Canon EOS M2 vs Sony NEX-5T — 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-5T
53
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony NEX-5T is the lighter, smaller carry of these two 2013 mirrorless cameras, weighing 276 g against 387 g for the Canon EOS M2. That 111 g difference favours the Sony for everyday and travel shooting, and it measures 111 x 59 x 39 mm against the Canon's 116 x 88 x 59 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2013 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
December 3, 2013 | August 27, 2013 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 116 x 88 x 59 mm | 111 x 59 x 39 mm |
| Camera weight | 387 g | 276 g |
| Optics | 44/100 | 55/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Canon EOS M2 gives a little more room to crop distant subjects, with 18 MP against 16.1 MP from the Sony's sensor. Both use APS-C CMOS sensors and shoot at 10 fps. The Canon also offers a built-in electronic viewfinder with 2,360,000 dots, while the Sony has none and frames on its rear screen. The Sony NEX-5T has 99 focus points against 31 on the Canon, giving more positions for tracking a subject across the frame. The Sony also reaches a native ISO ceiling of 25600, twice the Canon's 12800 native limit. The Canon EF-M and Sony E mounts differ, so lenses do not transfer between them. | ||
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 23.4 |
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 |  4:3 |
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 | 990300 |
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-5T is the better pick for slow motion, recording at up to 60 fps while the Canon EOS M2 tops out at 30 fps. That double frame rate lets you slow footage to half speed on a 30 fps timeline, useful for kids' sports or action clips. Both cap their video output at Full HD. The Canon answers with a built-in timelapse function, automating interval shooting that the Sony leaves to manual effort. Their video file formats differ, with the Canon recording MOV and the Sony MPEG-4. | ||
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 | MPEG-4 |
| Features | 57/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Canon EOS M2 is the safer choice for dim indoor rooms because it carries a built-in flash, which the Sony NEX-5T omits. Both also accept external flash units for stronger lighting. The Sony counters with a flip screen, making waist-level and overhead framing far easier at crowded events or for self-framed shots. Both cameras offer a 3 inch LCD with touch control and WiFi for wireless transfer, and neither has GPS or weather sealing. The Canon's screen is sharper for checking focus, at 1,040,000 dots against 921,600 on the Sony. | ||
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 | 9216001150001500000 |
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 | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Sony NEX-5T holds a slight battery edge, rated for 330 shots against 305 for the Canon EOS M2. Each uses its own pack, Sony's NP-FW50 or Canon's LP-E12, so spares are brand-specific. Neither camera supports USB charging. Both take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, and the Canon supports UHS-I speeds for faster card performance. The Sony additionally accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media. | ||
| 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 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
305 shots1505000 | 330 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony NEX-5T if portability, flexible framing and motion footage drive the decision. Its lighter 276 g body, flip screen, 60 fps video and 99 autofocus points suit travel, candid street photography and family action, provided you add an external flash for dark rooms.
Choose the Canon EOS M2 if you shoot mainly through a viewfinder or want fewer accessories on a casual outing. Its electronic viewfinder, built-in flash, timelapse function and extra megapixels for cropping suit landscape and everyday indoor work.