• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A230 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.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.12 vs 3.72 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 1.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 510 vs 295 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    83 mm vs 72 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens

Canon EOS M5 advantages over Sony DSLR-A230

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,262 vs 531 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    8 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1620k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 10.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.2 fps vs 2.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Canon EOS M5

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 Canon XS

Sony DSLR-A230
Canon XS
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Canon EOS M5
Canon XS
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony DSLR-A330

Sony DSLR-A230
Sony DSLR-A330
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $530
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
Canon EOS M5
Sony DSLR-A330
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $530
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon D3000

Sony DSLR-A230
Nikon D3000
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • HDMI out
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Canon EOS M5
Nikon D3000
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon EOS M50

Sony DSLR-A230
Canon EOS M50
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
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 Fujifilm X-T100

Sony DSLR-A230
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon EOS M5
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
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