Decision tools · Compare
EOS 500D vs EOS M
Quick take: The EOS M has the highest resolution at 18MP; the EOS 500D is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·13 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Canon
EOS M 2012
Best for Canon mirrorless history & EF-M collectors
£80
list price · used from £41 at eBay
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
EOS M — Canon Mirrorless History & Ef-M Collectors: Canon's first mirrorless — a historic body that broke new ground with touch-AF and EF-M, but its sluggish contrast-detect system quickly became its Achilles heel.
Who should buy what
EOS M (2012)
is the right camera for you if…
- Canon shooters who want the camera that started Canon's mirrorless story
- Budget first-time mirrorless buyers who already own EF/EF-S glass
- Collectors of significant digital camera milestones
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | EOS 500DCanon · 2009 | EOS MCanon · 2012 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £57Best | £80 |
| Sensor | 15.1MP APS-C CMOS | 18MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 15.1MP | 18.0MPBest |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/20, 720p/30 | 1080p 30fps |
| Autofocus | 9-point phase-detect (centre cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face detection in live view | Hybrid CMOS AF (phase + contrast), notoriously slow |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | — |
| Burst Rate | 3.4fps | 4fpsBest |
| Battery Life | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best | ~230 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 530g (with battery) | 262g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 128.8 × 97.5 × 61.9mm | 108.6 × 66.5 × 32.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.87x | No viewfinder |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 920k dots | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.04M dots |
| Mount | Canon EF / EF-S | Canon EF-M mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD slot | 1× SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, mini HDMI, AV out, E3 remote | USB 2.0 |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
EOS 500D
EOS M
Portrait
5.3/10
4.9/10
Street
5.3/10
6.6/10
Travel
4.7/10
6.0/10
Wedding & Events
3.9/10
3.6/10
Documentary
3.5/10
4.5/10
Sports & Action
4.4/10
3.6/10
Landscape
3.8/10
4.2/10
Wildlife
4.9/10
3.9/10
Casual
3.3/10
4.9/10
Food
3.9/10
4.6/10
Macro
3.7/10
3.9/10
Architecture
4.1/10
3.8/10
Astrophotography
4.4/10
4.0/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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