Canon EOS M 18.0 MP Compact Systems Camera: Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera

It’s finally here – the first compact system camera from Canon.

Canon has been conspicuous by its absence from the expanding compact system camera (CSC)  market, but that’s changed with the introduction of the EOS M. It’s centered around an 18-megapixel APC-C size CMOS sensor in conjunction with Canon’s DIGIC-5 processor and a new lens mount. The great news for existing Canon users is there is also a Mount Adapter EF-EOS M available. This allows you to use EOS-fit lenses on the M.

Initially, two lenses will be available, the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 standard zoom and EF-M 22mm f/2 pancake. Both boast STM or Stepper Motor technology for smoother autofocus.

Other notable features include a touch sensitive Sin monitor (but no eye-level viewfinder), an ISO range of 100-12,800, expandable to an equivalent of ISO 25,600, full HD capability and a range of creative in-camera filters including Toy Camera and Grainy Black & White.

The camera will be available in shops from this October in black, white, silver and red finishes.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Large sensor with large pixels
• Hot shoe for flash units
• Phase-detect and contrast-detect AF
• Multi-Shot NR and HDR modes
• 1080p video in MPEG-4
• 4.3-fps drive speed
• Available in red, black or white

Cons

• No viewfinder even as an accessory
• Few external controls

Canon EOS M Specs

Canon’s fashionably late entry to the ILC party

• New EF-M lens mount (optimized for APS-C sensor size)
• 18MP APS-C ‘Hybrid CMOS’ sensor
• Continuous autofocus in movie mode with subject tracking
• 14-bit DIGIC5 processor
• ISO 100-12800 standard, 25600 expanded
• 4.3 fps continuous shooting, 3 fps with autofocus tracking
• 1080p30 video recording, stereo sound (with 25p or 24p options)
• External microphone socket and adjustable sound recording level
• 1040k dot 3:2 touch-sensitive ClearView II LCD (capacitative type, multi-touch support)
• Standard EOS hot-shoe for external flash (no built-in flash)
• Creative Filters’ image-processing controls, previewed live on-screen 

Video Review

Hands on First Look

For those looking to capture superb quality Full HD video, the M offers a number of advantages. Offering a large APS-C sized sensor, the camera is able to deliver shallow depth-of-field for achieving impressive cine-style results and the ability to capture clean, high-quality video, even under very low-light conditions.

Canon EOS M Lens Specifications

•  18.0 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor, DIGIC 5 Image Processor, ISO 100-12800; expandable to 25600 (H)
• Hybrid CMOS AF and Multi Shot Noise Reduction
• EOS Full HD Movie mode with Movie Servo AF for continuous focus tracking of moving subjects
• Compatible with Canon EF and EF-S lenses (Optional EF Lens Adapter is required)
• Compatibility with SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards, including new Ultra High Speed (UHS-I) cards

Fitted with the same sensor and processor as the new 650D, this tiny fit-in-your-pocket CSC is capable of shooting Full HD video, capturing 18MP images, frame bursts of 4.3fps and has an ISO range of 100-25,600.

Borrowing some of the attractive cosmetic design of its PowerShot SX260HS compact camera, Canon’s EOS M carefully evokes a classic rangefinder, yet with a sleek, contemporary style.

Compatible with the full line of Canon EF and EF-S lenses (optional Mount Adapter EF-EOS M is required)

Features a new style lens mount, called EF-M. Besides the dedicated EF-M lenses, the camera is compatible with the entire family of Canon EF and EF-S lenses by attaching the optional Mount Adapter EF-EOS M. When the adapter is used, the image quality of the lens is preserved, with no light loss or change to image stabilization.

From fisheye to telephoto and everywhere in between, Canon offers the most comprehensive lens collection on the planet, with the finest optics and most advanced technologies for whatever application is at hand.

When shooting video with one of new STM lenses, the camera’s Movie Servo AF feature takes advantage of the lens’ stepping motor for smooth and quiet continuous AF.

Commercial

 If you’re looking to supplement your collection, or considering a jump from a point-and-shoot, this is certainly one to watch.

With a very minimal yet sleek design there’s definitely no worry of not knowing what buttons to press, mainly because there are so few on show. Even a mode dial is missing! They’re all neatly tucked away in the easy to scroll through menus that are activated by the super-responsive touchscreen technology. Delve into the LCD screen and all the settings and modes you need are found here.

Sample Shots

Bottom Line

Whether you’re a Canon DSLR owner looking for a CSC to use your collection of EOS lenses on, or a first-time buyer, there’s no denying that this is a lovely piece of kit. I really can’t rave enough about how good the responsive touchscreen is at making it a simple camera to navigate around.

Essential Accessories

As you can see, there’s no internal flash. Not to worry though, Canon has thrown in a flashgun to fit onto the hotshoe. This hotshoe also means that if you are a current Canon user and have a flashgun for your DSLR you can use that too for more creative flash photography. Canon has taken into account that this new mount means new lenses, so have made a mount adapter allowing you to use any EOS lens.

• Canon EOS M 18 0 MP Compact Systems Camera with 3 0-Inch LCD and EF-M 22mm STM Lens