EOS-M200 best easy to use camera

keeponkeepingon said:

tomwilde said:

I bought an M100 as an alternative to the G7X. Both have the same no-viewfinder nohotshoe form factor, and can be carried in a belt-pouch type camera bag. The M doesn't have a power lens, so there is no worry about a "lens error" message. The M lens can be removed, so removing dust from the sensor wouldn't be a big deal. The M has dual pixel autofocus. If I ever get ambitious, there are a few additional M lenses I could buy. The M also cost less.

The M100/200 are adorably small, so they don't attract attention. These days, anyone with a large camera is considered to be a pedophile, or terrorist, or otherwise up to no good.

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I hear you. I'm an old guy with young kids so unless my kids are at my hip it looks really strange hanging out at a playground with my 5D and a big lens. But the M100 with the 22mm or kit lens looks mostly-harmless.
But put on a big lens and you still look suspicious. Even at kids sporting stuff where most of the parents know me I feel awkward. The thing is these days everyone just uses their smartphones so I'm literally the only one out there with anything bigger than an iphone......

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The stupid thing about that is that someone up to no good will use a phone camera, to be inconspicuous.

I agree.

AshleyMC said:

Glad you’ve found something you like.

I used to have an M100 for a few months before I decided to give it to a friend. Overall, the handling left me cold - the one neat feature was the tilt screen. On the other hand, I still keep and occasionally use my M original — a true classic, slow but charming.

I find the current “sweet spot” of the M system — in terms of price, performance, handling and relative compactness/lightness — is the M50. (No need for optional EVF, grip, jacket...)

The M50 body couples nicely with the 22mm, the 32mm as well as the Sigma 56mm.

Just some friendly comments on the side.

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Completely agree with you on the handling. It's "meh" and takes some getting used to whenever I go some time without using the M (not traveling a lot these days!). Even just having a traditional PASM mode dial, a real on/off switch and an extra dial or rocker for setting stuff would improve it a lot without taking any more space. (My A5100 has the latter two and it's about the same size).

That said the jacket was like $18, there is no EVF option and I can fit the M100 with the adapter and a 55-250 in my jacket pocket so I don't look like a weirdo walking around with a huge camera, it's comfy but tight... I doubt the M50 would fit.


I think you are right that given todays prices ($500 for the M200, $500 for the M50, $650 for the M50 Mk II) the M50 is the most bang for the buck but when I got my M100 it was $250 with the kit lens. I think it's hard to argue that similar IQ for 1/2 the price is a bit better bang for the buck but this is not 2019 and you can't get those prices anymore. Since I did not have the EF-M 15-45mm for my original M I figured I was buying the lens (MSRP $299) and getting the M100 for free. Good thing too as I find my copy of the 15-45mm "meh", hate the unlocking mechanism and prefer my 18-55mm original kit lens .... but I love the little M100 for it's small, hardly notice it's there size (with the 22mm).

Sittatunga said:

keeponkeepingon said:

tomwilde said:

I bought an M100 as an alternative to the G7X. Both have the same no-viewfinder nohotshoe form factor, and can be carried in a belt-pouch type camera bag. The M doesn't have a power lens, so there is no worry about a "lens error" message. The M lens can be removed, so removing dust from the sensor wouldn't be a big deal. The M has dual pixel autofocus. If I ever get ambitious, there are a few additional M lenses I could buy. The M also cost less.

The M100/200 are adorably small, so they don't attract attention. These days, anyone with a large camera is considered to be a pedophile, or terrorist, or otherwise up to no good.

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I hear you. I'm an old guy with young kids so unless my kids are at my hip it looks really strange hanging out at a playground with my 5D and a big lens. But the M100 with the 22mm or kit lens looks mostly-harmless.
But put on a big lens and you still look suspicious. Even at kids sporting stuff where most of the parents know me I feel awkward. The thing is these days everyone just uses their smartphones so I'm literally the only one out there with anything bigger than an iphone......

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The stupid thing about that is that someone up to no good will use a phone camera, to be inconspicuous.

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Yep. I've read that's why some cameras have shutter sounds you can't turn off even if it's fake. It's a requirement in Japan because of creepers taking "upskirt" photos. (may not be true but what I read sounded fairly convincing. Sigh. Plus you can get those little zoom atachements for phone cameras and some of the off-brands have like 40x or whatever using an internal periscope lens. d

I've actually thought of getting one of those phone zoom attachements as for sports I love stuff like "live view" where I get a movie of the action and a photo at the same time.

keeponkeepingon said:

thunder storm said:

ericch said:

It stays true to the original M form size which I like very much and which was truly pocketable.

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In my opinion there's just one pocketable lens: the 22mm. And in my opinion that's not a "can do it all" lens, because the 32mm is better suited for portraits and still wide enough for allround stuff, however, that one is too protruding if you want to have a pocketable combo. The RP + RF50mm f/1.8 stm might be even a better fit.

So I never got that idea of one camera and one lens fitting in your pocket. You can do it with just one lens, and as I would need other lenses next to it, for me it simply doesn't work without a bag.

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I agree but I don't need to have the 22mm do it all. I just need better-than-smartphone quality walk around pocketable then if I do have something like sports/portraits I can "bring out the big guns" and use a bag. ILCs are about flexibility, pocketable when you need it and big when you don't.

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Absolutely.

keeponkeepingon said:

I did have to chuckle about your only one lens because I had the 75-300mm attached with the adapter to my M100 last week and I was using my jacket pocket. Sure it did not fit, it left the M100 hangiing out, but he M100 is so light it was fine walking around like that. (background: kids started back up with soccer but they kick the parents off the field and so we had to watch from outside the fence,

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That's a pity.

keeponkeepingon said:

ithe 75-300m is "meh" but it's my longest lens for long distance spectating).

RP is not even in the same ballpark and I can't imagine it fitting in a pocket with any EF or R lens:
https://camerasize.com/compact/#833.349,815.945,ha,t

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Yeah, that's with the 22mm, but if you compare the 32mm on M with the RF 50 on the RP the difference isn't that substantial anymore.

keeponkeepingon said:

Dragging my feet on the 32mm..... Thanks for the recommendation and It looks fantastic but I'm still on the fence on if I should continue with the M system. Waiting to see what the "pivot" or whatever they are calling it canon is rumoured to be planning this year before investing that much more in to the system.

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The 32mm is a good reason to use M as long as possible.

Still sticking with my M100, mainly for video. I believe the M200 did not get the 24 fps firmware update and that is the main reason I think M100 is better for video work despite the better auto focus of the M200.

Rock and Rollei said:

I don't have an M200 in my arsenal, but I do have an M100, and I really like it - I use it differently to other cameras I own, taking full advantage of it not having a viewfinder and only having touch controls. I use it mainly with the 28mm macro, or with the 22mm, and find it huge fun. I also use it with a wrist strap, which makes it much easier to hold for me.
I'm considering an M200 if I can get one for a sensible price, simply for the AF improvements.
Would I want one as my only camera? No, no, a thousand times no.
But I find it really boosts my creativity, and drives me to get shots I wouldn't get with any other camera because of the way I use it.

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Well said! I have m100 and 22mm.

IWBF said:

1. IWBF wrote:

Using the M200 in full auto mode is super easy, very similar to smartphone experience. The touch screen interface has been the best in the industry since the original M.

If you enter the menus it is still very simple, well-arranged and self-explanatory.

The reasons I chose one for myself are:

- size and weight

- reasonable price

- good IQ

This camera has a huge potential for creative photography and it is a joy to use. Yes, I added a grip and there were some things that I missed, but I bought a phone app for 10$ and now I enjoy exposure bracketing, focus bracketing, time-lapse and more.

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What app did you buy?

Jason D said:

What app did you buy?

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Camera Connect & Control Pro

I use the Android version but it is available for iOS as well. The trial version is fully functional for 3 days.

It works with WiFi and OTG cable (which I prefer because it is plug &play) on my M200.

keeponkeepingon said:

It's almost never mentioned here so I was surprised to see the EOS-M200 topping dpreviews list of "Most popuplar cameras" earlier this week only getting bumped down to number two after the Sony A1 review. (this is on the right column uner latest reviews and finished challenges).

A bit confused I started poking around and found the EOS-M was recently voted by dpreview staff as the Best Easy to use camera 2021:

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/buying-guide-best-easy-to-use-cameras

The list of runners up that the M200 bested is a weird mix ranging from M43 to full frame:

• Canon EOS Rebel T8i (EOS 850D)
• Canon EOS RP
• Fujifilm X-T200
• Nikon Z50
• Olympus PEN E-PL10

So how about some M200 love on the EOS-M forum? Do we have any lurkers here using the M200 that would like to relate their experience?????

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I had the original M for a while and found the controls were very frustrating (they required close attention to exactly what you were changing and took away from concentrating on the shot IMO). I later got a Ricoh GR, which has a great form factor (tiny) and lots of external controls but no touch screen. I always thought a touch screen would make it a lot easier to use and the latest version (GRIII) does have a touchscreen that also tilts. I think they cost over $800. But if you look at the M100/200, you have a tilting touchscreen, interchangable lenses including the tiny 22mm f/2 (the GR has a fixed f/2.8 18mm), dual pixel autofocus and probably a better movie mode (I don't do video so that is just my guess). What you lose is external controls and the Ricoh menu that that gives a huge amount of customization. TBH, another issue is that the previous GR also had a better sensor, which I assume still to be true on the latest version but slow autofocus. So is the M100/200 a lower cost alternative to the GR III? The Ricoh enthusiasts will disagree but think it might be for most people, especially if they already shoot Canon. When travel resumes, I will be checking it out used M100 and M200.

IWBF said:

• IWBF wrote:

Jason D said:

What app did you buy?

Click to expand...

Camera Connect & Control Pro

I use the Android version but it is available for iOS as well. The trial version is fully functional for 3 days.

It works with WiFi and OTG cable (which I prefer because it is plug &play) on my M200.

Click to expand...

Thanks!

I got it recently because my beloved sigma dp2s was not doing well.

I love it!

It hits focus basically all the time. I love the colors that come from the faithful setting. Love it as much as sigma colors. I also love the muted setting on my olympus by the way.

I never owned a canon before and I don't like evaluative metering but I find if I point the the center of the screen at the object I want as the center piece of the photo I can lock the light meter with the asterisk and do spot metering just fine. A slight pain but nothing awful.

I bought it used but it was actually brand new only the lens was missing and then I found the 18-150 and the 22 both refurbished on the canon site. I couldn't be happier. The larger lens feels great in the hand when I use it and it doesn't feel off balance or heavy.

I have two canon ef-s lenses that I used on a Sony aps-c body originally. They both are ridiculously heavy but with the ef to m adapter which attaches to the tripod I carry the set up around with a little joby tripod for extra grip which I need and the images are out of this world. I feel the 22mm is great but the ef-s tokina lens I have and this baby. OMG. But lol the ef lenses are so heavy. It says they are twice as heavy. They feel 10x heavier on that baby camera. But again the images are insanely great.

The only thing I am finding a bit weird is canon raw file shadow recovery is awful on both capture one and lightroom. I use dpp and it solves the problem and definitely renders the colors much better. I don't know why the recovered shadows in the image are completely flat on those applications. If anyone has any insight into that I would love to hear it.

I feel like it is a pro camera in many ways for pennies. The 10x magnifier on the screen makes manual focus easy. But I must admit the focus peaking is useless. If not for the 10x magnifier manual focus would be impossible.

I am gushing about this camera. I bought it for half price brand new (supposedly used) minus the lens. And finding the lenses refurbished is super win. It is quirky. But every camera is quirky. I find it really easy to switch via the button between aperture and shutter or aperture and exposure compensation. I find it really easy to use spot metering thanks to the asterisks. I love it. And I love little things that can do great things.

IWBF said:

Jason D said:

What app did you buy?

Click to expand...

Camera Connect & Control Pro

I use the Android version but it is available for iOS as well. The trial version is fully functional for 3 days.

It works with WiFi and OTG cable (which I prefer because it is plug &play) on my M200.

Click to expand...

Hi!

I'm looking for an app to expend the M200 capabilities (things like Auto Exposure Bracketing and (auto) Focus bracketing). I'm testing Camera Control and Connect over Wifi; thanks for the tip!

Did you get the Auto Exposure Bracketing working (the pinching in the liveview interface does not seem to work for me)? Or do you do the bracketing manually by sliding the exposure compensation?

I can't see the Focus bracketing interface either. Do you do that automatically too, or manually by moving the focus point?

cadmium said:

IWBF said:

Jason D said:

What app did you buy?

Click to expand...

Camera Connect & Control Pro

I use the Android version but it is available for iOS as well. The trial version is fully functional for 3 days.

It works with WiFi and OTG cable (which I prefer because it is plug &play) on my M200.

Click to expand...

Hi!

I'm looking for an app to expend the M200 capabilities (things like Auto Exposure Bracketing and (auto) Focus bracketing). I'm testing Camera Control and Connect over Wifi; thanks for the tip!

Did you get the Auto Exposure Bracketing working (the pinching in the liveview interface does not seem to work for me)? Or do you do the bracketing manually by sliding the exposure compensation?

I can't see the Focus bracketing interface either. Do you do that automatically too, or manually by moving the focus point?

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Hi,

both modes work in auto. Here you'll find sort of a mnual: http://www.rupiapps.com/Manual/Liveview.html#sec-3f59