Canon EOS M5 (2016)
A digital mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera with enthusiast-focused controls and DSLR-like image quality.
Overview
The Canon EOS M5 is a mirrorless camera announced on September 15, 2016, and released later that year. Canon positioned it as its most enthusiast-friendly EOS M model. It has a compact body with DSLR-style handling, an APS-C sensor and Canon’s EF-M lens mount. Adapted EF lenses work through a mount adapter. The M5 is built for photographers who want high image quality in a smaller package, and it leans on physical controls and customization, including C1 and C2 positions on the mode dial.
Specifications
| Sensor | 24.2 Megapixel APS-C (22.3 × 14.9 mm) |
| Processor | DIGIC 7 |
| Autofocus | Dual-pixel CMOS AF |
| ISO Speed | ISO 100–25600 |
| Shutter Speed | 30–1/4000 sec (1/3-stop increments), Bulb |
| Continuous Shooting | 7 FPS |
| Viewfinder | Electronic viewfinder (EVF) |
| LCD | Touch screen, swiveling |
| Video | HD video, not 4K |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF-M |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Flash | Built-in flash |
| Dimensions | 116 mm × 89 mm × 61 mm |
| Weight | 427 g (body only, with battery and card) |
| Original MSRP | $979 (body only), $1,099 (with EF-M 15-45mm IS STM) |
Design
The EOS M5 has solid, mostly metal construction and a DSLR-style grip. It has a dedicated exposure compensation dial. The mode dial has C1 and C2 custom memory settings for saving camera configurations. The touch screen stays active by default when you use the EVF, so your face can cause accidental input.
Context
Marketed as Canon's first competitive mirrorless camera, the EOS M5 was praised as the best EOS M model at the time of release. It aimed to bridge the gap between compact system cameras and DSLRs, with DSLR-level image quality in a smaller body. Image performance and color rendition drew praise. Autofocus drew criticism for being slower than rivals like Sony, particularly in low light.
Market
The Canon EOS M5 launched at $979 for the body alone. Kit options included the EF-M 15-45mm and 18-150mm lenses. Users note that the camera does not enter sleep mode automatically, so it has to be powered off by hand to save battery. A generic wired remote works in bulb mode for long exposures.
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