EOS M2 vs. EOS M10 vs. EOS M100: Comparison and Review + Film Sim Talk

[awmaster10]

Intro

For the past couple years, I have been searching for the perfect compact everyday camera. My main camera is a Panasonic GX9 which I love but it is just large and heavy enough to be a "neck strap camera". I wanted a pocket/wrist strap camera, that I can take everywhere.

So, I went through the following progression: Olympus XZ2 -> Olympus XZ10 -> Nikon 1 J5 -> EOS M2, with a detour in Fuji XA1 and XA2.

When I got the EOS M2, it was the first camera to really click. The IQ was just as good as my main camera, but I could fit it in a pants pocket or jacket pocket and take it anywhere.

So I knew the smallest line of EOS M cameras was perfect for me. And so my journey started.

How I acquired Each Body:

EOS M2:

Purchased from ebay for $330 WITH the 22mm f2 lens. So the I got the body for essentially $230.

Eos M10:

Purchased from ebay for $290, body only.

Eos M100:

Purchased from ebay for $350, with 15-45mm kit lens

Pros and Cons:

Eos M2 Pros:

• Build quality is significantly better than M10/M100. Metal build.
• Buttons feel significantly higher quality than M10/M100.
• 4 Way controller and buttons are bigger than M10/M100, easier to use
• Fixed screen adds to feeling of quality and solidness
• Mic input
• Hot shoe
• Better front grip than M10/M100, feels less slippery and easier to hold
• Button to reset autofocus point to center. Others must use the touchscreen.

Eos M2 Cons:

• Rear control wheel around the 4 way controller is the worst type of control wheel
• 18mp sensor (same as M10, lower than M100)
• Strap attachment system is proprietary and the adapters are expensive and clunky
• AF is the worst of the three. Not far from the M10, but much worse than M100
• No screen articulation
• Video record button does not work in photo mode, and shutter does not work in video mode...dumb functionality, might as well not have the record button. M10/M100 do it properly.

Eos m10 Pros:

• Best control wheel by far. Much better placement than M2, and much better tactility than M100
• Articulating screen (Same as m100)
• Better AWB than M2, same as M100
• Cheapest small M body with the proper control wheel placement
• Cheapest small M body with the flip screen
• Feels modern like the M100, for less cost
• Record button works properly in all modes like the M100, unlike the M2
• Normal strap lugs

Eos M10 Cons:

• Hardest to hold, with a very slick front and no grip at all.
• Still has the 18mp sensor
• AF is still closer to M2 than the DPAF in the M100
• Worst build quality of the three. Closer to the M100 than the M2, but feels cheaper.

Eos M100 Pros:

• 24 mp sensor, overall best IQ. Yes, it matters because the 22mm is very sharp and outresolves the 18mp sensor in my experience. The files look better bottom line.
• By far the best autofocus. Fast, more confident, don't have to always target a high contrast area.
• Can make the autofocus box smaller for single point AF. This is HUGE, not sure why the others don't allow this common feature.
• Most snappy and modern interface
• Build quality is better than M10, but not as good as M2
• Control wheel is in the proper spot
• Record button works properly
• Normal strap lugs

Eos M100 Cons:

• The control wheels is very sticky, cheap feeling, and bounces around. By far the worst tactile feeling of all the cameras. But I still put it above the M2 because it is located in a much better position. The M10 control wheel operates much nicer.
• Still plastic build unlike the M2

Final Thoughts/Conclusion:

After moving through these three cameras, I have a great appreciation for all of them in their own way. The M2 with its rock solid build quality, the M10 with its excellent control wheel, and the M100 with fast AF and high megapixel sensor.

But in the end, the M100 is the best camera, as I expected. And it is the one I will stick with for a while as my everday camera. I have finally found something I can take anywhere and get great images, without breaking the bank on an X100 or Ricoh GRiii.

The M100 paired with "film simulations" aka custom picture profiles results in one of the best walkaround cameras for the price. APSC sensor and great SOOC jpegs just like fujifilm for way less money. If you want a great little camera to take anywhere and document life, look no further than the M100 paired with 22mm f2 and some film sims.

Here is a quick film sim comparison to see how they look (Classic Chrome, Classic Negative, Crowdak, and Nostalgic Negative, from left to right)



And here is an assortment of images with the three cameras, all with classic negative film sim, all straight out of camera.

 

[Sittatunga]

That's a pretty good summary; I have all three cameras, though I must have bought mine at bargain rates.

The M2 has lovely colours, was the smallest ever M series camera and was the first of the M series to be able to connect wirelessly to a phone. Its big advantage though is its hotshoe, which not only lets you into the whole Canon Speedlite system but works beautifully with a GPS unit such as the Solmeta GMAX-EOS2. That combination also records the direction the camera was pointed in, unlike the R series cameras. It adds bulk, but it's detachable (great for a travel camera) and avoids the problems of trying to Bluetooth a couple of cameras to the same phone at the same time.

The first thing I did with both my M10 and M100 was to stick a Flipbak grip on the front, which transformed the handling but they've stopped making them now. A cheap stick-on grip for a Sony RX 100 (without the curved former that's part of the real thing) should work well. My M10 is white and slippery - Canon added texture to the M100 to help.

Of the three, it's my M100 that gets most use because it has the most refined handling and the 24 megapixel sensor. The M10 gets the least love.

 

[StrugglingforLight]

That's a pretty good summary; I have all three cameras, though I must have bought mine at bargain rates.

The M2 has lovely colours, was the smallest ever M series camera and was the first of the M series to be able to connect wirelessly to a phone. Its big advantage though is its hotshoe, which not only lets you into the whole Canon Speedlite system but works beautifully with a GPS unit such as the Solmeta GMAX-EOS2. That combination also records the direction the camera was pointed in, unlike the R series cameras. It adds bulk, but it's detachable (great for a travel camera) and avoids the problems of trying to Bluetooth a couple of cameras to the same phone at the same time.

The first thing I did with both my M10 and M100 was to stick a Flipbak grip on the front, which transformed the handling but they've stopped making them now. A cheap stick-on grip for a Sony RX 100 (without the curved former that's part of the real thing) should work well. My M10 is white and slippery - Canon added texture to the M100 to help.

Of the three, it's my M100 that gets most use because it has the most refined handling and the 24 megapixel sensor. The M10 gets the least love.

This grip is still available and solid. Completely transforms the handling of the M100/M200 ime.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/622615845/custom-grip-for-canon-eos-m100-and-m200

 

[StrugglingforLight]

Intro

For the past couple years, I have been searching for the perfect compact everyday camera. My main camera is a Panasonic GX9 which I love but it is just large and heavy enough to be a "neck strap camera". I wanted a pocket/wrist strap camera, that I can take everywhere.

So, I went through the following progression: Olympus XZ2 -> Olympus XZ10 -> Nikon 1 J5 -> EOS M2, with a detour in Fuji XA1 and XA2.

When I got the EOS M2, it was the first camera to really click. The IQ was just as good as my main camera, but I could fit it in a pants pocket or jacket pocket and take it anywhere.

So I knew the smallest line of EOS M cameras was perfect for me. And so my journey started.

How I acquired Each Body:

EOS M2:

Purchased from ebay for $330 WITH the 22mm f2 lens. So the I got the body for essentially $230.

Eos M10:

Purchased from ebay for $290, body only.

Eos M100:

Purchased from ebay for $350, with 15-45mm kit lens

Pros and Cons:

Eos M2 Pros:

• Build quality is significantly better than M10/M100. Metal build.
• Buttons feel significantly higher quality than M10/M100.
• 4 Way controller and buttons are bigger than M10/M100, easier to use
• Fixed screen adds to feeling of quality and solidness
• Mic input
• Hot shoe
• Better front grip than M10/M100, feels less slippery and easier to hold
• Button to reset autofocus point to center. Others must use the touchscreen.

Eos M2 Cons:

• Rear control wheel around the 4 way controller is the worst type of control wheel
• 18mp sensor (same as M10, lower than M100)
• Strap attachment system is proprietary and the adapters are expensive and clunky
• AF is the worst of the three. Not far from the M10, but much worse than M100
• No screen articulation
• Video record button does not work in photo mode, and shutter does not work in video mode...dumb functionality, might as well not have the record button. M10/M100 do it properly.

Eos m10 Pros:

• Best control wheel by far. Much better placement than M2, and much better tactility than M100
• Articulating screen (Same as m100)
• Better AWB than M2, same as M100
• Cheapest small M body with the proper control wheel placement
• Cheapest small M body with the flip screen
• Feels modern like the M100, for less cost
• Record button works properly in all modes like the M100, unlike the M2
• Normal strap lugs

Eos M10 Cons:

• Hardest to hold, with a very slick front and no grip at all.
• Still has the 18mp sensor
• AF is still closer to M2 than the DPAF in the M100
• Worst build quality of the three. Closer to the M100 than the M2, but feels cheaper.

Eos M100 Pros:

• 24 mp sensor, overall best IQ. Yes, it matters because the 22mm is very sharp and outresolves the 18mp sensor in my experience. The files look better bottom line.
• By far the best autofocus. Fast, more confident, don't have to always target a high contrast area.
• Can make the autofocus box smaller for single point AF. This is HUGE, not sure why the others don't allow this common feature.
• Most snappy and modern interface
• Build quality is better than M10, but not as good as M2
• Control wheel is in the proper spot
• Record button works properly
• Normal strap lugs

Eos M100 Cons:

• The control wheels is very sticky, cheap feeling, and bounces around. By far the worst tactile feeling of all the cameras. But I still put it above the M2 because it is located in a much better position. The M10 control wheel operates much nicer.
• Still plastic build unlike the M2

Final Thoughts/Conclusion:

After moving through these three cameras, I have a great appreciation for all of them in their own way. The M2 with its rock solid build quality, the M10 with its excellent control wheel, and the M100 with fast AF and high megapixel sensor.

But in the end, the M100 is the best camera, as I expected. And it is the one I will stick with for a while as my everday camera. I have finally found something I can take anywhere and get great images, without breaking the bank on an X100 or Ricoh GRiii.

The M100 paired with "film simulations" aka custom picture profiles results in one of the best walkaround cameras for the price. APSC sensor and great SOOC jpegs just like fujifilm for way less money. If you want a great little camera to take anywhere and document life, look no further than the M100 paired with 22mm f2 and some film sims.

Here is a quick film sim comparison to see how they look (Classic Chrome, Classic Negative, Crowdak, and Nostalgic Negative, from left to right)



And here is an assortment of images with the three cameras, all with classic negative film sim, all straight out of camera.

Where did you get the film sims from? I know of the Crowdak one from Thomas Fransson. It's alright but I don't like what it does to some colors on sunny days.

 

[M4Mobility]

I will advise you to also take a look at the M200.

I have both the M100 and the M200.

The M100 is a very nice camera. But of the two, the M200 gets much more use because of the snappier Digic 8 processor. It has a better auto focus and has the small Spot AF box in both One Shot and Servo mode. And if you shoot jpegs it has both Distortion Correction and DLO built in.

M200 + EF-M 22mm f/2 is just a fantastic small powerful pocket combination.

--
- M4M
“I ain't afraid of no noise.”

 

[StrugglingforLight]

I will advise you to also take a look at the M200.

I have both the M100 and the M200.

The M100 is a very nice camera. But of the two, the M200 gets much more use because of the snappier Digic 8 processor. It has a better auto focus and has the small Spot AF box in both One Shot and Servo mode. And if you shoot jpegs it has both Distortion Correction and DLO built in.

M200 + EF-M 22mm f/2 is just a fantastic small powerful pocket combination.

The current going price for an M200 on MPB is over $500. Sorry but this isn't a $500 camera, no way.

 

[M4Mobility]

I will advise you to also take a look at the M200.

I have both the M100 and the M200.

The M100 is a very nice camera. But of the two, the M200 gets much more use because of the snappier Digic 8 processor. It has a better auto focus and has the small Spot AF box in both One Shot and Servo mode. And if you shoot jpegs it has both Distortion Correction and DLO built in.

M200 + EF-M 22mm f/2 is just a fantastic small powerful pocket combination.

The current going price for an M200 on MPB is over $500. Sorry but this isn't a $500 camera, no way.

They seem very popular.

M100 is over $400. So just $100 more for the M200 is worth it IMHO.

--
- M4M
“I ain't afraid of no noise.”

 

[awmaster10]

That's a pretty good summary; I have all three cameras, though I must have bought mine at bargain rates.

The M2 has lovely colours, was the smallest ever M series camera and was the first of the M series to be able to connect wirelessly to a phone. Its big advantage though is its hotshoe, which not only lets you into the whole Canon Speedlite system but works beautifully with a GPS unit such as the Solmeta GMAX-EOS2. That combination also records the direction the camera was pointed in, unlike the R series cameras. It adds bulk, but it's detachable (great for a travel camera) and avoids the problems of trying to Bluetooth a couple of cameras to the same phone at the same time.

Yes the M2 is a great camera, with some important features added over the original M. Colors are fantastic as well. I think warming up the AWB on the M10 and M100 gets you pretty close, but not identical.

The hot shoe is definitely a big bonus. I have not tried the GPS unit but that is great information. Would be fantastic for travel to have your location and direction of each shot.

The first thing I did with both my M10 and M100 was to stick a Flipbak grip on the front, which transformed the handling but they've stopped making them now. A cheap stick-on grip for a Sony RX 100 (without the curved former that's part of the real thing) should work well. My M10 is white and slippery - Canon added texture to the M100 to help.

All of mine have a leather half case, which really helps for grip. Some of the half cases actually have a beefed up grip section which makes them quite comfortable.

Of the three, it's my M100 that gets most use because it has the most refined handling and the 24 megapixel sensor. The M10 gets the least love.

Same here. I love the 22mm, but would often prefer a tighter FOV for my walkaround. Instead of having to use a larger longer lens, I can crop a bit and use it like a 40mm or 50mm eq fov. Gives me a lot more flexibility.

Thanks for reading

 

[awmaster10]

Where did you get the film sims from? I know of the Crowdak one from Thomas Fransson. It's alright but I don't like what it does to some colors on sunny days.

Yes crowdak is maybe better for overcast conditions. Not my favorite for sunny days either. Classic Negative is my favorite for daylight, and you can tune it back if you don't like the high contrast and saturation.

I got the fuji film sims from here: Fuji Simulation Picture Styles | Film Simulation for Canon cameras

Pricy for sure. But if you are looking for SOOC film sims, it is still much cheaper than shelling out for a Fuji body that supports the newer simulations. Classic Negative is only on their newest bodies, so you are spending $1k+ for the body. And if you want something small, your only option is the XM5, which is still significantly larger than these Canons.

At this stage in my photography journey, the joy of enjoying photos SOOC is worth $50 for me. Especially for documenting daily life and sharing with friends and family.

 

[awmaster10]

I will advise you to also take a look at the M200.

I have both the M100 and the M200.

The M100 is a very nice camera. But of the two, the M200 gets much more use because of the snappier Digic 8 processor. It has a better auto focus and has the small Spot AF box in both One Shot and Servo mode. And if you shoot jpegs it has both Distortion Correction and DLO built in.

M200 + EF-M 22mm f/2 is just a fantastic small powerful pocket combination.

The current going price for an M200 on MPB is over $500. Sorry but this isn't a $500 camera, no way.

They seem very popular.

M100 is over $400. So just $100 more for the M200 is worth it IMHO.

From my experience, a comparable M200 is about $150 more than the M100. Which is probably worth it for the average person.

For me, the autofocus on the M2 was already good enough. The M100 is faster than I need for my use. So I chose the M100 because it is the cheapest option to get the 24mp sensor.

I would definitely enjoy having the small autofocus box in AFC. Or eye tracking. Those are the main features I would enjoy. But I can wait for now, the M100 is working great for my daily use!