Canon T5 vs T5i – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

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

FeatureCanon T5iCanon T5
Sensor TypeHybrid CMOSCMOS
AF Points9 cross-type9 with 1 cross-type
Continuous Shooting5 fps3 fps
ISO Range100–12800100–6400
Expandable ISO2560012800
ProcessorDIGIC 5DIGIC 4
LCD TypeVari-angle touchscreenFixed non-touch
LCD Resolution1.04M dots460k dots
Live View AFHybrid CMOS AFContrast AF
Movie AFContinuous Servo AFNo continuous AF
Video Modes1080p 30/241080p 30/24 basic
Microphone Input3.5mmNone
Burst BufferLarger bufferSmaller buffer
Metering System63-zone dual-layer63-zone basic
Shutter Burst HandlingFaster processingSlower processing
Body ControlsAdvanced control layoutBasic layout
WeightSlightly heavierSlightly lighter
Scene ModesMore scene optionsFewer scene options
Silent ShootingSupportedNot supported
PriceCheck Canon T5i PriceCheck 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

FeatureCanon T5iCanon T5
Sensor SizeAPS-CAPS-C
Megapixels18 MP18 MP
Lens MountEF/EF-SEF/EF-S
Optical ViewfinderYesYes
Viewfinder Coverage95%95%
Viewfinder Magnification0.85x0.85x
Shutter Speed Range1/4000–30s1/4000–30s
FlashBuilt-inBuilt-in
Hot ShoeYesYes
Video Resolution1080p1080p
Storage MediaSD/SDHC/SDXCSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery TypeLP-E8LP-E8
Live ViewYesYes
RAW SupportYesYes
Image StabilizationLens-based (IS lenses)Lens-based (IS lenses)
White Balance ModesYesYes
Exposure ModesAuto/Manual/PriorityAuto/Manual/Priority
Drive ModesSingle/Continuous/Self-timerSingle/Continuous/Self-timer
Price Check Canon T5i Price Check Canon T5 Price

FAQ

Is the Canon T5i better for beginners than the Canon T5?
The Canon T5i is slightly more beginner-friendly because of its touchscreen interface and more advanced autofocus options, making menu navigation and shooting more intuitive than the Canon T5.

Do both cameras use the same lenses?
Yes, both the Canon T5i and Canon T5 use Canon EF and EF-S lenses, so they share the same full lens ecosystem.

Is there a difference in image quality between the Canon T5i and Canon T5?
Both cameras share the same 18MP APS-C sensor, so overall image quality is very similar, though the T5i processes images slightly better due to its newer processor.

Which camera performs better in low light?
The Canon T5i performs better in low light because it has a higher ISO range and improved noise handling from the DIGIC 5 processor compared to the T5’s DIGIC 4.

Can both cameras shoot Full HD video?
Yes, both models shoot 1080p video, but the Canon T5i includes continuous autofocus during recording while the T5 does not.

Do both cameras have a touchscreen?
No, only the Canon T5i has a touchscreen display. The Canon T5 uses a standard non-touch, fixed LCD.

Is the Canon T5i faster at continuous shooting?
Yes, the Canon T5i shoots at 5 fps, making it better for action photography compared to the Canon T5’s 3 fps.

Do both cameras support RAW photo capture?
Yes, both the Canon T5i and Canon T5 support RAW files, giving photographers full editing flexibility.

Can both cameras be used for professional work?
Both can be used for entry-level professional work, but the Canon T5i is better suited due to its more advanced autofocus, touchscreen, and better handling.

Is battery life similar between the two cameras?
Yes, battery life is similar, though the Canon T5 typically lasts slightly longer per charge because it uses fewer power-intensive features.

Do both cameras have built-in flash?
Yes, both models include a built-in pop-up flash for quick lighting in low-light situations.

Can the Canon T5i and Canon T5 record audio with an external microphone?
Only the Canon T5i has a microphone input. The Canon T5 cannot use an external mic.

Are both cameras compatible with the same memory cards?
Yes, both cameras use SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards, making their storage fully interchangeable.

Do both cameras support Live View shooting?
Yes, both cameras offer Live View, allowing users to frame images on the LCD screen instead of the optical viewfinder.

Which camera is better for video overall?
The Canon T5i is better for video because it includes continuous autofocus during recording, supports external microphones, and has a higher-resolution articulating touchscreen, which improves usability during video shoots.