While we no longer rent this product, we do carry the Canon EOS M6 Mark II Mirrorless. You may also find alternatives in the Recommended section on the left-hand side of this page.
24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor
Fast, accurate dual-pixel autofocus system
Five-axis image stabilization
Full HD video capture at up to 60 fps
The Canon EOS M5 Mirrorless is a prosumer-grade crop-sensor mirrorless camera and a predecessor to the Canon EOS M6 Mark II Mirrorless. Key features include:
24.2MP Sensor. The 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor works in conjunction with the DIGIC 7 processor to produce low-noise, high-sensitivity still and video images.
Dual-Pixel Autofocus. The Dual-Pixel CMOS autofocus system provides continuous phase-detection autofocusing while shooting stills and video in live-view mode. It now includes user-selectable Movie-Servo AF-Speed and Tracking-Sensitivity options. Overall autofocus speed and performance are also improved when shooting in live-view mode.
Digital Image Stabilization. The five-axis Digital Image Stabilization system (which is kind of like Warp Stabilizer in Adobe After Effects) works in conjunction with IS-capable lenses to give you smoother footage when shooting video hand-held.
Video. The Canon EOS M5 mirrorless camera is capable of 1080p Full HD capture at up to 60 fps in an .mp4 wrapper. You can capture audio with the built-in mic or with an external mic via the stereo input. Capture time-lapses in camera using one of the three base preset modes or the custom mode.
Build and Design. The 2.36-million dot electronic viewfinder provides clear viewing even in bright conditions. The 3.2-inch LCD touchscreen on the back of the camera allows you to navigate the menus with ease, and gives you precision touch-and-drag autofocus control.
EF-M Mount. Canon’s mirrorless cameras have a different lens mount than the standard EF/EF-S DSLR variety. You’ll need an adapter to use those lenses.
What the M5 does right, at least for me, is nearly-nail the ergonomics. So many mirrorless manufacturers try to reinvent the wheel, or adopt a stylized look, at the expense of functionality. The EO...
What the M5 does right, at least for me, is nearly-nail the ergonomics. So many mirrorless manufacturers try to reinvent the wheel, or adopt a stylized look, at the expense of functionality. The EOS M5 is familiar enough to any Canon DSLR user that they’ll be able to pick up and shoot with minimal re-learning. Yet, this comes in a compact package that still leaves room for average to largish hand. Button layout is great, with Canon’s Dial / Function customization button seeming like a brainless choice all manufacturers should introduce. Built-in EVF is a bit small, but still adequate. The tilting rear LCD is very handy, with the touchscreen function being among the best around.
As for image quality and performance, the M5 is essentially an 80D inside; 24MP APS-C sensor with pretty good low-light performance (it’s no Sony). The other big positive for the EOS M5 is Canon’s Dual Pixel AF. Fast, accurate autofocus performance, even in continuous and tracking modes. More importantly, this also translates to using Canon EF lenses via adapter.
Which leaves the elephant in the room, the lenses. The EF-M lens lineup, as of December 2016, is pretty much a joke for anything other than entry-level use. There’s no fast zooms or quality primes available. The EF-M 22mm is a snail, and the quirky EF-M 28mm Macro with built-in LED light is fun at first, but gets old pretty quick.
TL;DR: If you’re willing to use the EF to EF-M Adapter with the larger EF lenses, this camera is a treat. It’s an 80D in a more compact body. However, native lens selection is so-so. Die-hard Canon shooters will enjoy it for sure and is well worth a rent, but those looking for a full system with a plethora of native lenses will be disappointed.
