Canon EOS M5 Vs M6 – Detailed Comparison

Hello there! You are welcome to our detailed comparison of the Canon EOS M5 vs M6. Today, we will be reviewing and comparing these 2 Semi-Pro cameras made by Canon.

If you want a thorough comparison of these two Semi-Pro cameras – Canon EOS M5 vs M6 – make sure to stick with us all the way to the end.

However, if you want a quick run through of the major differences between these cameras that could help you make a fast decision, then you could just go through the comparison overview, comparison table, and “which is better under what circumstance?” sections below.

Table of Contents

Comparison Overview — Canon EOS M5 Vs M6

In this Canon EOS M5 vs M6 comparison, you will be seeing the advantages that the M5 has over the M6 by coming with an in-built electronic viewfinder – as opposed to the M6 that only has a hot shoe to connect an external viewfinder.

The Canon EOS M6 (15^th of February, 2017) was released exactly 5 months after the Canon EOS M5 (15^th September, 2016).

And because of this, a lot of people wrongly assumed that the M6 was only a downgraded, budget friendly, version of the M5.

We are pretty sure that this is not what Canon intended with the M6. These two cameras have a whole lot in common.

Also, as you will see in this article, the M6 slightly edges the M5 in some areas.

One of those areas is the weight. This makes it handier, and thus, the slightly better camera for daily photography and tourism.

On the flip side, the M5 gives you better display, as it has a larger screen than the M6. And also, like we have mentioned, it comes with an electronic viewfinder, while its successor does not.

If you want to know what other areas of convergence and divergence exist between these cameras, come along with us all the way as we compare the Canon EOS M5 vs M6.

Price/Value Ratio For The Canon EOS M5 Vs M6

Which camera is more cost-effective?

For many customers, the M6 gives great value for its price. Though the camera has some flaws – poor battery, low light sensitivity, unimpressive dynamic range, and others – the Canon EOS M6 appears to be giving customers good value for their money.
The Canon EOS M5, on the other hand, appears to have left people unsatisfied when it comes to its price/value ratio. This camera has been reported by many to be really functional, and have a lot of nice features.
However, quite a number of people seem to think that the value that the camera offers is not really commensurate to its price.

Comparison Table — Canon EOS M5 Vs M6

	Canon EOS M5	Canon EOS M6
Screen size	3.2 inches	3 inches
Camera weight	0.94 pounds (427 grams)	0.86 pounds (390 grams)
Camera dimensions	2.4 by 4.6 by 3.5 inches	1.8 by 4.4 by 2.7 inches
Optical sensor resolution	24.2 megapixels	24.2 megapixels
Continuous shooting	9 frames per second	9 frames per second
Viewfinder	In-built electronic viewfinder	Optional viewfinder
ISO range	100 – 25600	100 – 25600

Do you still need more on Canon EOS M5 vs M6 comparison? Well, here is a video that could be really helpful. Check it out:

Which Is Better Under What Circumstance? — Canon EOS M5 Vs M6

Canon EOS M5	Canon EOS M6
If you want the convenience that comes with having an in-built viewfinder, then we recommend the M5 for you. It comes with an electronic viewfinder, while the M6 does not.	If you are working on a pretty tight budget, then this would be a better option for you. It is significantly more affordable than the M5.
If you are one who prefers a larger camera display, then this is the one for you. The camera Canon EOS M5 comes with a screen that is larger than the M6. Also, though the screens of both the M5 and M6 are flexible, that of the M5 it tilts to higher degrees than that of the M6.	For daily photography, hikes, road trips, walks, this would be a better pick. It is lightweight and easier to carry around. Quite lighter and more portable than the EOS M5.
Click here to get the Canon EOS M5.	Click here to get the Canon Canon EOS M6.

Common Features — Canon EOS M5 Vs M6

The following are the common features between the Canon EOS M5 and M6 cameras:

i. ISO
ii. Wireless connection
iii. Articulating screen
iv. In-built flash
v. External flash hot shoe
vi. Microphone jack
Vii. Auto exposure bracketing
viii.Time-lapse recording
ix. Remote control
x. Touch screen

Let’s shed more light on them…

i. ISO

In simple terms, the ISO of your camera is what measures its sensitivity to light.

That means that the lower the ISO, the less sensitive it is to light, and invariably, the higher the ISO, the more sensitive your camera is to light.

Depending on what type of image you are trying to get, and how good the lighting is where you are shooting, you could need a high or a low ISO.

Now, simply, the larger your camera’s ISO range, the more possibilities it offers you and your photography.

Well, with both the Canon EOS M5 and the M6, you get the same ISO – lowest being 100, and highest being 25600.

ii. Wireless Connection

Both the Canon EOS M5 and the M6 have in-built WiFi and Bluetooth, meaning you can easily transfer files to other compatible devices pretty easily, via WiFi. And you can transfer to any Bluetooth enabled device nearby.

Furthermore, these cameras come with the Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which works hand in hand with the wireless connection to help you do easy and quick transfers from your camera to nearby devices.

Also, you can upload photos or videos to social media very easily, from your camera, this starts with establishing a WiFi network. Great, isn’t it?

iii. Articulating Screen

An articulating screen is a type of rotating screen that comes with a couple of cameras now.

The articulating screen – otherwise called flip screen – helps you take selfies and take videos more easily.

Both these cameras come with articulating screens. However, while that of the M5 flips 85 degrees upward, and 180 degrees downward, the M6 flips 45 degrees downward and 180 degrees upward.

An articulating screen is particularly great from when you want to take pictures or record videos from pretty difficult angles.

iv. In-Built Flash

This is self-explanatory, isn’t it? Well, this is a feature that helps you get brighter pictures, especially in places with low light.

Both these cameras come with an in-built flash, which means if you have to do a shoot in a location where lighting isn’t so great, your M5 or M6 can help you capture good and bright images still.

v. External Flash Hot Shoe

So, yes, we have established that each of these cameras comes with an in-built flash.

However, in some conditions, the in-built flash won’t suffice. This means you would need an external flash to give you even better lighting.

Now, an external flash hot shoe is a feature in some cameras that helps you attach an external flash to your camera.

So, if you need to enhance the lighting for your image, with either the EOS M5 or the M6, you are completely covered.

vi. Microphone Jack

Sometimes, you will need to use your camera for video and audio recordings.

The in-built microphone might suffice if you are shooting in a completely quiet environment.

However, if you are, say, reporting the news, and, so, recording your video and audio in a noisy environment is inevitable, then you would need a camera that enables an external microphone.

Now, if this is your case, either of the Canon EOS M5 or M6 would be a good choice for you.

Both these cameras have microphone jacks, meaning that you have the option of connecting an external microphone and getting better sound quality from your Canon EOS M5 or M6.

vii. Auto Exposure Bracketing

This is a feature that helps you take one shot, but get a number of takes (3, 5, 7, depending on what your camera offers) of that one shot – each with a different exposure setting.

This means that if you are shooting in a location with difficult lighting; instead of taking a photo, checking, changing the exposure setting, and taking again; all you have to do is use the auto exposure bracketing option.

With this, you could take one shot and your camera will give you that image in, for example, normal exposure, underexposure, and overexposure. Awesome isn’t it?

Well, this feature is available in both the M5 and the M6, so, with either one of these cameras, you’re good.

viii. Time-lapse Recording

Now, if you do not have an idea what time-lapse recording is, the video below would be really helpful. Check it out here:

So, as you could see in that video, this is a feature in a camera that, in the simplest of terms, maneuvers time. It basically makes time move faster that it normally does.

This is a particularly great feature for photographers who do nature photography. For example, capturing the movement of the stars, the sunrise, the blossoming of flowers, and other stuff of similar nature.

Anyway, not every camera allows you to do this, as not every camera comes with the time-lapse recording feature.

However, with either the Canon EOS M5 or the Canon EOS M6, this is totally possible.

ix. Remote Control

The M5 and the M6 coming with the remote control feature means that they both allow you to control your camera with your smartphone just by connecting via Bluetooth or WiFi.

This makes using your camera even easier than it already is.

x. Touch Screen

Speaking of being easy to use, both the Canon EOS M5 and the Canon EOS M6 allow you access to your camera’s functions just by touching the screen.

Unique Features — Canon EOS M5 Vs M6

What features make the Canon EOS M5 different from the M6?

In the Canon EOS M5 vs M6 comparison, one major disparity that is largely talked about is the viewfinder.
An electronic viewfinder is a feature – exclusive to just mirrorless cameras – that helps a photographer preview the image he is about to capture in a miniature display.
Unlike the M5, the Canon EOS M6 camera does not actually come with a viewfinder.
Anyway, the M6 does come with a hot shoe that allows you attach an external viewfinder.

Unique Pros — Canon EOS M5 Vs M6

The following are the unique pros of the Canon EOS M5 and M6 camera:

Unique Pros Of the Canon EOS M5 — Canon EOS M5 vs M6

Which is more Flexible: M5 or M6?

The screen of the Canon EOS M5 measures 3.2 inches, which means it is slightly larger than its contemporaries.
Also, being able to flip 85 degrees upward and 180 degrees downward, the M5’s tilting screen is actually more flexible than many mirrorless cameras out there.

Which has a High Display Resolution: M5 or M6?

The Canon EOS M5 has a higher rear display resolution when compared to its peers. This camera boasts of 1620000 dots (540000 pixels). To put this in better perspective, if the screen resolution of the Canon EOS M5 vs M6 is compared, it will be obvious that the M5’s rear display resolution is 55 per cent higher than that of the M6.

What this means for your photography is that the images you will capture with your M5 will probably be about 55 percent sharper and more detailed than the ones you will get with the M6.

Which has better Framing: M5 or M6?

As a result of the electronic viewfinder it comes with, the Canon EOS M5 offers better framing, which to some extent, helps you save battery.

With an electronic viewfinder, you are able to preview your image before capturing, that way you can see how the eventual image will come out.

You can also see additional details like your battery level, storage space left, and some other stuff you usually won’t be able to view without the viewfinder.

Unique Pros Of the Canon EOS M6 — Canon EOS M5 vs M6

Which is Lighter: M5 or M6?

Weighing 0.86 pounds (390 grams), the Canon EOS M6 is lighter than the M5 camera. As a result of this, this camera is great for taking on vacations, hikes, road trips, and all those types of activities.
When going on such trips, or engaging in such other activities, everybody would prefer to go with a portable camera. A camera they can hold in their hands and take photos of beautiful scenery or beautiful moments.

And the M6 is that really handy camera you want for such activities. It is so easy to carry around.

As a matter of fact, the Canon EOS M6 is quite significantly lighter than the M5. So, you see that when we say lightweight, we really do mean lightweight.

Which is more Affordable: M5 or M6?

The Canon EOS M6 is a pretty affordable, budget friendly, camera. And honestly, looking at the functions of the camera, it offers you a really good price/value ratio. With this one, Canon did not sacrifice features and/or functionality for price.

They happened to find a balance; making this camera really functional, and still pretty affordable.

Unique Cons — Canon EOS M5 Vs M6

Unique Cons Of The Canon EOS M5

The following are the unique cons of the Canon EOS M5 camera:

i. A bit heavy
ii. Pretty expensive

Let’s take a closer look at them.

i. A bit heavy

Weighing 0.94 pounds (427 grams) , the Canon EOS M5 might be quite heavy for some people to carry around.

There are a lot of people who want cameras they can easily carry around in their hands without feeling like they are doing any heavy lifting.

And well, a Semi-Pro camera weighing almost half a kilogram, we we don’t think is the type of camera anybody wants to be holding in their hands for a long time.

ii. Pretty expensive

For many, the Canon EOS M5 might be not very affordable, especially for a Semi-Pro camera.

Yes, it is not as expensive as Pro cameras, but it costs quite more than many other Semi-Pro cameras.

To put this in perspective, if you compare the price of the Canon EOS M5 vs M6, especially with respect to their features and functionality, it is easier to see that the M5 is quite on the high side.

The M6 is quite significantly more affordable than the M5, whereas when it comes to features and functionality, the Canon EOS M5 vs M6 battle is a pretty tight one.

Unique Cons Of The Canon EOS M6

The following are the unique cons of the Canon EOS M6 camera:

i. No in-built electronic viewfinder
ii. Poor display resolution

Let’s expound on them…

i. No In-Built Electronic Viewfinder

The M6 misses out on the many advantages a mirrorless camera with an electronic viewfinder could offer you.

There are a couple of things the electronic viewfinder can offer you as a photographer that you can’t get with just the flexible LCD screen.

Although the Canon EOS M6 does come with an option of attaching an external electronic viewfinder, everyone always prefers it when the viewfinder comes with the camera, instead of having to go looking for one.

ii. Poor Display Resolution

The Canon EOS M6, sadly, can only boast of 1040000 dots of screen resolution.

What this means is that the quality of the pictures you will be getting might not be as sharp as you would like them to be.

Comparing the rear display resolution of the Canon EOS M5 vs M6 further enlarges the flaw of the M6’s display screen.

The M6’s rear display has a 55 per cent lower resolution than that of the M5; not very impressive.

Common Pros — Canon EOS M5 Vs M6

	Canon EOS M5	Canon EOS M6
Wireless Connection	With this camera, you can easily transfer files to compatible devices or upload to social media just by connecting via WiFi or Bluetooth.	Same as the Canon EOS M5
In-Built Flash	Shooting in areas of low light is made better with the in-built flash. So, if there is not very good lighting in your shooting location, with the flash, you can still get a pretty good and pretty bright image.	Same as the Canon EOS M5
External Flash Hot Shoe	The in-built flash will not always lighten up the image as much as you want. In cases like this, you have an option of attaching an external flash, using the hot shoe. This is also really great if you want to do flash photography.	Same as the Canon EOS M5.
Touch Screen	It is always more convenient to access your camera functions just by tapping on your screen, than having to always find the right button to press.	Same as the Canon EOS M5.
RAW support	This camera has the option of leaving your images in the uncompressed, unadulterated RAW format. Compared to the JPEG format, photographers would rather have their files untouched, uncompressed, and well, RAW.	Same as the Canon EOS M5.
Great portraits	This camera is able to detect human faces in the frame. This is as a result of the face detection focus feature. This feature makes portrait photography a whole lot better.	Same as the Canon EOS M5.
Flexible Screen	The Canon EOS M5, as we mentioned earlier, comes with an articulating screen that is able to tilt 85 degrees upward and 180 degrees downward. This makes this camera great for selfies, vlogging, and capturing images from difficult angles.	Same as the Canon EOS M5. However, the articulating screen of the M6 tilts to slightly different angles than the M5. This one can only go 45 degrees upward and 180 degrees downward.
Impressive Optical Sensor Resolution	This camera has a pretty impressive 24.2 megapixels of optical sensor resolution. This means that your images will come out sharper and contain more detail.	Same as the Canon EOS M5.
Impressive Continuous Shooting	This camera boasts of a pretty impressive 9.0 frames per second in continuous shooting. This means that if you have to, say, take images of a moving object or person, this camera will be giving you a pretty good shooting speed. So, for example, you want to get a photo of a flying bird or a player moving to score a goal, a fast burst mode (continuous shooting) will be really helpful in capturing just the right moment in a photo.	Same as the Canon EOS M5.
Good Sound Quality	Apart from the in-built microphone that literally every camera comes with, the Canon EOS M5 does one better and comes with a microphone jack. What this means is that you can connect an external microphone, and get better audio quality. This is great for when you will have to do your recordings in noisy areas.	Same as the Canon EOS M5.
Time-Lapse Recording	This camera comes with a time-lapse recording feature. This means that, as a photographer, you can make really beautiful images of regular photos taken in real-time.	Same as the Canon EOS M5.
Remote Control	This camera allows you to connect your compatible smartphone and, with it, control your camera. This can be used for photo shoots, among other things.	Same as the Canon EOS M5.
Auto Exposure Bracketing	This camera coming with this feature means you can take better pictures in difficult lighting conditions.	Same as the Canon Eos M5.
Easy Transfer of Files	Apart from the use of WiFi and Bluetooth to transfer files, the Canon EOS M5 also offers the option of memory card. You can attach an Ultra High Speed memory card, and transfer files really quickly.	Same as the Canon EOS M5.

Check out these other interesting comparison articles…

Common Cons — Canon EOS M5 Vs M6

	Canon EOS M5	Canon EOS M6
Pretty Poor Battery	The battery of this camera is quite very unimpressive. And when we say unimpressive, we mean 295 shots per full charge unimpressive.	Same as the Canon EOS M5.
No Headphone Jack	At this point, almost everyone expected that Canon would have made provisions for a headphone port. Unfortunately, that did not happen.	Same as the Canon EOS M5.
Poor Dynamic Range	The dynamic range of a camera, many have argued, is a more important consideration than the megapixels, when getting a camera. The dynamic range is basically the difference between the brightest and darkest parts of an image. And, of course, the higher the dynamic range of your camera, the better the quality of pictures you are bound to get. With a 12.4 dynamic range, the m5 has a pretty poor dynamic range.	Same as the Canon EOS M5. However, at 12.6, the dynamic range of the m6 is only slightly better.
Low ISO	An ISO range of only 100 – 25600 is not very good light sensitivity for a camera of this level.	Same as the Canon EOS M5.
Not Good For Harsh Weather Conditions	This camera does not have any environmental sealing. Therefore, we do not advise that this camera be used in harsh weather conditions.	Same as the Canon EOS M5.

What People Think About The Canon EOS M5 Vs M6

Canon EOS M5	Canon EOS M6
Some people seem to be in love with the grip of this camera, however, not very much with the size. This is a comment more common among non-professional camera users.	People appear to be in love with the weight of the M6. It is easy to carry around, and thus, a lot of people have recommended this for road trips, hikes, daily photography.
People appear to love the electronic viewfinder that the M5 comes with. According to them it is bright and really functional. However, many were not very happy about the lag, especially when you are making movements while shooting.	Customers do not seem very pleased with the auto focus of this camera; especially for video. Also, the strap and the exposure mechanism are other things people don’t seem to love very much.
The battery of this camera seems to have disappointed so many people. Apparently, people expected a lot more than 295 shots per full charge. According to many who have used this camera, if you were to use this for a whole day, you would need to carry along, at least, two spare batteries.	People have also had complaints about the battery of the Canon EOS M6. Complaints that are very similar to those of the M5. Well, they have the same battery capacity, so, that should not come off as surprising.
Quite a number of people have complained about this camera being on the high side when it comes to price. To a couple of people, the camera is pretty far from affordable. So, it is safe to say that a lot of people were not very impressed with the price of the Canon EOS M5.	People seem to love how affordable and budget friendly the Canon EOS M6 is. Many love how it does not cause harm to your pocket, but still has good features and functions to make a good camera.
The fact that this camera has no weather sealing makes it difficult to use in harsh conditions. If you are a news reporter, this won’t come as good news for you.	The complaints people have of the M6 no having weather sealing is pretty much the same as the M5. Customers do not seem very impressed.

Our Take On The Canon EOS M5 Vs M6

Canon EOS M5	Canon EOS M6
We really do think that Canon has to improve on its batteries. 295 shots per full charge are not something that should be said of a Canon camera battery, especially at this point.	Same as the Canon EOS M5. We really do hope to see subsequent Canon cameras come with a lot better batteries.
WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, microphone jack, RAW support, auto bracketing exposure; these are only some of the features of this camera we are really happy about. Canon really did a good job with the M5. However, we still do think that this camera could have been made more affordable. It is true that people love many features of this camera, but the price has deterred a lot of people from trying it out.	The fact that this camera is really functional and still pretty affordable is something we are really impressed about. This is the camera you would like to get if you were on a budget. It does a great job, and it easy to carry around, even. In our opinion, the Canon EOS M6 is a good camera for you if you are a vlogger. It can sit well on your tripod, and will give you good sound quality. Also, if you are a tourist, traveler, and you do a lot of movements with your camera, this is something you might want to consider. However, be mindful of when you use it, the M6 is not waterproof and has no environmental sealing. Therefore, we advise that you do not use this camera in harsh conditions.

Canon EOS M5 Vs M6 – FAQs

Is Canon M6 Mark II Weather-sealed?

The Canon M6 Mark II is not weather-sealed. But note that weather-sealed is different from waterproofed and water-resistant. Water-sealing only protects the internal components of a camera from wind, dust, and dirt. These harmful elements can still have a field day on a camera’s exterior.

Additionally, the level of weather-sealing of a camera determines how well it is able to resist the elements. So, a camera that is not well weather-sealed with silicon and rubber is not all that different from one that is not weather-sealed at all.

Is Canon EOS M6 Full-frame?

The Canon EOS M6 is a full-frame mirrorless camera. This means that it is equipped with a sensor that has the same dimensions as the traditional 35mm film. A full-frame sensor camera like the Canon EOS M6 has twice the surface area of an APS-C sensor camera and also offers higher quality images.

A full-frame sensor camera has the ability to capture more light, so it is able to produce clearer images. This results in larger pixel sizes compared to APS-C sensor cameras.

Does Canon M6 have Image Stabilization?

The Canon M6 has an image stabilization feature. This helps to reduce the blurry effects caused by moving a camera. It compensates for the pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) feature missing in the Canon EOS M6.

Image stabilization is used in astronomical telescopes, binoculars, video cameras, and even high-end smartphones. With this feature, intentional or unintentional shaking of a camera does not affect the image/video quality. However, image stabilization cannot prevent blur caused by the movement of the subject.

Are Canon Mirrorless Cameras Any Good?

Canon mirrorless cameras are very good because they are lighter, faster and better for video production. A mirrorless camera allows light to pass through its lens to its image sensor. When this happens, a preview of the image is captured and displayed on the rear screen.

Some Canon models come with a built-in viewfinder that users can put an eye into and observe images or videos more closely. Although mirrorless cameras usually have fewer lenses compared to DSLRs, they are not inferior in terms of performance and convenience.

Can I Use Canon Lens on Mirrorless Camera?

Canon lens can be used on any mirrorless camera, be it an EOS or DSLR. This is possible with the help of an adapter, which can convert one lens mount to another. Attempting to adapt a Canon EF lens may be a bit difficult because EF lenses do not have manual aperture settings.

A camera with a short flange distance (the distance between the lens and the sensor), which makes attachment to another camera’s lens impossible, will have a slot where an adapter can be inserted.

Do Canon EF Lenses Fit EOS?

All Canon EF lenses are designed to fit EOS cameras. EF and EF-S lenses can be attached to all EOS M-series cameras with an adapter known as the EOS-EF M Adapter.

Although the EOS R-series are compatible with EF-S lenses, the cameras will automatically go into crop mode, so that smaller EF-S lenses can function effectively. Having a knowledge of which lenses are compatible with a camera, directly or via an adapter, will help photographers or videographers make the right buying decisions.