• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon J5 advantages over Canon EOS M50

  • Less expensive
    $497 vs $649
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Slower slow-motion
    1200 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    31 mm vs 58 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    345g vs 484g
    Lighter weight
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    59.4 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    59.4 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    20 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon EOS M50 advantages over Nikon J5

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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 2.37 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
  • Newer
    7 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    540k vs 346k 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 20.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    36 vs 20 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • 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 J5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M50

Review Excerpt

  • Photographer-friendly controls; Impressive dynamic range for its class; Very fast hybrid autofocus; Fast high-speed shooting capabilities; Tilting touchscreen display.

  • No hot shoe or viewfinder; Aggressive noise reduction, even at base ISO; 4K video is limited to 15fps.

  • Comfortable ergonomics and solid build; Versatile EVF and tilt-swivel, touch-screen LCD; Good image quality; Great performance for its class; New C-RAW format saves on raw file size; 4K video is an M-series first.

  • Somewhat limited dynamic range; JPEGs a little soft at base ISO, and more so at higher ISOs; Warm white balance under incandescent light; Poor battery life; Raw buffer is still shallow (but C-RAW helps).

The Competition

Compared to Nikon J3

Nikon J5
Nikon J3
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Canon EOS M50
Nikon J3
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Thinner

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Nikon J5
Samsung NX Mini
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner
Canon EOS M50
Samsung NX Mini
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon J4

Nikon J5
Nikon J4
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
Canon EOS M50
Nikon J4
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon EOS M5

Nikon J5
Canon EOS M5
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $679
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon EOS M50
Canon EOS M5
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $679
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony A6400

Nikon J5
Sony A6400
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Canon EOS M50
Sony A6400
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
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