• 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony A7S II advantages over Canon EOS M5

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • 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
    ~ 8.40 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,993 vs 1,262 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 295 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    63 vs 27 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    28 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
    409600 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon EOS M5 advantages over Sony A7S II

  • Less expensive
    $899 vs $2398*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~1.20 vs 2.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher-res screen
    540k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 12.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.2 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.3 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M5

Review Excerpt

  • Comfortable and surprisingly compact camera body; Improved low light performance; Built-in image stabilization; Wide range of usable ISOs; More sophisticated autofocus performance; Excellent video capabilities.

  • Relatively low resolution; Mediocre continuous shooting performance; No built-in flash; No losslessly compressed RAW option.

  • 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 Sony A7S

Sony A7S II
Sony A7S
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Canon EOS M5
Sony A7S
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro2

Sony A7S II
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Canon EOS M5
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony A9

Sony A7S II
Sony A9
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
Canon EOS M5
Sony A9
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon EOS M50

Sony A7S II
Canon EOS M50
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon EOS M5
Canon EOS M50
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Sony A7S III

Sony A7S II
Sony A7S III
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • $3348
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion
Canon EOS M5
Sony A7S III
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $3348
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
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