Canon Announces the EOS M Compact Mirrorless with APS-C Sensor

Canon announces its first much-anticipated compact mirrorless digital camera: the EOS M with an APS-C sensor. Instead of building on top of the smaller 1.5-in. sensor of the G1 X, Canon has smartly selected to use an APS-C sensor. It probably realizes it needs to be ready should the mirrorless gain ground on their traditional mirrored entry-level DSLRs [the EOS M is apparently based on the Rebel T4i / EOS 650D].

The EOS M retains the Hybrid Phase and Contrast AF system introduced in the T4i. The Hybrid CMOS AF system is located on the CMOS sensor itself and combines phase-difference AF and contrast AF. Preliminary reports are that the Hybrid AF is regrettably on the slow side.

The EOS M uses a new lens mount, the EF-M, and two new lenses are immediately available for the EOS M: the 22mm f/2 STM “pancake” kit lens and the optional EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens. The EOS M can also use the full line of Canon EF and EF-S lenses through the optional Mount Adapter EF-EOS M.

Canon marketing seems to target the video shooting crowd, touting it as “An Advanced Video Capture Device.” The EOS M shoots Full HD Movie 1920 x 1080 at either 30p (29.97), 24p (23.976) or 25p, with stereo sound. The Hybrid CMOS AF system is also used during video shooting, allowing continuous autofocus and tracking of moving subjects.

Canon engineers probably struck a compromise between those at Canon who see the mirrorless as the future and those who are afraid of cannibalizing their own traditional mirrored DSLR sales. It’s certainly a smart decision to use an APS-C sensor instead of a smaller one, but their first mirrorless is definitely aimed at the point-and-shoot crowd. There is no built-in viewfinder and no provision for an external one. The 3.0-in. LCD is very high resolution [approximately 1,040,000 dots] but is unfortunately not tiltable. The camera does not have a built-in flash though it sports a hot shoe compatible with all EOS flash units. A new compact and lightweight flash unit, the Speedlite 90EX, is available [bundled or optional, depending on country].

On the one hand, the EOS M sports an APS-C sensor paired with the DIGIC V processor — and we should therefore be able to expect very good low-light image quality; on the other hand, the EOS M lacks the manual controls [though PASM is available via the touchscreen MENU] that would have all enthusiasts feverishly calling in their orders. A missed opportunity, if ever there was one. But, since Canon wisely built their new mirrorless platform on an APS-C sensor, I am guessing it won’t be a huge step for them to ramp it up as they see fit.

The EOS M is Canon’s first salvo in the war that is brewing in the mirrorless camp and about to spill over and take over the traditional-mirrored DSLRs. Canon is edging its bets by using an APS-C sensor and thus positioning itself to, if necessary, deal fully with the mirrorless tsunami that it is still not totally convinced will reach the shores of its traditional mirrored DSLRs, and yet making its first mirrorless introduction a mere point-and-shoot that will not steal sales away from its entry-level DSLRs. It is also hoping that its video success will rub off on the EOS M. Canon will no doubt follow closely the sales figures for the EOS M before deciding whether to keep their future compact mirrorless offerings firmly in the point-and-shoot category or upscale it to compete with — and eventually replace — their own traditional mirrored DSLRs.

MAIN SPECS

• 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor
• DIGIC V processor
• EF-M mount
• 3.0-in. Touch Panel LCD (1040k-dot)
• Hybrid Phase and Contrast AF
• ISO 100-12800 (expandable to 25600)
• Shutter Speed 1/4000 to 30 sec., Bulb, X-sync at 1/200 sec.
• Full HD Movie 1920 x 1080: 30p (29.97) / 24p (23.976) / 25p with stereo sound
• Continuous Shooting 4.3 fps
• RAW + JPEG
• Mount Adapter for EF and EF-S lenses
• Color: Black, White [exclusively available through the Canon Online store]. Other colors are country-dependent.
• Price: EOS M with EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit lens US $799.99
• EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens US $299.99, Mount Adapter EF-EOS M US $199.99 and Speedlite 90EX US $149.99 will all be available in October

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 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

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 M, 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 US $299.99, US $199.99 and US $149.99 respectively.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. With approximately $45.6 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents registered in 2011† and is one of Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies in 2012. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.

Related Links:

• Canon EOS M Technical Specs
• Canon EOS M Sample Images | More Images