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

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Differences

Sony A5100 advantages over Canon EOS M50

  • 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
    $448 vs $649
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 235 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 58 mm
    Thinner
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    67 vs 36 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    25 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Canon EOS M50 advantages over Sony A5100

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    7 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    540k vs 230k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.07 vs 0.23 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in 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
  • 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

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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Buy the Canon EOS M50
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Kit with 15-45mm Lens (Black)
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Review Excerpt

  • Very small and comfortable form factor; Very good image quality for its class; New dual video record function; Quick autofocus and good dynamic range.

  • Lacks an EVF and external mode dial; No hot shoe; JPEG processing at higher ISOs not as good as some competing mid-level models.

  • Read our Sony A5100 Review

  • 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).

  • Read our Canon EOS M50 Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX1000

Sony A5100
Samsung NX1000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $413
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1000

Canon EOS M50
Samsung NX1000
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $413
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Samsung NX1000

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony A5100
Samsung NX1100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1100

Canon EOS M50
Samsung NX1100
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Sony A5000

Sony A5100
Sony A5000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony A5000

Canon EOS M50
Sony A5000
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Sony A5000

Compared to Canon EOS M5

Sony A5100
Canon EOS M5
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A5100 vs Canon EOS M5

Canon EOS M50
Canon EOS M5
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Canon EOS M5

Compared to Sony A6400

Sony A5100
Sony A6400
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony A6400

Canon EOS M50
Sony A6400
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Sony A6400

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