When size matters, M6 is the camera for me

I have a Canon 5D4, which is a great camera. The main reason for me to also own an M-series is the small size. I want a camera that gives me great image quality, low-light response, speed, and the ability to use all of my lenses when needed, all in a small enough package that I can throw in a backpack or my jacket pocket.

I bought the M3 about two years ago, and it was at the limit of what I considered "small." When the M5 was announced, I was a bit disappointed; although clearly better than the M3, it was also larger, so not a good fit for me. Same with the recently announced SL2: It looks to be a fantastic camera, clearly better than the SL1, which I rented previously and enjoyed; however, it's just not as small as the M3, or the M6.

The M6, which is about the same size as the M3, was the obvious follow-up for me. I recently got it and haven't been disappointed. It's the smallest camera that ticks off many of my requirements:

- Great Canon image quality

- Low light ability

- High resolution, which enables cropping

- Quick response

- Fast auto focus. Also smaller auto focus box than the M3 (but still not small enough for some use cases).

- Manual controls, including exposure compensation, which I enjoy greatly. Improved positioning of the buttons over the M3 which makes them easier to use. The power button especially is better.

- Ability to use my other Canon lenses. It's true that using the M series with EF or EF-S lenses invalidates much of the size benefits; so if you're going for that minimal size it's best to get a few EF-M lenses as well. However, being able to use the EF and EF-S lenses in addition to the EF-M lenses is certainly a bonus.

Some downsides/other observations:

- No 4K video. Not a big deal for me, I rarely use the video feature it does provide.

- No built-in electronic viewfinder. Clearly having an EVF would have been great if it did not impact the size at all, but the M5 is basically an M6 with an EVF, and it's larger, so there's a size impact. Since I rarely use the EVF, I am fine with the external option, but you may not feel that way if you are a frequent user of the EVF.

- A bit expensive when compared to competition.

- Limited native lens selection. EF-M lenses do include a number of petite choices that cover a reasonable range: From 15mm to 200mm, including the very nice 22mm f/2, the 28mm macro with the light, and Tamron's versatile and very decent 18-200mm. However, would be great to have a f/2.8 zoom for instance, and a wider option than 15mm (which is a 24mm equivalent).

- Image quality, response time, low light ability, while all very good, are close but not as great as what you get from a 5D4 (or the 5D3). So every time I use the M6 in some challenging situation I wonder what I leave on the table, image quality wise. However, there are also many situations where the 5D4 is just not practical, and that's when the M6 is the camera of choice for me. An example, a concert where DSLRs are not allowed; M6 enables me to take pictures from far away and in challenging lighting conditions. This for instance from the second level at the San Jose SAP Center (and more photos from the concert in this thread ) :

Brian May and Adam Lambert, June 2017

- One other note of interest is that although the battery life is rated at 295, and I normally get anywhere from that to about 400 under normal use, when careful you may get much more. For instance in the above concert I took 620 shots and the battery hadn't yet dropped a single notch.

For the purpose I need the camera for --- a small but reasonable approximation of a DSLR --- the M6 gets 4.5 stars.

kenta101 wrote:

For something wider than 15mm we got the EF-M 11-22mm which is a fantasic lens. Small, cheap and very sharp, no competition in its class

Of course, you're absolutely right!

Must not buy more lenses.  Looks at amazon..... Must not buy more lenses.
I couldn't agree more.  There's times when it's worth dragging out the big boy camera and lenses, and there's times when the M6 is all the camera you need.

For the purpose I need the camera for --- a small but reasonable approximation of a DSLR --- the M6 gets 4.5 stars.

Hi, thx for the review!

No electronic shutter:

- is there any shutter shock?

- people complain the shutter is very loud, what is your impression?

- no silent mode a problem in classical music concert situation?

telefunk wrote:

For the purpose I need the camera for --- a small but reasonable approximation of a DSLR --- the M6 gets 4.5 stars.

Hi, thx for the review!

No electronic shutter:

- is there any shutter shock?

I haven't checked...

- people complain the shutter is very loud, what is your impression?

Not "very loud"; to me it's about the same as the 5D4's "S" mode.

- no silent mode a problem in classical music concert situation?

In quiet parts people a few seats around you will hear it, so could be.

At a rock concert, no problem. Even during the "quiet" parts.

Ali

Ali wrote:

telefunk wrote:

For the purpose I need the camera for --- a small but reasonable approximation of a DSLR --- the M6 gets 4.5 stars.

Hi, thx for the review!

No electronic shutter:

- is there any shutter shock?

I haven't checked...

- people complain the shutter is very loud, what is your impression?

Not "very loud"; to me it's about the same as the 5D4's "S" mode.

- no silent mode a problem in classical music concert situation?

In quiet parts people a few seats around you will hear it, so could be.

At a rock concert, no problem. Even during the "quiet" parts.

Ali

Thx! Rock concert no prob I guess

telefunk wrote:

For the purpose I need the camera for --- a small but reasonable approximation of a DSLR --- the M6 gets 4.5 stars.

Hi, thx for the review!

No electronic shutter:

- is there any shutter shock?

- people complain the shutter is very loud, what is your impression?

- no silent mode a problem in classical music concert situation?

I'd take the 7Dii if I was taking photos at a classical concert - not least of all because I want the f/2.8 lens.   It's silent mode is one of the quietest I've found (and I don't have a full frame body).

I was pleasantly surprised with the nice solid shutter sound.  There's something satisfying about the click of a real shutter than makes me feel like I'm doing 'real' photography rather than taking snapshots.

Andy

Couldn't agree more!

I love it for all the same reasons. I'm attending a lot of festivals every summer, and in nearly all of the places, DSLR's aren't allowed (actually all cameras with interchangeable lenses).

Most of the time, I've had no problems sneaking the M3 into the event grounds. The only time I've been rejected, was when I pushed my luck and used the 55-200mm, which does look conspicuous..

That was also one of my main reasons to choose the M6 over the M5. It doesn't look like a mini-DSLR (and I never use the VF anyway).

I might have a problem trying to sneak my newest lens in though..

OleanderDK wrote:

... I might have a problem trying to sneak my newest lens in though..

Indeed!  What is this beast?

Ali wrote:

Indeed! What is this beast?

The Opteka 500mm f/6.3

It was cheap and got ok reviews, so..

Plan on bringing it to the german Amphi festival , where I think it might be allowed.