The EOS M, Canon’s first mirrorless camera

Canon finally announced (on July 23, 2012) the anxiously awaited EOS M – its first mirrorless camera. With an 18MP APS-C sensor and DIGIC 5 image processor, this new camera is truly a hybrid, combining elements of an EOS DSLR squeezed into a compactly sized (Point-and-Shoot) camera largely operated via its touch screen LCD. Future EOS M Users may be able to boast of having the convenience of a compact camera with DSLR functionality.

Canon EOS M (front view)

Front

Rear

Side

The EOS M is designed with a new lens mount of which the new 22mm f/2 STM and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lenses are able to be attached. Additionally, Canon has provided a Mount Adapter, the EF-EOS M, which makes it possible to attach any lens from the over 70 EF and EF-S lenses. This means that users can attach any of the ‘Great Whites’ (e.g. the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens) to the EOS M.

EF-EOS M, Mount Adapter

22mm f/2 STM Lens

18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens

Outstanding features of the EOS M include:

EOS Full HD Movie mode with Movie Servo AF – keeps focus on moving subjects.

Hybrid CMOS AF – utilizes the CMOS sensor and Phase Difference Auto-focus to increase the speed and accuracy of focusing.

18.0-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor – is the same exact sensor like that in the Canon Rebel T4i. It’s a crop sensor, and therefore will magnify subjects with a factor of 1.6, regardless of any lens used.

ISO 100-6400 – of which in H mode is expandable to 12800 for video recording and 25600 for photos.

Touch Screen 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor II – has approximately 1,040,000 dots with a smudge resistant coating. The touch screen allows users to tap, slide and pinch-to-zoom to engage the camera’s functions.

Scene Intelligent Auto mode – selects the best settings automatically for specific situations.

Imaging features –  including the Handheld Night Scene mode, HDR Backlight Control mode and seven creative Filters for in-camera post processing.

Multi-shot Noise Reduction (NR) – helps to preserve details when using high ISO levels.

Card compatibility– compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards, including new Ultra High Speed (UHS-I) cards.

GPS compatibility – compatible with Canon’s GPS Receiver GP-E2

Speedlite compatibility –  compatible with all Canon Speedlite accessories including the new Speedlite 600EX and Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT. Canon has also produced its newest and most compact Speedlite yet – the 90EX. Created specifically with the EOS M in mind, this flash unit is great for a photographer on the go.

Speedlite 90EX

EOS M /w Speedlite 90EX

Forseen limitations of the EOS M

Apparently, Canon is still performing tweaks because although Reviewers have been able to test out the camera, no sample images have been released – or at least not many. However, the expectancy for the EOS M’s performance is high, but there still are some hiccups. For one thing, it doesn’t have a viewfinder. While a fully functional LCD touch screen is attractive to a particular market, there is a common visibility problem when using LCD screens in sunlight. Moreover, without alternative buttons, the LCD screen can be impractical or at least inconvenient – a user has to be looking at the screen to tap, whereas a dedicated button breeds a particular familiarity with a user’s fingers. The price may also be a huge detractor, but then again Canon seeks a particular sophisticated market of persons who wish to have a simple to use compact camera with DSLR capabilities.

Let’s watch, see and eventually test what the EOS M can really do. Until then, we can speculate based on specifications, images and videos.