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Replacing old 550D/T2i + EOS M for M6/M5

Started Aug 18, 2021 | Discussions thread
Larry Rexley Senior Member • Posts: 1,238
Re: Replacing old 550D/T2i + EOS M for M6/M5

Andy01 wrote:

Your choice between the M5 and M6 really comes down to the EVF.

I need to wear glasses for reading or seeing close detail, but not for walking around outside so for me it is a no-brainer - the EVF is essential. If I were to use the LCD (like I did for the time I owned a M3) it would mean that I would either be taking reading glasses off and on continuously or wearing multi-focal glasses outside. I also live in sunny Queensland, Australia where bright sunshine is the norm, and LCDs are not great in bright sunlight. I also used a few DSLRs (450D, 600D, 70D & 6D ii), so I was much more used to using a viewfinder. I did buy an add-on EVF for my M3 when I had it and found it to be an awkward shape to leave on the camera - it turned a compact camera into an awkwardly shaped thing with a big "bump" on top.

But everyone's situation is different and some people love the LCD. I would think that this is the single biggest difference between to the two cameras, so you might want to consider how important the LCD is for you.

I think that for most things the M5 would easily be an improvement over a 550D - perhaps not for faster moving action or handling with larger lenses. The M5 is a very capable little camera that can produce great photos with it's 24Mp sensor (same as 80D), and it has lots of dials etc for DSLR-like controls (unlike the M50). I still prefer shooting with my 6D ii, but when I want to travel lighter the M5 (18-150, 11-22 & 22mm) gets the job done. It does not handle well with large lenses like my 100-400L ii.

Colin

My experience is similar to yours, I find it much easier on the eyes to use the M6ii's EVF and use it most of the time. For me it's much sharper than the rear screen, I use manual focus lenses sometimes and it's a must for critical focus.

That being said, there are times and some situations where it is just 'natural' to hold the camera in front of you to take a shot, there are times when I'll do it without thinking. The rear screen is specially useful when the camera is on a tripod or mounted on a telescope for astrophotography.

I like the tilting rear screen for high and low angle shots, and much prefer it over the articulating screen my old T1i had, it's so much faster and isn't fiddly to use.

I sold my T1i when I upgraded to later Canons, but didn't get much for it.  Lately reprocessing some of my old +images from that camera using DxO PL4 which can clean up the noise beautifully, I wish I had kept it for a second body for times when I don't have time to switch lenses.  The output is really quite decent when you process the images with modern de-noise software.

 Larry Rexley's gear list:Larry Rexley's gear list
Canon EOS M6 II Canon EOS M200 Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM +21 more
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