Canon Introduces the EOS M5 Digital Camera and its First EF-M High Power Zoom Lens

[Tugela]

1060P60 video is recorded as MP4 files. The consumer cameras from Canon usually record those at 35 mbps, so I expect that is the case with this one as well. So it is not going to be well regarded as a video camera, other than for very casual use.

Apparently it is 35 mbps video, so I was correct.

Good for you. But you were completely wrong – again – when you stated that any Canon camera with Digic 7 would shoot 4K video. So I'd be careful about patting your own back, a 50% correct rate is a failing grade.

You are the one who is wrong. The Digic 7 can do 4K, but it is the camera that can't cope with the heat. I have said this repeatedly. This is why the 1DXII and 5DIV use Digic 6+ processors and software encoding as MJPEG.

Digic 7 is a variant of Digic DV5, which as you may (or in your case, may not) know does 4K hardware encoding using H.264 at up to 400 mbps (IIRC). They are both the same generation of processors, with minor differences optimized for different applications.

If they put a fan in the M5 it would have been able to shoot 4K using hardware encoding.

 

[merefield]

Not impressed.

High Pro/Prosumer price yet no 4k, slow lenses (those F-stops cannot be compared to FF directly), poor flip screen that will be obscured by tripod, pointless fixed EVF which could have articulated like the removable optional one on prior models (which is excellent), and no proper image stabilisation (useless for stills)

I mean you'd get an 80D instead, wouldn't you??

 

[d]

Not impressed.

High Pro/Prosumer price yet no 4k, slow lenses (those F-stops cannot be compared to FF directly), poor flip screen that will be obscured by tripod, pointless fixed EVF which could have articulated like the removable optional one on prior models (which is excellent), and no proper image stabilisation (useless for stills)

I mean you'd get an 80D instead, wouldn't you??

???

No proper image stabilisation....apart from that built into all but one EF-M lens! I smell a troll...

 

[Etienne]

Not impressed.

High Pro/Prosumer price yet no 4k, slow lenses (those F-stops cannot be compared to FF directly), poor flip screen that will be obscured by tripod, pointless fixed EVF which could have articulated like the removable optional one on prior models (which is excellent), and no proper image stabilisation (useless for stills)

I mean you'd get an 80D instead, wouldn't you??

The M5 is very portable, the 80D package is basically as bulky as my 5D3.
I use the M3 with 11-22 ... a very handy ultrawide setup, the M5 will be dynamite with this lens.
Put the 22mm f/2 on the M5 and you have a pocket camera for low light.

There are a lot of advantages of the M5 over the 80D ... at the same IQ

 

[ritholtz]

The Canon 80D has OVF focusing brightness range of EV -3 to 18 and a max of 45 cross-type AF points while the M5's DPAF metering range is EV -1 to 18, can we assume that the AF capability of the latter will be below that of the former?

The -1 spec is actually a bit strange. 80D's DPAF actually focuses in dimmer light than the discrete AF sensor (which, according to tests, doesn't quite reach the promised -3EV). Not sure why the M5 would be different, given that it's practically the same sensor. Unless Canon has done some "product differentiation" there.

May be continuous focusing is going to struggle with light levels below -1EV. Same 80d sensor with faster processing, I should focus like 80d right? According to IR, M5 is going to have slightly better IQ with faster processor.

 

[Luds34]

The Canon 80D has OVF focusing brightness range of EV -3 to 18 and a max of 45 cross-type AF points while the M5's DPAF metering range is EV -1 to 18, can we assume that the AF capability of the latter will be below that of the former?

The -1 spec is actually a bit strange. 80D's DPAF actually focuses in dimmer light than the discrete AF sensor (which, according to tests, doesn't quite reach the promised -3EV). Not sure why the M5 would be different, given that it's practically the same sensor. Unless Canon has done some "product differentiation" there.

That is odd. At this price I'd be surprised if Canon went with some "product differentiation" as you so elegantly stated. This M5 appears to be the mirrorless that Canon did not hold back on so I find the -1 puzzling.

 

[arthurbikemad]

I love the look of this, nice camera for the smalls bag! Will defo be getting on of these on a 15-45 kit and EF adaptor, great for long treks.

 

[neuroanatomist]

1060P60 video is recorded as MP4 files. The consumer cameras from Canon usually record those at 35 mbps, so I expect that is the case with this one as well. So it is not going to be well regarded as a video camera, other than for very casual use.

Apparently it is 35 mbps video, so I was correct.

Good for you. But you were completely wrong – again – when you stated that any Canon camera with Digic 7 would shoot 4K video. So I'd be careful about patting your own back, a 50% correct rate is a failing grade.

You are the one who is wrong.

Yeah, I guess I just misunderstood your statements. : : :

All cameras with a Digic 7 processor will have the capability of shooting 4K video. So, if all of these cameras are projected to include a Digic 7, then all of them will shoot 4K.

We already know that the Digic 7/DV5 family has the capability to do basic 4K video, so the hardware encoders are present without question.

If a Canon camera has a Digic 7 processor in it, it will shoot 4K 30p video, provided that a modern storage interface has been included. Higher frame rates in 4K and higher resolutions, however, will not happen without extra hardware in the design.

 

[lw]

That is odd. At this price I'd be surprised if Canon went with some "product differentiation" as you so elegantly stated. This M5 appears to be the mirrorless that Canon did not hold back on so I find the -1 puzzling.

I think because the DSLRs and MILCs use totally different metering sensors. The DSLRs have a dedicated metering sensor, whereas the MILC use the imaging sensor.

80D spec says =
7560-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor
Metering with the area divided into 63 segments (9×7)
(1) Evaluative metering (linked to all AF points)
(2) Partial metering (approx. 6.0% of viewfinder)
(3) Spot metering (approx. 3.8% of viewfinder)
(4) Center-weighted average metering

M5 spec says =
Real-time metering from the image sensor
(1) Evaluative metering
(2) Partial metering at center
(3) Center weighted average metering
(4) Spot metering

 

[Hjalmarg1]

Not really excited. It still lags behind competition in many aspects. Is it an improvement over predecessors? Yes, but still not matching features of competitors.
And lens line-up is miserable, still offering variable aperture kit-like zoom lenses, nothing serious about for semi-professional or advance users. :-X

 

[PHOTOPROROCKIES]

struggle to pick between this or the XT2. :-[

might end up getting both.

Definitely the XT2!! That's the one I'm waiting for, the Fujinon lenses are amazing!! Me and a co-worker are canon shooters and both were looking to the 5DS R for its image quality, sharpness and versatility. From what we've gathered the XT2 might actually be sharper than the 5DS R which makes it an amazing package at that price with that awesome selection of lenses.

 

[dak723]

I am definitely interested in this. While I normally prefer an OVF to an EVF, the small size and light weight are advantages that may be hard to pass up. Combine that with Canon's always excellent color, contrast and ergonomics - as well as their reliability - and this should be an excellent camera.

As usual, we have the same sort of comments from folks who must not be paying any attention to what CAnon offers. If you want bells and whistles, Canon is not the camera company for you. If you love spec lists, go to Sony. Why isn't this obvious, or do you folks just love to complain and whine?

 

[transpo1]

1060P60 video is recorded as MP4 files. The consumer cameras from Canon usually record those at 35 mbps, so I expect that is the case with this one as well. So it is not going to be well regarded as a video camera, other than for very casual use.

Apparently it is 35 mbps video, so I was correct.

Good for you. But you were completely wrong – again – when you stated that any Canon camera with Digic 7 would shoot 4K video. So I'd be careful about patting your own back, a 50% correct rate is a failing grade.

I'm sure Digic 7 is capable of shooting 4K, isn't it? They just didn't develop this camera to utilize that capability.

 

[ritholtz]

Not really excited. It still lags behind competition in many aspects. Is it an improvement over predecessors? Yes, but still not matching features of competitors.
And lens line-up is miserable, still offering variable aperture kit-like zoom lenses, nothing serious about for semi-professional or advance users. :-X

4K is only big thing it is missing on spec sheet compared to Sony a6300. But M5 has nice touch screen (which also act as touch pad) implementation married to dpaf. In terms of user experience/interface it is going to be completely different than a6300 which doesn't have even touch screen. M5 has nice grip as well. Don't know why Sony doesn't add little bit of pancake lens size of grip at least. Anyway grip and form factor is subjective.

With respect to the lens based on info from M users, electrical contacts are same between ef-m and ef mount. Adapter is just a physical mount adjustment. So in use, EF lens should act like native lens. Unlike Sony hybrid sensor focusing system, PDAF is also more robust in terms of working with Canon mount lens (EF, Sigma) with different focusing mechanisms.

 

[d]

struggle to pick between this or the XT2. :-[

might end up getting both.

... From what we've gathered the XT2 might actually be sharper than the 5DS R ...

Don't believe everything you see on T.N.'s youtube channel...

 

[LDS]

I'm sure Digic 7 is capable of shooting 4K, isn't it? They just didn't develop this camera to utilize that capability.

It doesn't matter, Canon always skips the 4 number in these cameras. It's the M5, after all, not the M4. They would have liked to add 5K, not 4K....

 

[merefield]

You are the one who is wrong. The Digic 7 can do 4K, but it is the camera that can't cope with the heat. <SNIP>

If they put a fan in the M5 it would have been able to shoot 4K using hardware encoding.

What's the point of such a feature on a chip if it runs too hot to deliver 4k? And I hope you were joking about a fan!

I appreciate Canon not giving us features just to fill out spec sheets which don't work in the wild, like Sony, though.

Seems we'll need to wait for them to shrink the electronics down so they create less heat before minimally cropped 4k becomes a reality.

 

[Hector1970]

It's seems a reasonably good Mirrorless camera without breaking any new ground compared to it's competitors.
Not that it interests me but I'm surprised it's not 4K.
I think this is of interest for buyers. Not that I think people will really use it but people want it as a feature because it's on other cameras.
Is the sensor Canon in-house or a Sony Sensor?
I think it will sell well.
What I find a pity is the lack of fast primes for it.
Canon is good at making small pancakes lens.
An 18mm, 35mm, 50mm combo of prime lens would be a great addition to the M5.

It's hard to tell if Canon are very focussed on building the lens range for the M5.
They probably will if it's successful but won't if its not

 

[brad-man]

I mostly agree with Hector. This is the camera the M3 should have been. There, I said it. This iteration has everything I would reasonably want in a mirrorless (although I would gladly trade the built in EVF for an articulating screen). I will be interested to see if this camera performs as nicely as its specs would indicate. I will not, however, be purchasing any more components in the M system until I see Canon producing some enthusiast class lenses. By this I mean at least three more primes between f/1.8-2.4 and an f/4 standard zoom. I need to be convinced that Canon is going to show more love to the M system than it has to its apsc counterparts.

 

[PHOTOPROROCKIES]

struggle to pick between this or the XT2. :-[

might end up getting both.

... From what we've gathered the XT2 might actually be sharper than the 5DS R ...

Don't believe everything you see on T.N.'s youtube channel...

I did say might.. We're waiting till we get one in store and can actually test and compare the two..