Canon has unveiled the highly-anticipated EOS M mirrorless camera. As expected, the camera comes equipped with an 18MP APS-C CMOS image sensor. It will be available in black or white (update: the white is apparently no longer available in the US — update 2: retailers are trying to get official confirmation from Canon regarding available colors other than black) in October for $799.99.
Canon EOS M Key Features
- 18MP APS-C Sensor
- DIGIC 5 Image Processor
- 1080p video (30p/24p)
- 720p video (60p)
- ISO 100-6400 (video mode w/ ISO 12800 expanded)
- ISO 100-12800 (photo mode w/ ISO 25600 expanded)
- 3-inch touch screen LCD
- Manual exposure for video
- Manual audio levels
- SDXC Support (UHS-I compatible)
- Canon Speedlite Support
The new EF-M lens mount on the camera accepts the two new lenses released with the camera – the EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit lens and the optional EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens. Additionally, the EF-EOS M adapter allows you to use either EF or EF-S mount lenses with the camera, which should be a pretty big selling point to existing Canon DSLR users. The EF-EOS M adapter will be available in October for $199.99.
Alongside the lenses, a new Speedlite 90EX flash will be available in October for $149.99.
More details in the press release below.
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 Lenses
LAKE 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:
- EOS Full HD Movie mode with Movie Servo AF for continuous focus tracking of moving subjects also includes:
- Manual exposure control
- Multiple resolution frame rates
- Built-in stereo microphone
- Manual audio level adjustment
- Video Snapshot mode with touch-screen editing
- 18.0-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
- ISO 100-6400 (expandable to 12800 in H mode) for video recording, ISO 100-12800 (expandable to 25600 in H mode) for still image shooting from bright to dim light and high performance Powerful DIGIC 5 Image Processor for exceptional image quality video and photos
- Hybrid CMOS AF delivers fast autofocus speed for video and photos
- Touch Screen 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor II (approximately 1,040,000 dots) with smudge-resistant coating features multi-touch operation allowing photographers to use familiar gestures such as “pinch-to-zoom” and “swiping” to scroll between pictures and Touch AF for an easy and intuitive video capture experience
- Scene Intelligent Auto mode delivers expertly optimized photos and scene detection for amazing results even when shooting at night
- Advanced imaging features like Handheld Night Scene mode, HDR Backlight Control mode, and seven Creative Filters provide added versatility
- Multi-shot Noise Reduction helps preserve precious detail in photos at high ISO speeds
- Compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards, including new Ultra High Speed (UHS-I) cards
- Compatible with all Canon Speedlite accessories including the new Speedlite 600EX and Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT
- Compatible with Canon’s GPS Receiver GP-E2
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.
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.
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.
Ho, hum… More crap from the big camera manufacturers. Sure, they put an APS-C sensor in it, but they dumb’ed down the camera to the point that they could have put a 1/1.8″ sensor in it and saved the time, money and space of the larger sensor. This doesn’t compete with anything except for Canon’s own G-Series lineup and maybe some of the stupid m4/3 offerings from Panasonic and Olympus. The Nex cameras blow it out of the water with better controls, Panasonic’s G1x has far better external controls and ergonomics. This is just a glorified Panasonic GF3 or GF5.
I guess soccer moms and idiots will love it because it has a touch screen like every cell phone on the market and it doesn’t have any buttons to confuse anyone. Why even put controllable audio and HD video in this kind of camera? The idiots aren’t going to use them. I was really hoping Canon would be trying to compete with the Nex 7, Fuji X-Pro and Oly OM-D. But all they’ve done is give us a big point and shoot with changeable lenses.
What a waste. I would have expected this 5 years ago from Canon, but being that they’re the last one in the game, they should have stepped it up.
Another copycat move by another giant player in the camera business. I shoot Canon, but this is a huge letdown. Way to go Canon! You’ve done nothing innovative or new. I’ll stick with the Rebel line if I want something small and lightweight.
Garbage.
Wow the specs and “guts” of this camera look great! Really is too bad it lacks a good view finder (optical or otherwise) and external manual controls. Is it just me or is Sony the only one who makes an camera in this format that seems to offer everything a pro would want in a camera of this class? Also about this “EOS M Pro” people referred to in yesterdays comments on the specs leak. Is that another camera that Canon plans on making or is that just wishful thinking? I am not up on the latest rumors with this stuff. If it is just wishful thinking I guess I will have to wait for someone to invent a machine that will merge a G1x with this EOS M.
Why the primary dedication to movies in what is expected to be a pro-grade mirror-less still camera? That’s how the essential eye-level viewfinder got left out. After a long wait pregnant with high expectations, Canon hasn’t quite delivered as anticipated.
I’m a big fan of Canon, but… The lack of a viewfinder is a major drawback on this camera. I shoot with a 5Dmkii and use my G-12 for an easy-carry grab-a-shot and travel camera. With my G-12 at least I have a lever for power-zoom, and a (?) viewfinder for shots in the dark and when I want more bracing for slower shutter photography.
How are you supposed to operate a zoom (even the STM type, let alone one of the EF lenses with an adapter) while holding this far enough away from your body to see the viewscreen, focusing and controling the shutter with one hand, and operating the zoom with the other, all the while keeping the camera steady…AAAAGGGHHH!!! Oh yeh, and playing with the really cool touchscreen… I’m out of hands and frustrated beyond words. SURE, use a tripod, you say? Who wants to always shoot on a tripod? Where’s my walk the streets…stroll the parks…travel-ready camera? NOT here!
This camera has some great guts, but lacks what would really make it useful. And agreed with above: who cares about video?!
I can’t imagine any serious photographer using touchscreen. I would never buy such camera, sorry… such toy. So what’s the point to put kinda professional features into a toy? I am not sure to whom Canon dedicates this product. I got recently G1X for all those occasions when carrying DSLR is too troublesome or not really worth it and although it is not a perfect camera even for what it is made, I think it is better choice than M. I really don’t understand what is wrong with good old dials. Are they too easy to use?