• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Canon EOS M5 advantages over Nikon Z6

  • Less expensive
    $899 vs $1899
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    557g vs 1175g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.20 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)

Nikon Z6 advantages over Canon EOS M5

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 3.72 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,299 vs 1,262 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.3 vs 12.4 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 295 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 9.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    47 vs 27 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.0 fps vs 9.3 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    35 vs 18 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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 panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z6

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.

  • Great image quality; Terrific high ISO performance; Fast AF speeds; Eye AF; Swift 12fps burst shooting; In-body image stabilization; High-quality 4K video; Robust build quality; Familiar Nikon design.

  • Single XQD card slot; Default high ISO NR a bit strong; No 4K 60p; 1/200s x-sync speed; Limited native lens selection (at this time).

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro2

Canon EOS M5
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon Z6
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $1396
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon EOS M50

Canon EOS M5
Canon EOS M50
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon Z6
Canon EOS M50
  • $1396
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Sony A7 III

Canon EOS M5
Sony A7 III
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1531
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon Z6
Sony A7 III
  • $1396
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • More dots on screen
  • $1531
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compared to Fujifilm X-T100

Canon EOS M5
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon Z6
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $1396
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger sensor
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon EOS R

Canon EOS M5
Canon EOS R
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon Z6
Canon EOS R
  • $1396
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
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