Canon EOS M5 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body

Sensor

While it shares the same number of megapixels as the EOS M3, the sensor in the EOS M5 is a brand new 24.2 MP APS-C sized CMOS sensor, which shares and similar technology to the one found in the EOS 80D. With an aspect ratio of 3:2 and a built in low-pass filter, it also benefits from Canon’s EOS integrated cleaning system.

Processor

If the camera’s sensor is its eyes, the processor is its brain. The M5 uses the DIGIC 7 processor, which is 14 times faster than the DIGIC 6. This will improve the bracketing speed, as well as meaning the M5 is capable of an impressive 7 frames per second shooting speed – the same as the 5D Mark IV – for up to 5.3 seconds.

Focusing

The EOS M5 has a Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with phase detection built into the imaging sensor, this delivers DSLR level autofocus speeds and ensures precision tracking during sustained 7 frames per second shooting.

Additionally, the M5 utilises face and subject tracking via automatic recognition or manual selection via touchscreen.

Connectivity

With most modern cameras now offering a selection of wireless technologies and connectivity options, the EOS M5 is no exception. It supports Wi-Fi with Dynamic NFC support and advanced low energy Bluetooth. It also supports an HDMI connection and an external microphone via a 3.5mm jack.

This variety of connectivity means the M5 can be triggered via a phone acting as a remote and will automatically back-up images to cloud services, your computer, or smart device using Image Sync.

LCD Touchscreen & EVF

A nod to the M5’s DSLR-like capabilities, is the 3.2” ClearView II touchscreen LCD with approximately 1,620k dots.

It’s also tiltable up to 85 degrees up and 180 degrees down, showing that it is designed for and capable of shooting away from the eye, at waist level or from other angles.

This is almost the same screen that features in the 5D Mark IV (with the addition of tilt). It can be used to focus in Live View mode, and the focus point can even be dragged to adjust the focus right from the touchscreen.

Alongside the face detection feature, the touchscreen opens the M5 up to a whole host of shooting capabilities.

A high definition centrally positioned Electronic Viewfinder with a very impressive 2,360k dot OLED screen ensures 100% coverage, further adding to the argument for electronic viewfinders by replicating the view an optical one can provide.

Video

The Canon M5 shoots full HD cinematic movies at 60fps. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF offers precision tracking and combined with touch autofocus enables dramatic focus transitions. The in-camera 5-axis stabilisation system ensures steady footage even when using non-IS lenses.

Build

Where the M5 blurs the lines between mirrorless cameras and DSLR cameras is in its build quality.

Canon’s M5 is formed of a fully polycarbonate body, which alongside the reconfiguration of the dials, the slightly large grip, and the pentaprism-like electronic viewfinder module on top make the M5 reminiscent of an EOS DSLR, welcoming it warmly into the EOS family.