EOS M5vs S1 II
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Travel & Portrait — EOS M5 (2016): The EOS M5 was the first EF-M camera with a built-in EVF — and it made the system feel complete. Fast Dual Pixel AF, a 9fps burst, and a high-resolution articulating screen deliver a confident shooting experience. No IBIS and 1080p video only limit its appeal for hybrid work, but for stills photographers it remains one of the most well-rounded EF-M bodies available.
Hybrid & Video — S1 II (2025): The S1 II is the full-frame L-mount hybrid camera Panasonic's system has been waiting for — phase-detect AF, 4K/120p, class-leading IBIS, and a professional build in one complete package. It addresses every weakness of the original S1 and positions Lumix firmly back in the conversation for serious hybrid shooters.
Who should buy what
EOS M5 (2016)
- Enthusiast photographers who want an EVF in a compact EF-M body
- Photographers switching from DSLR who want familiar handling
- Portrait and travel photographers who value fast AF and good ergonomics
- Used-market buyers wanting a capable EF-M stills camera
S1 II (2025)
- Hybrid photographers who need excellent stills and serious video capability
- Video professionals who want full-frame quality with 4K/120p
- Landscape and portrait photographers who want maximum stabilisation
- L-mount system users upgrading from S1 or S5 II
Quick take: The eos m5 is the most affordable; only the s1 ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS M5 (2016) | S1 II (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £350 | £2,200 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS (Dual Pixel) | 24.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 6K/30p, 4K/120p, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF with face detection | Phase-detect AF with subject recognition (human, animal, vehicle) |
| Stabilisation | — | 5-axis IBIS, up to 8 stops |
| Burst Rate | 9fps | 30fps (electronic), 9fps (mechanical) |
| Battery Life | ~295 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 427g (body only) | 680g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 116.2 × 88.1 × 60.6mm | 138.5 × 100.0 × 91.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.39" type | Electronic, 3.68M dots, 0.78× |
| Screen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.84M dots |
| Mount | Canon EF-M mount | Leica L-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual slot: CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | EOS M5 | S1 II |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Street | ||
| Casual | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Wildlife | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history