Digital Camera World » Canon EOS M

Canon EOS M vs T4i (650D): which camera is best for you?

jmeyer — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:16:40 +0000

Are you considering the Canon EOS M vs T4i / 650D? We pit Canon’s first compact system camera against its heralded entry-level DSLR to compare the handling and image quality of the Canon EOS M vs T4i / 650D.

Unlike some compact system cameras (CSCs) the Canon EOS M has an APS-C (22.3×14.9mm) format sensor. In fact it has the same large 18Mp CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5 processor as the Canon EOS Rebel T4i / 650D, so in theory at least it could be capable of matching one of the new Canon DSLRs for image quality.

But as Canon’s first CSC gets a new mount and lens it’s not a given, so we’ve been testing the Canon EOS M vs T4i / 650D side by side to see how they compare.

Because it’s a compact system camera the EOS M doesn’t have a mirror or an optical viewfinder and, as Canon hasn’t given it an electrical viewfinder, images must be composed on the LCD screen.

Consequently, in a Canon EOS M vs T4i comparison, the M replicates many of the features that the Rebel T4i has in Live View mode, including the 31-point Hybrid AF system that was debuted by the Canon T4i.

This system is intended to combine the speed of phase detection with the accuracy of contrast detection AF.

The screen is also the same 3-inch 1,040K-dot touch-sensitive device as is found on the T4i, but it’s fixed rather than mounted on an articulating hinge.

This means that when composing photos on the Canon EOS M vs the T4i / 650D, it’s not quite so easy with the M at awkward angles – low down close-ups or shooting held high over people’s heads – as it is with the T4i.

Canon EOS M vs T4i / 650D: spec sheets compared

Want to know how the Canon EOS M specs compare vs the T4i / 650D? We put together this handy cheat sheet which shows both Canon cameras’ specs in a format that makes it easy to compare the EOS M vs T4i.

Simply click on the infographic to view the larger file, or drag and drop it to your desktop.

PAGE 1: Canon EOS M vs T4i / 650D specs and features
PAGE 2: Canon EOS M vs T4i / 650D flash
PAGE 3: Canon EOS M vs T4i / 650D build quality & handling
PAGE 4: Canon EOS M vs T4i / 650D performance
PAGE 5: Canon EOS M vs T4i / 650D verdict

Canon EOS M review

jmeyer — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:21:26 +0000

Even before the Canon EOS M was announced in July it was the subject of intense speculation and interest. And as samples have become available we’ve been just as keen as all of you to test this new Canon compact system camera to see how it compares to others in its class. Our head of testing, Angela Nicholson, puts the M through its paces in her Canon EOS M review. Watch the video review below to hear her verdict!

The Canon EOS M features exactly the same sensor as the Canon EOS 650D, the new entry level DSLR it launched just prior to the M.

Therefore, the Canon EOS M boasts an 18 million pixel effective APS-C CMOS sensor with hybrid autofocusing.

Also on board is a Digic 5 processor, the company’s latest engine which is also found on the likes of the Canon EOS 1DX.

Other key Canon EOS M specs include a 7.7cm (3 inch) Clear View LCD II touch screen, which can be used to set various controls as well as selecting autofocus points.

A new lens mount has been created, the EF-M. At the moment, two lenses have been launched, an 18-55mm zoom lens and a 22mm fixed length pancake lens. Owners of any existing Canon lenses can attach them to the camera via the EF-EOS M adapter.

Full HD video recording is available with the EOS M, with high speed AF in movie mode and stereo sound.

There’s no flash on the Canon EOS M body, but an external Speedlite 90EX flash unit will come packaged in the box as standard. It comes with a Guide Number of 9, and supports wide-angle lenses. A hotshoe on top of the camera is compatible with Canon’s range of EX Speedlite flash units.

To see how it fared in our extensive lab and field testing, watch our Canon EOS M review below.

PAGE 1: Canon EOS M review video
PAGE 2: Canon EOS M review – the verdict
PAGE 3: Canon EF-M mount explained
PAGE 4: Canon EOS M sample images

Canon EOS M vs Canon EOS 650D: the same sensor, but which body is best?

jmeyer — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 05:00:53 +0000

Our testing team has had the privilege now of using both the Canon EOS 650D and Canon EOS M. As both new Canon cameras use the same sensor, our team ran an in-depth comparison of the two over on our sister site TechRadar. They compared all the key features and specs to help those looking for a new camera to decide which body is most suitable for their needs. Here’s what they found…

Canon is that latest manufacturer to join the compact system camera market after what feels like years of speculation.

For the Canon EOS M, the company elected to use the same 18 million pixel APS-C size CMOS sensor as found in its recently announced DSLR, the Canon EOS 650D.

With RRPs currently being around the same, making the choice between the two cameras can be a tricky one, especially if you are buying your first interchangeable lens camera.

We’ve had a look at the key similarities and differences to help make things a bit clearer.

Canon M vs Canon 650D lens mount and range

As the Canon M is not as deep as a DSLR, a new mount had to be created for the lenses. This EF-M mount is currently only directly compatible with two EF-M lenses, an 18-55mm zoom lens and a 22mm f/2.0 pancake lens.

If you own any Canon EF or EF-S lenses, and you want to use them with the M, you will need to purchase the mount adapter, which comes with a not-inconsiderable £123 ($203) additional price tag. Bear in mind that Canon will be selling the M with the 22mm f/2.0 pancake lens and mount adapter as a kit package.

On the other hand, the 650D of course has the standard EF mount, meaning all Canon EF and EF-S lenses are compatible with the camera.

Canon EOS M vs Canon EOS 650D handling

There’s quite a significant difference between how these two cameras will be handled, especially as the M strives to keep size to a minimum.
For those wanting quick access to certain functions and modes, the 650D may make more sense as it includes the traditional mode dial favoured by other Canon DSLRs.

Canon has stripped this dial right back to the bare minimum for the EOS M, with most of the controls needing to be accessed through the menu system or touch screen navigation.

With its larger size, the 650D also comes with a bigger grip, which some may feel more comfortable using.

You can read the full Canon EOS M vs Canon EOS 650D comparison over on TechRadar.

Alternatively, click here if you just want our testing team’s conclusion on the Canon M vs Canon 650D.

Canon EOS M tops Amazon US best-seller list

jmeyer — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:00:35 +0000

Just a few days after its official launch, and several weeks before the on-sale date, the Canon EOS M is already top of Amazon’s CSC charts.

The camera, which is Canon’s first entry into the compact system camera market is currently appearing at the top of the list of best-selling compact system cameras in the United States, despite a sales start date of October 19th.

It is followed by the Olympus PEN E-PL1, Panasonic GF3, and Olympus OM-D E-M5.

Meanwhile, in the UK, it is not proving quite so popular, appearing at number 16 on the list, which is currently topped by the Panasonic G3 and followed by the Nikon J1.

In the US kits will be sold with the 22mm f/2.0 pancake lens,however, in UK it can be bought with the 22mm lens (with the EF-EOS M mount adapter) or the standard 18-55mm kit lens, or in a two lens kit.

On the UK page for the camera, Amazon warns “Initial orders for this product are scheduled to begin shipping in October, but due to high demand we anticipate being unable to fulfil all customer orders with our first allocation.”

The US page just shows the camera as being “temporarily out of stock.”

It’s interesting that it appears at the top of the CSC charts in the US as cameras of this type haven’t proved quite so popular in the States when compared with the rest of the world.

The M is also appearing at number 17 in the best-seller list of all cameras, which is currently topped by the Canon EOS Rebel T3 (which is known as the Canon EOS 1100D in the UK).

The M is the only compact system camera to appear in the top 50 best-seller list, with the next nearest coming from the Olympus E-PL1, a relatively old camera, at number 55.

In the UK, where compact system cameras are more popular, you still have to reach number 30 in the best-seller list before coming across a system, which in this case is the Panasonic G3. The Nikon J1 appears at number 34.

Although looking at Amazon charts can’t give a definite overview of the camera market, it’s a handy snapshot of general opinion. Perhaps the Canon EOS M will be the mirrorless camera to finally crack America.

Canon unveils its first CSC: the Canon EOS M

jmeyer — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 04:05:51 +0000

After what feels like years of hype, Canon has finally joined the compact system market with its Canon EOS M camera.

Coming just a few weeks before Photokina in September, the EOS M features exactly the same sensor as the recently launched EOS 650D, one of the company’s entry level DSLRs.

Therefore, that means it has an 18 million pixel effective APS-C CMOS sensor with hybrid autofocusing. Also on board is a Digic 5 processor, the company’s latest engine which is also found on the likes of the Canon EOS 1DX.

Our head of testing, Angela Nicholson, got an early trial with the Canon M before it was a announced. Below you can see a short video of her experience using the EOS M – or you can read her hands-on Canon EOS M review over on our sister site, TechRadar.

Other Canon EOS M specs 7.7cm (3 inch) Clear View LCD II touch screen can be found on the back, which can be used to set various controls as well as selecting autofocus points.

A new lens mount has been created, the EF-M. At the moment, two lenses have been launched, an 18-55mm zoom lens and a 22mm fixed length pancake lens. Owners of any existing Canon lens can attach them to the camera via the EF-EOS M adapter.

Full HD video recording is available, with high speed AF in movie mode and stereo sound.

There’s no flash on the body of the camera, but an external Speedlite 90EX flash unit will come packaged in the box as standard. It comes with a Guide Number of 9, and supports wide-angle lenses.

A hotshoe on top of the camera is compatible with Canon’s range of EX Speedlite flash units.

The Canon EOS M price will be: Canon EOS M + 18-55: £769.99; EOS M + 22mm and EF-M converter: £879.99; EOS M + 18-55mm & 22mm: £949.99.

A release date of around September is expected.