EOS M

Col_M · 6 Dec 2012 at 13:25

Does anyone have an EOS M or have any experience with one?

the reason being I'm just not bringing my 5D out hiking with me so much anymore as it's far too bulky and heavy so I'm looking for something smaller to chuck in my bag that can still use all my EF lenses (with the adapter).

I see a people complaining about AF speed but is it really such a big deal as some people are saying? I've looked at some videos on youtube like this one and it's not as fast as an SLR but it doesn't seem that bad to me, granted it's a well lit scene but most of the time outdoors there is plenty of light and contrast too.

Col_M · 6 Dec 2012 at 14:34

True, but I already have an SLR, I don't want another one, I want a small camera that has most of the functions that I'm used to but that fits in the bag I take hiking, the 550D is >3 times the volume and double the weight of the EOS M.

Col_M · 6 Dec 2012 at 15:08

I'm not likely to use the 27-70 on it as the included kit zoom lens covers essentially the same range as the 24-70 on the 5D, the plan was never to pair it with my EF lenses, just using them occasionally as a handy bonus.

It seems to fit my needs perfectly, I think it's a great alternative to bringing my other camera, saving a ton of bulk while still keeping the functionality if not the ease of use of my SLR (in some ways it can actually do more than my 5D *sobs* lol).

Col_M · 6 Dec 2012 at 18:19

If you all think it's a bad camera I'm just going stick with what I have for now.

An entry level SLR is too big and weighs too much for what I want and I don't need another one.
I Don't want another compact, the sensors are even smaller and they don't have great image quality.

What I want is something that's a comprimise of the two criteria above.

I just assumed that the EOS M was perfect for what I wanted as it contains the sensor, DIGIC 5 processor and many of the features from a 650D but the body size of a larger compact. I don't really fancy a mirrorless from another company either, the only thing I can see that they have over the M is focus speed but then I lose the ability to use flashes and lenses I already have which is a dud trade off really. I'll wait and see if there is a firmware update that improves the focus speed or if there is a new M released.

Col_M · 6 Dec 2012 at 18:42

An Exception said:
The thing is your not actually saving much weight? and that's the whole point to this thread isn't it?
RX100 would likely fit the bill more than EOS M.

My 5D and 24-70 is almost 4 times heavier than the M with 18-55 kit lens (1760g to 472g), that's a good weight saving no?

Col_M · 6 Dec 2012 at 18:52

An Exception said:
Thought you were planning on using EF lenses though?

Nope, it was just an attractive feature being able to use my existing lenses with it too if needed.

Col_M said:
the plan was never to pair it with my EF lenses, just using them occasionally as a handy bonus.

Col_M · 6 Dec 2012 at 20:02

Well it's not just the 24-70, I don't think I would have used that on the M as it doesn't suit the camera. I'd agree with you that the bigger heavy zooms would be rather silly and pointless. The ones that make more sense are the 50mm 1.4, the 100mm macro and other small light lenses. Though I'd mostly just use the 18-55 STM as every review I've read praises it, now it's never going to be as good as a L zoom but I wouldn't be buying a small camera for absolute image quality.

I have nothing against buying another brand but the conclusion of every review I've seen says the Canon is great apart from the AF. If the rumoured firmware update fixes AF issues or they release an updated version that addresses the issue after I'd invested in another brand or system I'd be kicking myself. I admit it'd be unlikely that I'll be taking multiple lenses with me when hiking but if I had space and I could sacrifice the weight it'd be a shame not to have the option.