Canon EOS M2 vs Sony NEX-7 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Mirrorless · 18 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Canon EOS M2
46
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 24.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony NEX-7
55
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS M2 and the Sony NEX-7 are both mirrorless cameras, from 2013 and 2011 respectively. Each takes its own native lenses, Canon EF-M on the M2 and Sony E on the NEX-7, and the mounts do not interchange, so lenses you already own should shape the choice. The NEX-7 is the slimmer body, 120 x 67 x 43 mm against the M2's 116 x 88 x 59 mm, while the M2 is the lighter at 387 g against 400 g. | ||
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 | 120 x 67 x 43 mm |
| Camera weight | 387 g | 400 g |
| Optics | 44/100 | 64/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony NEX-7 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping, with 24.3 megapixels against 18 on the EOS M2, 35 percent more pixels for tightening a distant bird or a group-shot face. The M2 answers with 31 autofocus points against 25 for off-centre subjects. A useful set of capture settings is shared. Both use APS-C CMOS sensors and shoot at up to 10 frames per second. Their electronic viewfinders show about 2.36 million dots each, and neither offers in-body stabilisation. The NEX-7's standard ISO range reaches 16000 against 12800 on the M2, whose expanded setting goes to 25600. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
18 MP050 | 24.3 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 | 6000 x 4000 |
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 | 160003003280000 |
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 | 160003003280000 |
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 | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | 235900009900000 |
| Video | 57/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor slow motion, the Sony NEX-7 is the better pick, its video frame rate reaching 60 fps against 30 on the M2. That is twice the frames, so a dancer's spin or a bird's takeoff can play back at half speed. Video resolution caps at Full HD on both, so neither offers 4K. The EOS M2 supports built-in timelapse for sunsets and cloud movement, which the NEX-7 lacks, and records MOV files where the NEX-7 writes MP4. | ||
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 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesTouch control gives the EOS M2 the more direct screen experience, and its 1040000-dot LCD out-resolves the 921000-dot screen on the NEX-7. The NEX-7 answers with a flip screen for waist-level shots and self-portraits, which the fixed M2 screen cannot frame. Connectivity and lighting match on both bodies, with Wi-Fi transfer, a built-in flash, external flash support, live view, and a 3-inch LCD. Neither has GPS, weather sealing, or Bluetooth. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
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 | No |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
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 | 24/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Sony NEX-7 carries the higher battery rating, 430 shots against 305 on the M2, a 41 percent gap. Neither camera charges over USB, so spare batteries are the practical backup on both. The EOS M2 accepts SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards and supports UHS-I cards. The NEX-7 takes the same SD family plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media. Both cameras have a single card slot. | ||
| 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 | 430 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony NEX-7 if resolution, slow motion, or endurance drives the decision. Its 24.3 megapixels give more cropping room for wildlife and travel, its 60 fps frame rate slows fast action, and its flip screen handles low-angle and self-shot framing.
Choose the Canon EOS M2 if touch control for quick focus placement suits how you shoot, or if built-in timelapse fits your sunset work. Its expanded ISO 25600 setting and UHS-I card support are further options. Since the mounts do not interchange, your lens plans should settle the final call.