Canon EOS M- The First Mirrorless Camera of Canon

BRAND: Canon
BODY TYPE: Rangefinder-style mirrorless
TYPE: Canon EOS M
LEVEL: Mirorless Interchangeable Lens Camera

Almost four years since the introduction of the first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera known as the Lumix DMC-G1 by Panasonic, Canon announced the EOS M last July 23, 2012 as the first mirrorless interchangeable camera produced by the company and considered to be a smaller and lighter alternative to an SLR (Single Lens Reflex). The letter "M" in EOS M stands for "Mobility" thus Electro-Optical System Mobility.

Also considered as the long and much-awaited entry into the mirrorless camera market and part of the renowned EOS Series by Canon with size and performance redefined, the Canon EOS M is accordingly, the first model of the company to use a new, and smaller EF-M lens mount with a stylish and a compact-camera physicality with DSLR-like image quality.

The Canon EOS M comes with 4 different color designs to choose from (Red, Black, Silver, and White).

[Right image shows the four different color designs of the Canon EOS M at Front View]

KEY SPECIFICATION FEATURES:
- 18 Megapixels (Effective pixels)
- APS-C Sensor size (22.3 x 14.9 mm)
- CMOS Sensor
- Digic 5 Image Processor
- ISO 100-12800 (25600 with boost)
- Full HD video (1920x1080p at 24, 25, 30fps)
- 3.0 inches Clear View II TFT LCD Touch Screen (with 1,040,000 screen dots and multi-touch support)
- Creative Filters image-processing controls, previewed live on-screen (Grainy B&W, Art Bold Effect and Water Painting Effect)
- Scene Intelligent Auto
- Max resolution at 5184 x 3456
- Shutter speed at 1/4000 sec (The maximum)
- 31-point Hybrid AF system
- 4.3 fps (Continuous Shooting Speed)
- 3 fps (with autofocus tracking)
- Standard EOS hot-shoe for external flash

[Right image shows the four different color designs of the Canon EOS M with the pancake EF-M 22mm prime lens. The EF-M 22mm lens is one of the two lenses launched to complement the EOS M]

CONCLUSION:

The Canon EOS M is a stylish and compact mirrorless system camera compatible with EF and EF-S lenses and offers large and high quality images with multiple functions for image capture, exposure metering and focusing. With size and performance redefined, this smaller and lighter weight mirrorless camera is considered to be a perfect choice for everyone who wish to have small camera with SLR-like image quality.

The Rear view of the Canon EOS M. As you can see on
the image, the Canon EOS M has no built-in Electronic
Viewfinder and no built-in flash though there is the
Canon Hotshoe which is fully compatible with all
Canon Speedlite flashguns.

REASONS TO BUY (PROS):

- Better image quality (with 18 megapixel and field-reduction cropping factor at 1.6x)

- 3 inches Clear View II TFT LCD Touch Screen with multi-touch gestures (swiping, pinch to zoom and tapping)

- Expandable ISO at 25600 with boost

- Compatible with EF and EF-S lenses using EF-EOS M mount adapter

- With Digic 5 Image Processor (Similar to the Canon EOS 650D)

- 31-point Hybrid AF system (for fine-tuning and phase-detect)

- Small and Light Weight (298g)

- Full High Definition Movies (1920x1080p at 30fps)

- Built-in Stereo Mics and Adjustable audio levels

- Composite shooting modes including High Dynamic Range (HDR)

- 4-frame multi-shot noise reduction option

WEAKNESSES (CONS):

- No built-in flash

- No built-in Electronic Viewfinder (or means to connect one)

- Poor auto-focus performance

- Poor battery life at approximately 230 shots

- No Image Stabilizer (risk of blur)

- Slow max shutter speed (1/4000 of a second)
- Not weather sealed

Above image shows the 4 different color designs of the Canon EOS M in front view from White to Gray and Black to Red. The EOS M has no built-in flash though it includes the Canon hotshoe which is compatible with Canon Speedlite flashguns. Canon also offered the new Speedlite 90EX mini flash unit as kit together with the EF-M 22mm STM and EF-M 18-55mm STM. It is very compact and specifically designed for Canon EOS M.

Above image shows the Top View of the Canon EOS M with the mini flash Canon Speedlite 90EX. The flash gun is available for EOS M kits.

Above image shows the Red EOS M with different EF-M lenses such as the EF-M 22mm STM as the pancake prime lens, EF-M 11-22mm IS STM, the newest add-on EF-M lens and considered to be the first wide-angle EF-M lens, and the 18-55mm IS STM, the standard zoom lens. The image also shows the Canon EOS M body at top view.

Above image shows the left view of the EOS M together with the EF-M 22mm IS STM prime lens and the EF-M 18-55mm IS STM standard zoom lens. As you can see, the AV/OUT is located at the left side of the EOS M together with the HDMI ports (mini) and the 3.5mm Microphone Jack.

Above image shows the left and right sides of the EOS M with both EF-M 22mm IS STM  (equivalent to 35mm) prime lens and the EF-M 18-55mm IS STM (equivalent to 29-88mm) standard zoom lens being compared.