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Canon M5 vs Sony A6500: A Detailed Comparison

Canon M5 vs Sony A6500: A Detailed Comparison

January 9, 2019

Canon M5 vs Sony A6500: These are two mirrorless cameras. This article compares Canon’s Semi-Pro Mirrorless camera, the Canon EOS M5, with Sony’s Semi-Pro Mirrorless camera, the Sony A6500. Both the Canon M5 and Sony A6500 cameras feature a 24.0MP APS-C sensor. To start, here’s a brief overview of the main features of both cameras.

Canon M5 vs Sony A6500 Specs

Canon M5 vs Sony A6500 – Comparison

Canon M5 vs Sony A6500 – Comparison

 Specifications

Canon M5

Sony A6500
Megapixels 24.2 24.2
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Sensor Format APS-C APS-C
Crop Factor 1.6x 1.5x
AA Filter Yes Yes
Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Body Image Stabilization Yes (Movie only) Yes – 5-Axis
Lens Mount Canon EF-M Sony E
ISO 100 – 25,600 100 – 25,600
Expanded ISO None 51,200
AF Points 49 Hybrid 425
Cross-type AF Points Dual Pixel AF 425 phase
Continuous Mode 7fps 11fps
LCD 3.2″ – Articulating 3.0″ – Articulating
LCD Resolution 1,620,000 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen Yes Yes
Focus Peaking Yes Yes
Top LCD Display No No
Viewfinder Type EVF (2.36M) EVF
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.07x
Video Resolution 1920×1080 (60/50/30/25/24p 3840×2160 (30/25/24p)
1280×720 (60/50p) 1920×1080 (120/100/60/50p)
Microphone Jack Yes Yes
Headphone Jack No No
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 1/4000
Slowest Shutter Speed 30″ 30″
Bulb Mode Yes Yes
JPEG Buffer Size 27 231
RAW Buffer Size 18 110
Time Lapse Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Max Flash Sync Speed 1/200 1/160
Startup Time 1.2s 1.3s
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) 16.0 oz (453g)
Size 4.6 x 3.5 x 2.4″ 4.7 x 2.6 x 2.1″
Price Amazon Amazon
Release Date 2016 2016

Sony A6500 vs Canon M5 Common Features

Wireless Connection Yes vs Yes
Articulating Screen Yes vs Yes
Built-in Flash Yes vs Yes
External Flash Shoe Yes vs Yes
Touch Screen Yes vs Yes
Viewfinder Yes (Electronic) vs Yes (Electronic)
RAW Support Yes vs Yes
Face Detection Focus Yes vs Yes
 Max Resolution 24 MP vs 24 MP
Microphone Port Yes vs Yes
AE Bracketing Yes vs Yes
NFC Connection Yes vs Yes
 Smartphone Remote Control Yes vs Yes

Canon M5 vs Sony A6500 Size Comparison

The Sony A6500 is 22mm shorter and 8mm thinner than the Canon M5, however, it is also 4mm wider. In contrast, the Canon M5 is 26g lighter than the Sony A6500. However, the weight difference is hardly noticeable in real life.

Canon M5 vs Sony A6500 – Comparison

Canon M5 vs Sony A6500 – Comparison

Moreover, since both the Canon M5 and Sony A6500 have an APS-C sized sensor the lenses for a similar focal length and aperture are generally the same weight.

Canon M5 vs Sony A6500 Sensor Comparison

Both the Canon M5 and the Sony A6500 have APS-C sized 24.0 MP resolution sensors so sensor size and resolution is not different between these two cameras.

Canon M5 vs Sony A6500 Sensor Comparison

Canon M5 vs Sony A6500 Sensor Comparison

However, the Sony A6500 has a 1.1x Larger sensor area than Canon M5. Larger sensors allow the photographer more control over the depth of field and blurry background compared to the smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.

Canon M5 Advantages Over Sony A6500

 LCD Screen Size 3.2″ vs 3″
LCD Screen Resolution 1.620k dots vs 922k dots
Weight 427 g vs 453 g
Timelapse Recording Yes vs With optional app
Viewfinder Resolution 2360k dot vs 2359k dot
Price $929 vs $1,398
Selfie Friendly LCD Yes vs No
Bluetooth Yes vs No

Choose the Canon M5 over the Sony A6500 for the following reasons:

  • LCD – 3.2″ vs 3.0″.
  • LCD Resolution – Higher resolution.
  • Max Flash Sync Speed – 1/200 vs /160.
  • Bluetooth Support

Video: Canon M5 Hands-on Review

Canon’s latest mirrorless camera promises to be an 80D in a smaller package. With 1080p and a reasonable 24-megapixels, is it another flop or does the Dual Pixel Autofocus save the day? Watch as Kai takes you through the pros and cons.

Sony A6500 Advantages Over Canon M5

Built-in Image Stabilization Sensor-shift vs None
 Number of Focus Points 425 vs 49
Continuous Shooting 11.0fps vs 9.0fps
Battery Life 350 shots vs 295 shots
Environmental Sealing Yes vs No
Flash Coverage 6.0m vs 5.0m
Sensor Pixel Area 15.28µm2 vs 13.84µm2
Max Video Resolution 3840 x 2160 vs 1920 x 1080

You may consider choosing the Sony A6500 instead of the Canon M5 for the following reasons:

  • Body Image Stabilization – The Sony A6500 has built-in body stabilization for photos and videos, which is an excellent feature for traveling and shooting in low light.
  • ISO – 51,200 vs 25,600. Higher maximum ISO sensitivity.
  • AF Points – 425 vs 49.
  • Continuous mode – 11fps vs 7fps. More is better for sports and wildlife since you have more chances of getting a tack sharp shot.
  • Video Resolution – 4K video available.
  • JPEG Buffer Size – 231 vs 27. Useful for long bursts.
  • RAW Buffer Size – 110 vs 18. 
  • Environmentally Sealed – The Sony A6500 is suited for shooting outdoors in difficult terrain and bad weather conditions.
  • Size – The Sony A6500 is noticeably smaller.

Video: Sony A6500 Hands-on Review

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