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Canon M200 vs Sony A5000

The Canon EOS M200 and the Sony Alpha A5000 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in September 2019 and January 2014. Both the M200 and the A5000 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 24 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 19.8 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Canon M200
versus
Sony A5000
Canon M200   Sony A5000
Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
Canon EF-M mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
24 MP – APS-C sensor 19.8 MP – APS-C sensor
4k/25p Video 1080/60i Video
ISO 100-25,600 ISO 100-16,000
No viewfinder, LCD framing No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots 3.0" LCD – 461k dots
Tilting touchscreen Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
6.1 shutter flaps per second 3.5 shutter flaps per second
315 shots per battery charge420 shots per battery charge
108 x 67 x 35 mm, 299 g 110 x 63 x 36 mm, 269 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS M200 and the Sony Alpha A5000? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon M200 and the Sony A5000. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The M200 can be obtained in two different colors (black, white), while the A5000 is available in three color-versions (black, silver, white).

Size Canon M200 vs Sony A5000
Compare M200 versus A5000 top
Comparison M200 or A5000 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A5000 is somewhat smaller (4 percent) than the Canon M200. Moreover, the A5000 is markedly lighter (10 percent) than the M200. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the M200 nor the A5000 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the M200 gets 315 shots out of its Canon LP-E12 battery, while the A5000 can take 420 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FW50 power pack. The power pack in the A5000 can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon M200 108 mm 67 mm 35 mm 299 g 315 n Sep 2019 549ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A5000 110 mm 63 mm 36 mm 269 g 420 n Jan 2014 449ebay.com
3.
 
Canon R100 116 mm 86 mm 69 mm 356 g 400 n May 2023 479 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon M50 Mark II 116 mm 88 mm 59 mm 387 g 305 n Oct 2020 599ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SL3 122 mm 93 mm 70 mm 449 g 1070 n Apr 2019 599 amazon.com
6.
 
Canon M50 116 mm 88 mm 59 mm 390 g 235 n Feb 2018 779ebay.com
7.
 
Canon SX740 110 mm 64 mm 40 mm 299 g 265 n Jul 2018 399 amazon.com
8.
 
Canon T7 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 475 g 500 n Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
9.
 
Canon M100 108 mm 67 mm 35 mm 302 g 295 n Aug 2017 499ebay.com
10.
 
Canon M10 108 mm 67 mm 35 mm 301 g 255 n Oct 2015 499ebay.com
11.
 
Canon M 109 mm 66 mm 32 mm 298 g 230 n Jul 2012 599ebay.com
12.
 
Fujifilm XF10 113 mm 64 mm 41 mm 279 g 330 n Jul 2018 499ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D3300 124 mm 98 mm 76 mm 430 g 700 n Jan 2014 499ebay.com
14.
 
Sony RX100 IV 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 298 g 280 n Jun 2015 999ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A5100 110 mm 63 mm 36 mm 283 g 400 n Aug 2014 549ebay.com
16.
 
Sony NEX-3N 110 mm 62 mm 35 mm 269 g 480 n Feb 2013 499ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The A5000 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 18 percent) than the M200, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the A5000 is 8 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have format factors, respectively, of 1.6 (M200) and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Canon M200 and Sony A5000 sensor measures

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Canon M200 offers a higher resolution of 24 megapixels, compared with 19.8 MP of the Sony A5000. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.72μm versus 4.25μm for the A5000). However, it should be noted that the M200 is much more recent (by 5 years and 8 months) than the A5000, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

The resolution advantage of the Canon M200 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the M200 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Sony A5000 are 27.3 x 18.2 inches or 69.3 x 46.1 cm for good quality, 21.8 x 14.5 inches or 55.4 x 36.9 cm for very good quality, and 18.2 x 12.1 inches or 46.2 x 30.8 cm for excellent quality prints.

The M200 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Canon EOS M200 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha A5000 are ISO 100 to ISO 16000 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

M200 versus A5000 MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon M200 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004k/25p24.013.5183682
2.
 
Sony A5000 APS-C 19.8 5456 36321080/60i23.813.0108979
3.
 
Canon R100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004k/24p24.113.9219784
4.
 
Canon M50 Mark II APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/24p24.013.6193983
5.
 
Canon SL3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/25p23.913.4179182
6.
 
Canon M50 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/24p23.813.3168481
7.
 
Canon SX740 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.612.1105051
8.
 
Canon T7 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p23.813.3168481
9.
 
Canon M100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.512.9127278
10.
 
Canon M10 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.211.475365
11.
 
Canon M APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.282765
12.
 
Fujifilm XF10 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/15p24.013.4184483
13.
 
Nikon D3300 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.312.8138582
14.
 
Sony RX100 IV 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.659170
15.
 
Sony A5100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.812.7134780
16.
 
Sony NEX-3N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.812.5106774
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the M200 provides a higher video resolution than the A5000. It can shoot video footage at 4k/25p, while the Sony is limited to 1080/60i.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The M200 and the A5000 are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon M200, the Sony A5000, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon M200none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.1/s Y n
2.
 
Sony A5000none n3.0 / 461 tilting n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
3.
 
Canon R1002360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 6.5/s Y n
4.
 
Canon M50 Mark II2360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon SL3optical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon M502360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n
7.
 
Canon SX740none n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/3200s 10.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Canon T7optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
9.
 
Canon M100none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.1/s Y n
10.
 
Canon M10none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 4.6/s Y n
11.
 
Canon Mnone n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.3/s n n
12.
 
Fujifilm XF10none n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
13.
 
Nikon D3300optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
14.
 
Sony RX100 IV2359 n3.0 / 1228 tilting n 1/2000s 16.0/s Y Y
15.
 
Sony A5100none n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
16.
 
Sony NEX-3Noptional n3.0 / 460 tilting n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The M200 has a touchscreen, while the A5000 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

Both cameras have an articulated rear screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This feature will be particularly appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies.

The M200 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the A5000 uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS M200 and Sony Alpha A5000 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon M200-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
2.
 
Sony A5000-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
3.
 
Canon R100Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
4.
 
Canon M50 Mark IIYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
5.
 
Canon SL3Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y-Y
6.
 
Canon M50Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
7.
 
Canon SX740-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
8.
 
Canon T7Ymono / mono--mini2.0YY-
9.
 
Canon M100-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
10.
 
Canon M10-stereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
11.
 
Canon MYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
12.
 
Fujifilm XF10-stereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
13.
 
Nikon D3300Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
14.
 
Sony RX100 IV-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
15.
 
Sony A5100-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
16.
 
Sony NEX-3N-stereo / mono--micro2.0---
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Both the M200 and the A5000 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The A5000 was replaced by the Sony A5100, while the M200 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the M200 and A5000 can be found, respectively, in the Canon M200 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony A5000 Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon M200 and the Sony A5000? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS M200:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (24 vs 19.8MP) with a 10% higher linear resolution.
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4k/25p vs 1080/60i).
  • Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 461k dots).
  • Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (6.1 vs 3.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • More modern: Reflects 5 years and 8 months of technical progress since the A5000 launch.

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Reasons to prefer the Sony Alpha A5000:

  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (420 versus 315) out of a single battery charge.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • More affordable: Was released into a lower priced segment (18 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in January 2014).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the M200 emerges as the winner of the contest (8 : 5 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

M200 08:05 A5000

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon M200 and the Sony A5000 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the M200 and the A5000 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon M200..+3/579/1004/54/5 Sep 2019 549ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A50003/5+....4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2014 449ebay.com
3.
 
Canon R1003/5o4.5/579/100..3.5/5 May 2023 479 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon M50 Mark II4/5..4/5..4.5/53.5/5 Oct 2020 599ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SL34/5o4.5/579/1004/54/5 Apr 2019 599 amazon.com
6.
 
Canon M50..+4/579/100..3.5/5 Feb 2018 779ebay.com
7.
 
Canon SX740..+3.5/5..4/54/5 Jul 2018 399 amazon.com
8.
 
Canon T7..o3.5/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
9.
 
Canon M1003/5+....4/53.5/5 Aug 2017 499ebay.com
10.
 
Canon M10..........4/5 Oct 2015 499ebay.com
11.
 
Canon M3/5+....4/54/5 Jul 2012 599ebay.com
12.
 
Fujifilm XF10....4/575/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2018 499ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D33003/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2014 499ebay.com
14.
 
Sony RX100 IV4.5/5+ +..85/1004/54.5/5 Jun 2015 999ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A51004.5/5+....4.5/55/5 Aug 2014 549ebay.com
16.
 
Sony NEX-3N3/5......4.5/54.5/5 Feb 2013 499ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Canon M200 vs Sony A5000

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon M200 Sony A5000
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Canon EF-M mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
    Launch Date September 2019 January 2014
    Launch Price USD 549 USD 449
    Sensor Specs Canon M200 Sony A5000
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.3 x 14.9 mm 23.2 x 15.4 mm
    Sensor Area 332.27 mm2 357.28 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.8 mm 27.8 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 24 Megapixels 19.8 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 5456 x 3632 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.72 μm 4.25 μm
    Pixel Density 7.22 MP/cm2 5.55 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 4k/25p Video 1080/60i Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 25,600 ISO 100 - 16,000 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 8 BIONZ X
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 79
    DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 23.8
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 13.0
    DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 1089
    Screen Specs Canon M200 Sony A5000
    Viewfinder Type no viewfinder no viewfinder
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots 461k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Tilting screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen no Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Canon M200 Sony A5000
    Focus System On-Sensor Phase-detect Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 6.1 shutter flaps/s 3.5 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Canon M200 Sony A5000
    External Flash no Hotshoe no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI micro HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication no NFC NFC built-in
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in no Bluetooth
    Body Specs Canon M200 Sony A5000
    Battery Type Canon LP-E12 Sony NP-FW50
    Battery Life (CIPA)315 shots per charge420 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging no USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 108 x 67 x 35 mm
    (4.3 x 2.6 x 1.4 in)
    110 x 63 x 36 mm
    (4.3 x 2.5 x 1.4 in)
    Camera Weight 299 g (10.5 oz) 269 g (9.5 oz)
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