Decision tools · Compare
EOS M vs OM-D E-M5
Quick take: The EOS M has the highest resolution at 18MP; the OM-D E-M5 is the most affordable; only the OM-D E-M5 is weather sealed.
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.
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
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 MCanon · 2012 | OM-D E-M5Olympus · 2012 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £40 used | £40 usedBest |
| Sensor | 18MP APS-C CMOS | 16.1MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS |
| Resolution | 18.0MPBest | 16.1MP |
| Video | 1080p 30fps | Full HD 1080/60i |
| Autofocus | Hybrid CMOS AF (phase + contrast), notoriously slow | Contrast-detect AF, 35 areas, face and eye detection |
| Stabilisation | — | 5-axis in-body stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 4fps | 9fpsBest |
| Battery Life | ~230 shots (CIPA) | ~360 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 262g (body only)Best | 425g (with battery) |
| Dimensions | 108.6 × 66.5 × 32.3mm | 121.9 × 88.9 × 43.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | YesBest |
| Viewfinder | No viewfinder | EVF, 1.44M dots |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" tilting OLED touch screen, 610k dots |
| Mount | Canon EF-M mount | Micro Four Thirds |
| Memory Cards | 1× SD/SDHC/SDXC | Single SD slot |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 multi-connector, micro HDMI, hot shoe, Accessory Port 2 |
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 M
OM-D E-M5
Portrait
4.9/10
4.9/10
Street
6.6/10
6.0/10
Travel
6.0/10
5.9/10
Wedding & Events
3.6/10
4.0/10
Documentary
4.5/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
3.6/10
5.3/10
Landscape
4.2/10
4.7/10
Wildlife
3.9/10
6.1/10
Casual
4.9/10
4.3/10
Food
4.6/10
5.5/10
Macro
3.9/10
5.1/10
Architecture
3.8/10
4.4/10
Astrophotography
4.0/10
3.7/10
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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