EOS M5vs Z30
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.
Travel & Everyday Video — Z30 (2022): Nikon's lightest Z-mount body — no fuss, excellent subject tracking, and a flip screen for creators.
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
Z30 (2022)
- Vloggers and content creators who don't need an EVF
- Beginners entering the Nikon Z system at the lowest price point
- Streamers who want a compact interchangeable-lens camera for desk use
- Travel and lifestyle shooters who want a compact APS-C Z body
Quick take: The eos m5 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the eos m5 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS M5 (2016) | Z30 (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £350 | £479 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS (Dual Pixel) | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 20.9MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 4K/30p, 4K/60p (with crop), 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF with face detection | Phase-detect, 209 points, subject tracking (human/animal/vehicle) |
| Stabilisation | — | None (no IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 9fps | 11fps |
| Battery Life | ~295 shots (CIPA) | ~300 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 427g (body only) | 405g body only |
| Dimensions | 116.2 × 88.1 × 60.6mm | 127.5 × 73.5 × 59.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.39" type | None |
| Screen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Canon EF-M mount | Nikon Z-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input, micro HDMI |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | EOS M5 | Z30 |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Street | ||
| Casual | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Sports & Action | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Family & Everyday | — |
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