Exploring the Versatility of the Canon EOS M5: A Comprehensive Review

The Canon EOS M5 is a compact and feature-packed camera that offers the perfect balance of versatility and performance. With its 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor, Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus, and ability to shoot at up to 9 frames per second, the EOS M5 is a great option for photographers of all levels. In this comprehensive review, we’ll explore the features, benefits, and limitations of the Canon EOS M5.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Canon EOS M5 article cover photo

Key Features

Sep 15 2016

Announced

24 megapixels

Resolution

BrandCanon
Sensor TypeAPS-C
SensorCMOS
Weight427g
MSRP$1099USD

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Overview of the EOS M5

The Canon EOS M5 is one of the most versatile and capable cameras on the market today. Whether you’re a professional photographer or an amateur hobbyist, this camera offers a wide range of features and capabilities that make it a great choice for a variety of shooting situations. From its high-quality 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor to its Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus and ability to shoot at up to 9 frames per second, the EOS M5 has a lot to offer. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the Canon EOS M5 and explore its features, benefits, and limitations. We’ll cover everything from image quality and autofocus performance to handling and usability. By the end of this review, you’ll have a better understanding of what the EOS M5 has to offer and whether it’s the right camera for your needs. So, let’s get started!

Canon EOS M5 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Canon EOS M5 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Excellent image quality
Dual Pixel CMOS AF
24.2 MP APS-C CMOS sensor
Compact and portable
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
5-axis in-body image stabilization
Vari-angle touchscreen display
Supports Canon EF-M lenses

Cons

Continuous shooting speed could be better
Limited selection of EF-M lenses
Relatively short battery life
No headphone jack
No built-in flash
No 4K video recording
No weather sealing
Expensive compared to other mirrorless cameras

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Canon EOS M5

Weather sealed
Dimensions116 x 89 x 61mm
Weight427g
Thickness61mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Canon EOS M5 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeTilting
Screen Resolution1,620k dots
Body typeSLR-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a tilting 3.20" screen, with a display resolution of 1,620k dots. This makes the Canon EOS M5 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

EOS M5 includes a electronic viewfinder with 2,360k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of n/a. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Canon EOS M5 has a 24MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 24 pixels. Canon EOS M5 has a native ISO range of 100 - 25600 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Sep 15 2016

Announced

100 - 25600

ISO Range

SensorAPS-C
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution6000 x 4000 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

77 / 102

Color Depth

23.4 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

12.4 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

1262 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Canon EOS M5 camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also above average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the EOS M5 is average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1.6x

Full frame equivalent

38.400000000000006mm

This camera: APS-C

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC card
Battery Life295 shots
Battery ModelLP-E17
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Canon EOS M5 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC card with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Canon EOS M5 uses the LP-E17 model of battery pack. This is rated for 295 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Canon EOS M5 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Canon EOS M5 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Canon EOS M5 includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 49 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Canon EOS M5?

The Canon EOS M5 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Canon EOS M5 weather sealed?

No the EOS M5 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Canon EOS M5 announced?

The Canon EOS M5 was announced on Sep 15 2016

Does the Canon EOS M5 have in-body image stabilization?

No the EOS M5 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Canon EOS M5?

The EOS M5 has a native ISO range of 100-25600, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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