Canon EOS M2 vs Sony NEX-5N — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Mirrorless · 18 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Canon EOS M2
46
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony NEX-5N
52
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS M2 and the Sony NEX-5N are both mirrorless cameras built around APS-C sensors, from 2013 and 2011 respectively. That shared sensor format gives both comparable framing and depth-of-field at the same focal length. The Sony NEX-5N is the more compact carry at 111 x 59 x 38 mm and 269 g, against 116 x 88 x 59 mm and 387 g for the Canon EOS M2, a 118 g difference. Its slimmer body suits a small camera bag. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2013 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
December 3, 2013 | August 24, 2011 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 116 x 88 x 59 mm | 111 x 59 x 38 mm |
| Camera weight | 387 g | 269 g |
| Optics | 44/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Canon EOS M2 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping, with 18 MP against 16.1 MP, leaving more room to crop a distant bird and keep detail. Each uses its own mount, Canon EF-M versus Sony E, so lenses follow the brand you buy into. For eye-level shooting, only the Canon has an electronic viewfinder, and the Sony NEX-5N relies on its rear screen. The Canon also offers 31 autofocus points against 25. The Sony reaches 25600 ISO in its standard range, while the Canon stops at 12800 standard and 25600 expanded. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
18 MP050 | 16.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 4912 x 3264 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
14.9 x 22.3 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
10 fps045 | 10 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF-M | Sony E |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 8 | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
310300 | 250300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | None |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | N/A |
| Video | 57/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Sony NEX-5N is the better pick for slow motion, with a maximum video frame rate of 60 fps against 30 fps on the Canon. That is twice as many frames for slowing action in editing. Both cameras top out at Full HD resolution. The Canon is the easier tool for interval work, offering built-in timelapse recording that the Sony lacks. It writes MOV files while the Sony writes MP4, which may affect your editing workflow. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV | MP4 |
| Features | 57/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Canon EOS M2 is more self-sufficient day to day, with a built-in flash for indoor snapshots and Wi-Fi for transferring photos to a phone without a card reader. The Sony has neither, so fill light and wireless transfer both need extra steps or accessories. The Sony NEX-5N is better for low-angle and tilted shooting, with a flip screen the Canon's fixed display cannot match. The Canon's screen has a higher dot count, 1,040,000 against 920,000. Both offer a 3-inch touch LCD and external flash support, and neither includes GPS or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | No |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 9200001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | No |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Sony NEX-5N is rated for longer outings, at 460 shots per charge from its NPFW50 battery against 305 shots from the Canon's LP-E12, a 155-shot higher rating. The Canon takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards with UHS-I compatibility for faster writes, while the Sony takes SD cards alongside Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo. Neither camera has dual card slots or USB charging, so spare batteries remain the practical backup. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E12 | NPFW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
305 shots1505000 | 460 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS M2 if you shoot eye-level in daylight, want to send photos to a phone, or need a flash and timelapse without extras. Its electronic viewfinder, Wi-Fi, built-in flash and 18 MP sensor cover those situations.
Choose the Sony NEX-5N for a lighter travel kit, a higher 460-shot battery rating, a 60 fps maximum video frame rate for slow motion, and a flip screen for candid low-angle work.