Canon EOS M vs Nikon D5

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS M and Nikon D5. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS M is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D5 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS M were released 2012 and Nikon D5 was released 2016. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS M 2012
Nikon D5 2016

Type of camera

Canon EOS M is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D5 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS M has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D5 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 M 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Nikon D5 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 M has a 18 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5 has 21 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS M 18 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456
Nikon D5 21 MP
20742656 pixels
5588 x 3712

Nikon D5 has a 16 % 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 D5 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS M. Nikon D5 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Canon EOS M has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS M 100-12800
Nikon D5 100-102400

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 Canon EOS M
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS M can shoot up to 4,3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5 can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS M 4,3
Nikon D5 14

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Canon EOS M and Nikon D5 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 D5 weighs 1415 gr (equal to 3.12 lb) which is 375% heavier than Canon EOS M and its 298 gr (or 0.66 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS M 298 gr
0.66 lb
Nikon D5 1415 gr
3.12 lb

Canon EOS M vs Nikon D5 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS M and Nikon D5, 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 M
Nikon D5
Name Canon EOS M Nikon D5
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5
Release Year 2012 2016
Release Date 2012-07-23 2016-01-05
MSRP 799 USD 6499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5
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 CMOS
Resolution 5184 x 3456 pixels 5588 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels 18 MP 21 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 5 EXPEED 5
Image
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 102400
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 31 153
Lens Mount Canon EF-M

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

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 M
Nikon D5
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 1040000 2359000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type Clear View II TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.72×
Viewfinder Resolution 0 0
Photography features
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5
Frames per second 4,3 fps 14 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 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 Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
XQD
Connectivity
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Optional with WT-5A or WT-6A
Remote Control No Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone)
GPS Yes
Optional via GP-E2
Yes
Optional with GP-1A
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E12 rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL18a lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 230 shots 3780 shots
Width 109 mm 160 mm
Height 66 mm 159 mm
Depth 32 mm 92 mm
Weight 298 gram 1415 gram