Sony NEX-5R vs Canon EOS M

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-5R and Canon EOS M. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony NEX-5R is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS M is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2012.

Camera Released
Sony NEX-5R 2012
Canon EOS M 2012

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony NEX-5R has a "Sony APS-C"-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.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony NEX-5R 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS M 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

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

Resolution

Sony NEX-5R has a 16 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:

Camera Megapixels
Sony NEX-5R 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Canon EOS M 18 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

Canon EOS M has a 12 % larger resolution than Sony NEX-5R. 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

Sony NEX-5R has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS M. Sony NEX-5R has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS M has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony NEX-5R 100-25600
Canon EOS M 100-12800

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 Sony NEX-5R
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. Sony NEX-5R can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS M can shoot up to 4,3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-5R 10
Canon EOS M 4,3

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony NEX-5R 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.

Canon EOS M weighs 298 gr (equal to 0.66 lb) which is 8% heavier than Sony NEX-5R and its 276 gr (or 0.61 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony NEX-5R 276 gr
0.61 lb
Canon EOS M 298 gr
0.66 lb

Sony NEX-5R vs Canon EOS M Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-5R 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
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M
Name Sony NEX-5R Canon EOS M
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M
Release Year 2012 2012
Release Date 2012-08-29 2012-07-23
MSRP 649 USD 799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 18 MP
Image Processor Bionz DIGIC 5
Image
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 25 31
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF-M

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 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
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 1040000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type Tilt Up 180° Down 50° TFT LCD Clear View II TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic (Optional) No Viewfinder
Viewfinder Coverage
Viewfinder Magnification
Viewfinder Resolution 0 0
Photography features
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M
Frames per second 10 fps 4,3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 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 No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Optional RMT-DSLR1)
No
GPS No Yes
Optional via GP-E2
Body & Dimensions
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NPFW50 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E12 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 330 shots 230 shots
Width 111 mm 109 mm
Height 59 mm 66 mm
Depth 39 mm 32 mm
Weight 276 gram 298 gram