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
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
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 RX100 V User Reviews

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Sony RX100 VA

Sony RX100 VA
Sony RX100 V

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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

Pocket-friendly design; Unbelievably fast burst capture; Generous buffer depth, even for raw; Fast and confident autofocus; Very high resolution gives lots of detail in good light; High ISO noise levels much better than most pocket camera rivals; High-quality 4K video with uncompressed HDMI out; Super-fast High Frame Rate video
Very pricey for a compact camera; Still no touch screen; Slow buffer clearing; JPEGs can look over-processed at higher ISOs; Lens doesn't offer much telephoto reach; Battery life is very modest; 4K movies are limited to five minute clips
Read our Sony RX100 V Review

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

Sony RX100 V

Sony NEX-C3

$998
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$559
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 V 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

Sony RX100 V

Sony NEX-5N

$998
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 V vs Sony NEX-5N

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

Sony RX100 V

Sony NEX-5R

$998
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 V vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Sony RX100 IV

Canon EOS M

Sony RX100 IV

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$898
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 IV

$998
1 inch

On-sensor phase detect
Faster JPEG shooting

$898
1 inch

Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony RX100 V vs Sony RX100 IV

Compared to Sony RX100 VA

Canon EOS M

Sony RX100 VA

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$998
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony RX100 VA

Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 VA

$998
1 inch

$998
1 inch

Bigger JPEG buffer
Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Sony RX100 V vs Sony RX100 VA

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