Canon launched EOS M5

Canon recently launched a new mirror-less camera to their EOS family line up, the Canon EOS M5. The Canon EOS M5 is the fifth EOS M model till date since the launch of the Canon EOS M1, followed by the M2, M3 and M10.

Personally, I have used the EOS M1 (belongs to my dad), reviewed the EOS M3 and EOS M10. Over the years, I had seen improvements to the Canon EOS M family through their camera body designs and EF-M lenses for the EOS M series. When I saw and read the official news on the Canon EOS M5, my initial impressions from it were – Canon is serious about their mirror-less camera line up, the EOS M series. During my recent trip to Canon EXPO 2016 Shanghai, listening to the top Canon Inc executives sharing on the next wave and trends, I wrote the points that were shared and discussed at the media interaction here in an article here on my photography website.

In my article, I wrote

“From the media interaction sessions, Canon remains committed to the EOS M mirrorless line up. We should be able to see more of EF-M lenses, EOS M accessories and maybe a new EOS M mirrorless camera body in the near future.”

Today, we can see the new Canon EOS M5 and the new EF-M18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM. I really welcome the built-in Electronic View Finder (EVF), yes, finally, there is EVF! Along with the Dual Pixel CMOS AF, my gut feel (without an actual hands on yet) is that this Canon EOS M5 auto focusing is going to be faster and improved from the Canon EOS M3 and EOS M10 models.

When the opportunity arises that I am able to review the Canon EOS M5, I would share my experiences with everybody here.

Now, let me share with you more information, details and photos of the Canon EOS M5 from the press release information below –

Press Release 15th September 2016

Canon today announced the launch of the new EOS M5, the latest addition to the Canon EOS M mirrorless interchangeable lens lineup of cameras. As a premium flagship model in the EOS M range, the EOS M5 boasts several firsts for the EOS M line to support discerning users who desire a mirrorless camera which delivers superior image quality, with the versatility of interchangeable lenses. Key technologies include Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology drawn from the EOS DSLR range, the cutting-edge DIGIC 7 image processor, a high-resolution electronic viewfinder and also in-camera RAW conversion.

“Drawing on the rich heritage of Canon’s EOS DSLR imaging technology, the EOS M5 heralds a new era for fans of mirrorless photography. The compact-sized EOS M5 empowers photography enthusiasts with greater control of their photography, with advanced capabilities like in-camera RAW conversion and enhanced Autofocus with Canon’s innovative Dual Pixel CMOS technology to deliver top notch image quality. With the option of interchangeable lenses, EOS M5 bring forth the versatility for users to compose their desired shots.” said Edwin Teoh, Head of Marketing, Singapore Operations, Canon Singapore

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A new era of firsts to showcase outstanding EOS quality

At the heart of the EOS M5 is a 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor. Drawn from the professional EOS DSLR range, the cutting-edge Dual Pixel CMOS AF system is equipped for the first time on the EOS M lineup, enabling EOS M5 to achieve fastest AF performance in the EOS M lineup to date. With approximately 24.2 million phase-difference sensors in place, phrase-difference AF is possible over almost the entire view area so users will have more flexibility in framing creative compositions and a variety of scenes.

For the first time in the EOS M lineup, the AF has now been enhanced with predictive AF technology, enabling high precision tracking of the subject’s movement in the depth of direction from the camera. Whereas older AF systems can only track the subject’s direction of movement, up or down and left or right. The newly-enhanced AF system will now also track them as they move closer or further from the camera. Predictive AF analyses the subject’s movement and speed, and automatically adjusts itself accordingly to maintain the focus on the subject. Also, the EOS M5 is able to achieve up to approximately 7 fps when shooting with continuous AF, or even 9 fps if the focus is locked, ensuring the perfect moment in a high speed action can be captured and frozen in time. 

DIGIC 7 underpins the power of image expression

With DIGIC 7 supporting a more advanced AF, tracking performance is now more dynamic and is able to track several people or even animals simultaneously as they move around the frame. The sophisticated AF system also supports an even smaller AF frame size to enable users to have precision control to focus on very fine details.

When shooting with small apertures, the image correction properties on the DIGIC 7 enables a high level of image clarity and achieves optimal level of brightness and contrast. With diffraction correction, the loss of fine details is minimised and is especially useful in shooting bright landscape scenes. Higher image clarity can be obtained through diffraction correction, which works to minimise the loss of fine details when shooting with a small aperture.

New to the EOS M range is the Panning function which allows users to express themselves creatively and have fun shooting fast-moving objects such as cars or trains while panning to keep the subject in view. The DIGIC 7 keeps the subject in sharp focus, while the background is subjected to motion blur to emphasize the sensation of speed.

A true DSLR feel with EVF shooting

The EOS M5 has a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) with a high-resolution OLED of approximately 2.36 million dots. For the user, the EVF reflects a highly accurate image representation of what is seen by the camera sensor without interference from glare. The experience invokes the intimate engagement of using a DSLR camera and enhances the joy of image composition with true colour fidelity and clarity. Designed for users’ comfort, the eye point of approximately 22 mm ensures optimal ergonomics such that even bespectacled users will find it comfortable for use. 

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The 3.2” high-resolution LCD with touchscreen functions enables a tilt range from 85 degrees upwards and 180 degrees downwards for framing shots from unusually high or low angles. This allows for flexibility in creative expressions and is also perfect for selfie shots.

When shooting both stills and videos using the EVF, users can make use of the new intuitive Touch & Drag AF function to compose their images. With Touch & Drag AF, the user may look through the EVF and intuitively control and change the focus areas by touching the LCD screen. Touch & drag is customisable to suit a user’s dominant hand, hand size, and method of aiming the AF, and can also be quickly toggled on and off with a dedicated button on the camera body.

Complementing the EVF function is the inclusion of four easily-accessible operating control dials to give the user full control while using the EVF. The dials are the mode dial, an exposure compensation dial, a main dial to control aperture or shutter speed, and a new quick control dial. The quick control dial comes with a dial function button that can cycle through several functions like white balance, ISO speed, and AF mode, while the dial itself adjusts the settings of the currently selected function.

High performance cinematic expressions with EOS movie

With the combination of a supported IS lens with in-camera digital image stablisation, five-axis image stabilisation is achieved for countering camera movement and also dramatically reduces camera shake when shooting from unstable positions or while walking. This results in smooth and high quality videos. With the power of the DIGIC 7 image processor, 5-axis IS is possible even with lenses that do not support IS by using the in-camera digital IS to achieve a similarly stable video.

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For the first time in an EOS M camera, the EOS M5 is able to record videos at Full HD 60p. This is double the frame rate of the other EOS M cameras, and the additional frames allow for much smoother videos.

Edit and connect while on the move

A new feature that appears in an EOS M is in-camera RAW conversion. Users are able to adjust their RAW images and even in batches immediately after shooting them, without the use of a computer. The before and after images can be easily compared on the screen, allowing users to do proper edits and adjustments on the spot.

For easy file transfers, the EOS M5 is equipped with Wi-Fi and NFC technology to connect smartphones, tablets and computers via Canon Image Gateway. Once connected, users can transfer images and videos to these devices and immediately upload them onto the Canon Image Gateway, social media services, and cloud storage. With the connectivity features, remote shooting via a smart device offers users greater creative possibilities especially when shooting at unusual angles or taking group pictures. Using a smart device and the Canon Camera Connect app, users have real-time control of camera settings such as shutter speed, focus selection, self-timer and more. The EOS M5 can also use this connection to make use of a smart device’s GPS to geotag the images.

The EOS M5 is also supports the use of Bluetooth low energy technology. With Bluetooth, the EOS M5 can be constantly connected to a device with low power consumption. It also allows remote shooting whereby users can use their smart devices to shoot images or movies. With this technology, users can use their smart devices as a controller when browsing the images on television.

EF-M18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM

Available in Graphite and Silver, the new EF-M high-zoom kit lens is also launched to complement the high quality and wide spectrum of imaging possibilities that the EF-M18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM can deliver. Compact and stylish, the EF-M18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM has a high zoom ratio of 8.3 x and delivers high quality imaging over a broad focal length, making it highly versatile for wide angle landscapes to telephoto shots of distant subjects. The versatile nature of the zoom range makes it well-suited for all kinds of users, from entry-level users to photography enthusiasts who need more advanced equipment. Its advanced design also makes it compatible with the EOS M5’s above-mentioned Combination IS and Panning functions.

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Aside from the EF-M18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM, the EOS M5 is compatible with many other M-series lenses, and using a mount-adapter will also make it compatible with over 70 EF/EF-S lenses.

Pricing and Availability

Pricing and availability of the EOS M5 and EF-M18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM will be advised at a later date.

Product specifications

EOS M5

Image sensor: 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor

Imaging processor: DIGIC 7

Focal plane AF: Dual Pixel CMOS AF

Max frame rate: 9.0 fps (AF fixed), 7.0 fps (AF tracking)

Max standard ISO speed: ISO 25,600

Monitor: 3.2-inch tilting touch panel LCD, approx. 1.62 million dots

Movie: Full HD 60 fps

Connectivity: Wi-Fi / NFC / Bluetooth

EVF: Approx. 2.36 million dots

Dimensions: Approx. 115.6 x 89.2 x 60.6mm

Weight: Approx. 427g

EF-M18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM

Focal length: 18-150mm

Maximum aperture: f/3.5 – 6.3

Minimum focusing distance: 0.25m (at 18mm), 0.45m (at 150mm)

Maximum magnification: 0.31x

Filter size: 55mm

Aperture blades: 7

Length: 86.5mm

Weight: Approx. 300g

* Information, details and pictures courtesy of Canon Singapore and Ogilvy Public Relations *

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