The EOS M is built around Canon's latest 'Hybrid CMOS' sensor, which has pixels dedicated to providing phase detection autofocus. It has a 1.6x 'crop factor', which means that an 18mm lens offers a similar angle of view to a 29mm lens on the 35mm 'full frame' format.
The EOS M accepts EF-M lenses directly, along with Canon's full range of EF and EF-S lenses via an adapter.
The top corner of the camera has an LED illuminator that assists autofocus in dark conditions, which can be disabled if you prefer. Below it is a receiver that's compatible with Canon's RC-series infrared remote control units.
Here you can also see the EOS M's proprietary strap connector.
The top of the camera has few controls - just the power button, shutter release and its concentric three position mode switch.
The gunmetal-finished hotshoe is placed on top of the camera in line with the centre of the lens. It's compatible with Canon's Speedlite EX series flash units, most notably the 90EX that will be included with the camera in some markets.
Also on the top plate is a pair of tiny, narrowly-spaced stereo microphones that provide sound during movie recording.
It's also possible to plug-in an external stereo microphone to a socket on the camera's side.
The EOS M provides an impressive degree of control over sound recording - you get a volume control with left/right sound meters, and a wind cut-off filter.
The movie record button is placed on the camera's shoulder for easy operation by your thumb. It's somewhat exposed, but the chances of accidental activation are minimized by the fact that it's only active when the mode dial is set the movie position. In stills shooting modes it does nothing.
The main physical control point is this combined 4-way controller / dial. It offers direct access to drive mode, autoexposure lock, and exposure compensation; the Delete key re-centres the AF point by default, but can be customized to control other options including ISO sensitivity.
The central Q button activates the onscreen, touch-sensitive Quick Control display as seen on Canon's EOS SLRs.
Here's a close-up of the EOS M's strap connectors. The clasp on the strap attaches to the circular lug on the body and can rotate freely, allowing the camera to hang at whichever angle best-suits the lens attached.
The various connectors are on the left side of the camera under a plastic cover. From top to bottom, there's a stereo 3.5mm microphone jack, mini HDMI connector, and combined AV out/mini USM socket.
The EOS M is CEC-compatible, meaning you can control playback over HDMI using the remote control of many TVs.
The battery and SD card go into a compartment on the base of the camera. The EOS M uses a new battery, the 7.2V 825mAH LP-E12. It provides 230 shots per charge according to the CIPA standard.
The tripod socket is placed in-line with the centre of the lens. It's quite close to the base compartment door, so don't expect to be able to change card or battery with the camera on a full-size tripod.
Just tested this in the shop and was totally geeked out by the touch screen..."touch and shoot". I thought it was actually relatively fast considering I touched the screen and it focused on the subject there and took the picture all at the same time. Very cool.
I just Got this camera yesterday and I feel like all the negative reviews of this camera are ridiculous. Claims of slow start up time and shutter lag are false. Either these are blatant lies or are based on earlier firmware. I would not put this camera in the fastest category but it is fast enough for any normal human.
I also have a Sony NEX 7, which is no faster starting up and only marginally faster focusing. The build quality is amazing. It feels like it was made from a solid piece of granite.
Amazing image quality and versatility (especially for Canon users) All in a beautiful simple design with subtle curves that are hard to appreciate from pictures. Hold one in your hand and you begin to appreciate the design.
I will admit that the focusing is not the fastest but so what.
If you have to have the fastest focusing speed possibly you probably do not care about composition or light and have no business being behind a real camera anyway.
I just bought one with the 22 pancake (and another with the 18-55 as a gift). Got a very attractive price for a gray market.
My primary body is a 7D (actually a pair of 'em). But I think I'm going to like this little puppy for going walkabout. Yes, I prefer to compose through a viewfinder, and no, this doesn't have one. But the size -- with the 22 f/2, it's lighter and much smaller than my SX-1 (which EVF I really don't care for, anyway) -- is extremely attractive for going places where I don't want to take a heavier load and/or don't want to draw attention to myself. And of course, it can AF during video, which the 7D can't. I've ordered a third party adapter to use my other lenses with, but I suspect a lot of the time I'll just stick with the 22. I look at it as a classic rangefinder with a 35 f/3.2.
The AF takes some getting used to, but my sense is that it's not too bad as long as I don't try to go beyond its capabilities.
I have to say that it is a bit tiring to read all of the negativity about this camera in these forums. It may not be perfect, but show me a camera that is.
I've had mine for over a month now and am very happy with it. It is a great camera to accompany me on my adventures. It is more compact than a DSLR, and also many of the other mirrorless cameras. It fits great into my backpack when I go hiking, climbing or kayaking. I haven't been inconvenienced at all by the supposedly slow autofocus. I've taken great scenery and low light photos with it. I will be heading out this weekend to photograph comet Pan-STARRS.
a "me too" product to put them in the mirrorless category, because appearances are everything - "look, we have mirrorless too, but..." (says the salesman)
yet handicapped so there isn't a chance of putting even a dent in their mirror business... or even in the mirrorless competition. even the design screams of amateurism - in contrast to a Rebel that at least looks like a serious camera.
I sure am a fan of this camera. Been using it for a while now to document my skate- and snowboarding. Before I used a 600d but this size is more relevant for me. You could get footage like:
I understand that this camera is not what you want it to be, but your question is easy to anwser: 1. to stop the bleed of Canonites moving to mirrorless brands (protect market share) 2. not to threaten their mirror sales in which they have all their bets on and investments in
Mirrorless COULD be what you want it to be... you just have to accept it carrying a different label.
Gotta say - just played with my 1st EOS - M and am impressed! I'm off to Warner Studios Harry Potter Tour next week - will take a whole lotta kit.. wish I was taking an ESO-M !
Tethered shooting is not allowed, and Live View through the computer screen is also not allowed.
This appears to be a last minute decision from Canon's marketing team since these functions were listed in the preliminary specification (as of early oct 2012).
The EOS M should therefore be rebranded as "Powershot M" instead of "EOS M".
Also, re lens size: "...which means they're smaller than corresponding SLR lenses;" If its an APS-C sensor, why can't APS-C SLR lenses be this small?
Also, why the new mount? The standard Canon SLR mount wouldn't fit?
Also, why no innovative, i.e., integrated shape. Its a Sony NEX-like can stuck on a bar of soap. How about this: a cylindrical shape extending from the lens that morphs into a handle? Whatever; Not for me anyway.
Why new mount: backfocus distance has to be reduced, or you will have camera as deep as one with a mirrorbox, which defeats the purpose (think Pentax K01). You can still buy an overpriced adaptor to use old lenses with it, that adds the distance needed for them to focus if you like.
To me it's simple no viewfinder= no purchase. I simply cannot use a camera that I have to hold in front of me. During the day they are useless and when you use it you look ridiculous. For that I can get a lousy smart phone. What were they thinking. At least allow the possibility to have an EVF. Sorry Canon, no sigar.
Picked mine up yesterday to use with my other Canon L-series lenses and it's a great camera. Size is just a little bigger than the s95 and a little smaller than the G1X. Picture quality and AF is going to vary based on the lens used. Good lens = excellent images. I tested the 18-55mm-M lens and found it to be VERY fast in relation to Auto Focus. The 22mm-M lens is known to be slower for some reason. The touchscreen is actually very responsive and fast to alter settings with. Being an APS-C sensor, I can get some very lowlight handheld shots with this camera. Works well with my L-lenses (via the included adapter when buying the Body-Only option). Certainly very well built and quite solidly constructed. Just like a DSLR in many respects, including image quality. Faster than my PowerShot G1X in many ways.
I'll skip this camera, my friend bought it, sold it the next day at clubsnap singapore buy and sell section. The autofocus just awful, I'd rather buy another cheap rebel body. also the battery is horrible, and can't find extra batteries. for all the troubles, I'll skip the M.
I just got the production model and it does NOT have the 3-10x telephoto digital zoom in movie mode. It's nowhere in the owner's manual either. This could have been a really useful feature for video shooters and a shame to know that Canon removed features from the preproduction models.
I just had a go on one of these lovely looking things. Having seen some pics I was hoping for a replacement for my 90% of SLR work, but the autofocus! It's awful, really slow and hunts around all over the place before settling.
I tried the Panny GX1 for comparison and it focuses like lightning. I can only assume Canon has deliberately hamstrung this camera so that people still buy the SLRs. Big shame.
PAMS and an input dial would have been nice too but that would make all of Canon's APS-C cameras obsolete. We really can't have everything it seems.
Canon usually needs some time to fine tune anything. The slow focus is very sad, even the fuji improved things on their x mount to fully usable speed now. Hopefully they will improve firmware, but releasing slow focus after all the users critique of older 43m and last year fujis...well this should tell that people do have very little patience with slow focusing now.
I think the review or preview should read like this; When we first saw this new beautiful camera we were excited. With in 5 minutes of use we were AMAZED ! But we WILL NOT do a review on this camera until the next version comes out , because the focus was SO SUBSTANDARD , we can only give you a WARNING ::: DO NOT BUY ,, CAN NOT FOCUS ! Wait on this one .
APS-C with on-board phased detection AF in a compact body would be an excellent proposition, but the two things that hold this back are that the they kept compatibility with the EF mount (large flange diameter) and the control layout. When you look at it, nobody in the mirrorless is putting it all together.
My vote: - EOS-M sensor - Fuji X-1 body - Sony NEX manual control layout
I'm keeping my Lumix GX1 - it is part of my Canon system. GX1 features would seem to outweigh most of Canon's consumer offerings. I love the leveling indicator on screen and the built in bounce flash.
I use with the 10-22mm EF-S for a 20mm shift lens via the Fotodiox EOS-4/3 shift adapter. Of course if you don't need shift there are standard adapters.
I pre-set the f-stop at 9 which seems the sweet spot for this lens. Set focus to infinity. If I do need to focus a push on the thumb-wheel brings up the magnified view.
This is essentially the camera I've been lusting after for years... only Canon left out a flash, which renders it useless for my needs.
The great thing about this camera is its size, adding the external flash destroys that attribute. Including a flash would have made it only slightly larger I would guess, but much more versatile.
I'm impressed with the size and design of this camera, unfortunately the lack of flash forces me to stick with my GF1 or buy something else, maybe the Fujifilm XE1.
The physical controls of a compact, but no built-in flash? A live RGB histogram but no Kelvin white balance? OK, so Canon wanted to combine the simplicity of an Elph with some of the advanced features of an EOS. I don't think they got the formula quite right.
Sony tried the ultra-stripped down approach with the first NEX models and now they're adding the built-in flashes, mode dials, etc., that buyers of this type of camera seem to expect. Strange that Canon would make the same mistake given they've sat back so long and watched the market mature.
For the next version, I hope they think more along the lines of the Panasonic GX1 - pop-up flash, front or top control wheel (instead of the rear dial) so I can do exposure comp one-handed, bit more of a grip. Add GPS and Wi-Fi. Send a clear message that this is an $800 camera, not an Elph with interchangeable lenses.
Why didn't they include built-in GPS??? That feature is now standard on $250 travelzooms. You pay $800 for the EOS-M and you still have to pay another $250+ for a bulky GPS add-on that occupies your hotshoe? Infuriating. Canon really knows to build ill will with the customer base. The Japanese camera oligopoly is ripe for disruption.
There's no bulb setting? I'm a landscapist and bulb hardcore, 100% of the time I bulb my exposures for 10 minutes starting at twilight( if twilight starts at 5:27 a.m, I usually bulb for 10 plus minutes at around 5:20 a.m)
And how about the availability of extra batteries and remote control or cable release?
It seems that in Bulb mode, you can only select 400 ISO. However it should be possible to remote control the M from the EOS Utilities' Remote Capture tool.
For the batteries, it usually takes a few month (weeks) before a chinese maker supplies a compatible battery.
It should be worth treating such long exposures as the astronomy photographers do, by substracting a "dark" and dividing by a "flat" master images. The noise will drop down dramatically and the vigneting/dust traces will disappear.
Seems like dpr got the competitor just right: Pana GF3 and GF5. Let's see the pics, JPEGs in particular.
If Canon gets some following out of this P&S with macho barrel no flash, the next target would be Pana G5 (and EVF). Only when Canon gets really good can they go after the "retro" of Oly.
For its part, m4/3 needs to strike deeper into DSLR territory and I think superior focusing and f1.4 fast lens are the components. Easier (faster) white balance setting is also needed ("Pros" use a flash and don't care but I bet the guys having fun with photography do).
I read below in a comment that there is no additional crop factor when using EF-M/EF adapter, but will it effect on min focusing distance, like the extension tube?
@hoggdoc - "All for a few bucks more"? - Typical BS about the M4/3 value proposition (or lack thereof). I used to want M4/3 to succeed but no more.
Products with smaller sensors and less glass @ equivalent focal length costs more? What kind of fool do the M4/3 makers take consumers for?
M4/3 will never beat a larger sensor for image quality. Look at the comments by your kind of M4/3 users filled with stuff like "nearly as good", "almost as good" qualifiers.
M4/3 will never beat the 35mm or APS-C system for sensor image quality (bokeh, depth of field, noise). Ditto for range of lenses - something any photographer worth his salt knows is what ultimately matters. Please - no nonsense about using the best M4/3 prime lenses to compare IQ with 35mm/APS-C bodies with kit lenses. The best 35mm prime lenses on a 35mm/APS-C body, will blow your measly minds.
M4/3 should be cheaper but instead costs more on an IQ-per-dollar basis. Understand why I refuse to get M4/3 yet?
@ALL for a few bucks more you can have a µ4/3's camera that will kick this camera's butt. Not to mention the ever expanding selection of µ4/3's lens from various sources.
Why Canon and Nikon both always plays this ours idea is better than your game all the time causes me to wonder about their market research.
For the record I am a long time Nikon shooter, but have fallen in love with the picture quality and dreamy film like look produced by my Olympus OM-D M-E5. Which BTW is a nearly PRO level quality of build, unlike this chunk of plastic Canon is trying to sell for $800.00.
The Oly can easily compete with pro-level APS-C Sensor Canons and Nikons. For that matter you would be hard pressed when comparing images from A Nikon D3 FF body with top quality glass and the OM-D M-E5.
If Nikon's success with the Series 1 cameras is any indicator, Canon's offering will meet the same lack luster response from the buying public.
The Canon 18mp APS sensor is one of those sensors you mention the OM-D trying to compete with, it is the very reason Canon keeps refining and reusing it instead of upgrading to something else at this time. Not sure what you think Oly is capable of that this (yet to be released) camera cannot do in image quality. However if it is ultimate image quality you are after in this form, the X-Pro1 takes all in this category to school.
Lenses?? Olympus does not have even a fraction of the lenses available from Cannon given that you can use every EF lens Canon makes - and with FULL functionality. Not to mention all the same third party lenses adaptable to any of the other mirrorless cameras.
Strange you mention build quality, and without even reading this hands-on review. This 'first entry' by Canon has a full magnesium body.. Kudos to Oly for the VF though, it still needs to be optical. Maybe you can make a better comparison when Canon releases their (~15th?) mirrorless camera like Olympus..
Comment edited 2 times, last edit 11 minutes after posting
I don't know if mirrorless will replace the SLR someday, but this camera isn't the one to do it. This product is much too stripped down for any serious amateur photographer. It looks like Canon must also believe that mirrorless is not (yet?) the solution for serious photographers.
There is definitely NO REASON to buy that kind of camera because it is FAR TOO MUCH EXPENSIVE.
A G1X will do the job for less, with only advantages : - integrated flash - orientable screen - small size - ability to store RAW pictures - big CMOS sensor (almost same size than a EOS sensor) - only 560 EUR !!!
The only advantage of the M compared to the G1X is the ability to change lenses and to use the EOS Utilities softwares. Is it worth the huge price increase ?
As an underwater photographer, I liked the G1x, however, the G1X does not have eTTL for my strobes, this camera does. The G1X only allows you to select flash power from the camera screen and does not actually "control" the flash power during the shot. That was the deal breaker for me.
This camera is exactly what I need for underwater photography...full manual, eTTL, much higher res than my last UW camera, and small body so the housing and related equipment is small and easy to transport on a plane with all my other gear. That's what frustrates me a bit here. It may not be the camera you need for your type of photography, and that's completely understandable. However, it may be the camera someone has been waiting for for the photography they do. For example, using a view finder underwater is almost impossible so the screen is almost always used. To write off a camera as "bad"with no explanation lends little to the conversation. SLR's are awesome, but sometimes other cameras fit better
This seems to be a capable camera, and I am sure that dpreview will provide all of the details, good and bad, after they have a chance to thoroughly review it. Personally, I am not sure what to think about this movement towards mirrorless cameras. I am a dedicated SLR user and especially love true TTL optical viewfinders. Switching to a LCD viewfinder is unappealing to me. If these cameras exist alongside SLRs going forward, that is great. I can see a place for them and in some instances would very much like to be able to use them. I will be upset, however, if they begin to take the place of SLRs. Maybe this is old fashioned thinking.
no. It's clearly described. There's a glassless adapter for EF/EF-S lenses.
If it could accept EF lenses it would have to maintain the same distance between lens and sensor and you'd get something much fatter like the Pentax mirrorless.
When using the EF-S / EF adaptor on the camera is there any additional crop factor ? Been told there isn't which would really suit me fine - anyone know for sure ?
Good question... But I don't think there will be any additional crop penalties.. Even if there are, it won't be too much. may be 1.7X. STM lens tends to focus on normal shots, not fast action stuff, so the arrangement is different, but if you have EF-S lens, no need to bother, unless noise bothers you.
I don't see why there'd be a crop factor. It's a spacing difference. The sensor is the same size the two lens formats merely have different distances to the sensor. Since the EF-S is longer, you just give it some more space with a round ring and voala!
Tried the EOS M with Mount adapter EF-EOS M with a couple of EF lenses and compared same lenses on a 60D from the same distance. I noticed that the crop factor on the EOS M with EF lenses was significantly more. My guess is 2x. Couldn't measure it properly since I was trying the equipment in a shop.
Well it seems like, many people are demanding these mirrorless cam will have to do everything. I wouldn't disagree on that but even this newer M can do that, I simply wouldn't even look at it. Reason is simple, if you r a guy, we usually have larger hands, and the grips and the controls are key priorities. How r u going to shoot when you finger covers up 3 buttons. The M is nice, it's definitely more man but not man enough for me.
For me the deal breaker is the touchscreen. That seems like it would be a pain to try to do anything quickly while having to navigate through a series of menus to quick change a setting. I'm not too familiar with the controls of the camera, but I would hope that there is at least a dial for aperture, a dial for shutter speed and hopefully a couple buttons for being able to change the iso and thumb focus. Just having a touchscreen would be like the experience driving a Toyota Prius with its screen - impossible to operate without taking your eyes off the road. So many times when operating a camera the photographer needs to change a setting while not taking his/her eye off the subject. With real buttons this can be done by feel. Impossible with a touch screen. Would have had the design lean towards an EVF.
Well, I'd love one. I either drag my Canon DSLR kit inside my LowePro or Billingham bags or take my sweet Canon s90 (wonderful sensor - thank you Sony) - the new M range might be a good half way point. So pleased they didn't do a Nikon 1 series and damage the brand overall. Anyone brought one yet - no, didn't think so. Predict the J1 will be going for £199 with lens this time next year....
Anyway back to the EOS M - sure its early days/ early models and the prices are too high....all normal.
Fancy that 22mm (35mm F2) lens which takes me back to my days shooting film (and some digital) with a Nikkor 35 f2 - pity that it tended to flare/ ghost but an ideal walk about lens and so much lighter than any of the super zooms we all tend to use today ( today I often carry a 15-85 & 24-105L plus longer lenses etc) so yep - roll on a Canon EOS M and save my back!
AGREE! Before I got my EPM1 to play with the 7D, I had considered the J1 and go to the shop to take a look...but... I have to say the J1 is bad... and I hate its flash very much! what's a cheap plastic toy at all... But I love the EPM1 very much although I hate the non-standard interface and I am not able to use a standard USB cable to connect it to the computer... anyway, Olympus did a great job in this section... Come back to the Canon M...too expensive.....I think. People will spend much for the "pro" things and won't think that's expensive. But the 4 3 mirror-less cameras is not in that field. So I think $1000 for a compact camera is expensive.
booooooooring, a nikon 1 with a bigger sensor, i guess they needed 7 years of developement and a team of 25 highly trained dolphins to find out that people like mirrorless now :)
i mean seven years ago of course, because NOW people want mirrorless bodies that behave like real cameras and are made like a tool, not a toy.
LOL! But at least Canon have done as they said they would by not supporting the 4 3 format which they are on record as dissing. I think that Nikon have made a terrible mistake with their 1 series and I predict that they will be forced to introduce a completely revised system. I love the idea of a compact high quality camera - both Panasonic and the new Olympus OM-D seem excellent - I wish that Sony would spend as much as time on their lens range as they do on new camera bodies (menus are still too complex), as a Nikon/ Canon owner user if 'forced' to select another brand I'd go for the OM-D today - well done Olympus. Takes me back to my OM days - but that's another story.
Comments