Massive EOS M Discounts

[rolfe]

I got one at the discount price and think it is terrific. It has replaced my GF-1. With the firmware upgrade, I think the AF is just fine. Maybe the complaints are coming from those who use it in continuous AF mode, or whatever Canon calls it. Used with a normal single point AF, it works quickly enough for me. The 22mm lens is very, very good. Build quality is a cut above the competition that I have seen.

 

[Ruhayat]

The quys over at digitalrev did a little AF test: video. It surely improved, but it still is the worst AF of the bunch. Maybe the new Canon sensor makes the coming versions much better.

@Ruhayat: did you ever tried a Sony Nex, Samsung NX or any of the m4/3 offerings? I expect you would've been happy with any of these....

Yep. I shot m4/3 (Pen E-P1, G1, GF1) for quite a while but then decided I didn't like the 2x crop anymore. Didn't like the Nex(es) body design or Fujis (in fact, I found myself hating the X100, although I adored the X10). Then I was very, very happy with the Ricoh GXR with the A12 M mount.

But I really needed a compact digital camera (which I use mainly for backpacking and travels) that could do both photos and videos very, very well. Panasonic had great video but I don't like the look of their photos. Olympus was the other way around. Had an intense dislike for Fuji. Never considered the Samsung. It was down to the Nex, and almost bought the NEX-5N, but then the EOS-M came out. I tried it and immediately got one mainly because of the 24-fps 1080p video and APS-C photo quality.

What I like about the EOS-M:
1. Nice, compact body.
2. Good heft with a solid feel.
3. Gives professional quality video as well as great photos.
4. Can do 24, 25 or 30 fps at 1080p HD.
5. APS-C sized images that are similar to Canon DSLRs.
6. EOS adapter included in the package, so I can use all my EF and EOS mount lenses natively without modification (particularly the bigger Contax C/Y and m42 lenses that I use for video, which had modified, fixed EOS mounts not adapters).
7. 22mm EFM lens is surprisingly very good.
8. Touchscreen interface makes shooting a joy.

I'm not that concerned about AF speed cos I rarely use it for photos and never for video.

The only thing I don't like about the EOS-M is the cramped body, which is the same gripe I had with the Sony RX1. My fingers are squashed and I just can't get a good grip. Using the free leatherette half case helps a lot in this case, for photos. For video I use it on a tripod or pistol grip (for handhelds), so it's not a problem.

 

[Addy101]

You clearly investigated, good reasons to go EOS M!
I'll stick with my Nex's.

 

[kshapero]

Yep. I shot m4/3 (Pen E-P1, G1, GF1) for quite a while but then decided I didn't like the 2x crop anymore. Didn't like the Nex(es) body design or Fujis (in fact, I found myself hating the X100, although I adored the X10). Then I was very, very happy with the Ricoh GXR with the A12 M mount.

But I really needed a compact digital camera (which I use mainly for backpacking and travels) that could do both photos and videos very, very well. Panasonic had great video but I don't like the look of their photos. Olympus was the other way around. Had an intense dislike for Fuji. Never considered the Samsung. It was down to the Nex, and almost bought the NEX-5N, but then the EOS-M came out. I tried it and immediately got one mainly because of the 24-fps 1080p video and APS-C photo quality.

What I like about the EOS-M:
1. Nice, compact body.
2. Good heft with a solid feel.
3. Gives professional quality video as well as great photos.
4. Can do 24, 25 or 30 fps at 1080p HD.
5. APS-C sized images that are similar to Canon DSLRs.
6. EOS adapter included in the package, so I can use all my EF and EOS mount lenses natively without modification (particularly the bigger Contax C/Y and m42 lenses that I use for video, which had modified, fixed EOS mounts not adapters).
7. 22mm EFM lens is surprisingly very good.
8. Touchscreen interface makes shooting a joy.

I'm not that concerned about AF speed cos I rarely use it for photos and never for video.

The only thing I don't like about the EOS-M is the cramped body, which is the same gripe I had with the Sony RX1. My fingers are squashed and I just can't get a good grip. Using the free leatherette half case helps a lot in this case, for photos. For video I use it on a tripod or pistol grip (for handhelds), so it's not a problem.

Could you post a phot of the Canon EOS M with a case?

 

[Ruhayat]

Could you post a phot of the Canon EOS M with a case?

Sure. Here you go! The half case is free and it's from Canon. The grippy texture plus slightly bigger grip makes the EOS-M easier to hold, especially with one hand. It adds to the camera's height, but not that you'd notice it in use. It also makes getting to the battery and SD card one step harder - you have to remove the half case first. This makes it more inconvenient for video, which uses up the battery and card space faster. For photo taking I hardly have to take it off while I am using it.

 

[Ruhayat]

The free case from Canon is a bit chunky, which I like because it makes the camera just so slightly thicker as well. There are a few thinner alternatives on the web. This one is particularly nice (it's a Kaza something, on Amazon):

 

[Ruhayat]

You clearly investigated, good reasons to go EOS M!
I'll stick with my Nex's.

Yes. I am very particular about how a camera feels in my hand, so I have to test each one personally and not rely on reviews so much other than demonstrations of the images it can produce. If it's not right, I don't like it. I blame it on my OCD. 😀 The Nex series is very nice for video and photos, too. I hope Canon won't give up on the EOS-M and continue pushing it until it gets to the level of the Nex and Olympus E-M5.

 

[rolfe]

I don't think Canon would have just announced a new lens if the company were giving up on the format:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/0...4-5-6-is-stm-preview-wideangle-zoom-for-eos-m

 

[Ruhayat]

I don't think Canon would have just announced a new lens if the company were giving up on the format:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/0...4-5-6-is-stm-preview-wideangle-zoom-for-eos-m

That's good news! Although, they apparently made a statement that they won't be coming out with more primes as they considered the EOS-M "entry level". What a shame. The 22mm is really, really nice (35mm FOV), and I was hoping for a portrait length (maybe a 50mm 2.0, giving an 80mm FOV). Maybe just shrink the 40mm STM pancake a bit and slap an EFM mount on it, that would do for me.😀 I sometimes use the 50mm 1.8 plastic fantastic, but with the adapter, it's bigger than I'd like for the EOS-M.

 

[rolfe]

For video, there are plenty of MF lenses that adapt -- a 50mm Jupiter would be pretty small, even with adapter. I have picked up a few adapters for Leica M and Leica R, and these work well for what they are. For still pix, this is not really a camera built to easily do MF (any more than its competitors are).

 

[Ruhayat]

Not as easy to use with manual lenses as the GXR, for sure. The focus peaking on that camera is just superb. I wish Canon would steal the idea. For video, focusing is a bit easier cos I use an optical loupe on the LCD. For photos, I just need 2 AF prime lenses: the 22mm, and a native EFM replacement for my 50mm 1.8.

For video, I have 3 sets of lenses: the Summicron bag, the Zeiss bag and the Nokton bag, which I use depending on how much the client is paying me.😀 Sometimes I use them for photography, too, if it's for static subjects like product shots or interiors for use in printed brochures.

 

[rolfe]

Not as easy to use with manual lenses as the GXR, for sure. The focus peaking on that camera is just superb. I wish Canon would steal the idea. For video, focusing is a bit easier cos I use an optical loupe on the LCD. For photos, I just need 2 AF prime lenses: the 22mm, and a native EFM replacement for my 50mm 1.8.

I completely agree on the need for more primes -- I would spring for a couple in addition to the 22mm.