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Canon M vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
89
Imaging
60
Features
65
Overall
62
Canon EOS M front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
69
Overall
61

Canon M vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Canon M
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF-M Mount
  • 298g - 109 x 66 x 32mm
  • Introduced July 2012
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Released October 2011
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Updated by Sony NEX-5R
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Canon M vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Here is a in-depth analysis of the Canon M versus Sony NEX-5N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The resolution of the M (18MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is relatively similar and they possess the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The M was revealed 10 months later than the NEX-5N which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the M grades vs the NEX-5N in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon M over the Sony NEX-5N

 M NEX-5N 
ReleasedJuly 2012October 2011Fresher by 10 months
Screen resolution1040k920kCrisper screen (+120k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Canon M

 NEX-5N M 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Canon M and Sony NEX-5N

 M NEX-5N 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Canon M vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon M offers external measurements of 109mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5N has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Compare the Canon M versus Sony NEX-5N in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the M compared to the NEX-5N.

Canon M vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M and NEX-5N is 89 and 89 respectively.

Canon M vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Canon M vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to see the gap between sensor sizing only by reading specifications. The photograph below may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the M and NEX-5N.

To sum up, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Canon M to deliver more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more modern M is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Canon M vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Canon M vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon M
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5N
76
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
74
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon M as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Street photography camera
72
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
comes with touch to focus
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
80
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
has focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon M
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5N
55
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps low (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery power (230 shots)
58
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
better than average battery power (460 shots)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon M Travel photography details
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography details
63
comes with touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
no Time Lapse function
bad battery power (230 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
better than average battery power (460 CIPA)
has focus via touch
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon M Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography information
66
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
bad battery power (230 shots)
no Time Lapse function
71
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (460 shots)
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon M as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Vlogging camera
37
screen is touchscreen
offers face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
33
touchscreen
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
lack of external mic support
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Canon M vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M and Sony NEX-5N
 Canon EOS MSony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model Canon EOS M Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-07-23 2011-10-03
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 5 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 22.3 x 14.9mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 332.3mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5184 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 12800 25600
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 31 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF-M Sony E
Number of lenses 23 121
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology Clear View II TFT LCD Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 298 grams (0.66 pounds) 269 grams (0.59 pounds)
Dimensions 109 x 66 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 65 77
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score 11.2 12.7
DXO Low light score 827 1079
Other
Battery life 230 images 460 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E12 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $510 $550