EOS M5vs A5100
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.
Casual & Travel — A5100 (2014): The A5100 is one of the smallest APS-C mirrorless cameras ever made. Its 24MP sensor, phase-detect AF, and selfie-friendly flip screen pack remarkable capability into a shirt-pocket-sized body. No EVF or hot shoe limits it for serious use, but as a compact travel camera or beginner's first mirrorless, it punches well above its price on the used market.
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
A5100 (2014)
- Beginners stepping up from a smartphone
- Compact travel photographers
- Casual vloggers who want APS-C quality
Quick take: The a5100 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the a5100 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS M5 (2016) | A5100 (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £350 | £200 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS (Dual Pixel) | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF with face detection | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | — | None |
| Burst Rate | 9fps | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~295 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 427g (body only) | 224g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 116.2 × 88.1 × 60.6mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.39" type | None |
| Screen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Canon EF-M mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | EOS M5 | A5100 |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Street | ||
| Casual | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Vlogging & Video |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
More comparisons with EOS M5
Camera family history