EOS M5vs A6400
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.
Content Creation & Vlogging — A6400 (2019): The best value APS-C Sony you can buy — especially used. Real-time Eye AF at this price point was transformative when it launched and still makes it one of the most reliable autofocus systems in the lineup.
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
A6400 (2019)
- Vloggers and content creators who need a flip screen and reliable AF
- Photographers upgrading from a compact or smartphone
- Beginners who want room to grow into a full E-mount lens ecosystem
- Anyone prioritising autofocus performance at an accessible price
Quick take: The eos m5 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS M5 (2016) | A6400 (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £350 | £899 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS (Dual Pixel) | 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS BSI |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 4K/30p (6K oversampled, no crop), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF with face detection | Phase-detect, 425 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF |
| Stabilisation | — | None (no IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 9fps | 11fps mechanical, 8fps with AF tracking |
| Battery Life | ~295 shots (CIPA) | ~410 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 427g (body only) | 403g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 116.2 × 88.1 × 60.6mm | 120.0 × 66.9 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.39" type | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 180° flip for selfie/vlog, 921k dots |
| Mount | Canon EF-M mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth | Micro-USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | EOS M5 | A6400 |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Street | ||
| Casual | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Video | — | |
| 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