Canon EOS M vs Nikon Z5

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

Manufacturing

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

Canon EOS M were released 2012 and Nikon Z5 was released 2020. That is a 8 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS M 2012
Nikon Z5 2020

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS M has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon Z5 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 Z5 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 Z5 has 24 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 Z5 24 MP
24160256 pixels
6016 x 4016

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.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS M 100-12800
Nikon Z5 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 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 Z5

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 Z5 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS M 4,3
Nikon Z5 4,5

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 Z5 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).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS M 298 gr
0.66 lb
Nikon Z5 675 gr
1.49 lb

Canon EOS M vs Nikon Z5 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS M and Nikon Z5, 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 Z5
Name Canon EOS M Nikon Z5
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS M
Nikon Z5
Release Year 2012 2020
Release Date 2012-07-23 2020-07-21
MSRP 799 USD 1399 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS M
Nikon Z5
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Canon EOS M
Nikon Z5
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 6016 x 4016 pixels
Megapixels 18 MP 24 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 5 EXPEED 6
Image
Canon EOS M
Nikon Z5
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor Shift (5 axis))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS M
Nikon Z5
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 31 273
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 M
Nikon Z5
Articulated LCD Fixed Tilting
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 1040000 1040000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type Clear View II TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 200%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution 0 3689400
Photography features
Canon EOS M
Nikon Z5
Frames per second 4,3 fps 4,5 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, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS M
Nikon Z5
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 M
Nikon Z5
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS M
Nikon Z5
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac (dual band) + Bluetooth)
Remote Control No Yes (via smartphone)
GPS Yes
Optional via GP-E2
No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS M
Nikon Z5
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E12 rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL15c lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 230 shots 470 shots
Width 109 mm 134 mm
Height 66 mm 101 mm
Depth 32 mm 70 mm
Weight 298 gram 675 gram