There has been some chatter about the future of the EOS M system once again after a report surfaced last week that the system would be shuttered as soon as 2021.
This isn't a new phenomenon, the death of the EOS M system has been talked about since the launch of the EOS R system back in 2018. While Canon has continued to release new EOS M camera bodies, the lens lineup is still limping along with no apparent direction or excitement.
So is the death of the EOS M greatly exaggerated?
Not according to two people I spoke with this week. One of them is privy to the roadmap going forward and I am told that there is nothing in regards to the EOS M in the 2021 roadmap. The source called this “unusual”, but cautioned that the current global challenges may be the reason and that a roadmap could be updated later in Q4.
Another source claims that the system is going to go away, but not in 2021. Canon is still working on the transition plan away from the EOS M system.
Neither source wanted to talk about an APS-C RF mount camera at this time.
Not convinced M users would rather buy a much bigger APS-C R model.
An EOS 7 DII (future EOS R) user isn't the usual clientele for the M system, and the EOS 90 D no replacement for the M 5 or 50.
Extreme compactness still is THE argument for the M, and, for some, it's disadvantage.
And stupid me was just saving money for the coming "uber M"
I think an awful lot is being inferred here. There weren't any new lenses this year, either. And everything will die someday. It's obvious M development is on hold while R is a priority, but I think now that the R5 and R6 establish that Canon is still a company to be reckoned with their attention can turn to other matters.
Not on a 2022 roadmap would be more significant.
Love to see how Canon thinks it can offer M users a migration to R - no option to take lenses, batteries and in fact anything.
Remember they may have plans but those change, and even if they do eventually decide sometime in 2022/3 to cease development well any M kit you have will continue to work well for many years to come.
Even when the average M user is never likely to buy an R body costing twice as much, and lenses costing twice as much? I think M users are less interested in upgrading to the more expensive R/RF ecosystem. I discount people here as being representative of the larger M segment.
And if Canon does drop it and only gives me the option to ditch all my kit, then when I come to having to replace my Ms as they’re no longer repairable, if Canon doesn’t offer significantly better than Fuji then my M funds will go to them.
An APS-C RF mount cameras could be as small as the M line.
They would just need to add some smaller designed RF lenses.
Great news!
Now the first RF-C will probably be standard sized bodies like a 7D replacement. But it wont be long before we see some subcompact RF-C bodies moving into M territory. Canon seems to have little to no interest in making M lenses, but they are cranking out glass and patents for RF like water from a broken hydrant
Lowest quality body with a fast 50mm $4k.
Highest quality body with fast 50mm equivalent $1750.
For $4k I can get a body, a 22mm, a 32mm, a 56mm, a 15-45mm zoom, a 65mm macro and a 18-200mm zoom with a bag and warranties. For what I'm shooting there is no need for more.
Ill buy the new M flagship as long as it checks the boxes and then I'm done for the next decade if this is the choice. Ill wait for the R brand to come down and buy them second hand so Canon can eat it. This is an anti consumer move that limits choice.
The point is an APS-C RF body would necessitate cheaper APS-C-only lenses of the sort you mention. The benefit would be if you wanted, you could also use regular RF lenses on that body. And you could pick and choose. And eventually get a full-frame body if you were really serious about it. But wouldn't have to. There is no path for M users to become more serious about photography other than ditching the entire system.