Canon EOS-M - A great little camera but for whom?

[Johnny]

One thing that can be said about this little camera is that image quality will (probably) be as good as it gets in Canon-land. In Scandinavia Canon reps hinted that IQ from this camera could be be even better than what you get from the 7D. Small tweaks, maybe? We shall see.

Two things I do not like: Touchscreen and very slow AF.

In my mind it seems like Canon are putting more and more emphasis on video. Reviewers has said that the new STM lenses and the new hybrid AF sensor is very slow. It is aimed at videoshooters obviously. I can understand that video is a must and has top priority. After all Canon need to survive and customers care about video more than ever. But what about enthusiasts like me? I can not see myself with this camera. If AF was faster, if it had EVF, yes.

I guess I need to start taking pictures with my iPhone. Well, first of all I need to buy one of these so-called smart phones. Maybe next year I have gotten used to touch screen and no viewfinder. Maybe then I will buy one of these great looking cameras? 

[KeithB]

Obviously, it was made to fill a marketing hole in Canon's lineup.

However, I am sure it is aimed at people that have lots of Canon glass, but want a smaller "carry around" camera. (Won't be exactly carry around if I put my 70-300 on it!) Not a particularly big market.

[Johnny]

Keith,

I am not sure if this camera is directly aimed at those with lots of Canon glass. The adapter + EF/EF-S glass will make this a not so portable packet + you will ned STM lenses to take advantage of the hybrid sensor.

I am sure the average consumer will love it. Especially those who are used to touch screens from using pocketcams or cell phones.

I just can not see enthusiast embrace this little camera.

[Bob Atkins]

I think the enthusiast will probably have to wait for the other shoe to drop. The EOS-M seems to be aimed at the consumer moving from a P&S. It has an iPhone type touch screen interface and simple controls. It can't be the only MILC that Canon are planning. I'd assume they'll have another model for photographers moving the other way, i.e. adding a MILC to their DSLR system. Sony, for example, have the NEX-3, NEX-5 and NEX-7.

The problem with the EOS-M (besides the fact that it won't be available until October) is that it's not particularly cheap, especially when you add in the EF lens adapter. You're looking at $800 for the EOS-M with the 22/2 kit, another $200 if you want the adapter and another $300 for a basic 18-55 zoom.

You can get an Olympus E-PL1 with a collapsible 14-42 lens for $295 (see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0035LBRKS/bobatkinsphotogr ) and you can get an EOS adapter for about $25. You can't change the lens aperture and it's manual focus, but you've only spent $320.

I actually have the E-PL1. I'm sure the qulity doesn't match the EOS-M, but for me it's good enough for now. If Canon bring out a more advanced EOS-M with and EVF and a control layout more like a T4i, I might be tempted. I can wait.

Actually I'm more tempted by the G1X right now. Small, 28-112/2.8-5.8 lens, optical viewfinder, built in flash, digic 5 processor, iso 12800 and selling for around $700

for G1x see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B006UMM2BW/bobatkinsphotogr

[Johnny]

Agree. I is quite expensive but prices will probably drop soon after it hits the markets.

Wonder if Canon has to few production lines or any other problems related to production? The 5DIII, the 1DX and now this camera are beeing annonunced long before it actually is available. It is not common for Canon to be so far ahead with announcements and late with delivery.