see also:

• mirrorless camera systems
• Canon EOS camera system
• Micro Four Thirds system
• my thoughts on the new Canon EOS-M mirrorless compact camera system

• Canon is the last of the big players to enter the scene of the mirrorless compact system camera which was created by and dominated by Micro Four Thirds system with its brilliant range of lenses, superb features such as brilliant image stabilisedm weatherproofed Olympus OM-D E-M5 camera and the videographer's tool of choice - the Panasonic GH-2 camera
• In July 2012, Canon finally announced a mirrorless compact system camera - the EOS-M - an entry level camera and 2 EF-M mount lenses designed for it - 22mm F2 STM and EF-M 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 STM IS
• hardly inspiring, and despite early thoughts they they would choose a 2x crop sensor like Micro Four Thirds system so they could get the best of all worlds - small lenses and great image quality, they have succumbed to Canon conservatism and chosen yet another APS-C 1.6x crop sensor camera system
• the lenses will use their new STM AF technology designed for smooth, quiet CD-AF performance but there are serious question marks on AF speed
• I really can't see too many non-Canon owners flocking to this system based on the current offerings, but full frame Canon dSLR owners may opt for the camera with pancake lens as a social camera albeit it being very restrictive in its versatility when compared to a Olympus OM-D E-M5 camera

• electronic bayonet mount, with 9 contacts between the lens and camera.
• departing from Canon's usual mounting mechanisms, the white dot for aligning the lens is at the 11 0'clock position on the mount.
• 58mm in diameter
  • so there is no chance in the world this mount will be extended to a full frame sensor - if only they had made a full frame mirrorless with built-in IS!
• flange distance of 18mm from the bayonet to the sensor, same as the Sony NEX and just a tad shorter than the 20mm Micro Four Thirds flange distance

• announced Feb 2017
• essentially a M5 without an EVF, but with a flip up selfie style LCD screen
• see my blog post

• announced sept 2016
• APS-C, 24mp, 1080HD, 45pt dual pixel AF, 1/4000th sec shutter, 7fps
• see my blog post comparing it to the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

• announced Feb 2015 as a token gesture given they still have only four EF-M lenses in its range, and only one would be interesting to an enthusiast - the EF-M 22mm f/2 STM but even with the STM lenses, AF speed cannot compete with other mirrorless systems such as Micro Four Thirds, although AF works acceptably well with the works well with the 18-55mm kit lens ¹⁾
• 24mp APS-C sensor
• 49pt AF and new Hybrid CMOS AF III
• tilting LCD, optional EVF
• MF peaking
• video almost as good as the 2011 Panasonic GH2 but with much more moire and aliasing artefacts
• no where near as good as the Panasonic LX100
• it is so far away from competing with the features or lens line up of Micro Four Thirds system - it seems it won't even be marketed in USA - why bother when there are far better options for users in the mirrorless world
• will AF a Canon EF lens better than a Metabones adapter on a Sony but that is not saying much!
• EOSHD review

• 18mp sensor with Hybrid CMOS AF and ISO 100-12,800 (25,600 with boost)
• 31pt AF
• phase detect AF component only works with STM lenses
• fixed 1,040K LCD touch screen
• no built-in flash (standard EOS hotshoe) and no EVF and no EVF port
• flash x-sync speed 1/200th sec
• shutter 60sec - 1/4000th sec
• 4.3fps burst, 3fps with AF tracking
• 1080p HD video at 24, 25,30fps in MPEG-4 H.264 format with stereo mics (essentially the same HD video as in the Canon 650D)
• 298g 109x66x32mm - just a touch bigger than a Panasonic GF-5
• bundled AAA battery Speedlite 90EX flash
• optional GPE2 GPS recorder
• optional EF-M to EF lens adapter (RRP $US200) although given this is a very basic camera and not ergonomically designed for such lenses, users would be far better off with a dSLR, after all it isn't adding higher grade video, nor built-in IS, nor ergonomics or AF speed to entice users into using it with EF lenses.
• for a camera which forces users to compose through the LCD screen at arms length, the absence of built-in image stabilisation is a real pity
• initial previews suggest AF speed with dedicated new lens is much slower than Olympus and Panasonic
• lack of physical controls will not suit the street photographer
• RRP $US800 with pancake lens price at announcement is much higher than competition for few benefits and lots of negatives

• technical review at Photoreview
• PetaPixel's AF speed comparison
  • “The Canon EOS M is quickly becoming the laughingstock of the mirrorless party due to its autofocus system, which leaves much to be desired in terms of speed. To show just how sluggish the system really is … ”

AF speed comparison - firmware 2.0.2 vs Olympus, Sony and Fuji - the Olympus E-P5 easily beats them all by a long shot!

• equivalent to 35mm lens field of view on a 35mm full frame camera
• compact pancake lens which should make a reasonable street photography lens, pity it is not image stabilised to allow for more versatility at night without a tripod or flash
• 6 elements / 7 groups
• close focus 0.15m
• 43mm filter thread
• 60.9×23.7mm
• 105g

• 2017 model

• equates to 29mm - 88mm field of view
• 13 elements / 11 groups
• close focus 0.25m
• filter thread 52mm
• “4 stop” IS for stills but can add more IS functionality during movies by activating dynamic IS mode
• 60.9x61mm but lens extends on zooming
• 120g
• should be a reasonable travel lens and the kit ends up being half the weight of a Canon dSLR with kit lens
• similar sized lens to the Olympus mZD 14-42mm kit lenses but twice as long as the ultra compact Panasonic PZ kit lens.
• RRP $US300

• announced June 2013
• equates to 18-36mm fov
• 3 stops IS
• 0.15m minimum focusing distance
• much smaller than Canon's EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM but then it is not as bright
• uses a collapsible retracting barrel reminiscent of the smaller, lighter Olympus m.ZD 9-18mm f/4.0-5.6 lens and pioneered by Olympus on its 3-5x standard range zoom lenses for Micro Four Thirds
• weird atypical 55mm filter thread size!
• 220g
• 61mm diameter x 58mm length (retracted but in use, 74mm when zoomed to 11mm)
• very similar in size and appearance to the EF-M 18-55mm lens
• AF speed similar to the EF-M 18-55mm lens - that is much slower than the current a brief catalogue of Micro Four Thirds lenses on the latest Micro Four Thirds system

• 2017 model

• 2017 model