The Canon EOS M system could be in its final year as a fully supported format according to the latest reports, which claim that "2021 will be the last year of the EOS M lineup".
In specific, the Canon EOS M50 Mark II – which can only be described as an incredibly disappointing successor to the beloved Canon EOS M50 – was referred to as “stop-gap for a couple of future RF mount APS-C cameras”, one of which seems destined to be the rumored Canon EOS R7. And while the EOS M200 is priced quite keenly as Canon's entry-level EOS M camera, this model is now two years old and itself a relatively modest refresh of the even older EOS M100.
There has, of course, been speculation over the future of EOS M – Canon's APS-C mirrorless system – ever since the launch of the full-frame mirrorless Canon EOS R back in 2018.
In the wake of the Canon EOS RP in 2019 (the manufacturer's smallest full-frame mirrorless camera), Canon assured us that there were no plans for it to replace EOS M at the time:
"The M series is here to stay. The M series is an important part of our system, the reason being there’s no one camera that’s suitable for everyone, and it’s great to have different cameras at different sizes for different types of usage."
Two years later, though, and with even Canon teasing an EOS R7 that would be a mirrorless equivalent of the Canon EOS 7D Mark II, it seems that the manufacturer may be ready to produce EOS R cameras with APS-C sensors – which obviously leaves the EOS M line in a precarious position.
"I have spoken to two sources recently, and both suggested that 2021 will be the last year of the EOS M lineup and that the EOS M50 Mark II was a 'stop-gap for a couple of future RF mount APS-C cameras,'" states a new report on Canon Rumors.
This would certainly explain why the M50 Mark II was such an underwhelming release, and why it has only been released in select territories rather than being a worldwide product.
So does this mean the death of the EOS M system? We don't think it's that drastic. One year ago, Canon confirmed to us that its focus is on RF and that there will be no new EF lenses (unless the market demands it). However, the EF mount remains a fully supported system, with cameras and lenses still in active production.
With cameras like the M50 still selling a ridiculous amount of units, it seems likely that Canon would take the same tact with the EOS M line. And with the likes of Viltrox having just released four new EF-M primes, there's still plenty of life in the system yet.
Read more:
Canon EOS M50 review
Best Canon EF-M lenses
Best Canon camera
Best Canon lenses
