Announcement: First Canon EOS M Mirrorless Camera

Contents:

• Official Press Release
• Comments
• Pre order
• Pictures
• Hands-on Video
• Specifications

Official 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:

• 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.

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.

Comments

Canon has finally entered the mirrorless camera market. When Nikon announced their Nikon 1 mirrorless camera system in September of 2011, we mentioned that in our opinion Nikon made a big mistake building a camera with a 2x crop sensor that is not compatible with any other lens. We hoped Canon would be smarter releasing a mirrorless camera with a bigger sensor, that could be compatible with existing EF and EF-S lenses. And they did it.

Despite many users of mirrorless cameras want something compact and are not likely to exchange lenses, this capability is essential. And the fact that the new Canon EOS M mirrorless camera can work with any EF and EF-S lens, gives you the possibility to choose from an extremely wide range of lenses, and use your own if you already have any.

Since the EOS M uses an APS-C sensor, the crop factor is 1.6x like all EOS cameras based on APS-C sensors (like EOS 7D, EOS 60D, EOS T3i, EOS T4i, etc.).

So if you are a serious enthusiast on photography (or video) and you buy this very compact camera, you will appreciate the ability to use any other Canon modern lenses on it.

One important thing to note is that the EF-EOS M Lens Adapter does not increase the crop/multiplier factor. It only adds the space normally taken up by the mirror in current Canon DSLRs, keeping all lens functions, including Image Stabilization and AF. So EF and EF-S lenses will deliver the same focal length as if you were using them on a Canon APS-C DSLR.

One of the things we don’t like very much (but others may like indeed) is the “minimalistic” design. We would’ve appreciated a bit more buttons/controls, although we understand the concept of simplicity behind it, and the fact that you can and sometimes need to use the touchscreen. We miss a bit bigger grip, and an articulated LCD screen. Also, it should be cheaper.

The best characteristics of this new camera, in our opinion, can be summarized somewhat like this:

• Very compact (although not like a pocket camera when a lens is attached)
• Compatible with EF and EF-S lenses (using an optional adapter that keeps full functionality)
• 18.0 MP CMOS (APS-C) Sensor (very big and nice, giving a 1.6x crop factor like all other APS-C based cameras)
• DIGIC 5 Image Processor (latest processor, although not as powerful as “Digic 5+” only found in $3K+ dollars cameras)
• Full HD 1080p Movie with Focus Tracking
• 3.0″ Touch Screen LCD with 1040K-dots (nice, although an articulated screen would’ve been much appreciated)
• Touch AF and Multi-touch Operation (a really great feature we discussed very long ago for “future AF” systems)
• Hybrid CMOS Auto-focus for Photo & Video
• Compatible with Canon EF and EF-S Lenses (a great decision by Canon)
• ISO 100-12800, Expandable to 25600 (H) (should deliver very similar performance to APS-C DSLR)

We still have to wait until sample videos and pictures taken with this camera are available. We assume that Canon did not improve the quality on video mode, since it uses the same sensor and processor as EOS T4i/650D, which delivers almost the same video quality as previous models. So far the only exception is the EOS 5D Mark 3 and EOS 1D X with a limited improvement (especially noticeable regarding moire/aliasing artifacts).

However the EOS M includes many improvements in the focusing system, while keeping standard frame rates (very important) as most current Canon EOS DSLR cameras.

Regarding photography/still shooting, that’s a different story. This camera should be able to take excellent pictures (including the option of RAW shooting for advanced post-processing).

Pre Order

If you are interested on these products, please consider supporting this site placing your order through the following links, there is no extra cost to you:

• Canon EOS M Digital Camera bundled with the new EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit lens
• Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens
• Canon Speedlite 90EX
• Canon EF-M Lens Adapter Kit for Canon EF / EF-S Lenses

Pictures

Hands-on Video

The following video provided by courtesy of Digital Camera World:

Specifications

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