Canon EOS M5 vs Canon EOS R8: A Thorough Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

When Canon released the EOS M5 back in 2016, it marked a significant step for the brand's mirrorless APS-C lineup, offering a compelling blend of performance and portability aimed at enthusiasts progressing beyond entry-level DSLRs. Fast forward to 2023, and we have the Canon EOS R8, an advanced, full-frame mirrorless camera that introduces a new level of technological refinement, taking advantage of Canon’s RF lens mount and latest imaging pipeline.

In this detailed comparison, drawing from extensive hands-on testing and evaluation against industry standards, we delve into the nuanced differences and real-world implications of choosing one over the other. Whether you are a portrait photographer, landscape lover, wildlife shooter, or video content creator, we address all the major shooting genres and technical criteria. By combining thorough specifications analysis, ergonomics, imaging performance, and system ecosystem insights, this guide will arm you with expert knowledge to make an informed decision tailored to your photographic ambitions and budget.

First Impressions & Physical Handling: Size, Design, and Ergonomics

The Canon M5 and EOS R8 share a traditional SLR-style mirrorless body architecture, but their ergonomics and physical dimensions reveal Canon’s evolutionary design philosophy over half a decade apart.

The M5 measures a compact 116 × 89 × 61 mm and weighs 427 g, with an APS-C sensor nestled in its streamlined body. Its relatively small footprint makes it attractive for street and travel photography, especially for photographers valuing portability combined with the classic DSLR-like grip.

In contrast, the R8 is slightly larger at 133 × 86 × 70 mm and weighs 461 g - not an overwhelming size difference, but enough to feel more substantial in hand. This extra bulk is a tradeoff for its full-frame sensor and more robust build, including partial weather sealing for dust and moisture resistance. You gain a more confident grip that professionals appreciate, while still preserving a lightweight, travel-friendly package.

From the top view, the M5 presents a dense cluster of dials and buttons reminiscent of early advanced mirrorless cameras, including dedicated exposure compensation and mode dials. Its control scheme favors tactile operation, but some photographers may find the button labels cramped and less intuitive compared to modern ergonomics.

The EOS R8 incorporates a cleaner, minimalistic top layout prioritizing essential controls with logical placement. The dual control wheels facilitate fast aperture and shutter speed adjustments, while the fully articulating 3.0-inch touchscreen improves usability for vlogging and tricky shooting angles.

In practice, the M5’s tilting touchscreen (3.2 inches, 1.62 million dots) supports touch focus and menu navigation but lacks full articulation, limiting self-recording ease. The R8’s articulating screen offers superior compositional flexibility, a key advantage for video creators and photographers working from unconventional perspectives.

Sensor and Image Quality: APS-C vs Full Frame – The Core Differentiator

The most fundamental hardware distinction is the sensor format. The M5 employs a 24MP APS-C-sized CMOS sensor measuring 22.3 × 14.9 mm, while the EOS R8 boasts a 24MP full-frame CMOS sensor at 36 × 24 mm.

Technically, the EOS R8’s sensor has an area approximately 2.6 times larger than the M5’s, enabling superior light gathering and noise performance, as reflected in DXOMark scores - the R8 achieves an impressive overall score of 93, while the M5 scores 77. The R8 outperforms in color depth (24.5 bits vs 23.4) and dynamic range (14.5 EV vs 12.4 EV), affording richer tones and better detail preservation in shadows and highlights.

Practically, this translates to cleaner images at high ISOs - the R8’s native ISO range extends from 100 to 102,400 (expandable to 50-204,800) compared to the M5’s ISO 100-25,600 limit. Photographers shooting in low-light environments such as event photography or astrophotography will benefit substantially from the R8’s sensor.

While image resolution is equivalent on paper (both at 24MP), the R8’s larger pixel pitch means less noise and better tonal gradations. In landscape photography, the R8’s wider dynamic range helps recover details in complex lighting, such as sunrise or twilight scenes that challengeAPS-C sensors.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Coverage, and AI Enhancements

Autofocus remains a critical consideration, particularly for wildlife, sports, and portrait photographers relying on fast, precise focus tracking.

The Canon EOS M5 features a hybrid autofocus system with 49 focus points combining phase-detection and contrast-detection. It covers a moderate portion of the frame, with face detection but no animal eye autofocus.

The EOS R8, on the other hand, incorporates Canon’s advanced Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system - an impressive contrast and phase detection array with a staggering 1,053 autofocus points covering nearly the entire frame. This system supports eye, face, and animal eye AF with uncanny accuracy and speed.

This difference is profound in real-world usage:

• Portrait photography: The R8’s eye AF and animal eye AF provide reliable, sharp focus even at wide apertures with shallow depth of field, ensuring critical focus on subjects’ eyes. The M5 does provide face detection autofocus, but it lacks the precise eye and animal tracking refinement.

• Sports and wildlife: The higher frame rate for continuous shooting with electronic shutter (up to 40 fps on the R8 vs max 9 fps mechanical on the M5) combined with advanced tracking algorithms means capturing fast-moving subjects is far more reliable on the R8.

• General usability: Touchscreen AF on both cameras facilitates easy focus point selection, but the R8’s extensive AF coverage means you rarely need to move focus points, allowing quicker composition.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

While neither camera is fully weather-sealed, the Canon EOS R8 enjoys some degree of environmental sealing for added protection against dust and moisture, a feature absent on the M5.

This modest weather resistance improves reliability for outdoor photographers in challenging conditions such as landscapes, nature, and travel photography. The R8’s build quality reflects Canon’s commitment to professional use, whereas the M5 caters more toward advanced amateurs and hobbyists accustomed to more cautious shooting environments.

Sharpness, Bokeh, and Lens Ecosystem: Exploring Optical Capabilities

Lens choices dramatically influence the photographic results achievable with either camera platform.

The Canon EOS M5 utilizes the EF-M mount, supporting 23 lenses (including primes and zooms). While these lenses deliver decent optical quality, the EF-M system lacks the extensive variety and premium optics Canon’s RF system commands.

Conversely, the R8 uses the RF mount, with access to 37 native lenses and compatibility (via adapter) with EF and EF-S glass, broadly expanding creative opportunities. The RF lenses boast advanced optics delivering excellent sharpness and pristine bokeh, essential for portraiture, macro, and telephoto work.

This difference is particularly notable for:

• Portrait photography: Wide-aperture RF primes such as the 85mm f/1.2 deliver creamy bokeh and razor-sharp focus, harnessing the full-frame sensor’s depth of field control. The M5’s APS-C crop factor (1.6x) and narrower lens selection limit bokeh quality and background separation.

• Wildlife and sports: The RF lens lineup includes high-reach telephotos with advanced optical stabilization, enabling sharp fast-action captures. While M5 users may adapt EF lenses with an adapter, bulky telephoto lenses paired with APS-C bodies may be less balanced ergonomically.

Display and Viewfinder Experience

Both cameras come equipped with electronic viewfinders (EVF) of 2.36 million dots resolution, offering 100% frame coverage. Although similar on paper, their implementation impacts user experience.

The M5’s EVF magnification is unspecified, but the R8 features a relatively generous 0.76x magnification, resulting in a clearer and more immersive view during composition. This is especially beneficial when manually focusing or evaluating intricate details.

On the rear, the M5 has a 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen (1.62 million dots). The R8’s screen is a little smaller at 3.0 inches but fully articulating with the same resolution, supporting selfie mode and higher video shooting flexibility.

Touch responsiveness and menu system on the R8 are more refined, facilitating faster workflow - vital for professional usage and on-the-go adjustments.

Shooting Performance: Burst Rates, Shutter and ISO Handling

The mechanical shutter speed tops at 1/4000s on both cameras, but the R8 supports an electronic shutter with speeds up to 1/16,000s for capturing ultra-fast action or shooting wide apertures in bright conditions without ND filters.

Continuous shooting demonstrates a clear advantage for the R8: 6 fps with mechanical shutter, but up to 40 fps with electronic shutter. The M5 offers 9 fps mechanical, without an electronic shutter option.

Regarding ISO:

• M5: ISO 100–25,600 native, with a lower DXO low light ISO score (1262), resulting in noticeable noise at higher ISO settings.
• R8: ISO 100–102,400 native (expandable to 50-204,800), offering excellent high ISO performance with low noise, ideal for night, event, and astrophotography.

Video Capabilities: Bridging Still and Motion

Video is increasingly a versatile requirement.

• Canon M5 supports Full HD 1080p recording at 60p, encoding in MP4 (H.264). While respectable for its release time, it lacks 4K recording and advanced video features.

• Canon R8 dramatically advances video capabilities with UHD 4K up to 60p at 230 Mbps (MOV, H.264/H.265), along with Full HD up to 120 fps slow motion options. It also supports clean HDMI output, headphone jack for audio monitoring, and USB 3.2 for fast data transfer.

Stabilization is notably missing in both bodies; however, in-body image stabilization (IBIS) is increasingly common in current Canon models - an area where neither excels.

For video shooters, the R8’s articulating screen, advanced codecs, and audio I/O ports make it a considerably superior choice.

Battery Life and Storage

Both cameras use rechargeable proprietary battery packs.

• M5: Rated about 295 shots per charge, typical for mirrorless cameras of its era.
• R8: Slightly less at 290 shots per charge, but with 40 fps burst potential and 4K video, actual usage varies greatly.

Both accept a single SD card slot, with the R8 supporting faster UHS-II cards, essential for 4K video and rapid buffer clearing.

Connectivity and Workflow Integration

Modern workflows demand robust wireless connectivity.

Both cameras include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for remote control, image transfer, and tethered shooting, but the M5 includes NFC, a feature absent in the R8, though NFC has become less critical given alternatives like QR code pairing.

The R8 offers USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports for rapid tethering and charging, vastly outpacing the M5’s USB 2.0 data speeds, facilitating streamlined data workflows especially important for professional environments.

Genre-Specific Performance Scores

To summarize the cameras’ distinct strengths, the comparative genre-based scores provide a succinct yet insightful overview:

• Portrait: R8 excels with eye/animal AF and lens options.
• Landscape: R8’s dynamic range dominates; M5 adequate but limited in shadow recovery.
• Wildlife & Sports: R8 superior autofocus and burst rates handle motion better.
• Street: M5’s smaller size helps inconspicuous shooting; R8’s low-light edge is notable.
• Macro: Lens offerings favor the R8’s sharp primes.
• Night / Astro: R8’s higher ISO, longer shutter capability, and dynamic range vastly outperform the M5.
• Video: R8’s 4K and connectivity leave M5 behind.

Canon M5 front Canon M5 screen back Canon R8 front Canon R8 screen back

Real-world image samples demonstrate the R8’s cleaner high ISO performance, superior bokeh rendition, and finer nuance in dynamic lighting situations, underscoring sensor and lens advantages.

Price-to-Performance: Value Considerations

The Canon M5 is highly affordable at approximately $680 (body only), making it appealing for enthusiasts transitioning from entry-level gear or those seeking a quality compact system.

In contrast, the EOS R8 commands $1,499, reflecting its full-frame sensor, technological leaps, and future-proof video features. While pricier, it represents excellent value given its high-end capabilities and lens ecosystem potential.

This chart encapsulates the R8’s dominant position versus the M5, but each retains relevance to different user profiles.

Who Should Buy the Canon M5?

• Photography enthusiasts on a budget who want solid APS-C image quality and a traditional DSLR-like experience.
• Those primarily shooting still photography in daylight or controlled conditions where high ISO and extreme dynamic range are less critical.
• Travelers and street photographers valuing compact size and portability.
• Photographers invested in EF-M lenses or those looking to experiment with mirrorless without substantial financial outlay.
• Casual video users satisfied with Full HD and touchscreen-based autofocus.

Who Does the Canon R8 Best Serve?

• Professionals or serious hobbyists requiring high image quality from a full-frame sensor.
• Hybrid shooters demanding advanced video options including 4K60p, slow motion, and comprehensive audio I/O.
• Wildlife, sports, and event photographers needing fast, reliable autofocus and high burst frame rates.
• Portrait and macro photographers who benefit from superior lens options, eye AF, and bokeh capabilities.
• Landscape shooters prioritizing dynamic range and subtle tonal rendering.
• Content creators valuing articulation and wireless workflow integration.

Final Thoughts: Evolution Reflecting Photographers’ Needs

The Canon EOS M5 was a well-received mirrorless system for its time, balancing APS-C image quality with portability and usability. However, in today’s context, the Canon EOS R8 embodies a significant leap forward - full-frame imaging, sophisticated autofocus with AI-assisted eye and animal detection, first-rate video capabilities, and a robust lens ecosystem compatible with future expansions.

While the M5 is still a capable camera for enthusiasts looking for value and size advantages, it is eclipsed technologically by the R8 in nearly every aspect. Users prioritizing future-proofing, higher image fidelity, and extensive video options will find the R8 justifies its higher price tag.

By combining detailed specifications, real-world insights from extensive testing, and a careful, transparent evaluation of strengths and weaknesses, this comparison aims to empower photographers at every level to select the camera best suited to their creative vision and workflow demands. The Canon EOS M5 represents proven value in APS-C mirrorless, whereas the Canon EOS R8 stands out as a modern full-frame powerhouse ready to meet the multifaceted challenges of professional photography and videography today.

If interested, see also the detailed analysis graphically summarizing the cameras’ strengths and tradeoffs for quick reference.

Canon M5 front Canon M5 screen back Canon R8 front Canon R8 screen back