Canon EOS-M mirrorless interchangeable lens camera
Well, the rumors were shown to be true today as Canon officially announced the EOS-M, their first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC). The specifications are pretty much as I suggested a few days ago. The EOS-M is based on the 18MP APS-C sensor that Canon introduced in the T4i, with built in phase detection AF pixels which assist the main contrast detection AF system. This allows continuous tracking AF in video mode. In fact the EOS-M seems to be more or less the internals of the T4i, but in a smaller, mirrorless body and with a simpler user interface.
Like the T4i, the EOS-M also has a touch sensitive LCD, but unlike the T4i it depends on the screen for most camera control functions and lacks dedicated buttons for things like setting ISO, white balance etc. The EOS-M is clearly aimed at those more familiar with touch screen cameraphones than DSLR controls.
There will be two lenses offered initially, a 22mm f2 pancake lens (without image stabilization) sold in a kit with the EOS-M body and a EF-M 18-55/4-5.6 IS lens $299.99). Both lenses have STM (stepper motor) AF motors which are optimized for smoothe continuous AF focus. An EF/EF-S to EF-M adapter will also be available along with a small Speedlite 90EX external flash. The EOS-M has no built in flash.
What's Good?
The EOS-M has an APS-C sensor and via an adapter ($199.99) will be able to use all EF and EF-S lenses, retaining all functionality including AF and IS (for IS lenses) and aperture control. The 22mm f2 lens is pretty compact.
What's not so good
The EOS-M is somewhat lacking in direct controls. Some might see this as a positive I guess, but I like knobs, dials and buttons! It's pretty much LCD screen and menu driven. There's no built in flash, optical viewfinder or electronic viewfinder and no provision for an external add-on electronic viewfinder. I've used an Olympus Pen quite a lot and I personally find it a much easier camera to shoot with when I have the optional accessory EVF attached. The EOS-M also won't be available until October and for a basic camera, at $799.99 with the 22/2 lens it's not particularly cheap. The $299.99 18-55/4-5.6 isn't particularly cheap either at $299.99The choice of the 22mm f2 as the primary kit lens seems a little odd since the camera would seem to be aimed at the entry level user and Canon have traditionally offered an 18-55 zoom as the kit lens on such cameras (e.g. the Digital Rebels).
What I'd like to see would be an EOS-M with a more conventional control layout with modes set by a dial rather than via an LCD screen and dedicated buttons for things like WB and ISO. I'd also like to see provision for an EVF, either built in or as an accessory. However Canon are pretty smart and I'm sure they have tailored the EOS-M to the audience that they are initially targeting (which isn't me!).
Canon have some stiff competition from Sony with their NEX series APS-C sensor mirrorless cameras and Olympus with their 4/3 sensor mirrorless cameras. Both have fairly mature lens lines and good image quality. Of course they can't properly use Csnon EF or EF-S lenses, so if you have a collection of Canon lenses, then the EOS-M would clearly have a significant advantage.
Here's copy of the Canon Press Release
Put Your Creativity Into Motion With The New EOS M Digital Camera
The Newest Camera in Canon's Lineup Delivers Exceptional EOS Full HD Video Quality with Continuous Autofocus and an Expansive Selection of LensesLAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., July 23, 2012 – Combining the perfect blend of advanced video features and excellent still image quality in a convenient size, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the EOS M Digital Camera. Canon has made significant advancements in the realm of professional-quality HD video capture, from advanced CMOS sensor technology to smooth, quiet continuous autofocus. Inspired by EOS technology, the EOS M leverages these core technologies and distills them down to provide outstanding video capture capabilities while retaining high-quality still image capture. When shooting still images, the EOS M camera's 18-megapixel APS-C-sized CMOS image sensor provides a shallow depth of field, incredible low-light image quality and a wide dynamic range to capture rich gradation and detail. This new addition to the EOS family offers a great solution to videographers and photographers of all levels, with two new lenses designed specifically for Canon's new camera format - the EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit lens and the optional EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens- and the ability to use the full line of Canon EF and EF-S lenses through the optional Mount Adapter EF-EOS M.
"The EOS M includes a unique feature set making it an ideal movie-making tool, while also offering incredible still image quality on its APS-C-sized CMOS sensor. The camera's size, image quality, advanced video capabilities and the versatility of Canon's full lineup of lenses make the EOS M another great option to help our customers record and capture their creative vision," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A.
Product Specifications and Features:
An Advanced Video Capture Device
The EOS M utilizes Canon's Hybrid CMOS AF system to deliver fast autofocus speed for both video and photos. The Hybrid CMOS AF system truly shines when shooting video with EOS Full HD Movie mode including Movie Servo AF for continuous autofocus and tracking of moving subjects. The Hybrid CMOS AF system is located on the CMOS sensor itself and combines phase-difference AF and contrast AF to achieve operational stability, speed and precision. The Movie Servo AF function on the EOS M is enabled by default which keeps images on the rear screen in constant focus, even before the shutter is pressed. This continual focus makes for sharp video capture in a snap or to help reduce shutter lag due to focusing when still images want to be shot. The camera employs three AF methods for video and photos, Face Detection & Tracking AF, Multi-Point AF for automatic selection and Single-Point AF, where users select one of 31 AF points. Through the camera's touch-panel operation, subject recognition and tracking is engaged at the touch of a finger, allowing users to track subjects accurately and focus on intended subjects with ease. In addition to subject tracking, the touch-panel LCD allows for simple, intuitive operation, menu navigation and touch features making it easy to shoot video and photos.Thanks to Canon's new Stepping Motor (STM) technology, when using either of the newly announced M-series lenses - the EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit lens or the optional EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens - the AF system remains silent, helping ensure users only capture the sound of the scene being recorded. The EOS M also features manual audio level control to 64 levels, a built-in stereo microphone, which includes a wind filter and an attenuator function to reduce audio distortion in extra loud situations. The EOS M records MPEG-4 AVC H.264 video as an .MOV file in a range of NTSC and PAL professional frame rates, including 1080p Full HD video at 30p (29.97), 24p (23.976) and 25p, 720p HD video at 60p (59.94) or 50p and Standard Definition video at 30p (29.97) or 25p.
In addition to the creativity afforded by over 70 compatible lenses, the EOS M also includes Picture Style settings - including custom Picture Styles - when shooting video, allowing users to adjust color settings the same as when shooting still images. The camera also includes Canon's Video Snapshot mode for an easy way to record and create a fun highlight reel that can be easily shared. Video Snapshot mode combines a series of short video clips into a single file, all in-camera. Through the camera's touch-screen controls users can delete, cut or re-order the clips in-camera for quick and easy editing.
Optical Diversity: New M-Series Lenses and Accessories Along with the EOS M, Canon is also introducing two new M-series lenses - with new EOS M mounts -that include STM technology allowing for smooth and silent focusing when paired with Hybrid CMOS AF.
The EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit lens is ideal for shooting video and still images. The fixed focal length lens has a great capacity for gathering light with an incredible aperture of f/2 and when combined with the camera's APS-C image sensor, provides beautiful bright images and background blur for both video and stills. For more focal range versatility, Canon is also introducing the new EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM, which provides videographers and photographers with a variable zoom range for general use with video recording or photographing. Both lenses are designed specifically for use with the EOS M digital camera.
In addition to the two lenses, any of Canon's EF and EF-S lenses can be used with the EOS M with the optional Mount Adapter EF-EOS M. The EOS M camera's strong magnesium and stainless steel frame provide the durability and rigidity to support the full line of EF and EF-S Lenses in a lightweight convenient design. Using the adapter allows the camera to be fully integrated into the EOS ecosystem of lenses, adding creative options and versatility to this powerful camera.
Ideal for use with the EOS Mi, Canon is also announcing a new compact and lightweight flash unit, the Speedlite 90EX, designed for the photographer on the go. The Speedlite 90EX is capable of coverage for 24mm wide angle lenses (35mm equivalent) with maximum guide numbers of 30 feet (9 meters) at ISO 100. The flash unit can be controlled wirelessly for creative multiple flash shoots and uses the standard Canon EOS hot shoe mount for compatibility with all EOS DSLR cameras and PowerShot digital cameras that include a hot shoe.
Availability
The EOS M Digital Camera bundled with the new EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit lens will be available in October for an estimated retail price of $799.99. A white version of the EOS M Digital Camera bundled with the new EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit lens will be exclusively available through the Canon Online store, shop.usa.canon.com.The new EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens, Mount Adapter EF-EOS M and Speedlite 90EX will all be available in October at an estimated retail price of $299.99, $199.99 and $149.99 respectively.