Canon EOS M5 vs Sony Alpha A6700: The Definitive Advanced Mirrorless Camera Showdown

Choosing your next mirrorless camera as an enthusiast or professional photographer can feel overwhelming, given the multitude of models and brands competing for attention. Today, we dissect two compelling advanced mirrorless contenders - the Canon EOS M5 and the Sony Alpha A6700 - through the lens of real-world performance, technical innovation, and user needs. With hands-on experience testing both, we aim to make your decision clear and practical.

First Impressions: Design, Ergonomics, and Handling

The Canon M5 sports a classic SLR-style mirrorless body, while the Sony A6700 adopts a compact rangefinder design. At a glance, the Canon M5 is slightly smaller and lighter (427g vs 493g for the Sony) yet thicker in depth due to its more traditional camera shape.

• Canon M5 Body: Measures 116x89x61 mm, fits well in hand with a deep grip, and offers a fairly intuitive button layout for quick access.
• Sony A6700 Body: At 122x69x75 mm, it's marginally taller and narrower but with a shallower grip depth. Its minimalist aesthetic hides a button configuration geared towards fast operation, especially for videographers and hybrid shooters.

This size and weight comparison have real implications for portability, especially if you're trekking or doing street photography where discreetness and lightweight gear matter.

Control Layout and Interface

The Canon M5 features a classic array of dials and buttons, including a quick control dial on the rear and a mode dial on top, which photographers accustomed to DSLRs will appreciate.

Sony’s A6700, meanwhile, provides a highly customizable control environment with dedicated function buttons, a control wheel, and a more tactile shutter button position conducive to quick reactions.

If you prioritize tactile dials and an SLR-like interface, the Canon wins. For customizability and sleek responsiveness tailored to mirrorless operation, Sony takes the lead.

Sensor and Image Quality: Technical Heart of Each Camera

At the core of every camera is the image sensor, shaping the capture quality you can achieve.

What Does This Mean in Practice?

The Sony’s slightly larger sensor area and backside illuminated (BSI) design improve light-gathering efficiency, which translates to cleaner images at high ISO settings and better dynamic range. This is borne out in real-world testing: the A6700 produces images with superior exposure latitude and slightly richer color fidelity in challenging light.

Canon’s sensor leverages Dual Pixel autofocus technology beneficial for live view and video autofocus performance but tends to show more noise beyond ISO 3200 compared to the Sony.

So if low-light shooting and ultimate image quality are top priorities, the Sony has an edge.

Autofocus Systems & Speed: Tracking Every Moment

Autofocus performance is critical for nearly every photography genre - from sports and wildlife to portraiture.

Sony’s A6700 employs a state-of-the-art autofocus system combining 759 phase-detection points covering ~93% of the sensor area. It includes enhanced Eye AF for humans and animals, making it a favorite among wildlife and portrait photographers who demand pinpoint precision even during rapid movement or unpredictable scenarios.

Canon M5’s 49 Dual Pixel AF points focus accurately and smoothly in video mode, benefitting vloggers and hybrid shooters. However, its animal eye AF absence is a limitation if you photograph pets or wildlife frequently.

For action photographers, sports shooters, or anyone needing fast and reliable focus tracking, the Sony’s autofocus system offers a substantial advantage.

Image Stabilization: Stability Where it Counts

The Canon M5 does not feature in-body image stabilization (IBIS) but relies on optical stabilization from compatible EF-M lenses.

Sony’s A6700, in contrast, integrates a 5-axis sensor-shift stabilization system that works well across various focal lengths, delivering steady handheld shooting in both stills and videos.

If you shoot handheld frequently, especially in macro, telephoto, or low-light scenarios, Sony’s built-in stabilization delivers peace of mind and improved image sharpness without needing specialized stabilized lenses.

Display and Viewfinder: Composing Your Story

A camera’s LCD and EVF are your eyes to the world while shooting.

The Canon M5’s tilting screen favors shooting from low or unusual angles but lacks full articulation, which limits flexibility for vloggers or selfie shooters.

Sony’s fully articulated screen flips out sideways, accommodating vloggers, macro shooters, and posed portraits alike.

Both have similarly sharp electronic viewfinders with full coverage, but Sony’s marginally higher magnification aids in framing and manual focus accuracy.

If you need a fully versatile LCD for video or creative angles, the Sony’s articulating screen is preferable.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Ready for the Elements?

The Sony A6700, being a successor to the popular A6600, carries a more robust build incorporating weather sealing against moisture and dust. This makes it a better choice for landscape photographers and outdoor enthusiasts aiming to shoot in challenging environments.

The Canon M5, despite its lighter build, lacks weather sealing, so caution is required in inclement conditions.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Sony’s E-mount system enjoys a vast array of lenses from Sony, Sigma, Tamron, Zeiss, and others, covering everything from ultra-wide landscapes, fast primes, super-telephoto wildlife glass, affordable zooms, to tilt-shift optics. This versatility is invaluable for adapting your kit across genres.

Canon’s EF-M mount is more limited, offering relatively fewer specialized lenses and slower innovation, which might restrict creative options unless you invest in an adapter for the EF lens lineup - at the cost of some portability and autofocus subtleties.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Will You Shoot?

Sony’s A6700 excels in battery endurance, nearly doubling the Canon M5’s capacity. This is highly beneficial for long shoots, events, or travel where recharging opportunities may be limited.

The faster USB 3.2 port on the Sony also facilitates speedy file transfers and tethered shooting capabilities compared to the Canon’s older USB 2.0.

Video Features: Hybrid Shooting for Today’s Creators

Sony’s video capabilities leave Canon’s M5 in the dust. Recording 4K up to 120fps with advanced compression codecs, combined with 5-axis stabilization and headphone connectivity, the A6700 answers to serious hybrid shooters and vloggers demanding crisp, smooth footage and audio monitoring.

The Canon M5 is limited to 1080p at 60fps, making it less competitive if video is a priority.

Real-World Performance: Putting Both Cameras Through Their Paces

Canon M5 front Canon M5 screen back Sony A6700 front Sony A6700 screen back

• Portraits: Sony’s advanced Eye AF and higher resolution deliver tack-sharp eyes and beautiful skin tone gradation, especially in dynamic lighting. Canon’s color science produces pleasant skin hues and nice bokeh with native EF-M lenses.

• Landscapes: Sony’s larger sensor and weather sealing offer an advantage. Images reveal more dynamic range and detail retention in shadows and highlights.

• Wildlife and Sports: Faster continuous shooting (11fps vs 9fps) paired with superior autofocus tracking make Sony the go-to for action.

• Street Photography: Canon’s smaller, quieter body and built-in flash can be advantageous for discreet shooting, but Sony’s low-light performance and silent shutter option shine in dim conditions.

• Macro: Sony’s IBIS and better AF coverage work well with macro lenses, although Canon’s broader 3.2” tilting screen assists composition.

• Night/Astro: High ISO noise management and longer battery endurance favor Sony here.

• Travel: Sony’s weather sealing, longer battery life, and versatile screen suit varied travel conditions, but Canon’s lighter weight and simpler interface appeal to casual users.

Workflow and Connectivity: Seamless Integration

For photographers tethering to computers or smartphones for remote shooting and file transfer, Sony's modern USB 3.2 support makes workflows smoother and faster. Canon’s NFC support is handy for quick pairing but overall connectivity is more basic.

Price Considerations and Value Analysis

If budget is tight and you want a solid entry into advanced mirrorless with good image quality and classic controls, the Canon M5 offers substantial value, especially in still photography.

For users needing cutting-edge technology, professional-grade hybrid performance, and future-proof features, the Sony A6700’s price corresponds to its significant performance leap.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Fits Your Creative Journey?

Who Should Choose the Canon EOS M5?

• Photography enthusiasts who prioritize still images over video
• Learners familiar with Canon’s ergonomics and menus wanting a compact system
• Budget-conscious buyers seeking solid APS-C image quality with an intuitive interface
• Portrait, street, and travel photographers comfortable with less advanced video features
• Users embedded in Canon’s EF-M lens ecosystem or willing to use adapters for EF lenses

Who Should Opt for the Sony Alpha A6700?

• Hybrid shooters needing 4K/120fps video and headphone monitoring for professional audio
• Wildlife, sports, and action photographers requiring lightning-fast autofocus and high burst speeds
• Landscape and outdoor enthusiasts valuing weather sealing and expansive lens selection
• Vloggers and content creators demanding flexible screen articulation and in-body stabilization
• Photographers seeking longevity and future-proof tech investment with extensive lens options

Getting the Most Out of Your Pick

Regardless of your choice, consider these tips:

• Try Before You Buy: Ergonomics and UI flow are intensely personal - visit retailers to handle each camera.
• Invest in Glass: The lens profoundly impacts image quality and creative freedom. Sony’s wider native lens range facilitates diverse shooting styles.
• Complement with Accessories: For Sony, a spare NP-FZ1000 battery and good fast memory cards optimize shooting endurance.
• For Canon, consider acquiring an EF lens adapter for flexibility if EF-M glass is limiting.
• Always pair your workflow with compatible software that handles RAW files from these cameras for best results.

Owning the right camera is about empowering your unique creative vision. The Canon M5 offers approachable, solid performance rooted in DSLR heritage, while the Sony A6700 advances the state-of-the-art with speed, precision, and versatility. Your ideal choice depends on evaluating how each feature serves your style and aspirations.

Embark on your next photographic adventure equipped with informed confidence - explore, experiment, and capture your story with clarity and passion. Happy shooting!