Canon EOS M5 vs Nikon Z6

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS M5 and Nikon Z6. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS M5 is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon Z6 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS M5 were released 2016 and Nikon Z6 was released 2018. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS M5 2016
Nikon Z6 2018

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS M5 has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon Z6 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS M5 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Nikon Z6 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS M5 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z6 has 25 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS M5 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Nikon Z6 25 MP
24337152 pixels
6048 x 4024

Nikon Z6 has a 1 % larger resolution than Canon EOS M5. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon Z6 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS M5. Nikon Z6 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Canon EOS M5 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS M5 100-25600
Nikon Z6 100-51200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS M5 belongs to the Canon EOS M-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS M

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M5
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z6

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS M5 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds and Nikon Z6 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS M5 9
Nikon Z6 12

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Canon EOS M5 and Nikon Z6 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon Z6 weighs 675 gr (equal to 1.49 lb) which is 58% heavier than Canon EOS M5 and its 427 gr (or 0.94 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS M5 427 gr
0.94 lb
Nikon Z6 675 gr
1.49 lb

Canon EOS M5 vs Nikon Z6 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS M5 and Nikon Z6, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS M5
Nikon Z6
Name Canon EOS M5 Nikon Z6
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS M5
Nikon Z6
Release Year 2016 2018
Release Date 2016-09-15 2018-08-23
MSRP 979 USD 1995 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS M5
Nikon Z6
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Canon EOS M5
Nikon Z6
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 6048 x 4024 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 25 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 7 EXPEED 6
Image
Canon EOS M5
Nikon Z6
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No
(5-axis for video only)
Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5 axis))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 5 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS M5
Nikon Z6
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 49 273
Lens Mount Canon EF-M

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS M5
Nikon Z6
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 1620000 2100000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.62x 0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution 2360000 3690000
Photography features
Canon EOS M5
Nikon Z6
Frames per second 9 fps 12 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 5 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS M5
Nikon Z6
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS M5
Nikon Z6
Memory Card SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Canon EOS M5
Nikon Z6
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11/b/g/n with Bluetooth and NFC)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (Wired, wireless, or smartphone) Yes (via MC-DC2 or smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS M5
Nikon Z6
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL15b
Battery Life (CIPA) 295 shots 310 shots
Width 116 mm 134 mm
Height 89 mm 101 mm
Depth 61 mm 68 mm
Weight 427 gram 675 gram