M6 size comparisons

Before deciding on ordering the M6 today, I spent a lot of time doing search comparisons using the tools at Camera Size and I thought that some of you might be interested in the results. I compared my two most used current bodies (5D MKIV and SL1) with the two I was considering, in the configurations most likely to matter. To me, they show that of the two, the M6 MKII gave me the best size reduction - especially with the 15-45 lens, and that it was still smaller than my SL1 if I added the adapter with my existing EF/EF-S lenses.

EF 50 mm f1.8 STM on M6, M50, SL1, and 5D MKIV - with adapter where needed. The M6 is the smallest even with the adapter.

M6, M50, and SL1 with native mid range zoom (15-45 for the Ms, 18-55 for the SL1)

Side view of the four bodies

Front view of the four bodies

M6, SL1, and 5D MKIV with 18-135 STM.

The M6 II is a great camera, so small.  I downsized from a 60D to the M6II and I was incredibly impressed by how small it was in comparison to the much larger and bulkier DSLRs.  I have a half leather case on my M6II too and still feels pocketable with the 22mm on. 
Love the M100 too, even smaller! Less buttons though. 

Size comparision is fun, here are:

RP with RF 50

M6 mk I with EF-M 32

When I was looking at the M lenses, I was puzzled by the size of the primes. Are they so big because they are better than the equivelent non-L EF lenses?

Jeff Peterman wrote:

When I was looking at the M lenses, I was puzzled by the size of the primes. Are they so big because they are better than the equivelent non-L EF lenses?

Which primes do you mean? I have the 22 and 32, the 22 is very small but still excellent, the 32 is about the same size as the 18-55 zoom. The Canon version is actually smaller than the 3rd party 1.4 primes, seems like the physics of a 1.4 lens just require a certain size.

I guess the issue is that most of the primes for the M series are very fast primes - except the 22mm. This means that, if you want a small system, you must stick with the zooms, the 22mm, or manual focus third party lenses.

I upgraded from the Canon 70D to the M6 (and later the M6ii) for the better features, not really thinking of the size all that much.

I'm also extremely impressed at what they managed to pack into the tiny m6 bodies and have come to appreciate the small size and weight! It would be hard to move to a bigger, heavier camera at this point. I can pack a lot of camera and lenses into a relatively small and light camera bag.

I've swapped out my bigger Canon EF-S lenses for the smaller and lighter EF-M lenses (the EF-S 10-18 for the EF-M 11-22, and the EF-S 18-135 IS STM for the EF-M 18-150) and have been very happy with the sharp, smaller lenses.

For me the EF-S 55-250mm IS STM is small and light enough so that I feel it works and balances nicely on the M6ii in much the same way the native EF-M lenses do. It is what it is --- you're not going to get a 250mm f5.6 telephoto for much smaller and lighter than that lens.

I like to adapt vintage lenses as well. The M6ii and EOS M mount are wonderful for adapting vintage lenses due to the camera's nice manual focus features and the short flange mount distance. Inexpensive adapters are available for a huge variety of vintage lenses to both the EOS-M mount and the EF mount (if you already have an EF-EOS M adapter).

I've amassed quite a collection of vintage lenses, and I find that the lenses that make it into my camera bag most often are the small, light, and sharp vintage lenses such as the Asahi SMC Takumar 50mm f2, and Minolta MD 50mm f2 or f1.7 lenses.

Many vintage lenses (especially the Minolta Rokkors) have a size and weight that matches very well with the Canon M series.

Many older 80-200 or 70-210 zooms are big and heavy but there are some lighter ones that also fit and balance nicely on the M6ii, such as the Nikon AF 70-210mm f4-5.6 shown below.

Canon M6ii with a small, light Minolta MD 50mm f1.7 lens on a Fotasy Minolta SR (MC/MD) - EOS M adapter

Canon M6ii with a small, light, Asahi M42 mount SMC Takumar 55mm f2 lens on an M42-EF adapter, and a Viltrox 0.71x EF - EOS M2 speed booster adapter

Canon M6ii with a Nikon AF 70-210mm f4-5.6 lens on a K&F Concept Nikon - EF adapter and Canon EF - EOS M adapter (manual focus and aperture control only)

People ask me why I use the EOS M6 all the time, instead of my EOS R cameras.  When you realize the size and weight of the R camera (which are smaller than my DSLRs), and how the image quality is essentially much the same, there's a compelling reason to keep using the M cameras.  They're more easily carried and draw so much less attention.
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EOS R6 alongside the EOS M6

EOS Ra alongside the EOS M6 (lens hoods on)

EOS Ra alongside the EOS M6 (lens hoods off)

somethingreen wrote:

Get the sigma 56 for even smaller portrait setup 😁

+1 Great setup!  Excellent performance.

And even though the Sigma 16 is the largest of the EF-M lenses, it’s not what I’d call a real Handful.  But having f/1.4 available at a 16mm wide angle is just HUGE.  I find it absolutely indispensable for groups/events in low light and also for indoor/low light environmental portraits.  It has capabilities that my EF-M zooms (that cover 16mm) can only dream about.

For anyone with kids especially, I’d say it’s a must-have.

R2

True - if always used with EVF attached. But if you're going to do that, you've bought the wrong camera.

Marco Nero wrote:

When you realize the size and weight of the R camera (which are smaller than my DSLRs), and how the image quality is essentially much the same, there's a compelling reason to keep using the M cameras. They're more easily carried and draw so much less attention.

I totally love the M6II, but when comparing it to R5 at least, there's a big difference in image quality.

However I do often reach for the M6II when mobile, the size is a big advantage for sure and image quality is very good.

(For a recent outing I did grab the even smaller Panasonic DC-ZS80, which I later regretted a great deal. It has RAW support, and an amazing zoom, but the image quality doesn't hold a candle to the M6II.)

With my real cameras, I only use the viewfinder except in a few limited situations:

1. When the camera is on a tripod.

2. When needing to shoot overhead, or some other odd angle.

But, most of my shooting is done on my phone, so doing so on a real camera won't be foreign to me. However, I made to sure to get a mirrorless with an EVF because there are times where that is essential to me.