Canon EOS M5 vs Sony a6300 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Canon EOS M5
60
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · APS-C · 4K video
Sony a6300
61
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS M5 and the Sony a6300 are mirrorless cameras from 2016 with interchangeable-lens bodies. Their native lens systems differ, Canon EF-M and Sony E, so your lens choice follows the brand you buy into. The a6300 is the slimmer, lighter carry at 120 x 67 x 49 mm and 404 g, against 116 x 89 x 61 mm and 427 g for the M5. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2016 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 15, 2016 | February 3, 2016 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 116 x 89 x 61 mm | 120 x 67 x 49 mm |
| Camera weight | 427 g | 404 g |
| Optics | 64/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe a6300 is the stronger choice for action shooting, giving you 425 autofocus points and an 11 fps burst against 49 points and 9 fps on the M5. That wider AF spread matters for tracking a moving subject across the frame, and the faster burst gives you more frames from which to pick the peak moment. Still resolution is shared: both deliver 24.2 megapixel files from APS-C CMOS sensors, so cropping and large prints work the same on either. Standard ISO runs to 25600 on both, and neither offers in-body stabilisation. The a6300 extends to 51200 ISO with expanded settings, which the M5 does not match. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.2 MP050 | 24.2 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. |
9 fps045 | 11 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 7 | Bionz X |
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. |
256003003280000 | 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 | 512003003280000 |
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. |
490300 | 4250300 |
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 | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 91/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe a6300 is the clear pick for anyone who edits or crops footage, recording up to 4K while the M5 tops out at Full HD. The extra resolution also lets you punch in on a subject in post without dropping below HD output. The a6300 also records at up to 120 fps, twice the M5's 60 fps maximum, giving you stronger slow-motion options. Both offer a built-in interval timer for timelapse sequences. | ||
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 |  4K |
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 | 3840 x 2160 |
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. |
60 fps | 120 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 | Yes |
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. |
MP4 | MPEG-4, XAVC S, AVCHD Ver. 2.0, H.264 |
| Features | 61/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe M5 has the better rear screen for direct control: its 3.2 inch touch LCD offers 1,620,000 dots, against a 3 inch, 921,600-dot screen without touch on the a6300. Touch lets you set focus points and change settings by tapping instead of digging through buttons. Both screens tilt for waist-level and overhead framing. The a6300 answers with weather sealing, which the M5 lacks, suiting damp coastal walks or dusty trails. The everyday kit otherwise matches, with built-in flash, external flash support, WiFi transfer and live view on both. Neither includes GPS for geotagging. | ||
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. |
No |  Yes |
| 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 | 3.2" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
16200001150001500000 | 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. |
 Yes | 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 | 16/100 | 24/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe a6300 carries the higher battery rating, 400 shots on its NP-FW50 against 295 shots for the M5's LP-E17. Both take a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card, so capacity and backup work the same way. Neither charges over USB, so both need their external charger for longer outings. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E17 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
295 shots1505000 | 400 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony a6300 for movement and video: 425 autofocus points and an 11 fps burst suit birds in flight, sports and running children, while 4K recording and 120 fps slow motion suit family films and creative clips. Weather sealing, a slimmer body and a longer rated battery life reinforce it for travel and outdoor days.
Choose the Canon EOS M5 for mostly-stills shooting with direct handling: its tilting touch screen and larger, sharper display make setting focus and reviewing shots quicker for street, landscape and family photography. Its Full HD video and 49-point AF are enough when action tracking is occasional.