Cutaway view of the EOS M with EF-M 18mm-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens
Even though there are no production units yet, forums are once again buzzing about the coming of the new Canon EOS M. The actual release date for this mirrorless system camera is slated for October. The EOS M will come in four different colors. Canon plans to release their first milc—mirrorless interchangeable lens camera—in three different kits.
According to DPReview, the MSRP for the EOS M + EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit will be around 800 USD, 1,045 USD with the EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM kit, 1,290 USD with both lenses kit and 1,200 USD for the EOS M + EF-M 22mm f/2 STM + EF adapter kit. The bad news is the EOS M doesn’t offer an articulate screen nor a built-in flash. The good news is you get to play with touch screen and Canon generously throws in a tiny Speedlite 90EX; however, this generosity will only available to some markets.
Canon Speedlite 90 EX on a black body EOS M and EF-M 18mm-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens
Let’s take a look at the key features on the mirrorless EOS M body,
- 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 (capacitive type, multi-touch support)
- Standard EOS hot-shoe for external flash (no built-in flash)
- ‘Creative Filters’ image-processing controls, previewed live on-screen
The following are the specs for the two new EF-M lenses,
Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM
- Format | APS-C
- Focal length | 22mm
- 35mm-equiv focal length | 35mm
- Diagonal angle of view | 63°30′
- Maximum aperture | 1:2
- Lens construction | 7 elements / 6 groups
- Focus motor type | Linear Stepper Motor
- Focus method | • Unit focus • Focus-by-wire manual focus
- Zoom method | n/a
- Minimum focus distance | 0.15m / 0.49 ft
- Filter thread | • 43mm • Does not rotate on focusing
- Dimensions | 60.9 x 23.7mm (2.38 x 0.93 in)
- Weight | 105g (3.7 oz)
Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
Canon EF-M 18mm-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and the EF-M 22mm f/2 STM
My dear readers, before you get all excited, getting ready to make a pre-order–yes, B&H is ready to take your pre-order, you should take a look at the specs of the Canon PowerShot G12, the Fujifilm FinePix X10 and the Olympus PEN E-PL3. Not much different beside the interchangeable lens, the APS-C sensor type and the price tag, isn’t it? Sometimes, the truth can be disappointed but it is still the truth.
The EOS M is nothing more than a point-n-shoot camera that offers the interchangeable lens ability. If you’re shooting with a not-so-smart-phone or you’re giving your teenager daughter her first camera, this system camera seems like a good idea. But if you’re looking for something compact, forget the EOS M system. You may feel better to waste 800 dollars on a Leica D-LUX 5.
Samples of the EOS M with EF-M 18mm-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens in silver, red, white and black
I can’t deny that I’m disappointed with the EOS M system camera. I’m not talking about the image quality since I have not played with the camera yet. I’m talking about its philosophy and design. While the camera body is compact, the size of the zoom lens defeats the purpose of its design. With no physical control, the EOS M forces its users to rely on its touch screen. American fat fingers will not appreciate those tiny icons. True blood photographers will use it as a paperweight. I rather squeeze my balls and die in agony than having to use a camera that is built like a smartphone but without a phone.
Canon EF to EF-M Adapter
From the spec sheets, the two EF-M lenses seem to hold higher standards than the EOS M body. Just don’t compare their price tags and optical performances to the Fujinon XF lenses and you will be happy. While the LSM or Linear Stepper Motor AF is a wonder to videography, the Focus-by-Wire manual focus is a drag to photography. Don’t waste your time trying to defend Canon on this one, my reader friends. As they give the best to their professional camera line, they give their consumer line lemons in the orange peels. Need proof? Take a look at the timeline of the Canon PowerShot G models. They go from awesome to decent to nothing-special-but-expensive point-n-shoot cameras.
Top view of Canon first mirrorless camera, the EOS M with EF-M 22mm f/2 STM lens
How do you like to pay 40 some dollars for a battery that will last about 230 shots? Beside the turtle-speed EF-M lens, the awesome touch screen on the EOS M needs lots of juice to power them up.
As a Canon user, I am very disappointed at their current compact camera lines. I stopped spending money on their G models after the PowerShot G10. To me, the new EOS M and the EF-M 22mm f/2 doesn’t worth 800 USD. I also doubt that its image quality will beat the Fujifilm FinePix X10. But all these are my thoughts base on the spec sheets and the design of the EOS M system camera. I have to get my hands on the units to make my conclusion.
Still, I think Canon design teams can come up with an ergonomic and more attractive for the EOS M body.
July 27th, 2012 at 11:30
Good post Kris. A friend and I have often had conversations re: the lenses. Why make the camera so compact and continue to throw bigger lenses out for them. I’d like to see more pancake style faster lenses for these. Lenses that keep it in the category of “Compact”
August 2nd, 2012 at 01:25
My apology for the late reply. I’m, too, a fan of pancake lenses. Unfortunately, a bright, quality pancake lens is often cost more to make comparing to those bulky lenses. Any lens that has an f/ stop larger than 1:2,8 requires more space in between optics, as well as thicker and bigger glasses to absorb and correct the light, etc..