Canon M vs Sony a5000
89 Imaging
59 Features
65 Overall
61


89 Imaging
62 Features
62 Overall
62
Canon M vs Sony a5000 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF-M Mount
- 298g - 109 x 66 x 32mm
- Revealed July 2012
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 269g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
- Introduced January 2014
- Succeeded the Sony NEX-3N
- Newer Model is Sony a5100

Canon M vs Sony a5000 Overview
Here, we will be reviewing the Canon M versus Sony a5000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the M (18MP) and the a5000 (20MP) is pretty close and both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

The M was released 17 months prior to the a5000 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise overview of how the M grades against the a5000 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon M vs Sony a5000 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon EOS M and Sony Alpha a5000. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon M Gallery and Sony a5000 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon M over the Sony a5000
M | a5000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 461k | Clearer screen (+579k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony a5000 over the Canon M
a5000 | M | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2014 | ![]() | July 2012 | More recent by 17 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Canon M and Sony a5000
M | a5000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen |
Canon M vs Sony a5000 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to lug around your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon M provides outer measurements of 109mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs) while the Sony a5000 has measurements of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Compare the Canon M versus Sony a5000 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the M against the a5000.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M and a5000 is 89 and 89 respectively.

Canon M vs Sony a5000 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is hard to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements merely by viewing specifications. The visual underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the M and a5000.
To sum up, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should expect the Sony a5000 to provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The older M will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon M vs Sony a5000 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon M vs Sony a5000 Specifications
Canon EOS M | Sony Alpha a5000 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Sony |
Model type | Canon EOS M | Sony Alpha a5000 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2012-07-23 | 2014-01-07 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 5 | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 23.2 x 15.4mm |
Sensor area | 332.3mm² | 357.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixel | 20 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5184 x 3456 | 5456 x 3632 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 16000 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 25600 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 31 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Canon EF-M | Sony E |
Amount of lenses | 23 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 1.6 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 1,040 thousand dots | 461 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | Clear View II TFT LCD | TFT LCD with 180 upward tilt |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames/s | 4.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 4.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye | Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max 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 (60i/24p), 1440 x 1080 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 298g (0.66 pounds) | 269g (0.59 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 109 x 66 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") | 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 65 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.1 | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.2 | 13.0 |
DXO Low light rating | 827 | 1089 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 230 photos | 420 photos |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LP-E12 | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) |
Time lapse shooting | With downloadable app | |
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Price at release | $510 | $448 |