• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony NEX-5R advantages over YI M1

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.78 vs 3.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

YI M1 advantages over Sony NEX-5R

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $750 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Newer
    8 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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 Sony NEX-5R
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens
All NEX-5R Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the YI M1
Kit with 12-40mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 12-40mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 12-40mm & 42.5mm lenses (Silver)

Review Excerpt

  • Cheap as chips (and with a kit lens!); Quality Sony Exmor Four Thirds sensor; Widely-supported Micro Four Thirds lens mount; Good image quality from raw files; Reasonable burst performance for price; 4K video capture.

  • Poor ergonomics; Controls too easily bumped; Frustrating user interface; Mediocre JPEG image quality; Heavy-handed noise reduction; Unreliable white balance; No raw+JPEG; Buffer is almost nonexistent; Focus confirmation beep happens while still focusing; AF is poor in low light; Laggy user interface in playback; Extreme crop for 4K video; Kit lenses feel cheap; No bundled flash.

  • Read our YI M1 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5R
Sony NEX-C3
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony NEX-5R vs Sony NEX-C3

YI M1
Sony NEX-C3
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare YI M1 vs Sony NEX-C3

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5R
Sony NEX-5N
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony NEX-5R vs Sony NEX-5N

YI M1
Sony NEX-5N
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare YI M1 vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack

Compare Sony NEX-5R vs Canon EOS M

YI M1
Canon EOS M
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare YI M1 vs Canon EOS M

Compared to Olympus E-PL6

Sony NEX-5R
Olympus E-PL6
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compare Sony NEX-5R vs Olympus E-PL6

YI M1
Olympus E-PL6
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare YI M1 vs Olympus E-PL6

Compared to Panasonic GX850

Sony NEX-5R
Panasonic GX850
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony NEX-5R vs Panasonic GX850

YI M1
Panasonic GX850
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash

Compare YI M1 vs Panasonic GX850

Compare Other Cameras?