Canon EOS M hands-on preview

July 2012 | By Andy Westlake

Preview based on a pre-production Canon EOS M

It's now almost four years since Panasonic first introduced us to the mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, in the shape of the Micro Four Thirds Lumix DMC-G1. Since then, all of the other major manufacturers have entered the fray, in the process offering cameras in a variety of shapes and sizes - from diminutive beginner-friendly models such as the Olympus PEN E-PM1, to unashamedly high-end models like the Sony NEX-7 and Fujifilm X-Pro1. Nikon, meanwhile, has ploughed its own individual furrow with its family-friendly 1 J1 and 1 V1 models. This simply reflects the fact that different cameras are targeted to different kinds of users - be they serious enthusiasts looking for a small, highly capable camera, or compact-camera upgraders looking for SLR-like image quality in a smaller, easier-to-use package.

Canon is the last big player to show its hand, and its initial entrant - the EOS M - is unashamedly targeted to the latter group of users. To all intents and purposes it's a mirrorless version of the recently-announced EOS 650D, but with a simpler interface that's designed to be more approachable for novice users, and obviously much more compact in size. It's based around a new 'EF-M' lens mount, and two matched lenses will be available at launch: the EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM zoom, and the EF-M 22mm f/2 STM 'pancake' prime. But it's still very much part of the EOS system, and all of the company's existing EF and EF-S SLR lenses can be used via the co-announced 'Mount adapter EF-EOS M'.

The EOS M features a compact, magnesium-alloy body, and will be available in four colours - black, white, silver and red. It has no built-in flash, but instead a hot shoe on the top plate, and in many markets (although not the US) it will come bundled with the new AAA-powered Speedlite 90EX unit. There's neither a built-in viewfinder, nor connector for an external unit - composition is solely using the camera's rear screen (which is fixed, rather than articulated).

Canon EOS M key features

New EF-M lens mount (optimized for APS-C sensor size)
18MP APS-C 'Hybrid CMOS' sensor
Continuous autofocus in movie mode with subject tracking
14-bit DIGIC5 processor
ISO 100-12800 standard, 25600 expanded
4.3 fps continuous shooting, 3 fps with autofocus tracking
1080p30 video recording, stereo sound (with 25p or 24p options)
External microphone socket and adjustable sound recording level
1040k dot 3:2 touch-sensitive ClearView II LCD (capacitative type, multi-touch support)
Standard EOS hot-shoe for external flash (no built-in flash)
'Creative Filters' image-processing controls, previewed live on-screen

The EOS M will be available in four colours - silver, red, black or white - although they may not all be sold in all markets.

The EOS M's commitment to simplicity is reflected by its physical control layout, with buttons and dials kept to a minimum. The exposure mode dial - a staple of Canon's EOS range for over 20 years - has been reduced to just three positions, distinctly reminiscent of the company's Ixus / Elph compacts. The rear of the camera is also rather compact-esque, with a familiar combined 4-way controller / settings dial and just a smattering of buttons.

The lack of physical controls is, however, substantially made up for by the large capacitative touchscreen on the back. This uses much the same interface that Canon introduced on the EOS 650D, and stands out as the most usable, comprehensive and engaging touchscreen that we've yet seen on an interchangeable-lens camera. But whereas on the 650D its use is very much optional, on the EOS M it becomes the preferred method of interaction with the camera.

Because mirrorless cameras have struggled to make headway in the US, Canon is only going to sell one kit option in this market. Targeting an enthusiast buyer, the camera plus 22mm pancake will be available from speciality photo stores only for $799, with the 18-55mm zoom sold separately for $299. The company will also be emphasizing its video capabilities, which are essentially the same as the EOS 650D but in a smaller, cheaper package.

Movies can be recorded in Full HD 1920x1080 resolution at 30, 25 or 24 fps with stereo sound, using the highly-compatible MOV format and H.264 compression, with a time limit of 29 min 59 sec per clip. The EOS M offers a choice of either fully automatic exposure in video mode, or as much manual control as the user wishes to take. The 3-10x electronic zoom first seen on the EOS 600D, but mysteriously missing from the EOS 650D, is also available - with minimal loss of quality at the 3x setting.

New EF-M lens mount

A new mirrorless system needs a new lens mount, which Canon has called EF-M to emphasis its continued compatibility with the company's existing EF mount for autofocus SLRs. It's a fully-electronic bayonet mount, with 9 contacts between the lens and camera. Unusually, the white dot for aligning the lens is at the 11 0'clock position on the mount.

The EF-M mount is 58mm in diameter, with a flange distance of 18mm from the bayonet to the sensor. As the image above clearly shows it's matched specifically to the APS-C sensor size. So don't expect a future full frame EF-M mount camera - it's not going to happen.

Like all other mirrorless cameras, the EOS M's shutter is open by default even when the camera is turned off, exposing the sensor. This may seem disconcerting to SLR owners, but we've never experienced any problem with this approach. Like Canon's live view-capable SLRs the EOS M uses an electronic first curtain to activate the exposure, and the physical shutter is only used to end it. This helps reduces shutter lag and keep shutter noise down - meaning the EOS M is one of the quieter models of its type.

Two new EF-M lenses: EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and EF-M 22mm f/2.0 pancake

The EOS M is released with two new lenses for the EF-M mount - an 18-55mm image-stabilized standard zoom and a compact, 'pancake' prime. Both feature Canon's 'STM' stepper motor for autofocus, which allows near-silent refocusing during video recording. This means electronically-coupled 'focus-by-wire' manual focus; thankfully though Canon hasn't been tempted to discard physical focus rings. However there are no switches to set the focus or IS mode - these are controlled from the camera.

Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and EF-M 22mm f/2.0 STM

The lenses use minimalistically-styled, plain cylindrical barrels that bear more than a passing resemblance to Sony's NEX series optics. In terms of dimensions they're fairly typical for their class, which means they're smaller than corresponding SLR lenses; the zoom is near-identical in size to the Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS, whereas the pancake is very similarly-sized to Panasonic's Lumix G 20mm F1.7 ASPH.

As the only cameras we've seen so far are pre-production, it's premature to say much about focus speed. But while on first impressions the 18-55mm focuses pretty quickly, the 22mm is distinctly slower. This is not totally surprising given that the entire optical unit racks back and forth for focusing; this is not a design approach that's ever been associated with ultra-fast focusing on this type of lens. But we'll wait for production cameras and lenses to make a proper judgement.

Lens specifications

	Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM	Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM
Format	APS-C	APS-C
Focal length	18-55mm	22mm
35mm-equiv focal length	29-88mm	35mm
Diagonal angle of view	74°20' - 25°70'	63°30'
Maximum aperture	1:3.5-5.6	1:2
Lens construction	13 elements / 11 groups	7 elements / 6 groups
Focus motor type	Linear Stepper Motor	Linear Stepper Motor
Focus method	• Internal focus • Focus-by-wire manual focus	• Unit focus • Focus-by-wire manual focus
Zoom method	Rotary, extending barrel	n/a
Minimum focus distance	0.25m / 0.82 ft	0.15m / 0.49 ft
Filter thread	• 52mm • Does not rotate on focusing	• 43mm • Does not rotate on focusing
Dimensions	60.9 x 61mm (2.39 x 2.4 in)	60.9 x 23.7mm (2.38 x 0.93 in)
Weight	210g (7.4oz)	105g (3.7 oz)

Size compared

The EOS M is a small camera - indeed one of the smallest APS-C models around. Here we compare it to the EOS 650D and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3.

Here's the EOS M with the 22mm f/2 next to the camera with which it share its innards - the EOS 650D with EF 40mm f/2 STM lens. As you can see, eliminating the reflex mirror and optical viewfinder has enabled a dramatic reduction in size.


Here's the EOS M side-by-side with the Panasonic Lumix GF3 - a model that's similarly-aimed at compact camera upgraders, and one of the smallest mirrorless cameras around (it's since been replaced by the similar-size GF5). Both cameras use a touchscreen to complement their limited array of physical controls, but the GF5 has a built-in flash rather than a hot shoe. It also uses the slightly smaller Four Thirds sensor.

If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).

Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions.

Images which can be viewed at a larger size have a small magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of the image, clicking on the image will display a larger (typically VGA) image in a new window.

To navigate the review simply use the next / previous page buttons, to jump to a particular section either pick the section from the drop down or select it from the navigation bar at the top.

DPReview calibrate their monitors using Color Vision OptiCal at the (fairly well accepted) PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the (computer generated) grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally A,B and C.

Comments

Total comments: 503

This camera has a big potential for astrophotography. It is light weight, has a short flange to sensor depth, and a decent sensor. But to shoot astrophotos, we need to be able to operate the camera from EOS Utility (or any other software that uses the Canon EOS SDK).

Some questions about the use of the EOS M with EOS Utility:
1) will it be possible to do remote shooting?
2) will it be possible to get Bulb with very long exposures (say 10 minutes or even more)?
3) will it be possible to use the EOS Utility intervalometer?

Last question about modifying this camera :
1) is it difficult to open so that we can remove and replace the internal UV/IR cut filters?

Fred

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 5 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

... seen on Canon Canada : when using the Bulb mode, only the 400 ISO gain can be used.

Is it also valid when using Remote Capture ?

0 upvotes

The RC-6 will be supported for remote capture per a Canon representative at http://photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00afFH

0 upvotes

Where is the thumb activated focus? Without that one little item it becomes a toy from my perspective. Perhaps with a firmware tweak, the movie stop/start could be assigned that function whilst in 'stills' mode. Seems like an obvious omission on Canon's side?

0 upvotes

Does an artist use one paint brush? Does a mechanic use one tool? NO! Look at this camera for the purpose it's intended. I use my Canon 7D for Weddings and take my Canon 50D as a backup camera. These are only used for special events. I have the Sony HX-100V for everyday shooting where a telephoto lens would be needed. I also have the Canon S95 as a pocketable camera where there might be low light situations and don't need the long telephoto range. Each camera has it's strenghts and weaknesses. My knowing what they are will determine which camera will be used. I acheive great results will all the cameras listed. Every camera has it's good points and bad points and DPR tries to point them out with their reviews. I for one appreciate the work they do, however I am the one who ultimately decides which camera to purchase based on the knowledge gathered here and other sites and the intended use of the purchase.

0 upvotes

I have to agree - we all get hung up on which camera is best for this and which other camera is best for something else. Two tales - both true - Saturday I attended a wedding (ex pro photographer now doing car hire) - the 'Pro" used 2x Canon 1 D series cameras with a bag of L lenses - pity he didn't seem to know what to do with them, boy did he take his time - never a good sigh when the pro checks EVERY exposure on the camera back before taking the next image, on Sunday I bumped into a guy who shoots weddings part time - he uses a basic Fuji bridge style compact camera - a super zoom 28-300 bog basic thing - he has no plans nor desire to buy anything 'better' as he said it gives him the quality, speed needed and most importantly he says his customers like his informal not dragging a 'huge bag/tripod/lighting rig with him style'.

So there You/I/ We have it forget your 5D3/ 7D / D800/ D3 etc - get a £200 Fuji instead!!

1 upvote

haha! I like the Fuji guy!
maybe next time you would see somebody using a iphone...maybe a bigger one...i-pad...

0 upvotes

My prediction is that this sensor will be trounced by Oly Em-5...just saying.

2 upvotes

Oly do not make sensors and their lack of knowledge about sensors was one of the biggest reasons behind the failure of original 4/3".

0 upvotes

I'll resist the grammer lesson...I effectually said, that the sensor in the Em-5, will prove to to a better sensor than the one in the EOS-M. Maybe I'm wrong, but I doubt it. Oh and, "Sony do make sensors" (I couldn't resist after all).

0 upvotes

then why you should mention EM-5, which uses a same sensor as several other cameras? Pana said they improved sensor performance and a new, better sensor is used in GF5.

though Pana's sensors aren't the best, they aren't bad either. after all, the biggest problem for m4/3 is the lack of good high spec lenses.

0 upvotes

OK, my bad...you are Japanese, and can clearly read and write my language better than I can yours, (which is, I'm afraid, not at all) I'm sorry...sincerely.

However, you are misinformed my friend, the Oly Em-5 uses a Sony sensor, Oly's first I believe, which is probably why it's kicking butt all all over cameraland. As you are, I'm sure, aware, Sony is currently making the best sensors this side of Jupiter.

I'll be back in an hour to comment on the lenses.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

1 upvote

Before I go on...would you like to take this private (before I get scalped) maybe we could both learn something. To everyone else of the Canon persuasion, I'm not foolish enough to think I've got a 5dmk3 here, heck, I'd love to be able to just shoot with a mk3 for a week, or two (years). I love Canon lenses, particularly, the 85 1.8, the 100 2.0, the 70-200 4 and IMHO the best FX super wide prime on six continents (Antarctica is a mystery to me) the Canon 14 2.8. OK then, behind kissing mode off.

With that said (you thought I'd never shut-up), I think Canon could have been more aggressive with this release...it should have had viewfinder, and an awesome one at that. Yes, other camera companies, Sony, Oly, Pany, and Pentax, (not Nikon) all started thier mirrorless journeys without a viewfinder while Canon waited. There was no longer a need to test the water, the market was there. Canon should have plowed under the competition (or tried a little harder to)

1 upvote

But they released this camera...an ok little cam that will sell to alot of people who already have a Canon dslr and three or four or more Canon lenses. Or it sell to a lot of people who will never buy another lense, because without that "never seen anything like it before in my life" Canon viewfinder, it's just another point and shoot, like the one they had, and oh yea, it says CANON on it . just saying...

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Hey mytake: I can't resist the spelling lesson, as regards your "grammer" lesson. I think you might have wanted the word "grammar," unless you were going for some sort of odd, vernacular reference to someone's grandmother.

0 upvotes

You got me Michael...it was a cheap shot on my part, I regret it. Thanks for not "really" ripping me up.

0 upvotes

What a great opening from Canon! I would say. As with any MILC, one will buy not jus a camera, but into a SYSTEM - including lenses, accessories, future upgrade options. On strategic level Canon played smart here:
1) APS-C sensor gives them upper hand over 4/3rds in image quality - always.
2) APS-C sensor and the EF-M mount gives compatibility of huge Canon lens portfolio. There are many Canon DSLR owners out there, and while using EF/EF-S lenses in EF-M is not optimal in sizewise, it is possible.
3) compatibility with huge selection of Canon DSLR accessories

The first product is really nice also:
4) Fantastic, clean design, without gimmickry. Yes, I think the retro look of Olympus E-M5 is nice, but Canon's clean design language will appeal to broader audience. I and my wife love it.
5) Touch-screen for ease for ease of use - let's see how photography enthusiastics like it.

Lack of EVF is a gap, but there is nothing preventing Canon to implement it in its next prosumer model.

1 upvote

What Canon needs to do next is to:
1) Ramp-up lens portfolio and FAST
2) bring higher-end model with EVF
3) Not to care about internal cannibalisation - let consumers choose

Now I need to choose shall I wait for ahigher specsed Canon M or buy Olympus E-M5 now...

0 upvotes

> EVF ... there is nothing preventing Canon to implement it

there is no reason to implement it, either.

0 upvotes

It's certainly not necessary for everyone, but to say there's no reason to have an EVF is obviously false given how many people are interested in having one

0 upvotes

I would really love it if sony came out with a 24mm lens the size and price of the canon's. They could probably learn a bit about menu design too. But otherwise I think you're paying more and getting less with the canon.

Comment edited 19 seconds after posting

1 upvote

Sony's E24/1.8 is a very low cost lens sold at an unbelievable high price.

0 upvotes

what about time-lapse and/or hi-speed video?

0 upvotes

Like SONY did almost two years ago, Canon too announces an "upgrader" product along with an "enthusiast" lens. Let's hope that unlike SONY, Canon lives up to its name and keeps lens production at a steady pace.

0 upvotes

This is the first mirrorless camera I would consider getting. It's simple and solid. Even the EF-M lenses have a nice range. Body plus 2 lenses for $1100? Interesting. I think people are also missing the point that it can also use Canon wireless flash system. Very very cool.

3 upvotes

".. the EF-M lenses have a nice range."

Is that a joke or what ? Two friggen native lenses then you have to use a big $200 adapter to use Canon DSLR lenses.

3 upvotes

Sounds like a bit of a disconnect between engineering and marketing...

"the EOS M - is unashamedly targeted to [compact-camera upgraders]"

"Targeting an enthusiast buyer, the camera plus 22mm pancake will be available from speciality photo stores only for $799"

0 upvotes

"combined AV out/mini USM socket"

What is it? Did you mean USB?

0 upvotes

Hope they'll make a FD adapter!

1 upvote

Question: why there are no full size mirrorless cameras?

0 upvotes

They are full size.

0 upvotes

The Leica M9 is a full size mirrorless camera.

0 upvotes

Define Full size?

0 upvotes

Did you mean FULL FRAME?

2 upvotes

@Valentinian
Because the producers do not have enough imagination...

0 upvotes

at least the throat diameter is larger than Leica M.

0 upvotes

Design is not ugly ~ I do think it is bit conventional and boring... features are standard too but the shutter sound is the best I heard from this category.
but I still love my nex5 better haha.

0 upvotes

Why is the design so ugly??? Olympus saw success in a retro style. Canon could've easily taken an old design like the Canonet and adapt it to digital.

1 upvote

Very interesting offering from Canon.

Mirrorless models offer reduced weight, and that is a big benefit. But I found it a bit tricky to figure out what the weight actually is for my preferred configuration. That made it hard to do useful comparisons. The problem is sometimes the weight is without the battery or without the lens or with the wrong lens. So here is what I found on the weight of the EOS-M.

With battery and with the 18-55mm lens, the weight is 506 to 508 grams.
This compares to 775 grams for the Canon T4i/650D, similarly equipped.
So the mirrorless model has a weight advantage of 268g. That is significant, but far from half the weight of the DSLR. The two cameras will probably produce pics with similar IQ. But note that the DSLR has a viewfinder and flash, which the M does not.

The new offerings from the different manufacturers are fantastic. But I think it is important to gather all the facts you need to make the best buying decisions.

2 upvotes

Edlu - I agree, i think the weight issue is directly related to the sensor size choice. Canon will find it hard to make small native lenses for an APS-C sized camera. Look at Sony and their native lenses available for NEX. A couple years on and i think it has more bodies than lenses.

0 upvotes

Good points, but imagine what your bag weighs with a small set of EF-M lenses compared to EF or EF-S

0 upvotes

I am hoping fervently that a suite of EF-M lenses will be introduced and that they will be smaller than the EF and EF-S lenses. One hopes that the new lens mount makes that possible. And it is the established pattern, for instance if you compare 35mm gear to 120 format. The smaller format lenses are smaller and lighter -- and faster by about 1 stop.

But the 18-55mm EF-M lens is not lighter than the 18-55mm EF-S lens, nor is it faster. Not a good start!

1 upvote

And by "mirrorless", you mean point and shoot? I'm scanning through pages and pages here on DP, trying to find out what the difference between "mirrorless" and point and shoot is. Apparently, just a psychological marketing distinction based on a premium price.

0 upvotes

One difference might be the fact that you can change lenses on these cameras. Just sayin'. LOL.

Hey, a DSLR can also be "point and shoot", too. But it's really up to the photographer to take ANY camera beyond just pointing and shooting.

3 upvotes

It is a P&s without a lens. It becomes a Compact System Camera when you put a lens on it. So it is useless as a P&S without a lens and unpocketable with a lens.

2 upvotes

It is not a psychological distinction. A critical physical difference is sensor size. The sensors in point & shoot cameras are much smaller than those in mirrorless cameras, which are in turn smaller than those in DSLRs. Sensor size is linked to pixel size which in turn is linked to image quality.

2 upvotes

The biggest differences are sensor size and the ability to switch lenses. The controls can be very P&S-like, but in my experience, the sensor makes for notable improvements in image quality, especially in low light.

0 upvotes

Yes its the difference in size of the sensor which as Olympus system users we are so used to knowing.The sensor size on the Olympus 4/3rd cameras and the micro 4/3rd cameras is the same - (Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) so they are able to make tiny lenses on their OM-D EM-5.In the case of Canon the SLR and the mirrorless cameras are having the same sensor size (APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm) so will be difficult to make smaller lenses for the EOS-M series bcos of the larger sensor.

Tiny Point and shoots have a miniscule sensor size- so the poor image quality, whereas with the Oly and other mirrorless offerings the sensor size being large enough its IQ is simply stunning(in fact the Oly OMD EM-5 has an IQ quality on par with the Canon 5D Mark II camera as has been shown by the review on DPR and thats why the OMD is making waves all over the world.

1 upvote

Yes I agree...I am an Oly Em-5 owner. It's great. I love it...but guess what? The Canon EOS-M is #3 on the best selling compact system cameras list on Amazon. Wow...thats really all I can say.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

1 upvote

The Olympus is impressive for its size and the Fujis even more so. But no, they are not in a league with any current full frame cameras. Not yet, anyway.

0 upvotes

Meh

Typical Canon protection of its DSLR line.

1 upvote

In Soviet Russia, DSLR protect CANON!

0 upvotes

Sony and the other players will not protect Canon's DSLR line!

The market is shifting... Canon and Nikon have to move fast to retain their positions in the market.

0 upvotes

Remember folks, all your optical viewfinders from the "good ole daze" will fit right on the top in the hot shoe. Been working for decades that way, and being able to use my Canon DSLR lenses is really cool. Mic input and level screen, auto focus during video will be very nice too! I'm in.

0 upvotes

What any one of them, cant see how, surely it would have to be aligned with the lens and its respective focal length, you could use one of those lupes that fits over the screen, difficult because you would have to remove it every time you wanted to make an adjustment. Bet canon have one waiting in the wings just like all the other manufacturers, it will be a steel at just under £200.

0 upvotes

Except that not everyone wants to have the flash installed all the time, nor use it very much. On-camera flash is a killer.
Canon themselves suggest that the high-ISO performance means the flash isn't required for many situations where it migh have been used previously.

0 upvotes

I was interested in this release because I have a Canon DSLR system and I have been thinking about moving to m4/3. The advantage of a Canon mirrorless camera being it easier to use my Canon lenses on it. The problem being that I can't think of many occasions where I could use this body on my Canon lenses. The lack of any viewfinder ability, and the lack of focus peaking, mean that except for static tripod use, it would have little use apart from as a carry around camera.

In addition the AF speed looks slow to me. On the video reviews I've seen the touchscreen is touched, and there is a noticeable lag before it focuses on this point, whereas with m4/3 now it is nearly instant.

I think it's acceptable as Canon's first entry, but with this feature set it needed to be much cheaper. And I do mean "much cheaper" i.e. as cheap or not cheaper than any other similar camera. As it stands we have to wait to see what else Canon produces to know how serious they are about mirrorless.

4 upvotes

OH GREAT..... just what i have been waiting for, something small, compact with a decent sized sensor that i can use with my existing EF lens collection, small enough for street photography, a lot less obvious than a 5D.

BUT why no view finder i don't want to stand there with the other mobile phone users.

Pehaps cannon have completely missed the boat and forgot to add direct dialing and incoming calls as a feature.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

0 upvotes

I know what you mean, but maybe there will be more EOS M models in future?

0 upvotes

Design and IQ are good. Yet it is a bit too expensive in my opinion. I would either buy a premium compact (which fits in my pocket and I can really have always with me) or a DSLR (which is way bigger but more flexible).

Maybe 22mm is good for street photography, but honestly not being a pro I would trade lower image quality for a zoom.

Having a big sensor and a good lens on a compact is all what one enthusiast needs (even if not many example of such a camera are available). I do not see any point in being able to mount a pro lens on a camera like that.

0 upvotes

Since the market is already well represented with existing products from other makers, it is not surprising that the reaction to this camera is a bit lukewarm as it misses out a lot of things (viewfinder, flash, accessory port) that the others have.

I guess all of these could be addressed in future models. However whereas Nikon were pretty clear about the technical direction on launch, Canon are not.

Almost certainly means future versions will compete with the Rebel line or even replace it, hence they don't want to play their hand too early for fear of damaging sales.

However it does rather imply that Nikon will have to think seriously about a larger sensor MILC camera, even it's based on the F mount.

Comment edited 40 seconds after posting

3 upvotes

I think that Canon is studiing the market with this camera. They don't want their custumer to go away on m4/3 or any other mirrorless systems.
I don't see anyone using this very small camera with big L glasses, it makes no senses. But I see a lot of Canon addik buying this type of camera With pancake lens and leave their FF dslr at home. It will sell well.

1 upvote

That doesn't tmake any sense ? If you're not going to mount your exisiting lenses than the World is your Oyster in terms of choice eg NEX7 etc etc Surely you would not buy it just because it says Canon ?

0 upvotes

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/cameras-and-camcorders/cameras/digital-slrs-hybrids/canon-eos-m-1089580/review

Techradar has a complete test and review and together with let's go digital have full size pictures, the same on both sites. Good pictures, but nothing surprising or extraordinary to report here.

0 upvotes

I looked at the mounts and compared their size, in particular their inner rings.

Assuming the EOS-M mount is meant for APS-C (and it sure looks like this), then by comparison, the NEX mount is for an APS-H and the Nikon-1 mount is for a FourThirds sensor.

However, next to a K-01 (which has a mount known to support full frame) the NEX mount appears to support the same size. So, it may actually be made for full frame even.

I wonder why Canon made the inner ring this big (without saving space by also reducing the metal mount). It's a bit the same with the Nikon 1, it could support APS-C with a smaller inner ring. For Nikon, I guess it is because they're still going to release their DX mirrorless with a separate mount. But for Canon, I don't see the reason.

0 upvotes

Do you think Nikon is really going to do DX mirrorless? Not saying they won't, but it's hard to imagine them doing that AND continuing the CX mount of the 1 series

0 upvotes

Why not, having tourist CX mount and an FXM mount would make sense, both are different worlds and price range. Making and apsc in between would make people choose between the 2 bottom items and the 2 top ones, where the apsc will be the top on one side, and the bottom on the other. That would make choice difficult despite there was a mirrorless for just any category of wallet in there. Now, since market is now saturated in apsc mirrorless cameras, Nikon having a CX and an FXM would be the choice to go for. Except if Nikon was interested to have one in any of that 3 categories. Now, how about a square sensor in 24x24 or 36x36, that was an other good option. Sony had this in perspective according to rumors.

0 upvotes

I find this forum quite disturbing. Whilst there is a great deal of considered and well informed critique from the majority of contributors; the level of pure venom expressed by the dissenters frequently borders on the unhinged. If the best you can contribute is a comment to the effect that the camera is ugly, or some other equally inane pronouncement, then I fail to see what you hope to achieve here.

6 upvotes

Given that this is a review website people are inevitably going to express their opinions. You might not like their opinions, but it is an integral part of this website.

A member complaining that a camera is ugly or that a camera is lacking an important feature is in many ways more productive than a member complaining that other members are complaining...

0 upvotes

This is a nice release from canon. Its where most of us expected it to be with a first entry. Canon have ticked most of the boxes in this offering. It does not have the all features of the other MILC systems (But no camera has). There seems to be a lot of ‘noise’ about lack of features buy some posters , but then trace ‘noise’ back to where it came from. If canon had released this camera with a EVF and a few other DSLR features we would have had a lot more ‘noise’ over at the lower canon dslr forums as well as in this section.

I am not a canon users so I have nothing to protect. This is a nice offering from canon for its intended market. The future ? Well that’s really going to be interesting.

3 upvotes

what you say is right in the view of Canon targeting tourist and P&S enthusiast crowd. But, even if the things is ok and well done for them, the price does not follows the game, To price what it targets, it should be sold 600$ with a 18-55. The price is one that fits to a camera with a viewfinder and a few more advanced features this camera does not has. As such it is a hit in the water. Canon will be forced to drop the price, or give the 2 lenses in the kit for 800$. An I bet all you want that the price will drop soon.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

4 upvotes

Right ...CollBaxter :XD

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Awesome!! Love shooting with a box with less buttons, more deep diving menus, and touch screen. A true photographer's tool to capture moments.........

Sorry to say its not all about IQ. Im sure a floor room display at a Best Buy will generate enough sales from soccer moms and dads. Which is sad to say, the bulk on Canons income comes from these days.

The perfect mirrorless camera Canon's bean counters can produce. Its kinda sad to see how out of touch Canon is, as a leader in the industry.

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Soccer moms and dads would rather be seen with the white-coloured Nikon J1.

0 upvotes

So you claim they will sell a lot of these cameras to their primary market ... and yet they are out of touch? I'm not sure how that contradictory logic works.

It seems they are very in touch with the camera market at many levels, producing everything from the little point & shoots up to the 1DX, responding to a vast variety of photographic needs, and selling a heck of a lot of cameras and lenses.

Sad to see a leader in the industry "out of touch"? Look again. And if you want a camera with more buttons, they make that too.

0 upvotes

Yes, you are right. Leica has mirror less cameras from the beginning in the 1020's till now.

But the difference is that they have a viewfinder not only a screen. I don't like cameras without viewfinder because they are more unstable to me. So Canon please make a model with a electronic viewfinder like nikon or Sony.

1 upvote

I'd like to see another model with a viewfinder as well. However, I find EVFs poor and would like to see something like the Fuji hybrid viewfinder.

0 upvotes

"It's now almost four years since Panasonic first introduced us to the mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, in the shape of the Micro Four Thirds Lumix DMC-G1."

Wasn't Leica doing mirrorless cameras in the 1930's? Hmm, now that I think about it, didn't ALL cameras start out mirrorless?

What's old is new, what's new is old. Fashions come, and fashions go. It keeps things interesting for people who try not to be like their parents, but instead end up being just like their grandparents, haha :)

1 upvote

Boy Canon is really messing up. This camera looks like something you give your 5 year old as their first camera. (ULGY!!) Apparently they have not been watching their competitions SONY's RX100 is killing them in what the G1X and this mirrorless should have been. And these M lens choices are slow!! What is the point If I have to use an EOS lens adapter to use a good lens? I'd rather carry my 5D3 in that case. Any person using a 70-200 2.8IS on this camera would be a fool (much less look like one).

2 upvotes

I want to like this one so much. Been postponing to buy any mirrorless waiting for this one, yet the pricing and the lack of external dials and buttons is very disappointing for me personally.

0 upvotes

- No articulating screen
- Battery lasts for only 230 shots (0.825Ah x 7.2V = 5.94Wh)
- Video framerate is still capped at 30fps
- Price is way too high

4 things that really kill it.

5 upvotes

Man I want one, I have a Panasonic GF2 which has the same sensor as the GF3 and the image quality is seriously sub par. If I could get a camera that is just a little bit bigger but has the image quality of a Canon DSLR PLUS auto focuses my DSLR lens. Very interested, will start saving.

4 upvotes

Canon does not read the news about the smartphone taking over the world. No viewfinder and no articulating screen is a killer as far as I am concerned. Maybe the next model will suit all my good canon lenses. In the meantime I will stick with my 600D and my sony nex 5n. Sold my 7D as it was too heavy. I miss the viewfinder and speed of it but my neck thanks me.

1 upvote

People are going to eventually wake up and realize that smartphone pictures blow. I really believe this.

Obviously, the smartphone is going to suffice for many (if not most), but I don't think the compact camera is going anywhere anytime soon. The fundamental limitations of what you can do with a smartphone sensor make it unsuited for so many of the things you can do even with a subcompact. But here's the way I look at it--no one wants to take a big vacation and be left with nothing but crappy smartphone photos.

0 upvotes

I just wish this had come out earlier. I've been a devoted Canon P&S user, but I chose to go to Nikon for my first DSLR. I love my D5100 and the glass I've got for it so far, but the idea that had I bought a T3i, I could have eventually upgraded my G10 to something like this, maintaining some amount of compatibility, would have been pretty compelling. I probably wouldn't buy this EOS-M, but it's pretty easy for me to visualize this thing's descendents being pretty badass cameras.

I wonder how devoted Nikon is to CX....I can't really see them launching a separate DX compatible MILC mount while maintaining CX.

1 upvote

This cameras is too big for compact use. this only good for DSLR backup. so it must have many good features which available on DSLR.
If canon want to catch more compact user, they must release : with built in flash, smaller lens. otherwise user will not buy it

1 upvote

Then go for the impressive little G1 X ....

0 upvotes

how come Canon camera's always look like they're toys?

2 upvotes

I suspect that all their designers quit, so they are stuck releasing them in a pre-production plain packaging.

0 upvotes

Or else they concentrate on function rather than in making the camera and the photographer look professional? Last time I checked the camera was behind the picture, not in front of it.

1 upvote

You are quite right. This camera has a "non-design". Does not even look like a camera.

1 upvote

meh

1 upvote

Usually, I only read your posts here. On the account of Canon's debut into mirror-less, I thought I'd join in on the brouhaha.

Canon is smart. Canon is testing the market on their terms, design and all. I imagine that both the advancements in EVF technology and Sensor technology will alter the course of this model. It may even become a vanguard for their product-line: Compact, EVF, DSLR.

In the next five-years, I want this camera to be THE travel-camera. I imagine Fuji to hold the highest competition --looks and other things. (I am a digital Fuji-patron, despite only having a GW690II.) Yet if this Canon is endowed with an EVF in future models, along with improved sensor capabilities (given Canon's impressive algorithms), tack on a silk-nightie and she can go with me anywhere.

3 upvotes

I totally agree. There are a lot of short-sighted people on this forum who seem to think this is the last word on Canon MILC. Right now, they've put themselves in a great spot to feel out the market. If MILC really catches on, we might see EF-M really replace the bottom end of the EOS lineup. Or it might replace the G series. This is just the vanguard, and there are a lot of directions they might go with this.

2 upvotes

I respectfully disagree, Canon has had plenty of time to see what's happening in the market and release a product that would compete. They could have, and I feel should have, come out strong, but they decided to protect their DSLR sales, similar to Nikon.

Their main rivals are Olympus and Panasonic who have no DSLR sales to protect and are going after Canon, Nikon, Sony, et al, in the majority of the DSLR markets (beginner, enthusiast, etc.).

I don't doubt that Canon will produce a more enthusiast version of the EOS-M, but it would have been nice to see them go for it straight out of the blocks. Maybe releasing two versions like Nikon. They have the engineering expertise and user base, they just needed to use it.

Regardless, there's some very interesting times ahead...

2 upvotes

This IS the future of camera bodies and systems. The DSLR may never be replaced for the specialist but everyone who has Oly and Panasonic DSLR kit and recent MFT stuff is carrying the smaller kit 90% of the time, even if there are some lumpy old lenses and a converter in the bag with it.

Ultimately, outside the studio and a few specialist applications you can do more with lighter, handier kit, if you are not making big sacrifices on IQ

2 upvotes

c_henry: You're right that they've had plenty of time to observe the market, but as of right now, I would bet you that the mirrorless market is still a tiny fraction of the overall market. So even though they're a bit behind the curve, years from now, no one will remember how late they were or what the EOS-M was. Remember, Kodak had the first commercially available DSLR--they're hardly leading the market now.

1 upvote

From the first page of the preview: "It [GF5] also uses the slightly smaller Four Thirds sensor."

Since when is 1.5 times smaller (225 vs 329mm^2) considered "slightly smaller"? It is the same as saying that Toyota Yaris is "slightly smaller" than Camry. :))

4 upvotes

Actually, Canon uses a 1.6X crop which is "slightly smaller" than real APS-C's 1.5X crop, yet bigger than micro4/3 2X crop (which also has a different aspect ratio). Crops are linear measures; sensor areas in square mm are approximately: micro4/3 225, Canon "APS-C" 329, other APS-C 370, and full frame 860. The fact that Canon's APS-C is 12% less area than other APS-C is quite noticeable when using wide-angle lenses and has always been a factor against Canon for me.

Taking the car analogy way too far, micro4/3 is a two-seater, Canon APS-C seats 2 adults and 2 kids, other APS-C can comfortably seat 4 adults, and full-frame is a van seating 9. Medium formats are busses and Nikon 1 is a motorcycle. ;)

Comment edited 60 seconds after posting

8 upvotes

Now thats a good analogy...I'm shooting a sports car!!!

0 upvotes

Very small. Looks ridiculous with anything but a pancake lens. Pretty uninspiring to look at.

4 upvotes

I totally fail to see why the looks are relevant. It's a clean and neat design and it's tool for taking pictures. That's it. It is not a sculture to put on display or anything.

0 upvotes

this is just a spec sheet, without real images the 'preview' is nothing but advertising fluff for Canon

0 upvotes

"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."

Then what the hell /is/ it for?? In video mode, the shutter button could just as well be used..

So here we have Canon bragging about slashing 1/3 of the buttons /while/ keeping an utterly redundant button next to the thumb?

4 upvotes

Agreed. If they want to prevent accidental recording then make it so you need to press for 1 sec to activate (but instant off).

0 upvotes

I would assume that this EOS M works the same way as their DSLR's....while shooting video, you can capture stills by pressing the shutter button. In that case, this is most assuredly NOT a useless button, and they most assuredly could NOT re-purpose the shutter button in movie mode.

1 upvote

ROTFL
@gregory you are so right... reading these posts is a blast!
I wonder if Canon is going to wake up and fire the clowns who designed their latest lineup...

Comment edited 31 seconds after posting

3 upvotes

@GregGory:
Then what the hell /is/ it for??
Good point here! I think that cute red little button will go find with red camera, if you know what I mean :-) Or Magic Lantern will turn it into something more useful.

0 upvotes

@ Rista

Of course they could re-purpose any button in every mode/ function imaginable.. lol, these are all soft buttons, not a film Leica where the shutter button is mechanically coupled to the shutter mechanism :)

They could easily make eg. the "info" button into full res pic button in video mode, but you do have a point that consistency with the Drebel UI could be a priority. In this case, it's an insult to the buyers that they didn't turn the rec button into an "AF/AE lock" button in stills mode...

1 upvote

Still no real competition to m4/3, they can relax and take it easy. Especially early reviews tell, that Canon M is slow as a turtle. Would be nice, if m4/3 had to push a bit more quality of sensors used.

3 upvotes

Which real review says the Canon is as slow as turtle? Aint in the DPReview preview.

2 upvotes

From "imaging-resource" review this quote - "I'll gladly retract all these words, returning to this preview to make all the necessary changes if Canon makes speed improvements over the T4i's Hybrid AF, but I'd be remiss not to report that if the AF system is "just like the T4i" a lot of buyers are going to be frustrated with the EOS M."

0 upvotes

Can invest happily in m4/3 lenses, this camera doesn't even trigger "gear lust" :) Even if i was canon user in the past with 40d.

2 upvotes

this system will be an huge success.. no matter what some clowns on internet forums say.

8 upvotes

It's unfortunate that it's not because the system will be great or innovative or a good value . . . but because it says Canon on the front.

7 upvotes

How you're different from clowns that say it's a fail? Did you do deep marketing research or something like this? It's same, saying it will be fail or success.

3 upvotes

Canon has had almost over 2 years to look at the other players in this group. People act like Canon is just stupid. They are not the 800 pound Gorrila in cameras for nothing.

They will be the top dog in mirrorless in the long run like it or not. This is their first effort, but trust me they have a long term plan, and it is to be #1.
They wil set the standard.

9 upvotes

I am sure they do have a promising long-term plan. But this particular camera whether this is their first mirroless or not failed.

2 upvotes

@thisisjh .. could i have the lottery numbers for next week please?

Comment edited 19 seconds after posting

2 upvotes

olympus could not make money selling kokain... canon knows exactly what the markted wants.

that is why canon is no. 1

a few internet trolls and forum clowns will not change anything on that fact.

Comment edited 37 seconds after posting

3 upvotes

That's the truth. unfortunately, Number1 and Best do not always come together, aint they? Otherwise McBurger and Cola would be the best food and drink in the world.
Canon makes mass products. They know how to make best profit. And they care in making best particular products much less than any other camera company.

3 upvotes

I couldn't disagree more...
with the quality control issues (s100 (lens) and rebel (handle)),
poor drab thoughtless design in compacts for a few years now,
a sluggish g1x (so it doesn't compete with their dslr line),
and now this...
THE WRITING IS ON THE WALL...
this could well be one of those turning points where the giant stumbles and others come in to fill all the lacks... and one or two of those will shine...
as for the long term, 5 years, you may as well toss a coin - no one can predict that.
Might you be wearing Canon glasses that are distorting your sight?

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

1 upvote

I currently own and use an Olympus SZ-30MR 24x zoom P&S, doing a lot of video on it. Compared to that the attractoion of the EOS-M is the adjustable volume control and the external microphone, the hotshoe and the APS-C sensor. I see the EOS-M as a passable back-up for professional use.

To the gripers - if you are not in the market, that is your problem. Don't make it a problem for everyone else.

2 upvotes

So if you had $800 (or more for the zoom kit) this would be your preferred choice?

I'm not saying it's a bad camera, but when looking around it doesn't come across as a "breaking-new-ground-worth-a-premium-price" product.

Granted to Canon, if they can pull this off, reusing their EOS DLSR hw/sw development and selling a MILC at that price, with very low capital investment, they will make lots of $$$ and as such be the winner.

1 upvote

Good question.
If you want best canon lens compatibility and smallest solution and if you want it now (now means octoberish:)) then you have no other choice. But if you want best canon lens compatibility and care a little less about size, you could go for 600D or 650D. Added viewfinder, flash, swivel screen and proper grip of upcoming (next year octoberish?) enthusiastic EOS-N, will anyway make it much larger. And the price tag around $1200-$1400 will make safe the sales of Rebels.

0 upvotes

Canon were never going to do anything radical on their first outing into mirrorless - they've got far too much invested in SLR sales to risk frightening the horses. What's interesting is how much more leeway they've left themselves compared to Nikon - using an APS-C sensor leaves them room to make much more capable models in the future. There's no reason why there couldn't be an EOS-M equivalent of the Sony Nex 7 if the market shifts towards mirrorless and they don't feel the need to protect the original Eos line so much. Given the performance of the Eos 7D (and what Fuji has been able to do with the APS-C sensor in the X-Pro 1) the fact that the Eos M mount can't support full-frame doesn't mean we won't eventually see some high-performing enthusiast/pro Eos M bodies.

But I'm convinced Canon will move very cautiously, at least for the next few years.

6 upvotes

If Canon is protecting their SLR sales, then they should done better with 650d.

0 upvotes

Beats me why they didn't use the G1-X sensor. Then it less of a competitor to their DSLRS and allows smaller lenses etc. I think they are floundering at the moment while the third party players innovate.

1 upvote

Dougbm_2: Because they couldn't have had EF/EF-S compatibility ahd they done that. Sony's proven that an APS-C can work with mirrorless. And now, they're always going to be able to lord sensor size and compatibility over their real competitors: Nikon.

0 upvotes

@Jokica: What according to you is missing from the 650D that it already doesn't have?

0 upvotes

@Esmee: May I start with better IQ in comparison to 3 year old 550d? Nothing is really missing when compared to predecessors. There is no significant progress, however.

0 upvotes

I think the weight of the zoom lens is 210g, rather than 120g.

0 upvotes

Total comments: 503