Finally getting into a dead system. M200, 22mm.

Didn't see that one coming!

M200 somehow ticks all my EDC/travelcam boxes and the 22mm seals the deal. I can't find anything else like it.

• €400-500 used
• dual pixel AF
• decent 1080 60/30p
• Wasabi USB battery option - thanks @bengrulz
• 3 user styles, plenty to try out - Thomas Fransson's was great on the G1 X
• tilt flash
• image.canon cloud service and 30 days storage buffer
• EOS webcam, 576p by USB
• clean (micro) HDMI out
• speed booster curiosity

I've tested and dismissed G1 X III, ZV-1 and ZS100 (small sensor superzoom) and there's a €800 G5 X II available that came close but eventually I decided to take the M200 size penalty instead to get DPAF and ILC options.

The lens line-up is plenty for me and there could be a EF to M43 speed booster cross-over benefit also in particular with longer primes.

For travel and casual video the Digic 8 1080 quality looks like a sweet spot. I'm not vlogging but do hope handheld 22mm (or any prime) video with digital IS is usable.

I was willing to compromise DPAF against my Lumix G90 (or a G100) if its 1080 was better which isn't the case though. Lumix 4k is spectacular but AF (DFD) takes another hit up there and I'd prefer to avoid massive file sizes and cards when on the road.

Re. audio I'll be carrying wireless lavs and/or multichannel portable recorder. I haven't heard a clean pre-amp signal from any entry-level model yet and will need external audio for nature, speech and music anyway.

Here's a line-up of the pool for comparison (pxlmag.com):


Travelbag options: G5 X MII, G100, M200, E-M5 II, G90

So! M200 in 2025 is basically also a wait-and-see model until these next gen. reach market and my budget:

• G5 X III
• LX100 III
• OM-5 II
• OM-? (as per 43rumors.com a €2k compact OM-1 launching tomorrow)
• G100 II / GX10 (in my dreams)

I love my M43 bodies and primes (AF and MF) and the 35-100 2.8 (€300-350) is also a sweet spot for events, family, video. So I don't envision switching to full frame or R, E, Z or X later on.

Maybe adding a M50 II if/when they dip a few hundred. The M6 form factor appeals more but the sensor is probably overkill and other features not a match vs. future models above.

As for now my travelbag will be a mix of these:


M200 w. 22mm and E-M5 w 15mm, 45mm, 40-150mm plus chargers is about 1.5kg

... just unsupported by Canon.

M200 handling better as expected. Tried with thin gloves (with touch fabric fingertips) today, can be done. 1080 quality is fine, I'll try some profiles next and expect better results that can be shared straight away. Inbuilt mic just about usable both in- and outdoors.

The 6400 limit on movie auto ISO is quite a stretch though and I hadn't realized that Digital IS isn't available for the 22mm or any lens without OIS. Apparently only on M50 and M6 II.

Found a cheap M3 and 18-55 kit elsewhere, none are keepers but the M3/M6 style grip and form factor was good to try out. In that case I'll be looking for M6 II which means €3-350 budget stretch against current used market (or €2-250 against M200 / M50 II).

So it isn't settled yet. M50/M6 II digital IS appears to be the crucial part.

Plan B is now some sort of action/360/phone camera setup and a more bare bone show and tell video style.

All EOS M camera body do not have In-body image stabilization (IBIS) so you will need a lens with IS if you need stabilization. A gimbal may help for video recording.

tvcat said:

All EOS M camera body do not have In-body image stabilization (IBIS) so you will need a lens with IS if you need stabilization.

Click to expand...

OP is correct. M6ii does indeed offer digital IS in video mode with the 22, while the M200 does not (the "IS settings" menu is grayed out and if selected, "Not available with the attached lens" is displayed).

No, of course no physical IBIS.

944play said:

tvcat said:

All EOS M camera body do not have In-body image stabilization (IBIS) so you will need a lens with IS if you need stabilization.

Click to expand...

OP is correct. M6ii does indeed offer digital IS in video mode with the 22, while the M200 does not (the "IS settings" menu is grayed out and if selected, "Not available with the attached lens" is displayed).

No, of course no physical IBIS.

Click to expand...

thanks - and AFAIU https://cam.start.canon/en/C007/manual/html/UG-06_Shooting-2_0130.html it's the same for the M50 II:

944play said:

The camera’s Movie digital IS feature reduces camera shake as movies are recorded. Movie digital IS can provide effective stabilization even when your lens is not equipped with Image Stabilizer.

Click to expand...

@944play also recommended a Crane M2 gimbal in another thread where I asked about adapting EF IS lenses. I'll try one out later on, specs and prices are fine but seems like one of those things that needs a lot of testing to learn how to handle it and how it affects eyes, hands, gear, bags and so on.

For show and tell travel videos I've never really considered how much/little camera movement is appropriate and I guess most of it is also a stylistic choice.

I see, I stand corrected.

LongLiveLumia said:

Found a cheap M3 and 18-55 kit elsewhere, none are keepers but the M3/M6 style grip and form factor was good to try out. In that case I'll be looking for M6 II which means €3-350 budget stretch against current used market (or €2-250 against M200 / M50 II).

So it isn't settled yet. M50/M6 II digital IS appears to be the crucial part.

Click to expand...

Digital IS (without Lens IS) looks acceptable in the brief YT examples that came up in a quick search.

Meanwhile I tried some software (EIS?) stabilization in Davinci (free version, super slow render without GPU, there are other free alternatives) so that's also a workaround for some shoots when needed.

LongLiveLumia said:

Plan B is now some sort of action/360/phone camera setup and a more bare bone show and tell video style.

Click to expand...

It mostly depends on how much movement I want which is unpredictable as a beginner anyway. Tiny gimbals are really cool but need to be brought along and maintained so there's that. As for now I'm just starting out with small tripods and a larger tri- & monopod.

I'll be travelling most of this year, it'll be interesting to see what works best when out there.

LongLiveLumia said:

LongLiveLumia said:

Found a cheap M3 and 18-55 kit elsewhere, none are keepers but the M3/M6 style grip and form factor was good to try out. In that case I'll be looking for M6 II which means €3-350 budget stretch against current used market (or €2-250 against M200 / M50 II).

So it isn't settled yet. M50/M6 II digital IS appears to be the crucial part.

Click to expand...

Digital IS (without Lens IS) looks acceptable in the brief YT examples that came up in a quick search.

Meanwhile I tried some software (EIS?) stabilization in Davinci (free version, super slow render without GPU, there are other free alternatives) so that's also a workaround for some shoots when needed.

LongLiveLumia said:

Plan B is now some sort of action/360/phone camera setup and a more bare bone show and tell video style.

Click to expand...

It mostly depends on how much movement I want which is unpredictable as a beginner anyway. Tiny gimbals are really cool but need to be brought along and maintained so there's that. As for now I'm just starting out with small tripods and a larger tri- & monopod.

I'll be travelling most of this year, it'll be interesting to see what works best when out there.

Click to expand...

Ayo welcome to the EOS M Club! Better late than never dawg. Been peepin that thread and I can see you straight vibin with ya camera and tha M system. But listen up fam, since you finna do this mainly for travel, you gotta peep tha Osmo Pocket 3 no cap. That Type 1 sensor is lowkey big enough to capture some bussin video footage. It's way less complicated than messin with an iPhone setup or a whole camera situation frfr.

Straight up, I'm rockin with tha Leica M11 and Pocket 3 combo myself and it's straight goated. The footage you gon get from this setup is mad clean fr. Then with ya photo camera, you can stay focused on them pics without needin any video specs at all and that's facts.

Shooters on My Squad said:

Ayo welcome to the EOS M Club! Better late than never dawg. Been peepin that thread and I can see you straight vibin with ya camera and tha M system. But listen up fam, since you finna do this mainly for travel, you gotta peep tha Osmo Pocket 3 no cap. That Type 1 sensor is lowkey big enough to capture some bussin video footage. It's way less complicated than messin with an iPhone setup or a whole camera situation frfr.

Straight up, I'm rockin with tha Leica M11 and Pocket 3 combo myself and it's straight goated. The footage you gon get from this setup is mad clean fr. Then with ya photo camera, you can stay focused on them pics without needin any video specs at all and that's facts.

Click to expand...

Cringe

Shooters on My Squad said:

Ayo welcome to the EOS M Club!

Click to expand...

Feel you, Club M is a fun place so far - and cheap!

Shooters on My Squad said:

since you finna do this mainly for travel, you gotta peep tha Osmo Pocket 3 no cap. That Type 1 sensor is lowkey big enough to capture some bussin video footage. It's way less complicated than messin with an iPhone setup or a whole camera situation frfr.

Click to expand...

Agree on the phone, tried it out, not gonna happen.

Pocket 3 is not for me either. I'd go for a more robust and simple action or 360 cam first and have ordered a insta360 X3 test unit from the local warehouse.

Curious about the pan & tilt face tracking thing though, to be tested as well some day, it's built in to some regular gimbals now (f.ex. Hohem MT2 and Scorp Mini).

Shooters on My Squad said:

Then with ya photo camera, you can stay focused on them pics without needin any video specs at all and that's facts.

Click to expand...

I've considered something like that with the (weather sealed) E-M5 II and super MFT lenses mixed with a M200 or M50 but decided to go all in on cheap M bodies and glass first. For practical reasons (bulk, batteries, cables, theft, damage) and to simplify the setup when out in the field re. handling, menus, optics, software, apps, editing.

There'll definitely be times where a 'real' photo camera will be missed but so be it.

I'm going for Digic 8 models (e-shutter, image.canon cloud, etc.) and refuse to mix and match battery types and chargers.
General prices around here are M200 €330, M50 €400, M50 II €475, M6 II €600.

Expenses so far: €1400
To be resold (est., MPB current buy-in prices in good condition): €575
11-22 / 10-18 resale (tbd): €135

Preliminary total (est.): €700
I expect to push it €2-300 more for the 18-150 or 55-200 and the 32mm or two EF primes

//////////
Loot so far, from 4 kits:

M3 in decent condition

• lovely body, extra battery and Canon EF adapter included
• worst shutter sound and boing ever, like a Nikon D40 mousetrap
• good mic preamp in terms of noise and slightly less muffled default EQ curve than the G95
• old school Digic 6 1080/30 25mbps surprisingly good with the 22mm
• to be sold or passed on

M200 in great condition

• such a nice APSC lightweighter, exactly as hoped
• great option in a mixed bag, ie. a compact MILC as side-gun or EDC
• AF is sensational coming from CDAF MFT bodies
• SOOC JPG very promising, user profiles straight forward to delve into
• had my first 4k overheat today, yeah, doesn't really matter, I'll be in 1080 with DPAF mostly, the 4k is nice and crisp for static shots though

M50

• incoming
• to be re-sold unless MII features are worth the extra €100 (AF sensitivity, CIPA rating, clean HDMI w. servo)

M50 II

• incoming - my first pawn shop purchase!
• total price with the 11-22mm equals MPB buy-in
• probably a keeper if Digital IS for video with non-IS lenses is usable
• same for the EVF
• if not I'll consider a second M200 with a small gimbal (M100 used prices are the same as M200 around here)

15-45 and 18-55

• no firm opinion yet, both seem fine
• probably only be bringing the 15-45

22mm

• fantastic, seems like a contender for the (MFT) PanaLeica 15mm 1.7
• no complaints whatsoever
• came with the sort of classy JJC LH-Q3 hood (tricky/impossible to attach a VND or CPL)

Sigma 50mm 1.4 EF

• just happened to be close to the M3 seller (and cheap) , that's why
• not a keeper, AF unusable adapted to M, was nice to try though
• expecting the 50 1.8 STM to rule in that region

11-22mm
10-18mm EF-S and some filters
Viltrox M2 speed booster
DC coupler and AC brick
SanDisk 128GB SD, Rode video micro, extra battery and double charger

• Incoming

Picking up a M50, 32mm and 18-150mm tomorrow to see what the fuss is all about. Speed booster hasn't arrived yet.

Meanwhile the M3 really came through nicely in the first couple of days testing it, such a nice body to handle. The user interface for creative filters, scenes and creative assist is really good.

Makes me wonder how different the M50 shooting experience is without the EV dial or the extra double dials of the M6.

If critical I may have to back down on the one battery type only requirement and go with the M200 and a M6. Or just keep the M3 for a start while waiting for M6 II prices to dip down to €4-500.

Tilt flash is the bomb indoors when bounced at ceiling with about -1 EV. Looks like it can deliver good enough results to a (handheld) AA battery powered 'real' speedlite.

LongLiveLumia said:

If critical I may have to back down on the one battery type only requirement and go with the M200 and a M6. Or just keep the M3 for a start while waiting for M6 II prices to dip down to €4-500.

Click to expand...

Love it. You made funny. :-D

filibuster said:

LongLiveLumia said:

If critical I may have to back down on the one battery type only requirement and go with the M200 and a M6. Or just keep the M3 for a start while waiting for M6 II prices to dip down to €4-500.

Click to expand...

Love it. You made funny. :-D

Click to expand...

well...

R50 kits are €600 now.

Cheapest M6 II I've found is the same, with the EVF. Probably worth it if M50 is too limiting or bulky.

Great move. I myself got back into the m system last month with a m50ii and 22mm purchase. Great second camera to have in the field along with a big full frame rig.

Body choice settled: M3 and M6

Tilt (M3, M6, M200) vs. flip (M50) LCD took me by surprise in this form factor. For Oly and Lumix I prefer flip but here it's in the way somehow and the M50 EVF isn't pulling me in while the extra M6 dial is much better for photos.

I really tried getting the M200 going instead to keep the Digic 8 goodies* but the single dial with no fn button within quick reach for thumb or index finger is too cramped. Ergonomics is probably OK with a 3rd party or 3d printed grip but then it's about the same size as the others anyway.

Current used market is also part of it. If I can flip M50 and M200 (instead of MPB) it'll clear €3-400 against a €7-800 (total) M3 and M6 combo kit. Incl. 15-45, 22, 32, 18-150 plus viltrox speedbooster, extra batteries, 49mm VND, hoods and SD cards.

///

Digic 8 goodies*

• Eye AF
• AWBw
• image.canon cloud
• CR3 C-RAW
• e-shutter (auto only)
• 4k (CDAF), 120 fps (HD)
• EOS USB webcam, clean hdmi
• vertical video
• M50 II battery boost

LongLiveLumia said:

15-45 and 18-55

Click to expand...

Keeping 18-55

LongLiveLumia said:

22mm

Click to expand...

Obvious keeper

LongLiveLumia said:

11-22mm

Click to expand...

Deal fell through

LongLiveLumia said:

10-18mm EF-S and some filters
Viltrox M2 speed booster

Click to expand...

Got it yesterday, vignetting at 10-12mm depending on photo or video mode, in boosted photo mode it's a f3.5-4 12-18mm and close to useless with the built-in flash.

To keep it is also a route towards a EF or EF-S tele (adapted or boosted) and about 1kg more in total weight and double up in bulk.

First test will be 50mm 1.8 STM. Haven't read up on the EF superzooms yet or even the 2.8 zooms which might make sense boosted on MFT as well.

I also got the 18-150mm and 32mm so there's a pure EF-M option with a €190 MPB refurb 11-22mm added. OTOH both could finance 20-30% of a mixed kit with 22 and 18-55 and adapted EF primes.

So it's a fun newbie mess for now.

LongLiveLumia said:

Body choice settled: M3 and M6

Tilt (M3, M6, M200) vs. flip (M50) LCD took me by surprise in this form factor. For Oly and Lumix I prefer flip but here it's in the way somehow and the M50 EVF isn't pulling me in while the extra M6 dial is much better for photos.

I really tried getting the M200 going instead to keep the Digic 8 goodies* but the single dial with no fn button within quick reach for thumb or index finger is too cramped. Ergonomics is probably OK with a 3rd party or 3d printed grip but then it's about the same size as the others anyway.

Current used market is also part of it. If I can flip M50 and M200 (instead of MPB) it'll clear €3-400 against a €7-800 (total) M3 and M6 combo kit. Incl. 15-45, 22, 32, 18-150 plus viltrox speedbooster, extra batteries, 49mm VND, hoods and SD cards.

///

Digic 8 goodies*

• Eye AF
• AWBw
• image.canon cloud
• CR3 C-RAW
• e-shutter (auto only)
• 4k (CDAF), 120 fps (HD)
• EOS USB webcam, clean hdmi
• vertical video
• M50 II battery boost

Click to expand...

Couldn't find a cheap M6 bundle deal, MPB (€320) looks like best option atm.

Can't let the M200 go. It's love. There's an elegant 3D printed grip on etsy, I'll try to get it across the pond before the orange tax kicks in.

M50 EVF and lack of tilt flash isn't exactly killing it but the flip LCD is of course better for longer photo sessions and then I realized the M200 can handle the rest (quick or discrete snapshots, flash indoor and so on)

Also: did some 4k vs. 1080 tests and is happy about that option for brief static scenes.

Also II: made promising handheld panorama tests and am not about to set up and carry around a nodal head bracket for multi row panos. But there might be a workaround with a gimbal, not sure about that yet though.

M6 is compatible with a few Zhiyun gimbals , M50 (I & II) and M6 II are compatible with the DJI RS 2 and 3 series as well that can be outfitted with the RavenEye tracking system which I'm rather intrigued by. My G90 (great 4k, so-so AF) and its upgrade route (G9, GH5) is also compatible so there's that.