Canon M5 vs Nikon D3300: A Complete Comparison

Canon M5 vs Nikon D3300: We compare the Canon M5, a Semi-Pro Mirrorless camera with a 24.0MP APS-C sensor and the Nikon D3300, an Entry-Level DSLR camera with a 24.0MP APS-C sensor. Before we go in-depth, here’s a brief overview of the main specs of both cameras.

Canon M5 vs Nikon D3300 Specs

The Canon M5 is a Semi-Pro Mirrorless camera whereas Nikon D3300 is a Semi-Pro DSLR camera. The difference here lies in the body type. Mirrorless cameras are much more lightweight than their DSLR counterparts. However, DSLRs have been known to perform better than most mirrorless cameras. But, with recent advancements in focus speeds and design, mirrorless cameras serve as good alternatives to DSLRs.

Canon M5 vs Nikon D3300

Canon M5 vs Nikon D3300

 Specifications

Canon M5

Nikon D3300

Megapixels 24.2 24.2
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Sensor Format APS-C APS-C (DX)
Crop Factor 1.6x 1.5x
AA Filter Yes None
Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Body Image Stabilization Yes (Movie only) No
Lens Mount Canon EF-M Nikon FX/DX
ISO 100 – 25,600 100 – 12,800
Expanded ISO None 25,600
AF Points 49 Hybrid 11
Cross-type AF Points Dual Pixel AF 1
Continuous Mode 7fps 5fps
LCD 3.2″ – Articulating 3.0″ – Fixed
LCD Resolution 1,620,000 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen Yes No
Focus Peaking Yes No
Top LCD Display No No
Viewfinder Type EVF (2.36M) Optical
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.85x
Video Resolution 1920×1080 (60/50/30/25/24p 1920×1080 (60/50/30/25/24p
1280×720 (60/50p) 1280×720 (60/50p)
Microphone Jack Yes Yes
Headphone Jack No No
Memory Card Type SD SD
Dual Card Slots No No
SD UHS Support UHS-I UHS-I
Fastest Shutter Speed 1/4000 1/4000
Slowest Shutter Speed 30″ 30″
Bulb Mode Yes Yes
JPEG Buffer Size 27 100
RAW Buffer Size 18 7
Time Lapse Yes No
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Max Flash Sync Speed 1/200 1/200
Startup Time 1.2s 0.4s
Built-in Wi-Fi Yes No
Built-in GPS No No
Built-in NFC Yes No
Bluetooth Yes No
USB Type USB 2.0 USB 2.0
Environmentally Sealed No No
Battery Life (CIPA) 295 shots 700 shots
Battery Included Yes (LP-E17) Yes (EN-EL14a)
Weight 15.0 oz (427g) 13.93 oz (395g)
Size 4.6 x 3.5 x 2.4″ 4.9 x 3.9 x 3.0″
Price Amazon Amazon
Release Date 2016 2014

Nikon D3300 vs Canon M5: Common Features

 Built-in Flash Yes vs Yes
 External Flash Shoe Yes vs Yes
 Viewfinder Yes (Electronic) vs Yes (Optical)
 RAW Support Yes vs Yes
 Face Detection Focus Yes vs Yes
 Max Resolution 24 MP vs 24 MP
 Microphone Port Yes vs Yes

Canon M5 vs Nikon D3300 Size Comparison

The Canon M5 is certainly the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 8mm narrower, 9mm shorter and 15mm thinner than the Nikon D3300.

Weight is another important factor to consider when buying a camera. The M5 is lighter by 3g. This weight difference is not significant for everyday use.

Canon M5 vs Nikon D3300

Canon M5 vs Nikon D3300

Also, keep in mind that the lenses that you use with these bodies may affect the overall weight. However, since both the Canon EOS M5 and Nikon D3300 have the same APS-C sized sensor, their lenses with regard to similar focal length and aperture are similar in size and weight.

Nikon D3300 vs Canon M5 Sensor Comparison

Both the D7200 and A6300 have APS-C sized 24.0 MP resolution sensors. So, sensor size and resolution should not influence your choice between the two cameras.

Another key difference between these two cameras is that the Nikon D3300’s sensor lacks an anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. Removing the anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but, at the same time, it increases the chance of watery overlays occurring in certain pictures.

Canon EOS M5 vs Nikon D3300 Sensor Comparison

Canon EOS M5 vs Nikon D3300 Sensor Comparison

The Nikon D3300 has a 1.1x larger sensor area than the Canon M5. Larger sensors allow for more control of the depth of field and blurry background compared to the smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.

Canon EOS M5 Advantages Over Nikon D3300

Wireless Connection Built-In vs Optional
 Articulating Screen Yes vs No
 Touch Screen Yes vs No
 Max ISO 25.600 vs 12.800
 Number of Focus Points 49 vs 11
 LCD Screen Size 3.2″ vs 3″
 LCD Screen Resolution 1.620k dots vs 921k dots
 Viewfinder Coverage 100% vs 95%
 Continuous Shooting 9.0fps vs 5.0fps
 Weight 427 g vs 430 g
 Timelapse Recording Yes vs No
 AE Bracketing Yes vs No
 Selfie Friendly LCD Yes vs No
 NFC Connection Yes vs No
 Bluetooth Yes vs No
 Smartphone_remote control Yes vs No
 Digital video stabilization Yes vs No

Key reasons to choose the Canon M5 instead of the Nikon D3300:

  • Body Image Stabilization – It has body image stabilization but it only works in video.
  • AF Points – 39 vs 11
  • Continuous mode – 7fps vs 5fps. More is better for sports and wildlife since you have more chances of getting a tack sharp shot.
  • LCD – 3.2″ vs 3.0″ and it’s articulated.
  • LCD Resolution – Higher resolution.
  • Touchscreen Support
  • Focus Peaking – Very useful for seeing if your subject is in focus (both photo and video).
  • Viewfinder Coverage – 100% vs 95%.
  • RAW Buffer Size – 18 vs 7.
  • Time-Lapse
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in NFC
  • Bluetooth Support
  • Size – The Canon M5 is noticeably smaller.

Video: Canon M5 Hands-on Review

Nikon D3300 Advantages Over Canon EOS M5

Battery Life 700 shotsvs295 shots
 Flash Coverage 12.0mvs5.0m
 Sensor Pixel Area 15.28µm2vs13.84µm2
 Price $447vs$929

Here are the key reasons to buy the D3300 instead of the M5:

  • AA Filter – The Nikon D3300 has no AA filter.
  • JPEG Buffer Size – 100 vs 27. Useful for long bursts.
  • Battery Life – 700 shots vs 295 shots.

You can check out the best accessories and lenses for the Nikon D3300 while you’re here. And, we also have an article on the top SD card to use.

Video: Nikon D3300 Hands-on Review

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