EOS M Autofocus Performance Won't Improve via Firmware [CR2]

[botw]

The AF is not as bad as folks make it out to be, but it's clearly the weak link.  AF depends heavily on the lens used and is more than useable in good light.  It can't do sports, but neither could the 5n, despite the high frame rate.  I've had the NEX, 3, 5n and 7 for comparison.  AF on those was better, but ergonomics were way worse (even on the 7, though I know some like it).  The Canon touch screen is great.  If they had a faster AF system, this would have been a great camera, instead of a merely good or so-so camera.

[wickidwombat]

what I dont get is
when you use touch to shoot the AF is just fine
when you use it in a studio with studio strobes even using the shutter button the AF speed is about on par with a rebel (this is EFM 18-55 vs 600D with EF-S 18-55)

however if you use the shutter button any other time its a dog to the point of being basically unusable

I plan on using mine for video and timelapse mostly the kit lens is sharp stopped down and has IS so is pretty good for this, the 22mm is a great little lens too

I've gotten impatient and installed the ML alpha on it now and its looking pretty good so far!

[projek_01]

What are you guys talking about with the 6D AF problems? I dont have any problems with mine and I came from a 7D. Yes the EOS M is a tad bit slow but its fine for vacation use. I much prefer carrying it over my DSLR for random lazy shots. I hope this rumor is false though. Although the camera is "fine", faster AF would make it stellar.

[Woody]

Nothing could be further from the truth.

The awful EOS-M AF is killing the product. I would gladly have bought one if its AF is as jiffy as the one on OM-D. Anyway, I am now happily running the OM-D and 6D systems.

[infared]

M is for Misfire!
1. Last company into the mirrorless segment and:
Slow AF in 2013 from the biggest camera manufacturer? HUH?
2.No viewfinder or provision for an optional one. HUH? (gee if you are providing access to all of that Canon glass Canon could have guessed that most would want/NEED a VF???).
3.Canon was dead last launching this product...perfect position to implement a camera that surpassed and avoided the other manufacturer's shortcomings.
4. Canon has the deepest pockets and had all the time in the world for a great launch...yet came to the table with few native lenses.

I love my 5DIII....but I have to thank Canon for the M...they REALLY made me happy with my decision to buy two MFT cameras and ten MFT lenses. That LITTLE camera system is sooooooooooo brilliant! Thanks Canon! 

....and MFT is four years old.... HUH?

[Iceman75]

I have to admit, that the AF keeps me away from the EOS M, too.
Although... what remains is the fact that - unless you use a pancake - the thing is pretty bulky. So if you really want a pocketable camera I'd rather go for a Sony RX100
Hope Canon will improve the AF AND produce a pancake zoom - then I'd seriously start thinking about an M

What I don't understand is the critzcism about the 6D - AF... what I read is that it really performs well - it just sounds pretty shitty on the datasheet due to the limited number of (Cross-Type) Sensors...

[Woody]

What I don't understand is the critzcism about the 6D - AF... what I read is that it really performs well - it just sounds pretty shitty on the datasheet due to the limited number of (Cross-Type) Sensors...

There are many armchair critics out there...

[Dylan777]

Canon is so strong in DSLR field, including lenses. I'm not sure why they came short on M model.Both Sony and Fuji seem to be on the right track with smaller cameras.

Look forward to see Canon FF sensor in compact body(similar to RX1) with fast AF(similar to Fuji). am I asking to much? 

[jal2099]

+1 to all of this.  "Saved" is a strong word, but after months with the camera, Magic Lantern has kept my camera off of eBay...losing a chunk of it's value has something to do with that, too.  Between Focus Peaking and being able to up the bitrate, ML is a real boon.

It's an odd little camera.  After a decent amount of time with it, I tend to only dislike it when I'm not using it, but when I am, I have few qualms.  I really appreciate just how small this camera can become. 

what I dont get is
when you use touch to shoot the AF is just fine
when you use it in a studio with studio strobes even using the shutter button the AF speed is about on par with a rebel (this is EFM 18-55 vs 600D with EF-S 18-55)

however if you use the shutter button any other time its a dog to the point of being basically unusable

I plan on using mine for video and timelapse mostly the kit lens is sharp stopped down and has IS so is pretty good for this, the 22mm is a great little lens too

I've gotten impatient and installed the ML alpha on it now and its looking pretty good so far!

[RLPhoto]

I really doubt Canon won't take the advantage of a firmware update to try to market it as an AF improvement and then leave it as an unquantifiable statement about improved AF.

It is funny how many people knew this would be a stinker before it saw the inside of a showroom.  1st gen is not an excuse  - I would have fired the people who let a subpar product see light of day.  We are too kind to these people and show way too much loyalty.

I have been on the sidelines with my Rebel Xsi because I am a casual photographer and don't need this equipment to earn my living.  I will continue to wait one more cycle to see if Canon can fix AF issues with the Rebel, M series or the 6D and not keep making silly mistakes (one point AF on 6D)  - if the next product does not deliver then I guess Sony or Nikon will be getting my money.

EP-1?
X100?
X-pro1?
Iphone?
Ipad?
Windows Vista? (contrast win7pro)
Pretty much any 1st gen system or serious overhaul to a previous system.


All had serious flaws that is caused by 1st gen syndrome, compare 2nd gen products to these and its obvious of they're flaws. I never adopt 1st gen products.

[ashmadux]

Then this turkey of a camera is as dead as it is now.

Horrible, HORRIBLE AF performance.   I couldn't believe how long it took to focus, its just unthinkable that canon would allow this.

Then again canon is all about protecting camera classes and margins nowadays.  Could have been a great travel and street cam, but with that dreadful af its limited to shooting statues and mountains. what a waste. 

[c.d.embrey]

what I dont get is
when you use touch to shoot the AF is just fine
when you use it in a studio with studio strobes even using the shutter button the AF speed is about on par with a rebel (this is EFM 18-55 vs 600D with EF-S 18-55)

Putting a Pocket Wizard in the hot-shoe improves focus that's beyond wiered. Does using a flash in the hot-shoe also improve auto-focus

Next time I'm over at Calumet I'll check this out. I always have several Pocket Wizands with me. I'd mainly use an EOS M for studio work, so this could be workable
 

I plan on using mine for video and timelapse mostly the kit lens is sharp stopped down and has IS so is pretty good for this, the 22mm is a great little lens too

I've gotten impatient and installed the ML alpha on it now and its looking pretty good so far!

Be sure to post a link to your video tests.

[dadgummit]

It was the terrible AF performance that kept me away not the lack of lenses.  I can live without the viewfinder and built in flash because it makes the body smaller but slow af destroys any use I would have for this model which is taking shots of my family/ kids etc. 

[silvaeu]

The major issue I have with the EOS-M is the lack of a built-in flash. It makes no sense to me to have a second smaller camera to carry for convenience if it requires an external flash. When carrying only a mirrorless with a small lens, it makes no sense to have to carry a flash.

For now, I've opted for the Panasonic GX1. It has the ideal form factor and features... I just wished Canon had built a similar camera with a APS-C sensor.

[Dylan777]

I really doubt Canon won't take the advantage of a firmware update to try to market it as an AF improvement and then leave it as an unquantifiable statement about improved AF.

It is funny how many people knew this would be a stinker before it saw the inside of a showroom.  1st gen is not an excuse  - I would have fired the people who let a subpar product see light of day.  We are too kind to these people and show way too much loyalty.

I have been on the sidelines with my Rebel Xsi because I am a casual photographer and don't need this equipment to earn my living.  I will continue to wait one more cycle to see if Canon can fix AF issues with the Rebel, M series or the 6D and not keep making silly mistakes (one point AF on 6D)  - if the next product does not deliver then I guess Sony or Nikon will be getting my money.

EP-1?
X100?
X-pro1?
Iphone?
Ipad?
Windows Vista? (contrast win7pro)
Pretty much any 1st gen system or serious overhaul to a previous system.


All had serious flaws that is caused by 1st gen syndrome, compare 2nd gen products to these and its obvious of they're flaws. I never adopt 1st gen products.

Would you consider Sony RX1 is 1st gen of FF in compact body? Took over 1k photos with RX1, I didn't see any issues yet? including AF speed

You said "I never adopt 1st gen products", I thought you had 5D C before 5D III?  and what about your all time fav 135L?