Nikon Z5 vs Canon EOS M

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z5 and Canon EOS M. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon Z5 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS M is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon Z5 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Canon EOS M has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

** 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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon Z5 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS M has 18 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Nikon Z5 has a 35 % larger resolution than Canon EOS M. 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 Z5 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS M. Nikon Z5 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Canon EOS M has 100 to 12800.

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 M 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 Nikon Z5
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon Z5 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS M can shoot up to 4,3 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon Z5 and Canon EOS M 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 Z5 weighs 675 gr (equal to 1.49 lb) which is 127% heavier than Canon EOS M and its 298 gr (or 0.66 lb).

Nikon Z5 vs Canon EOS M Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z5 and Canon EOS M, 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	Nikon Z5	Canon EOS M
Name	Nikon Z5	Canon EOS M
Manufacturer	Nikon	Canon
Release Date and Price	Nikon Z5	Canon EOS M
Release Year	2020	2012
Release Date	2020-07-21	2012-07-23
MSRP	1399 USD	799 USD
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Camera Type	Nikon Z5	Canon EOS M
Camera Type	Mirrorless	Mirrorless
Sensor	Nikon Z5	Canon EOS M
Sensor Size	Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm) Also known as "FX"	APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type	CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	6016 x 4016 pixels	5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels	24 MP	18 MP
Image Processor	EXPEED 6	DIGIC 5
Image	Nikon Z5	Canon EOS M
ISO Range	100 - 51200	100 - 12800
White Balance Presets	12	6
Custom White Balance	Yes	Yes
Image Stabilization	Yes (Sensor Shift (5 axis))	No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating	0 stops	0 stops
Uncompressed format	RAW	RAW
Optics & Focus	Nikon Z5	Canon EOS M
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 Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView
Focus Points	273	31
Lens Mount	Nikon Z See Compatible Lenses	Canon EF-M See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier	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	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
Screen & Viewfinder	Nikon Z5	Canon EOS M
Articulated LCD	Tilting	Fixed
Screen size	3.2”	3”
Screen dots	1040000	1040000
Touch screen	Yes	Yes
Screen type	TFT LCD	Clear View II TFT LCD
Live view	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder Type	Electronic	No Viewfinder
Viewfinder Coverage	200%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution	3689400	0
Photography features	Nikon Z5	Canon EOS M
Frames per second	4,5 fps	4,3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	30 seconds	60 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/8000 seconds	1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash	No	No
Built-in Flash Range	N/A	N/A
External Flash	Yes	Yes
Self-Timer	Yes	Yes
Time-lapse	Yes	No
Metering modes	Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot	Multi Center Weighted Spot Partial
Exposure Compensation	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)	+/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features	Nikon Z5	Canon EOS M
Video recording	Yes	Yes
Video format	MPEG4 H.264	MPEG4 H.264
Video resolution	1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160	1280 x 720 1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone	Yes	Yes
Built-in Speakers	Yes	Yes
Storage	Nikon Z5	Canon EOS M
Memory Card	SD/SDHC	SD/SDHC
Connectivity	Nikon Z5	Canon EOS M
HDMI Output	Yes	Yes
Microphone Port	Yes	No
Headphone Port	Yes	No
Wireless	Yes Built-in (802.11ac (dual band) + Bluetooth)	Yes Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control	Yes (via smartphone)	No
GPS	No	Yes Optional via GP-E2
Body & Dimensions	Nikon Z5	Canon EOS M
Enviromentally sealed	Yes	No
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	EN-EL15c lithium-ion battery & charger	Lithium-Ion LP-E12 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	470 shots	230 shots
Width	134 mm	109 mm
Height	101 mm	66 mm
Depth	70 mm	32 mm
Weight	675 gram	298 gram