Thoughts on Canon EOS-M (I bought one)

M

meauounji

Well-known member
So B&H had that megasale on the Canon EOS-M the other day. ($300 for camera + 22mm f2) I bit and got one as a gift for my sister.

I got to play around with the camera a bit today, and I have to say, I'm kinda impressed. The camera's flaws are well publicized, so I won't go into all the problems it has, (hint, it's the same as a T4i) but damn, something slightly larger than a compact point and shoot that is functionally identical to the T4i for video is pretty damn cool. The touch autofocus + continuous autofocus (think iphone auto focus) is really interesting. It's nice to be able to just touch the screen and let it work. I'm kinda wishing I had gotten two just to keep one as a backup cam.

The camera makes me look forward to the day a 5Dmk3-like capability is shrunken to a similar package size. It's not that far off. A good chunk of a 5D's mass come from the pentaprism and flipping mirror. For me, holding an EOS-M is really one of those "this is the future" moments. (for the record, I shoot with a 5Dmk3 currently)

For all the crap this camera gets, I think there are applications for it. The fact that it's so tiny and has autofocus really got me thinking about where I can put this little thing.

Makes me think about getting a Sony NEX or something. I think I see what all the buzz around mirrorless is all about now.
 
I also think mirrorless is the future. I'll add this reasons to the ones you already posted: compare this with this.
Plus, on mirrorless you can use a focal length reducer (in my case, a metabones speedbooster), which turns your APS-C into a FF camera.

A bigger and heavier camera helps get better camera movement, but you can always add size and weight, it's cheap and easy.

Image-wise, well, the EOS-M would be a step backwards for many. I went from a T2i to a NEX-5N and it felt like a big improvement. Comparison here, thoughts on the NEX here.
 
i bought via the $299/b&h sale, i couldn't help myself!

eos-m should arrive today.

having NEVER used a canon dslr, i'm looking forward to seeing if the eos-m is a capable pocket still shooter AND a small, very portable one-person interview camera.

fingers crossed.

ymmv

be well.

rob
smalltalk productions
nyc
 
I think the next step is to make the 2014 Rebel mirrorless. Keep the size and design but go mirrorless with an EVF. That will help push the EOS-M lenses. They already have an 18-55 EOS-M lens which is typically included with a Rebel kit. Now they just need to put the new 70D sensor in that new Rebel and the next EOS-M camera. Which I think is probably a given at this point.

Eventually I think Canon shoud turn their entire APS-C line of cameras mirrorless and only keep the reflex mirror for full-frame. Even if they keep the form factors of the current line up (which I think they should) the benefits of going mirrorless would be better for video. An electronic viewfinder would be most helpful and would be a selling point over Nikon cameras. They could then easily market their cameras as having 100% viewfinder coverage and the ability to use them in video mode.
For us that would also mean more vintage lens compatibility (including PL mount) plus full electronic compatibility with EF glass using their adapter.

I think this is a scenario where starting a new feature at the bottom of the line and then working up would be beneficial.
 
Samuel H said:
I also think mirrorless is the future. I went from a T2i to a NEX-5N and it felt like a big improvement. Comparison here, thoughts on the NEX here.
Click to expand...

I think your are right about the mirrorless future. With BMCC launching 3 different formats should help move things along. I'm getting pretty sleepy with Canon. I'm selling the 60D, rent the 5Dmk3 when my clients want to pay for it and keeping the 600D for now because there is nothing new with Canon except magic lantern which I'm working on.
Your flat test is good. The dollar test does show the Gh is higher resolution with the Nex second, but does that make me want to run out and buy one?ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. not really, makes me want to go have a beer. I don't really shoot many dollars, trees, tile roofs, or brick walls anyway. I'd like a BMCC pocket, but don't really feel like spending $1,000 on Hard drives to store all that footage shot handheld with my old 16mm lenses.
It'd be nice to get excited about new cameras, but there isn't much IQ difference between them.
Right now the only one that looks to be entering the future is the BMCC 4K. That looks promising.
 
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i have been playing with my new-to-me canon eos-m.

since i am not a dslr shooter, i really need to spend a moment understanding this camera, its menus and its capabilities.

that said, i have taken several stills and it does a nice job with raw and jpegs.

my camera shipped with the firmware update 2.0.2.

the autofocus is as quick and accurate as any still camera i have used.

more to come.

ymmv

be well.

rob
smalltalk productions
nyc
 
A real impressive camera, so glad I made that sale... :)

A real impressive camera, so glad I made that sale... :)

I remember last year when there was a fire sale for the Panasonic GF2, and I snagged one like crazy - well, it was my first baby-steps into the DSLR small-size camera - my first time learning photography as a hobby and a starving videographer. I been used to doing things with a camcorder that I pretty much shied away from the digital camera, at that time, implementing video capabilities were in their infancy with the DSLR, so I'm pretty much a late bloomer.

Like the Panny GF2 Amazon $300 sales of last year, I snagged EOS M (I decided to get the body for a good 250), and I am very much impressed. It has been hailed as the 7D/T4i (via Cinema5D) in a small mirrorless camera - and after hearing so much fanfare of the usage of 7Ds and Rebels in photography and movies I say, what the heck and try it out.

I don't let the naysayers get to me in terms of reviews with Canon camera products, so I keep an open mind. I look at it as this: It's a digital camera that can take close to good pictures and video which don't have to cost $$$, but it's worth it. Unlike my Panny, I'm learning as I go along.

Like the others, I'm so glad I made the jump and get on. I'll be sorry to not get a back-up. Oh well, who knows, we might get a surprise along the the way.
 
I have shot with the M since last December, using the 22mm. While the limitations are well known, for $299 you have a 7D in a tiny footprint. I went down the Grand Canyon in May with it, and it did a great job with 2 batteries. However, the video is just as good and bad as the 7D. This is not a 5D full frame, and I welcome the day one shows up. But all the features are great. The ability to monitor you audio prior to shooting, (mic in) and set levels prior to shooting, along with the great lens interchange ( I bought the adapter that allowed me to put on all my 7D glass to it), makes this a no brainer for the price. I've not actually used my 7D since buying the M. The stills, both RAW and JPEG are stunning. Here's one sample of what I got with a 22mm lens on it. With the new firmware on it, the autofocus problems are gone. A great camera for the price, I'll likely use it for years to come. Just to be clear, I also shoot with a 5dmkiii, XF305 and a C100. The M is a great addition to the kit. Especially going where I don't want to take the other two. I usually carry it with me daily. My other micro camera is my GoPro (I brought that to the G.C. also) and my iPhone, of course. Between them, I can get the shot, or the video. (I carry a wired lav for both the M and the iPhone).

GrandCanyon_2013_-74-X2.jpg
http://www.mountainstoneproductions...13/i-DgG36v7/2/X2/GrandCanyon_2013_-74-X2.jpg
 
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