Canon EOS M 18.0 MP Compact Systems Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and EF-M22 STM Lens Black

I heard so many negative things about Canon EOS M so I stayed away from it for long time. Auto focus speed, lack of EVF option, Controls, lack of native lens selection, initial price, and the list goes on. Well, prices have come down drastically and my curiosity got the best of me as I heard that image quality was that of T4i which is very good. I went with this 22mm f/2 kit instead of 18-55mm zoom because I personally like the image quality and the speed of the prime lenses over the zoom ability. Image Quality is foremost important to me. 22mm f/2 which is near 35mm equivalent in full frame and has fast f/2 aperture (not much difference between f/2 and more typical f/1.8, but there is big difference between f/1.8 and f/2.8). f/2.8 primes while the IQ is typically better than a zoom, speed and DOF control isn't much different from a good f/2.8 zoom lenses. I am so glad Canon went with f/2 instead of f/2.8. I love the bokeh and ability to isolate subject with this lens as well as low light capability paired with the ASP-C sensor. It's one sharp lens that I wouldn't mind paying for entire price of the camera kit for. Sony and M43 versions of 35mm equivalent primes with at least f/1.8 aperture (since they don't make f/2) costs more than the entire EOS M Camera kit. Even if you already have Olympus, Panasonic, or Sony Nex, I would get this kit just for this lens. 22mm f/2 is pancake lens making the entire camera jacket pocketable. Great. Now, as for image quality, it's GREAT. Paired with 22mm f/2 Canon EOS M is able to produce beautiful sharp images. 35mm is most versatile range in my opinion. The entire kit cost $300 - 350. Wow. Try to get ASP-C sensor Mirrorless body with a "fast" pancake prime and see how much it cost you. M43 has Olympus 17mm f/1.8 $400-500 alone and Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 for around $300-400 used or new. Again slightly faster aperture is negated by smaller sensor compared to larger sensor on Canon when looking at low light and shallow DOF. Sony Nex has Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 premium lens that costs around $700-1000. Nothing cheaper if you are looking for around 35mm range prime with near f/1.8 aperture. I currently use Olympus m43, but I picked up this kit as it hits that 35mm fast prime void for $100 less. As for the CON of this kit. Canon EOS M does have much slower AF. It got better to be tolerable from what I hear, but "compared" to other options, it's definitely slower. Not for moving subjects. I was planning to use this kit for still subjects so that's no problem. The control is kind of bad, but it can be considered ok or even good only if you don't mind using the touch screen to change your settings instead of buttons. I personally got used to using the touch screen and come to like it. No built in Flash. (I real like the convenience of those tiltable build in flashes). I do like those tiltable displays for creative shots or candid shots. It would have been great if it had it. No EVF option. Well, at initial price this was a problem, but with current prices, that is comparable to other mirrorless in this price range. All it all, I say give it a try. Not much to lose with these prices. Don't get anything else even if you have other Canon lenses. This kit is perfect as it is with its limitations for current PRICE. Buying flash, 18-55mm (maybe this is ok since it's cheap as well), or the adapter kind of spoils the bargain aspect with little gain. If you have other Canon lenses that means you have a DSLR Body. Why would you use it on this camera with the limitations mentioned? Portability? As soon as you put that large lens on save 40mm f/2.8, it becomes an awkward set up. Don't do it. Flash? maybe... hopefully with f/2 and its high iso capability, you don't need one. Canon EOS M currently isn't so great if you are looking to "grow" your system. There are MUCH better options. Get it for stand alone 22mm (35mm equivalent) f/2 set up with maybe addition of 18-55mm. I would not get the 18-55mm bundle over this one as Sony Nex 3N or F3 kit is better than Canon EOS M 18-55mm kit in terms of value for features including similar image qualities for similar price. Canon EOS M only becomes incredible value for those who appreciates 35mm fast prime as you can't get one at this price on any other system with this good of image quality any where. I am saying this 22mm f/2 kit for the price is a five star, and not EOS M if you disregard the price.

EDIT: An announcement was made that firmware will be released at the end of june that will greatly speed up the AF performance. so... END EDIT This camera is fantastic, I have had it for awhile now and it pleases me more every time I use it. First, build quality: the build on this camera is easily up to the par of the xxD line of prosumer cameras.. well at least from the 50D back, as the camera is built with magnesium alloy on the whole body and an aluminum cased lens. Short of the weather sealing it is built like the tanks of the eos line. Ergonomics: Now, I'm not a clumsy person, I don't go around throwing my cameras all over. even so the M (black version) is really a pleasure to hold and I don't find myself fighting for grip with it. I can't use the rebel line of cameras, they just don't fit me, in fact I am not partial to using the smaller of the xxD line (20,30,40,60D) without a vertical grip. The eos M is a great fit, perhaps it's the size to weight ratio, but it just feels right in my hands. Just in case I do use a wrist strap, I made one by taking one of the neck strap quick connects off and attaching a regular wrist strap (for a nikon 1) through it just as if it were a normal eyelet. Menus: I didn't think i would like the lack of buttons and touchscreen, however I now find them extremely intuitive, one handed operation on the rear is extremely easy. the jog wheel on the rear can control almost all the functions i would need (shutter speed, aperture, exposure comp, etc) one of my favorite things is that the settings stay with the mode I am in, for instance if I have the mode set for A and have it set for multi shot and the focus set to flexizone multi and autofocus, I can switch quickly (using the top dial) to manual and have it set for single point and AF+MF. Most of the parameters and menu features stay with the modes as well, great for switching quickly between two completely different shooting styles. the touch screen is great as well, i can scroll through things with the right dial and then immediately select something to change or a menu by touching, the touch to focus and shoot has been fantastic for tripod shots. Focus: yes, this has been a very outspoken item whenever the M is even mentioned, so much so that the rest of the camera is ignored. is it slow at times, yes, would I pan with a subject and shoot frame after frame all the way down the pitch at a soccer match, probably not. it also isn't great for just run and gun style photography. but most would have a higher end SLR if they really plan on this style of photography. honestly, whenever I think it might be too slow, I prefocus or simply use manual focus. I know this might sound like a pain, but a good photographer will get very good at this. I do this even with my SLR, why? well.. as smart as the AF systems are, they don't always put just what I want in focus, so by the time I pressed to select the focus point and framed, then focused, I usually could have done it faster on the M's fantastically clear screen. don't want the "hassel"? don't even think about buying a leica..... I shot a street festival recently and used manual focus for quite a bit of the action, maybe one out of 50 or so shots wasn't quite the right focus, and that was at f4 at 200mm. that said I love using the AF+MF mode, I can quickly let the camera get close and then narrow right in without any hunt. Low light with no AF assist? you shouldn't be using auto... that's all I'm really going to say about it, it works fine for my style. EDIT: forgot to say how to increase the AF speed for those that aren't too familiar with AF systems, on the M change the AF type to flexizone- single and under the second menu, disable continuous AF. The single point AF is much faster and more accurate because it is more direct, no multi-step, complex algorithm, face detection etc. turning off the continuous AF keeps the camera from hunting and also saves battery life as the camera isn't constantly trying to adjust focus when you are just holding the camera. with these settings the AF is great for this type of camera and should be fantastic once the faster firmware is released. :END EDIT Image quality: this is one of the places this camera really starts to shine, with the digic 5 processor and aps-c sensor this camera is up there with the best prosumer cameras outside of full frame. the low light quality is fantastic and even large prints are just wonderful to see. right out of the box with the 22mm the image quality is better than any fixed lens camera i have ever seen, and yet I can take it everywhere with me just like a point and shoot. I use the lowepro dashpoint 20 case and it fits the camera with 22mm lens and wrist strap into something i can even run with, its great wearing everyday on a belt or slipping into a bag, try that with any size SLR ;) now the real treat comes when using the adapter and L lenses. the picture quality is outstanding, and it recognizes the lens I am using and can automatically ( and quite nicely ) correct the known distortions and vignetting for that lens at the given aperture and focal length. Big lens ergonomics: on my SLRs I have to have a vertical grip, especially when shooting with a 70-200L now with this camera and that lens, its more like the camera is attached to the back of the lens and not the other way around. given this, you are really holding the lens and not the camera, as such its actually more comfortable for me than with the tiny lens, I can hold with my left hand and adjust things by touching the screen or using the dial with my right. did I mention the image quality? yea, well its that good. I actually prefer it to the 60D, the build quality is better, the functions are easier to use, and the processor is better, what does that mean? it introduces us to the next point. Video: where have you been all my life? The M is not actually that much bigger than a gopro and yet the video is up there with the best DSLRs, the brilliant thing is that I can shoot full manual and have the pro quality look of low shutter speed (no rolling shutter) and variable DOF.. the fantastic thing is that with just a small RAM mount I can produce in-car and on-car footage that is above and beyond an action cam and rock solid, this camera is even unobtrusive suction cupped to my windshield. The digic 5 processor works wonders in this cam and the screen is a joy to film with. the M has a stereo 3.5mm mic input and manual volume adjustment. whats more, it doesn't overheat like some of the even more expensive cams like some of the 7Ds, it shoots continually for 29min 59sec though the file is broken apart into 12min segments on the card. I use 16 and 32gig sandisk extreme SDHC cards and at full resolution I got the full length of video 100% error free.. using this camera to shoot video with L lenses is a joy, the video is pristine and as you use manual focus in video anyway, the big slr is actually at a disadvantage here, I can fly this camera, steady cam it, suction cup it, etc. far easier than many of the larger SLRs and yet the video outshines more than its fair share, with audio features not even found on some of the go-to cameras in the market. What can I say, I'm thoroughly impressed.. and it more than easily fits in my carry on.......

This is an awesome pocketable camera that is small and lightweight that I am willing to carry with me anywhere. I already have the trusty Canon 5D Mark II and used to have the Canon Powershot S100 for pocketable camera that was stolen from my car and was going to replace it until I saw the deal on this camera. I did not consider this camera before due to the price and the negative reviews it received regarding the autofocus speed that was slow. But when the price went down to LESS than GoPro3 black edition (of which I also have) and to within the price range of the awesome but stolen Powershot S100, then it made me consider getting this camera and boy am I glad I got it! Main purpose of a good camera is taking great pictures, right?. EOS M does a marvelous job at a level you expect from a prosumer DSLR. This compact camera has the LARGEST chip of any affordable compacts with APS-C sized chip. Sony Rx1RB has full size chip but it costs several thousands of dollars. Why the size of chip matter? Larger chip gets you better picture. That is why DSLR takes better pictures than smartphones. Several reviewers in photographic magazines complained of lack of buttons and instead EOS M relies on touchscreen menu to get where you want to. My experience is that it is easier to navigate the options with the M than the Powershot S100 in which there were quite a few buttons and knobs but still complicated to get where you want to go to, if you remember where to find it. Autofocus: There has been much criticism on the slowness of the focusing capability of this camera. Mine came in with the latest update and the focusing was slower than my Canon 5D mark II. So I had to adapt to it and be aware of that when taking pictures. I just know I will not get the sports pictures. For that, I can use the 5D mark II which by the way it is not that fast compared to the newest version, the III. Right now there is no USB remote control capability with EOS M using the Android Apps like DSLR controller. Apparently it is crippled by Canon. Magic Lantern is working on a solution and right now is it in Alpha stage. So it looks like that in the future it could be done! Canon can change its mind and make it so that it is USB control capable like the 5D mark II or III or the newer Rebels and other EOS. There has been discussion online with defects on certain EOS M that right side of pictures are washed out. I checked mine and it was fine. Something you need to check if you get one. Would I recommend this camera? That depends on what kind of pictures you take and what is your expectation. It is possible it may be too slow for family/kids pictures and many point and shoot cameras could be better and more inexpensive than this unit. But if you are into the art and love of photography for art's sake, this camera can bring you to that level in a compact form. Addendum: As to which lens you should choose,I chose 22 mm lens because of its physical size it made it more compact. Since I already had other Canon lenses for my 5D mark II and with the optional EOS M EF adapter, I can attach any telephoto lenses. If you are planning it to be your main camera and you do not have other lenses, the 18-55 may be a good choice but you lose the compact factor and note the autofocus speed may not be adequate if you have children to take pictures unless they learn to be still. Since my smartphone Nokia N8 only had one focal point, I learned to crop a lot. So with the 22 mm lens, I know I can crop my pictures since I take them in raw format, so it would not lose information to get great pictures. Addendum 2 from Nov 2013. I got the refurbished Canon lens EFS 18-135 mm with STM (step motor) and I was pleasantly surprised how fast the EOS M was able to focus compared to the 22 mm lens. The EFS lens required adapter of course of which I already purchased so I could use other Canon lens.

I've been weighing the mirrorless option heavy and finally made the plunge to keep it in the Canon family. I Received this camera and have been playing with it and enjoying it for it's purpose. Let me state this, I own a Canon 5D Mark III as well, so I can only speak on my intentions and reasoning for wanting the Eos-M. I had no intentions of buying this camera as a back up body, nor would this be the camera I would recommend for others who are in the market for one. However, image quality wise, it could be. If you've made the Canon investment in gear, and could use something a little more light weight, sort of pocket friendly, and portable that has the capability to be used with your other canon gear.. It's a no brainer. This camera to me is the Hobbyist/enthusiast Canon gear owners good, to best friend. The Good: I love the image quality, size, and build quality of the camera and even the 22mm itself is a much better build then expected. It doesn't feel cheap. The touchscreen is pretty good and responsive, if you don't mind a few prints on the screen trying to assist the focusing. Also I love the relief of not carrying my battery gripped 5D around with me for all of the smallest things, and missing something worth capturing because of it. This camera has been a blast, and I've worn it around my neck on several occasions and even the people with me haven't noticed. The Bad: Slow maneuvering around the menus, as there are limited physical buttons and no turn dial (But this may get faster as you get use to the touchscreen). No built in flash (When this camera is said to target those coming from point and shoot cameras), No view finder (But after a couple of shots.. I wasn't missing it), And no direct lens mount Ef-s or EF (and mainly this is because of the outrageous price for the adapter). But all of this is tolerable... Sort of. I wont complain about the auto focus speed as to me, it's really not that bad. I have seen faster, and even faster focus speeds on this camera alone. But then again, I use a 85mm 1.2L quite a bit on my Mark III and that lens can almost make any focus speed seem fast. I did purchased the 16GB Eye-Fi card and use it to transfer images straight to my cellphone for quick editing if needed, and uploading to any social network services I use. I have no idea why it did not cross someones mind at Canon, to include wifi and/or Gps, when I've have heard time and time again about one of the excuses for not having a built in EVF was that this camera should attract those who are familiar with taking cellphone images. In the end, a built in Viewfinder, wifi, gps, flash and a cheaper if not free lens adapter would have been nice. But even so, I am happy with my purchase, and I've read enough to understand its purpose or my reasoning for wanting one, and have actually been more impressed then what I've originally expected. I do not think anyone would be in their right mind to purchase this camera for sports photography, and if you've taking pictures with almost any modern smart phone today, the focus speed may never be a issue to you. If you already own or are familiar with a Canon DSLR, this camera will feel right at home with the options and setup. And if this is a new world to you, you might want to read the manual, or watch a video to get yourself familiar first. Great buy for me!!! **UPDATE** 7-3-13 I Still love this camera just as much as the day I got it, and has been a very solid performer overall. The biggest gripe about the camera from others was the auto focus speed in which has recently been corrected via v2.0.. And for me was the sun glare on the screen was a slight disadvantage while using the camera outside, (which could be fixed if the camera had a view finder), but I just added a non glare screen protector, and raised my LCD brightness to fix and works great for me. From my personal experiences that I've had since owning this camera, the slight auto focus problem has not made me feel any less different about it, as it was not that bad.The consistent color contrast, color balance and image quality has never been better, and have shocked me on many occasions. This camera is a very capable and solid performer for what my intentions were, and quite a few people have purchased it after seeing a few uses, and images i've taken with it. Now with the update, there is no denying how good and fun this little camera is, and have definitely increased my personal uses and longevity with this camera. Thanks Canon, the overall build, and image quality is nothing short of awesome. I can't wait to see how they will out do themselves with the next Eos-M camera.

I bought this camera 11 days ago. I wanted something small but with good IQ to use while backpacking and to carry daily into town in my book bag. The fact that it's a Canon was the clinching factor; I have a 7d and know the Canon menus, etc. I took about 300 photos with this camera and the IQ WAS excellent and I really didn't have major problems with the auto focus (most of what I photograph is not moving, so it is not a big issue.) What is a big issue is the fact that this camera freezes up and is unusable. This happened the first time on day-one, while writing to my memory card. I thought this would be a one-off and after I removed the battery and started the camera again all was fine. Then, 2 days later, it froze while moving between AV and TV modes. I removed the battery and waited a bit then replaced it and all was fine. This happened a second time a few days ago (I used the same fix). When I say it 'froze' I mean the shutter will not fire, the screen is pure white and unresponsive and the Q and other icons do not respond. This happened again 4 hours ago and the 'normal' fix -- removing the battery, etc. -- is not working. I'm stuck with the white screen of death. So, I'm returning this to amazon and getting my money back. I REALLY wanted to like this camera (and did for most of the time I had it!), but I think I may save my pennies (starting with the $345 I spent on this) and buy a Fuji 100s or some other small-ish mirrorless camera in the new year. I don't like the idea of learning a new system, but I also am turned off by my experience with the EOS M.

I agree with many that I really wanted to like this camera but the focus issue is unacceptable especially in this day and age, my S100 does better. When you look at the cost of this camera and accessories the "picture" gets even worse, as one person says "these are pro prices" this is not even a pro-sumer camera. I am ashamed of Canon. I shoot professionally and wanted like others to consider this as a "far" back up camera but it is so far off I cannot use it. The focus timing is pitiful. Many have said it is a T4 camera without the mirror ...... it is not. Come on Canon you waited to be the last out the gate and this is what we get ??? and with this pricing. No way ! I sent it back ...... thanks to Amazon !!!

The M is a very nice little camera; no frills in some ways, quite sophisticated in others. If price is no object there are better, slicker cameras from Sony, Fuji, etc. If you care about price, the M is currently so much less than the others, there's no comparison. If you're moving up from a Powershot, Coolpix or whatever, welcome to the big time. If you're looking for a second SLR, only smaller, I suppose it fits that description but not really. The good: Very small & solid, good 22mm lens, 18 megapixels, can use all Canon SLR lenses with adapter, touch screen works well if you give it a chance, made in Japan, stereo mics for movies. The bad: No viewfinder option, no flash (the mark of a Canon "pro" camera), strap "buttons" look like they came off the case of an old Rolleiflex. Neither great nor terrible: Focus w/22mm is pretty quick but not spectacular with new firmware, lens lacks stabilization, battery ok but ridiculously expensive, it's small but not that light, 18 megapixels just makes large files, use of EF lenses via adapter is possible, but why? If size is your main concern and you stick to the 22mm lens & don't mind carrying a separate flash, this makes a very high quality package. On the other hand, if you want the M so you can use different lenses, all of them except perhaps the 40mm will make the camera close to the size of a small SLR. I don't have the lens adapter yet (genuine Canon is reasonable if you order from Hong Kong) so I can't say how well this works but seeing guys online put a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens on the M and then complain about the focus speed just baffles me. It's a miracle this combination works at all but if you're carrying a lens that size who needs a pocket camera for it? In summary, an excellent buy, and next time around, with a viewfinder and normal strap lugs, they'll have it right, but it'll go back up to $700. Update - Just received the (genuine Canon) adapter. It works, but something I hadn't noticed before; when using manual focus, the M does not give any indication when you're in focus, not even a sound. Autofocus with the adapter works, but is somewhat slower even with the 40mm lens. On the other hand, if you own some smaller old lenses like Olympus OM or some Nikon/Pentax/Minolta wide angles, and you have an EOS mount adapter for them, you can put them on the EOS lens-to-M mount adapter and they work beautifully on the M. (Note that you must enable Custom Function IV - 7 to unlock the shutter--otherwise the M will not shoot with a non-Canon lens. Many thanks to the person who pointed this out to me!)

I purchased this camera with 22mm lens used - as new - for $285.oo - including shipping. For the serious armature, this is a great little camera. For the professional photographer, this is a nice little camera to have in pocket for unexpected photo opportunities. As for me, I would have given up everything to become a professional photographer with such a camera and set-up with my computer system. That is to say fifty years ago. But still, this little camera is amazing even today. And a new version will appear on the market maybe soon that will be even better. But the price will ago up significantly. The objections critics raise against the slower focusing are those wonderful idealists. Lots of cameras I have handled are slower than this. The reviewer who reported 4-5 seconds to focus is very suspect. My experience has been solid focusing in less than one second. True, this is not fast enough for sports, but for most anything else, it is just fine. I recommend buying the 18-55mm zoom lens instead of buying the adapter to use with your other Canon EOS lenses. It just doesn't make sense to me to attach heavy lenses on this little doll of a camera when I have the well balanced Rebel T2i and T4i cameras. I made the mistake of buying the off brand adapter (which works perfectly) and can now use all my EOS lenses on the M camera bodies. But I've decided to use only the STM lenses on my M camera. I can't see putting a big lens on this small camera. The M camera has no built-in flash, but it does have a hot shoe. This will work perfectly with my Canon 270EX Speedlite. and, if needed, with my larger Speedlite. This is my personal preference. I hardly ever use flash. It's just that a hot shoe is so much more versatile and effective than a built-in flash. The tiny opening on the camera face, that I thought might be a flash, is just a beam to help the camera auto focus. The 22mm lens is very sharp, and an aperture of f 2.0 , coupled with the camera's ability to use high ISO's low light shooting is easy. The sweetest sweet spot is f 8. The sensor and processer really do their jobs. I could never get such sharpness and detail with any tiny sensor camera. And the M does shoot RAW+JPG. With the M camera you get an easy to carry, easy to use camera, and high quality photographs. And it's only a little slower in focusing than optimal for some uses. UPDATE 12/18/13 I forgot to mention before about the lack of a viewfinder. After some use of this camera, I miss it. Especially if I were trying to use the camera for sports, or moving dogs at the Dog Park, I usually press a camera against my face to steady it when I shoot, but the Image Stabilizer works very well if the camera is held properly - as shown in the User Guide. Additionally, I push the camera away from me to cause the neck strap to pull on the back of my neck. That creates kind of a tripod effect with my body. But still, I often have a problem with direct sunlight obscuring my subjects. I've tried a specially built shade device, but it was too clumsy to be useful. I also hadn't mentioned the Touch Screen. Well, it's fast and great. I mostly like being able to touch the screen to guide what the camera is to Auto Focus on. That's very cool. And I will purchase the next upgrade of the M, but only if it has a viewfinder and an articulating screen.