Canon T5i & Canon T5 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Canon T5i rather than the Canon T5.
Why Do I Recommend The Canon T5i?
- The Canon T5i features a vari-angle touchscreen LCD for faster menu navigation and easier shooting at difficult angles, whereas the Canon T5 uses a fixed non-touch LCD.
- Canon T5i has a DIGIC 5 processor for quicker image processing and smoother overall performance, while the Canon T5 uses the older DIGIC 4 processor.
- It includes Hybrid CMOS AF for improved autofocus speed in Live View and video recording, whereas the Canon T5 uses contrast-detect AF.
- The Canon T5i supports continuous Movie Servo AF for maintaining subject focus during video, while the Canon T5 has no continuous autofocus in video recording.
- Canon T5i has a 5 fps burst rate for capturing fast action more reliably, whereas the Canon T5 shoots at only 3 fps.
- It comes with a higher-resolution 1.04M-dot display for clearer image review and more accurate focus checking, whereas the Canon T5 includes a lower-resolution 460k-dot display.
- The Canon T5i features an extended native ISO range of 100–12800 for better low-light versatility, while the Canon T5 supports a narrower 100–6400 range.
- Canon T5i includes a 3.5mm microphone input for improved audio recording with external microphones, whereas the Canon T5 has no microphone input.
Maybe the Canon T5 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Canon T5i. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | Canon T5i | Canon T5 |
| Sensor Type | Hybrid CMOS | CMOS |
| AF Points | 9 cross-type | 9 with 1 cross-type |
| Continuous Shooting | 5 fps | 3 fps |
| ISO Range | 100–12800 | 100–6400 |
| Expandable ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
| Processor | DIGIC 5 | DIGIC 4 |
| LCD Type | Vari-angle touchscreen | Fixed non-touch |
| LCD Resolution | 1.04M dots | 460k dots |
| Live View AF | Hybrid CMOS AF | Contrast AF |
| Movie AF | Continuous Servo AF | No continuous AF |
| Video Modes | 1080p 30/24 | 1080p 30/24 basic |
| Microphone Input | 3.5mm | None |
| Burst Buffer | Larger buffer | Smaller buffer |
| Metering System | 63-zone dual-layer | 63-zone basic |
| Shutter Burst Handling | Faster processing | Slower processing |
| Body Controls | Advanced control layout | Basic layout |
| Weight | Slightly heavier | Slightly lighter |
| Scene Modes | More scene options | Fewer scene options |
| Silent Shooting | Supported | Not supported |
| Price | Check Canon T5i Price | Check Canon T5 Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Sensor Size: Both cameras use an APS-C sensor, ensuring a similar field of view and depth-of-field characteristics across lenses. This shared size also means consistent performance in crop factor calculations and comparable noise handling in typical shooting conditions.
- Megapixels: Both models feature an 18-megapixel resolution, allowing them to produce images with similar detail levels. This shared resolution ensures comparable cropping flexibility and output quality for prints and digital use.
- Lens Mount: Both the Canon T5i and Canon T5 use the EF/EF-S mount, enabling full compatibility with the same wide range of Canon lenses. This allows photographers to switch bodies without changing their lens ecosystem.
- Optical Viewfinder: Each camera includes an optical viewfinder, providing a real-time, lag-free composition experience. This similarity ensures both models feel traditional and intuitive for DSLR users.
- Viewfinder Coverage: Both models offer 95% coverage, meaning they show nearly all of what the sensor captures. This consistent framing experience helps maintain predictability during composition.
- Viewfinder Magnification: Each camera provides 0.85× magnification, giving a similar viewing size when framing shots. This makes transitioning between the two bodies comfortable and familiar.
- Shutter Speed Range: Both cameras share a range of 1/4000 to 30 seconds, offering identical flexibility for fast action or long exposure photography. This allows photographers to execute the same techniques regardless of which body is used.
- Flash: Both models include a built-in pop-up flash for quick illumination in low-light situations. This shared feature ensures basic on-camera lighting capability without external accessories.
- Hot Shoe: Each camera has a hot shoe that supports external flashes and accessories. This similarity is important for users wanting to expand into more advanced lighting setups.
- Video Resolution: Both the Canon T5i and Canon T5 shoot Full HD 1080p video. This ensures a baseline level of sharpness and quality suitable for general video recording.
- Storage Media: Both cameras use SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards, making their media fully interchangeable. This shared compatibility reduces the need for extra memory card types.
- Battery Type: Both cameras use the LP-E8 battery, allowing users to share batteries and chargers between models. This is particularly useful for photographers carrying both bodies or upgrading from the T5 to the T5i.
- Live View: Each model supports Live View, enabling users to compose shots using the rear LCD screen. This is helpful for tripod shooting, awkward angles, and video recording.
- RAW Support: Both the T5i and T5 support RAW image capture, allowing photographers to maintain maximum flexibility in post-processing. This ensures consistent editing potential between the two models.
- Image Stabilization: Both rely on lens-based IS rather than in-body stabilization. This keeps the stabilization performance dependent on the lens design, making both cameras behave similarly when paired with IS or non-IS lenses.
- White Balance Modes: Both cameras include the same core white balance presets, giving users similar control over color accuracy across environments. This makes it easy to achieve consistent color results.
- Exposure Modes: Both cameras feature Auto, Manual, Aperture Priority, and Shutter Priority modes. This ensures identical shooting workflows for beginners and experienced photographers alike.
- Drive Modes: Each model supports single shot, continuous shooting, and self-timer modes. This allows photographers to perform the same shooting sequences regardless of which camera they use.
Common Features
| Feature | Canon T5i | Canon T5 |
| Sensor Size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Megapixels | 18 MP | 18 MP |
| Lens Mount | EF/EF-S | EF/EF-S |
| Optical Viewfinder | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 95% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.85x | 0.85x |
| Shutter Speed Range | 1/4000–30s | 1/4000–30s |
| Flash | Built-in | Built-in |
| Hot Shoe | Yes | Yes |
| Video Resolution | 1080p | 1080p |
| Storage Media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Battery Type | LP-E8 | LP-E8 |
| Live View | Yes | Yes |
| RAW Support | Yes | Yes |
| Image Stabilization | Lens-based (IS lenses) | Lens-based (IS lenses) |
| White Balance Modes | Yes | Yes |
| Exposure Modes | Auto/Manual/Priority | Auto/Manual/Priority |
| Drive Modes | Single/Continuous/Self-timer | Single/Continuous/Self-timer |
| Price | Check Canon T5i Price | Check Canon T5 Price |