EOS M5vs A7R
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.
Studio, Tripod Landscape & Camera History — A7R (2013): The world's first 36MP full-frame mirrorless — a landmark camera that launched the A7R series, despite contrast-detect AF and significant shutter shock limitations.
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
A7R (2013)
- Collectors and photographers interested in the camera that started the A7R lineage
- Studio photographers who work on a tripod and can manage contrast-detect AF
- Landscape photographers who prioritise resolution over autofocus performance
- Sony FE system users who want a historical body at a very low used price
Quick take: The a7r has the highest resolution at 36mp; the a7r is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS M5 (2016) | A7R (2013) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £350 | £349 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS (Dual Pixel) | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 36.4MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF with face detection | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) |
| Stabilisation | — | None |
| Burst Rate | 9fps | 4fps |
| Battery Life | ~295 shots (CIPA) | ~340 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 427g (body only) | 465g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 116.2 × 88.1 × 60.6mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.39" type | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) |
| Mount | Canon EF-M mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | EOS M5 | A7R |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Street | — | |
| Casual | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Architecture | — |
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