I realize I'm preachin' to the choir here...

One of the many nice things about being able to shoot with a wide variety of different barand camera gear is the ability to make comparisons.  Lately, many cameras (from various brands) are being released with lots of fanfare, touting all of these ground breaking features and options and the forums are abuzz with talk about those models.

And the numbers of releases are coming by leaps and bounds - so many now that one release may be completely eclipsed by the next latest and greatest model announced just the very next day.  It's ridiculous really - so many choices (and so little money).  Technology has spoiled us to the point where we are (perhaps) becoming unreasonable with our expectations.

But that now brings me to the EOS M line of cameras.  I've often stated that my M collection consists only of the M, M2, M10, and M3.  I enjoy using them all - however, I've held off considering any other models (although the M100 looks delicious) because of what I feel to be the lack EF-M lenses.  I know, I know...we all love the 22 and the 11-22 (who doesn't) and I don't even want to get into the argument back and forth about "just use the adapter and use all of the EF or EF-S lenses that you want!!!!"

When I stand back and evaluate everything I'm using (again, my main focus is on M43, Fuji X-Trans, Samsung NX, and Canon EOS M systems), it is obvious that although Canon may not release cameras that are ground breaking with regards to over-the-top features and options, there are a few things that Canon consistently does right.  And that is rendering superb IQ (and colors of course), good ergonomics, and making photography fun.

Now don't get me wrong here as I thoroughly enjoy using Olympus, Panasonic, Fuji, Samsung, and Canon products - all of which have their plusses and minuses.  But every time I start shooting with the M cameras that I currently own, I'm just having lots of fun (I shoot in RAW only) and the IQ I'm capturing (and those gorgeous colors) just leave me smiling.

If there is one caveat that I have about Canon gear in general (mainly with their APS-C line of models - both DSLR's and Mirrorless) is that the competition are besting them in the cleaner high ISO department.  I can remember a decade or more ago when Canon ruled the roost with regards to the cleanest high ISO IQ.  And all the other brands were trying to play catch up.  Well, the problem, IMO, is that the other brands have caught up and in some cases have surpassed Canon at ISO's of 3200 and above.  Heck, some of my M43 cameras are doing better high ISO-wise than the M cameras I mentioned.  Now we know that Canon's FF cameras do a superb job here, but IMO, their APS-C line of cameras have fallen a bit short in this department.  Some of you may disagree but hey...we all have our opinions I suppose.

As I'm typing this, I've got the original M and the later M10 sitting in front of me.  The M never stopped feeling great, is well constructed, and my copy of the 18-55 has netted me some fantastic IQ.  The M10 has turned out to be a real sleeper of a camera - one that has me reaching for it more and more.  I realize how much fun it is to shoot with either camera and no, they are not "speed" models, that's for sure.  But they are most certainly enjoyable to use in general photographic situations - same with the other earlier models like the M2 and M3.  And I can only imagine that the likes of the M5 and M6 have gotten better in certain areas.

In getting back to the M100, I'm really liking what I'm seeing with the colors that camera can capture.  When I use the M10, the simplicity of it (yet still has tons of options in the menu structure) makes shooting a breeze.  I may break my temporary moratorium on getting any more EOS M cameras (at least the more expensive models) in order to get the M100 - who knows.

Will be curious to see how and where Canon goes from here with their APS-C mirrorless cameras (and hopefully - finally - more EF-M lenses).

OK - my rant is done!