Canon EOS M2- The Second Mirrorless Camera of Canon

Brand: Canon

Body Type: Rangefinder-style mirrorless

TYPE: Canon EOS M2

LEVEL: Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera

Being the last maker of the Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera, Canon introduced the company's first mirrorless compact system camera last July 23, 2012 known as the Canon EOS M to the world with so much excitement and fascination as Canon is known to manufacture great cameras producing better images complementing the four keys to image quality: sensor, autofocus (AF), shutter and lens.

The new-launched Canon EOS M2 with white color design (Front and Rear View)

The launching was a blast and successful and news about it skyrocketed however when it first hit to the market, the EOS M received as many mixed reviews most specially its lack of Electronic Viewfinder and built-in flash together with the slow autofocus (AF) speed. 

With such concerns made by the general readers, hobbyists, and professional photographers, the Canon Japan introduced the Canon EOS M2 last December 03, 2013 to its Japan and Asian markets only, thus, the EOS M2 is a Japan-only model as of the moment although there is a possibility that the EOS M2 will come to the USA and Europe as per stated by Go Tokura, (the Group Executibe, ICP Group 2, Image Communication Products OPerations, Canon Inc.) during an interview with Barnaby Britton.

The Canon EOS M2 is considered to be an updated version of the EOS M, the first Mirrorless Interchangeable System Camera with improved faster autofocus (AF) performance equipped with the Hybrid CMOS AF II sensor, an advance autofocus technology enhancing the focusing speed for Live View photography and movie shooting.

According to Canon Technology, the Hybrid CMOS AF is a combination of the phase-difference method for faster focusing and the contrast method for higher accuracy. Thus much faster and more precise focusing than the AF systems of former models.

The "II" in the Hybrid CMOS AF II Sensor indicated the upgraded high-speed and high-precision focus which makes use of an imaging sensor that supports AF across a wide area spanning approximately 80% vertically and horizontally of the shooting area.

KEY SPECIFICATION FEATURES:
- 18 Megapixels (Effective pixels)
- APS-C Sensor size (22.3 x 14.9 mm)
- CMOS Sensor (Hybrid CMOS AF II)
- Digic 5 Image Processor
- ISO 100-12800 (25600 with boost)
- Full HD video with 3x-10x digital zoom (1920x1080p at 24, 25, 30fps)
- Built-in WIFI
- 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
- 4.6 fps (Continuous Shooting Speed)
- 3.3 fps (with autofocus tracking)
- Standard EOS hot-shoe for external flash
- 8% smaller than the Canon EOS M
- Allows remote operation of the smartphone (using EOS remote)

CONCLUSION:
The Canon EOS M2 is a stylish, light-weight and slightly smaller in size (about 8% of its predecessor) with much updated and improved autofocus performance using the Hybrid CMOS AF II which is said to be much faster at approximately 2.3x than the first M series. Additionally, the EOS M2 includes the built-in WIFI support and allows picture sharing and transfer through smartphones using the EOS remote operation and even redesigning the mode dial.

Aside of the autofocus performance (AF system) redefined, the FULL High Definition video is also improved with the Canon's 3x-10x digital zoom, most likely the same with that of the Canon EOS 600D and AF Servo Mode for shooting movies.

Therefore, the Canon EOS M2 is still a perfect choice for everyone who wish to have small camera with SLR-like image quality. Plus the new features added to the updated version mentioned above!

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
- With built-in wireless LAN function (WIFI enabled)
- Allows remote operation of the smartphone (using EOS remote)
- Compatible with EF and EF-S lenses using EF-EOS M mount adapter
- With Digic 5 Image Processor (Similar to the Canon EOS 650D)
- Hybrid CMOS AF II Sensor (2.3x faster autofocus performance and Similar to the Canon EOS 100D)
- Full High Definition Movies with AF Servo Mode (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
- 8% smaller than the Canon EOS M
- With 3x-10x digital zoom (For Full HD Movie similar to Canon EOS 600D)

WEAKNESSES (CONS):

- No built-in flash
- No built-in Electronic Viewfinder (or means to connect one)
- Poor battery life at approximately 230 shots
- Slow max shutter speed (1/4000 of a second)
- Not weather sealed

As shown above, the Canon EOS M2 have redesigned features such as an added built-in WIFI for image sharing and transfers with smartphones. The metallic black color of the hotshoe also changed. With the Black EOS M2, the new color is metallic alloy while the Black EOS M has the metallic black. Same with the White EOS M2 and EOS M, both hotshoe color interchanged.

Above picture shows the bottom and flipped features of the Canon EOS M2. Same as the EOS M, the EOS M2 can be mounted to a tripod using its tripod attachment. The battery and the cardholder also located at the bottom of the EOS M2.

Above image shows a comparison of the Black and White EOS M2 with Left and Right Side. The new EOS M2 has the same AV/OUT, HDMI ports (mini) and Microphone Jack located at the left side of the unit. Compared to the EOS M, the EOS M2 has a redesigned feature of the outer body. Additionally, the stereo microphones have moved to the front of the camera.

Above image shows both 2 color designs (available at Black an White) of Canon EOS M2 with the EF-M 18-55mm IS STM Lens.