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EOS M5 vs 1 J5
Quick take: The EOS M5 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the 1 J5 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·15 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.
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
EOS M5 — Travel & Portrait: 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.
Who should buy what
EOS M5 (2016)
is the right camera for you if…
- 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
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | EOS M5Canon · 2016 | 1 J5Nikon · 2015 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £218 used | — |
| Sensor | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS (Dual Pixel) | 20.8MP 1-inch (CX) BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MPBest | 20.8MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 4K UHD/15p, 1080p/60 |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF with face detection | Hybrid AF: 171 areas, 105 with phase detection; face detection, subject tracking |
| Stabilisation | — | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) |
| Burst Rate | 9fps | 20fpsBest |
| Battery Life | ~295 shots (CIPA)Best | ~250 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 427g (body only) | 265g (with battery)Best |
| Dimensions | 116.2 × 88.1 × 60.6mm | 98.3 × 59.7 × 31.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.39" type | None (rear screen only) |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.04M dots |
| Mount | Canon EF-M mount | Nikon 1 |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single microSD slot |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth | USB, micro HDMI, Wi-Fi, NFC |
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 M5
1 J5
Portrait
5.9/10
4.3/10
Street
6.2/10
6.7/10
Travel
5.5/10
6.1/10
Wedding & Events
4.5/10
2.9/10
Vlogging & Video
4.5/10
—
Documentary
4.2/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
5.3/10
4.9/10
Landscape
4.6/10
3.9/10
Wildlife
5.3/10
5.1/10
Casual
4.4/10
5.0/10
Food
5.4/10
4.8/10
Macro
4.4/10
3.4/10
Architecture
4.7/10
3.9/10
Astrophotography
4.1/10
3.0/10
Filmmaking
—
3.2/10
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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