Canon EOS M hands-on preview: Digital Photography Review

Body Elements

	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.

Comments

Total comments: 504

Can someone justify price difference between Canon EOS M (with18-55) and Sony NEX-5n (with18-55)?
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Battery Life (CIPA) 230 ?

4 upvotes

$100 for the Canon brand. Canon has more loyal users than Sony -- so it can charge more. (Call it a "sucker tax"). Canon can quickly get as many users as Sony even with the premium price. So from Canon's perspective, why not keep the price up? They can always lower it later. By the way, if anyone from Canon reads this, I am a Nikon user and would consider buying this camera if it was a $100 less expensive! Its just slightly too high right now. Thanks.

3 upvotes

Historically, Canon consumer/prosumer cameras (DSLR or not) would see a price drop within 3-6 months after launch date. I got my 60D for $900, $200 less the list price in about 3 months after the announcement. Sony NEX 5N which I also own, has been in the market for about a year and the price has not come down.

1 upvote

NEX-5N has not come down in price, because it is still selling. Unlike most lower end Canon products, which consumers buy today, and sell on Craigslist for 30% less 6 months later.

2 upvotes

Well, the best justification for the higher price is that now you can whine about something...

If it's too expensive for you there is a simple solution. Don't buy it.

0 upvotes

I agree with you, guys. But, Canon is forgetting that they are not so strong brand in mirrorless market, they have to prove themselves yet. APS-C users are not so naive to go for it. They decision is based on facts, not brand. Now, there is no Canon legacy lenses to protect this new body. One thing more: P&S users do not need APS-C sensor, and they are fine with 230 battery life. APS-C sensor users will find 230 shot battery small. I soot that much to get one good picture, and I am not even a pro.

0 upvotes

"Canon is forgetting that they are not so strong brand in mirrorless market" - can't agree with that. People don't care about "mirrorless market" brand strength. They care how strong the brand is in photography world. And Canon is very strong there.

1 upvote

"People don't care about..."
Don`t you think that it would be more appropriate:
"Some people don't care about..."

0 upvotes

Off late, Canon have been a disappointment as far as pricing is concerned. They priced the G1X at $800 when it came out in Jan. It is selling in the used market for $500. I won't be surprised if the EOS M depreciates similarly. If Canon had priced the G1X at $650, it would have sold like hot cakes just like the Sony RX100.

5 years back, Canon users like me, were proud out the fact that they offered value compared to other brands like Nikon. How times have changed.

3 upvotes

I just saw a video demonstrating the focus speed. SLOW AS MOLASSES.

0 upvotes

I'm not buying into that video

The autofocus just seems way to slow for a PDAF system. Maybe it was turned off by the reviewers and they were using CDAF of Canon (which sucks like nothing else on the market).

I really think the real PDAF of Canon will be very fast.

0 upvotes

It probably is slow. Unfortunately, even DP Review's review mentioned that it is as slow as using Live View with a Rebel. So that's your benchmark.

0 upvotes

"I really think the real PDAF of Canon will be very fast" - we've been through that many times already. PDAF on sensor got too small sensors to be really fast and really accurate. That's why Sony never bothered with it as a sensor-design company. What works through most of focusing process is CDAF - and Canon never got fast one on APS-C sensors unlike Sony, or m4/3 people. (Nikon 1 is a different story cause out there depth of field is so huge that any AF works good enough)

1 upvote

Looks pretty good to me. Coupled to that 22 mm f2 pancake should be interesting, provided it delivers above average IQ.

0 upvotes

I can hear a big sigh of relief from Panasonic and Olympus!

At least for now, there is little threat from Canon. This is mainly Canon's attempt to stop its DSLR owners deserting to M43 or NEX cameras, as owner of EF lenses are the main target. New buyers, those upgrading from P&S, and also those more demanding enthusiasts will not be so happy with this camera. With no IBIS, no possibility of any viewfinder, this is offering little threat to other mirrorless makers. When a better model is released, and when there are more lenses, then it may be more threat, but still it would be mainly to Sony, then to M43. M43 still has a clear advantage in terms of size (especially lens sizes) and lens line-up even if Canon would release a high-end model matching the features of the better M43 cameras. But Canon won't for a long time due to its DSLR business.

This is a compromised short-sighted approach. Lens size will still be too big, defeating much of the mirrorless cause. And no IBIS.

10 upvotes

I also own an Olympus EPM1. There is nothing to write home about its autofocusing speed indoor nor the IBIS either. Panasonic is definitely the king in AF speed in good light or low light.
As far as physical size, the Sony 18-55 for NEX is about the same size as Pany 14-42. I know for sure because unlike you, I own both cameras. Sorry, no size advantage for m43 kit lenses and short primes lenses when compared to APS-C mirrorless cameras. This is to be expected simply by comparing the sensor size.

Comment edited 37 seconds after posting

2 upvotes

M43 had size advantages until there was only M43 on the mirrorless market. As for the IBIS... well, I hope it stays in Olympus. I certainly don't want it and I doubt there are many Nikon or Canon users who envy you for that.

1 upvote

and a big sigh of disappointment from this long time Canon SLR user AND m43 early adopter....

the Canon side of me always wanted a small/lightweight camera with retro and photographer focused styling with great prime a la a Fuji x-pro

the m43 side of me wanted Canon, with it's late-comer advantage, to put out something really great to compete with the balanced size/speed/quality of m43 system

instead Canon gave us this uninspired EOS-M that will be more suitable to proof to the corporate brass why mirrorless is NOT the way to go...

sigh....!

0 upvotes

The touchscreen feature is pretty cool, I would like to see that in DSLR's as well. But no viewfinder, not the least bit interested. Makes me love my X100 even more, a real camera for real photographers.

1 upvote

C650D got touch screen - it's a first DSLR with it. And the feature is definitely overpriced.

1 upvote

Fail!!

4 upvotes

Just because Canon is struggling to make headway with mirrorless, doesn't mean the consumer is.

3 upvotes

This will get the silver award.

0 upvotes

I thought they would have used the sensor from the G1-X. Then it would have had smaller lenses. Is any one really going to mount a huge L lens via the adapter on this? Seems quite good with the touch screen but no wow factor. Sony Nex 7 seems more appealing despite the dearth of decent lenses. Then again I think Sony is on the money with it's RX100. Maybe this camera is for those that don't have a compact or a DSLR??? Won't encourage me to move from my X100. Anyway it can't be any good - doesn't have an X in the name!!

1 upvote

I already use my Canon EF lenses on my tiny Oly E-PM1. Sure, the lenses are proportionally large compared to the body, but people seem to forget that the overall body+lens is still quite a bit more compact and lighter than the same lenses on a thick DSLR, so there's still an attractive net loss of bulk compared to a DSLR.

It definitely would be a nice thing to have an EOS M body sitting in the side pocket of a Canon DSLR user's camera bag. Great for back up, great as a secondary body with a separate lens mounted, etc.

1 upvote

This camera is CONFUSED. It is for the DSLR user who wants a "more subtle" camera (thus keeps APS-C sensor). But its controls are for "idiot user." I hate this condescending attitude of Canon and Nikon when it comes to the Mirrorless cameras -- make one for a pro. For gods sake, its not unimaginable that Photography Majors in college, Professionals, and those wanting a real DSLR will actually buy this thing. Just make a "simple mode" if you are expecting your customers to be simple minded -- and give us a few more buttons and setting switches. There is such a thing as being "too Apple" for your own good. I don't want a car where I just have one button to push -- I want a car that I can drive, whether its a mini, a corvette, or a semi.

2 upvotes

"It is for the DSLR user who wants a "more subtle" camera" - no, it's not.
It's just a P&S upgrade.

2 upvotes

It has no viewfinder but you can get it in red. Nuff said.

17 upvotes

Does the rotational dial work well with the touchscreen? After selecting Av/Tv with the touch screen, I assume the dial can be used to adjust shutter speed, fstop etc.

How many steps does it take to adjust something? How many button presses to drop 1 fstop?

0 upvotes

When you're in Av mode (you don't to keep selecting it), you just turn the dial to change Av. Press one direction on the four-way, or tap on the Exp. Comp. section of the screen screen and the dial switches to Exp. Comp. It's a lot like a one-dial DSLR (D3200, say).

1 upvote

any color but black! my 350d, 450d, 500d, 55od, 600d, 20d, 30d,50d, 7d, D5100, e-330, c-8080 and GF2 were/are all black.

The red and silver EF-M sure looks good. No more black for me.

1 upvote

Where is an actually attractive blue (not fake/cheap looking blue) when you need it. Red is too noticeable no matter how its done. And silver always looks like a cheap black.

0 upvotes

Glad to see Canon went with APS-C instead of a smaller sensor like the Nikon 1. I would like to see the lens map for the next year. I find it odd the part about mirror less cameras struggling to make headway in the US market. I thought Olympus, Panasonic and Sony were really breaking some ground in the mirror less arena.

I hope the red one is available in the USA.

7 upvotes

Would've been glad if it were an FF sensor. We don't need more dinky size sensor mirrorless cameras on the market. Especially not one that does not offer anything new.

4 upvotes

Companies don't want FF mirrorless. Can't blame them for this though. It'd endanger their DSLRs/SLTs/whatever Pentax has. Also the production cost would be very high - right now with EF-M a profit margins for Canon are ENORMOUS.
Sadly: users loose on that (or they'll just go with m4/3 or NEX which are far more reasonable options then this one).

4 upvotes

Nobody wants to go FF yet because they want some place "up" to go if they run out of places to innovate. And profit margin is higher on the smaller sensors (more chips per wafer) which is just a fact of life, unless process changes in a revolutionary way.

0 upvotes

Until you have tried using a mirrorless camera with a big, heavy adaptor along with one of those big, heavy, bulky lenses, you don't appreciate how bad that combination is and how awkward it is to use.mi just sold my big Sony adaptor that I was trying to use on my NEX 7 and 5N. The optional EVF on the Sony is superb,
And in some ways better than optical since you can easily see the effects on the image that your exposure or other settings produce.

I would suggest you avoid this camera and wait for the update.i think Canon is taking Kodak's play book so I will look for them to go belly- up in a few years.

0 upvotes

Strange how people can review and knock a camera which has only just started shipping?
On the serious side I just recieved one last night with the standard 22mm lens. Over the next few weeks I'll use it although I'd prefer to have both the lens adaptor and 18-55mm lens to test it more fully - one buying point for me was as a good replacement for a point and shot with the ability to use all the EF lenses I already own (best of all worlds). So far in limited testing the focus is faster than the G1X (or other G body cameras I have owned or used, G9 thur G1X) even in poor indoor lighting. Image quality looks good even at high ASA settings, although limit chance to test fully yet.
To be continued

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Total comments: 504