• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Canon EOS M5 advantages over Sony A6100

  • Higher-res screen
    540k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition

Sony A6100 advantages over Canon EOS M5

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $698 vs $899
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • Longer video battery life
    125 vs 85 minutes
    Capture more video
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 420 vs 295 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    5 years vs 8 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.0 fps vs 9.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    76 vs 27 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.0 fps vs 9.3 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    33 vs 18 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 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
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • 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 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 Canon EOS M5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A6100

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 Fujifilm X-Pro2

Canon EOS M5
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A6100
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Higher max flash sync
  • More dots on screen

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
Sony A6100
Canon EOS M50
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Higher-res screen

Compared to Fujifilm X-T100

Canon EOS M5
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A6100
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Sony A6400

Canon EOS M5
Sony A6400
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher-res screen
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A6100
Sony A6400
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Higher extended ISO

Compared to Canon EOS M6 Mark II

Canon EOS M5
Canon EOS M6 Mark II
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Fast startup
Sony A6100
Canon EOS M6 Mark II
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Faster JPEG shooting
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