Decision tools · Compare
EOS M5 vs A5100
Quick take: The A5100 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the A5100 is the most affordable.
Where the EOS M5 wins
- Burst Rate: 9fps
- Portrait: 5.9 vs 5.4
- Wedding & Events: 4.5 vs 3.5
- Sports & Action: 5.3 vs 4.7
Where the A5100 wins
- Cheaper new: £102 vs £213
- Resolution: 24.3MP
- Battery Life: ~400 shots (CIPA)
- Weight: 224g (body only)
- Street: 7.0 vs 6.2
16 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video, Clifton Cameras, MPB, eBay and Amazon UK
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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Size comparedbody only, no lens · drawn to one scale
- EOS M5 116 × 88 × 61 mm · 427 g
- A5100 110 × 63 × 36 mm · 283 g
The A5100 is 6 mm narrower, 25 mm shorter, 25 mm slimmer and 144 g lighter than the EOS M5.
Drawn to scale from the makers' dimensions (W × H × D). Front shown, depth on the slanted edge.
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.
A5100 — Casual & Travel: 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)
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
A5100 (2014)
is the right camera for you if…
- Beginners stepping up from a smartphone
- Compact travel photographers
- Casual vloggers who want APS-C quality
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | EOS M5Canon · 2016 | A5100Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £213 used | £102 usedBest |
| Sensor | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS (Dual Pixel) | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.3MPBest |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF with face detection | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | — | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 9fpsBest | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~295 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 427g (body only) | 224g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 116.2 × 88.1 × 60.6mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.39" type | No viewfinder |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting 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 |
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
A5100
Portrait
5.9/10
5.4/10
Street
6.2/10
7.0/10
Travel
5.5/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
4.5/10
3.5/10
Vlogging & Video
4.5/10
4.8/10
Documentary
4.2/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
5.3/10
4.7/10
Landscape
4.6/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
5.3/10
5.5/10
Casual
4.4/10
5.2/10
Food
5.4/10
5.9/10
Macro
4.4/10
5.2/10
Architecture
4.7/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
4.1/10
4.7/10
Fun & simple
—
4.9/10
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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