Canon M5 vs Olympus E-M1
77 Imaging
66 Features
84 Overall
73


71 Imaging
52 Features
85 Overall
65
Canon M5 vs Olympus E-M1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF-M Mount
- 427g - 116 x 89 x 61mm
- Announced September 2016
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
- Launched October 2013
- Refreshed by Olympus E-M1 II

Canon M5 vs Olympus E-M1 Overview
In this article, we are reviewing the Canon M5 and Olympus E-M1, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Canon and Olympus. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the M5 (24MP) and E-M1 (16MP) and the M5 (APS-C) and E-M1 (Four Thirds) come with different sensor dimensions.

The M5 was launched 2 years later than the E-M1 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).
Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the M5 grades versus the E-M1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon M5 vs Olympus E-M1 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon EOS M5 and Olympus OM-D E-M1. The complete galleries are available at Canon M5 Gallery and Olympus E-M1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon M5 over the Olympus E-M1
M5 | E-M1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | September 2016 | ![]() | October 2013 | Fresher by 36 months |
Display sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 1620k | ![]() | 1037k | Clearer display (+583k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Canon M5
E-M1 | M5 |
---|
Common features in the Canon M5 and Olympus E-M1
M5 | E-M1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting display |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Canon M5 vs Olympus E-M1 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to carry your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon M5 enjoys physical measurements of 116mm x 89mm x 61mm (4.6" x 3.5" x 2.4") with a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Olympus E-M1 has dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") along with a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs).
Check the Canon M5 and Olympus E-M1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the M5 and the E-M1.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the M5 and E-M1 is 77 and 71 respectively.

Canon M5 vs Olympus E-M1 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing simply by viewing a spec sheet. The visual below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the M5 and E-M1.
As you can see, both of those cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The M5 because of its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Canon M5 will result in greater detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The more modern M5 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon M5 vs Olympus E-M1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon M5 vs Olympus E-M1 Specifications
Canon EOS M5 | Olympus OM-D E-M1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Olympus |
Model type | Canon EOS M5 | Olympus OM-D E-M1 |
Category | Advanced Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
Announced | 2016-09-15 | 2013-10-28 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 7 | TruePIC VII |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 332.3mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 49 | 81 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Canon EF-M | Micro Four Thirds |
Total lenses | 23 | 107 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Tilting |
Display size | 3.2" | 3" |
Display resolution | 1,620k dot | 1,037k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dot | 2,360k dot |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.74x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30s | 60s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 9.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | - | Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/200s | 1/320s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 35 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MP4, H.264, AAC | H.264, Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 427 gr (0.94 lb) | 497 gr (1.10 lb) |
Dimensions | 116 x 89 x 61mm (4.6" x 3.5" x 2.4") | 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 77 | 73 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.4 | 23.0 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.4 | 12.7 |
DXO Low light rating | 1262 | 757 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 295 images | 350 images |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | BLN-1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom, remote) | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $680 | $799 |