Canon M5 vs Sony A7 II: We compare two semi-professional mirrorless cameras. The Sony Alpha A7 II
Canon M5 vs Sony A7 II Specs
Canon M5 vs Sony A7 II – Comparison
Specifications |
Canon M5 |
Sony A7 II |
|---|---|---|
| Megapixels | 24.2 | 24.3 |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Format | APS-C | Full Frame |
| Crop Factor | 1.6x | None |
| AA Filter | Yes | Yes |
| Image Resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 6000 x 4000 |
| Body Image Stabilization | Yes (Movie only) | No |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF-M | Sony E |
| ISO | 100 – 25,600 | 100 – 25,600 |
| Expanded ISO | None | 50 – 51,200 |
| AF Points | 49 Hybrid | 117 |
| Cross-type AF Points | Dual Pixel AF | 117 phase |
| Continuous Mode | 7fps | 5fps |
| LCD | 3.2″ – Articulating | 3.0″ – Articulating |
| LCD Resolution | 1,620,000 dots | 1,228,800 dots |
| Touchscreen | Yes | No |
| Focus Peaking | Yes | Yes |
| Top LCD Display | No | No |
| Viewfinder Type | EVF (2.36M) | EVF |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.71x | |
| Video Resolution | 1920×1080 (60/50/30/25/24p | 1920×1080 (60/30/24p) |
| 1280×720 (60/50p) | 1920×1080 (120/100/60/50p) | |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | No | Yes |
| Memory Card Type | SD | SD or MS Pro |
| Dual Card Slots | No | No |
| SD UHS Support | UHS-I | UHS-I |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/4000 | 1/8000 |
| Slowest Shutter Speed | 30″ | 30″ |
| Bulb Mode | Yes | Yes |
| JPEG Buffer Size | 27 | 52 |
| RAW Buffer Size | 18 | 28 |
| Time Lapse | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | Yes | No |
| Max Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 | 1/250 |
| Startup Time | 1.2s | 1.7s |
| Built-in Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in GPS | No | No |
| Built-in NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| USB Type | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
| Environmentally Sealed | No | Yes |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 295 shots | 350 shots |
| Battery Included | Yes (LP-E17) | Yes (NP-FW50) |
| Weight | 15.0 oz (427g) | 21.13 oz (600g) |
| Size | 4.6 x 3.5 x 2.4″ | 5.0 x 3.8 x 2.4″ |
| Price | Amazon | Amazon |
| Release Date | 2016 | 2014 |
Canon M5 vs Sony A7 II Common Features
| Wireless Connection | Yes vs Yes | Better connectivity |
| Articulating Screen | Yes vs Yes | Flexible shooting positions |
| External Flash Shoe | Yes vs Yes | Better for flash photography |
| Viewfinder | Yes (Electronic) vs Yes (Electronic) | Better framing and control |
| RAW Support | Yes vs Yes | Better image quality |
| Face Detection Focus | Yes vs Yes | Useful for portraits |
| Max Resolution | 24 MP vs 24 MP | Bigger prints and more details |
| Microphone Port | Yes vs Yes | High-quality audio recording option |
| AE Bracketing | Yes vs Yes | Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR |
| NFC Connection | Yes vs Yes | Easy wireless connectivity with compatible devices |
| Smartphone Remote Control | Yes vs Yes | Remote control your camera with a smartphone |
Sony A7 II vs Canon M5 Size Comparison
With regard to size, the Canon EOS M5 is 11mm narrower and 7mm shorter than the Sony Alpha A7 II. However, it is also 1mm thicker. Furthermore, the EOS M5 is 172g lighter than the Alpha A7 II.
Canon M5 vs Sony A7 II – Comparison
And, since Canon uses an APS-C sensor, the Canon M5’s lenses for a similar focal length and aperture are lighter and smaller than the Sony A7 II lenses.
Sony A7 II vs Canon M5 Sensor Comparison
They both feature a 24.0 MP resolution sensor. However, as noted, the Canon M5 features an APS-C sensor (22.3 x 14.9 mm ) while the Sony Alpha A7 II has a full frame sensor (35.8 x 23.9 mm ). The A7 II offers a larger sensor area with the same resolution and it also has a larger pixel area.
These features combined allow the A7 II to collect more light hence offering clearer, larger images than the Canon EOS M5. The Sony A7 II has a 2.6x Larger sensor area than the Canon M5. Larger sensors provide more control over the depth of field and blurry background compared to the smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.
Why You Should Choose The Canon M5
| Built-in Flash | Yes vs No | Useful in low-light |
| Touch Screen | Yes vs No | Easy control of camera functions |
| LCD Screen Size | 3.2″ vs 3″ | 0.2 inches larger display |
| LCD Screen Resolution | 1.620k dots vs 1.230k dots | 31% higher resolution screen |
| Continuous Shooting | 9.0fps vs 5.0fps | 4 fps faster |
| Weight | 427 g vs 599 g | 172 g lighter |
| Timelapse Recording | Yes vs With optional app | creative shooting |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 2360k dot vs 2359k dot | 0% higher resolution |
| Price | $880 vs $1,498 | $618 cheaper |
| Bluetooth | Yes vs No | Connect your camera to other devices via Bluetooth |
Advantages of the Canon M5 Over Sony A7 II
- Body Image Stabilization – It has body image stabilization but it only works in video.
- Continuous mode – 7fps vs 5fps. It’s an advantage, but not something you will really notice that often.
- LCD – 3.2″ vs 3.0″.
- LCD Resolution – Higher resolution.
- Touchscreen Support
- Built-in Flash
- Bluetooth Support
- Weight – The Canon M5 weighs 175g less.
Video: Canon M5 Hands-on Review
Why You Should Choose The Sony A7 II
| Built-in Image Stabilization | Sensor-shift vs None | All the lenses are stabilized |
| Number of Focus Points | 117 vs 49 | 68 more focus points |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/8000s vs 1/4000s | Faster shutter speed |
| Battery Life | 350 shots vs 295 shots | 55 more frames with a single charge |
| Headphone Port | Yes vs No | Better video control |
| Environmental Sealing | Yes vs No | Shoot at tough conditions |
| Sensor Pixel Area | 35.65µm2 vs 13.84µm2 | 157% larger pixel area |
| AE Bracketing Range | ±5 EV vs ±3 EV | Wide Bracketing range is useful for HDR |
Advantages of the Sony A7 II Over the Canon M5
- Sensor Format – Full Frame is bigger than APS-C, which results in slightly less noise at higher ISO levels.
- ISO – 51,200 vs 25,600. Higher maximum ISO sensitivity.
- AF Points – 117 vs 49.
- Headphone Jack – Useful for previewing your audio quality straight out the camera.
- Faster Max Shutter Speed – 1/8000 vs 1/4000.
- JPEG Buffer Size – 52 vs 27. Useful for long bursts.
- RAW Buffer Size – 28 vs 18.
- Max Flash Sync Speed – 1/250 vs /200.
- Environmentally Sealed – The Sony A7 II is much more protected for shooting outdoors in difficult terrain and bad weather conditions.
- Battery Life – 350 shots vs 295 shots.