My First EOS-M Review

[wickidwombat]

and some reference shots with 5Dmk2 on the 600mm FD

on all these shots the lens on tripod did not move so its only the effective focal lengths changing with format and tele converters

[mrsfotografie]

Excellent review, wickidwombat! Thanks for that.

It however confirms what I've been thinking from previous comments on the camera's performance: to wait and see where Canon will take the EOS-M system before jumping in at the first instance. For me, the poor AF performance (using the 'traditional' shutter button) is a deal breaker. Some more R&D to be done there...

[gmrza]

Excellent review, wickidwombat! Thanks for that.

It however confirms what I've been thinking from previous comments on the camera's performance: to wait and see where Canon will take the EOS-M system before jumping in at the first instance. For me, the poor AF performance (using the 'traditional' shutter button) is a deal breaker. Some more R&D to be done there...

I am hoping that the fact that the EOS-M seems to be doing very well in some markets (like Japan) will give it the scale for Canon to add other more advanced bodies.  Once there is one with an EVF, better AF and a socket for a wired remote shutter release, I'm in. - Oh, and also with a new sensor - I don't need another camera with the current 18MP sensor tech.

[wickidwombat]

Excellent review, wickidwombat! Thanks for that.

It however confirms what I've been thinking from previous comments on the camera's performance: to wait and see where Canon will take the EOS-M system before jumping in at the first instance. For me, the poor AF performance (using the 'traditional' shutter button) is a deal breaker. Some more R&D to be done there...

I am hoping that the fact that the EOS-M seems to be doing very well in some markets (like Japan) will give it the scale for Canon to add other more advanced bodies.  Once there is one with an EVF, better AF and a socket for a wired remote shutter release, I'm in. - Oh, and also with a new sensor - I don't need another camera with the current 18MP sensor tech.

the iphone app dslrbot works like a wired shutter release using IR trigger butt can control all sorts of functions, bracketing, intervalometer long exposure etc so that my current solution to that, i have yet to try out tethered shooting over HDMI though too

[funkboy]

Thanks very much for the extensive review!

[elflord]

Do they have an AF mode where you can select a point (or little box) on the touch screen and have it focus on that ? How well does AF perform if you do it that way ?

I have a panasonic GF2 that has similar AF options. I don't use touch shoot because I like to get a lock and then decide when to shoot (and maybe shoot a few frames, not just one). I seldom use AF tracking on mirrorless unless I'm in video mode (which works pretty well on the new panasonic bodies). For stills I like to use single point AF like I would with a DSLR (though I use the touch screen to pick out the point)

[wickidwombat]

Do they have an AF mode where you can select a point (or little box) on the touch screen and have it focus on that ? How well does AF perform if you do it that way ?

I have a panasonic GF2 that has similar AF options. I don't use touch shoot because I like to get a lock and then decide when to shoot (and maybe shoot a few frames, not just one). I seldom use AF tracking on mirrorless unless I'm in video mode (which works pretty well on the new panasonic bodies). For stills I like to use single point AF like I would with a DSLR (though I use the touch screen to pick out the point)

Yes it has a spot focus mode however it's the exact same deal using the shutter button it hunts and racks focus and takes ages to lock with the touch to shoot mode it's almost instant probably not far off the speed of a rebel. The difference is quite wierd. If you turn off touch to shoot and touch the screen it focuses quite fast but when you hit the shutter button it has additional lag like its focusing again. The only scenario I have found the shutter button response to be even close to acceptable is if continuous focus is on and it's in face detect mode and has already locked onto a face. Then it's quite quick however touching the screen is always the fastest

[wickidwombat]

here are some 100% crops of unedited raws in LR 4.2 for the 2 high iso shots

[wickidwombat]

here are some 100% crops of unedited files in LR 4.2 for the 600, the 600+1.4tc and the 600 +1.4 + 2x stacked combo
all iso 100

[Daniel Flather]

Nice, could you post a few with the 22mm wide open @ iso 800/1600? 

[wickidwombat]

Nice, could you post a few with the 22mm wide open @ iso 800/1600?

here ya go and 400 and 3200 bonus images

[wickidwombat]

100% crops of the above
straight raw files in LR

[wickidwombat]

bokeh test with some led lights in background auto iso it chose 640 (can only select full stop iso, boo)

[AmbientLight]

Many thanks for your time spent testing the EOS-M, Wickid. The results are well worth it - for me this is the best, most useful EOS-M review provided so far. It is kind of sad the EOS-M doesn't seem to make a good street photography tool. Perhaps with the next EOS-M version this might change.

[Daniel Flather]

Thanks wickedwombat.  I think the M might be an ideal camera as an EDC, as I don't carry a phone, yes, I'm that one guy sans iPhone/smartphone.  The iso 3200 looks good for what I'd use it for —99% 1024x*** jpegs.

Also, you put a lemon in ur Corona?