No. The EOS M is aimed at people who like taking good photos, but aren't particularly interested in the technical side (i.e. sensible people). The camera is small, simple, and high quality. A Rebel is large, complex, and cheap and nasty. Those cameras appeal to very different people, even if they have a similar sensor and price tag.
Millions of high-quality photos are taken every day by people whose end goal isn't just a pretty photo, but a pretty photo in the context of something bigger. I think Canon is aiming at them with the EOS M. Consider blogs like these:
Those bloggers need a camera. They're highly sensitive to brands, they have loads of money, and they want a high-quality product. An expensive, pared-down Canon with metal-barrelled lenses might tick the right boxes.
Here's a promo video for the new camera. I live in Paris and I have a Billingham. Maybe this is for me?
Pink shirt, scarf, and man-purse. That guy is seriously secure with his masculinity
A few things, most of which have been covered :
1) No-ViewFinder Shooting - Someone's already said it - you don't have to hold a camera "at arm's length" to shoot a rear-LCD camera. Hell, a lot of times I used the rear LCD on the A77 because I was lazy.
Elbows into the gut/at the sides, camera about 6-8 inches from the eyes. Very similar to VF shooting and dare I say possibly as stable? I have both elbows contacting my body in rear-LCD stance - only my right elbow contacts in VF shooting, my left elbow is free (but my face now braces)
2) Clip on flash - that is a rather large clip-on flash. Too bad it doesn't tilt.
3) EOS-M with 22mm f/2 - Sounds like an X100 competitor right there, and for cheaper. Granted, different camera form factors, but still - interesting. Of course, one misses out on the great X100 film simulations.
Overall a very meh camera to me, but others perhaps like it.
However, I think Canon is double-talking. In marketing it's positioned as "P&S" upgrader, yes?
Then why, oh why, do they bring out a 22mm f/2 option and EOS adapter at all? Most P&S upgraders aren't going to give a crap about a 22mm f/2 ("what, it doesn't zoom?") and aren't even going to know what the EOS adapter would be used for?
This leads me to hope Canon will release a more advanced model. Maybe this is their "J1" and their "V1" model coming soon (but hopefully bigger difference between this and the upgraded model!)
cputeq wrote:
However, I think Canon is double-talking. In marketing it's positioned as "P&S" upgrader, yes?
Then why, oh why, do they bring out a 22mm f/2 option and EOS adapter at all? Most P&S upgraders aren't going to give a crap about a 22mm f/2 ("what, it doesn't zoom?") and aren't even going to know what the EOS adapter would be used for?
I doubt there exists a homogenous mass of point-and-shoot upgraders, even though the term is bandied about a lot (even DPReview uses it to describe the EOS M).
But going back to the blogging photographers I brought up, and whom Canon seems to be aiming at: they would be interested in a 35 mm-e lens, especially one that focuses closely (this one says MACRO on it, and focuses to 0.15 m: very, very close. I'm not sure why this isn't getting much attention; even DPReview doesn't highlight the macro functionality). These people are no strangers to the idea that less is more. They probably ride a fixie, or at least have one parked in their apartment. No zoom is no problem.
I could not help noticing that when he holds the camera vertically to shoot, the touchscreen menus don't follow and he has to read sideways and swipe vertically! With iPads so familiar now, this seems pretty brain-damaged. After all, the camera must have an orientation sensor in it to write the EXIF.
Thinking more broadly, this EOS M attempts to simplify the act of taking a photo. That's a good thing. Unfortunately it does nothing to make using the resulting photo simpler. Did you know 35% of UK camera owners don't take their photos off their cameras? It's too complex and cumbersome.
Canon is better placed than most manufacturers to make a camera that enables easier sharing of photos via the web. But they're still dreadfully clueless about this kind of thing. I would love to see innovative American companies reenter the camera industry, now that high-quality, low-cost manufacturing can be outsourced to China. There might still be growth in the camera industry, for the right innovator.
Canon focuses design and marketing based on what motivates people to buy product and could probably care less whether or not a professional or well-heeled hobbyist buys the EOS-M a few months from now when they hit the stores. Like Alien Bees in day-glo colors it's not a product targeted for professional consumption.
But if the history of digital is any indication a year or two from now those protesting the loudest about all the shortcomings will likely have one in the one in bag as a back-up. Those still concerned about "pro" appearances will probably use an ankle holster for the back-up to keep it hidden.
cgardner wrote:
Canon focuses design and marketing based on what motivates people to buy product and could probably care less whether or not a professional or well-heeled hobbyist buys the EOS-M a few months from now when they hit the stores. They aren't the target market any more than Alien Bees in day-glo colors are marketed to pros.
But if the history of digital is any indication a year or two from now those protesting the loudest about all the shortcomings will likely have one in the one in bag as a back-up. Those still concerned about "pro" appearances will probably use an ankle holster for the back-up to keep it hidden. ...Show more →
Reading the DPReview preview article it really seems that this camera system is prioritizing video over still images. There are comments in the preview about the new lenses focusing slowly but quietly. If you look at this camera from as a video shooter a lot of the design choices make more sense (lack of EVF, big video record button, large rear LCD, etc.)
The reasons this camera interests me.
1. My wife can use it as a point and shoot
2. I can use it with my EF lenses when I don't want to lug around my 5d3 with BG for non paid events or recreational activities.
3. I can use my new canon flashes and transmitters.
No. The EOS M is aimed at people who like taking good photos, but aren't particularly interested in the technical side (i.e. sensible people). The camera is small, simple, and high quality. A Rebel is large, complex, and cheap and nasty. Those cameras appeal to very different people, even if they have a similar sensor and price tag.
Millions of high-quality photos are taken every day by people whose end goal isn't just a pretty photo, but a pretty photo in the context of something bigger. I think Canon is aiming at them with the EOS M. Consider blogs like these:
Those bloggers need a camera. They're highly sensitive to brands, they have loads of money, and they want a high-quality product. An expensive, pared-down Canon with metal-barrelled lenses might tick the right boxes....Show more →
Love the bag.
Certainly the guy does not belong to Walmart clientele
If someone ends up making a decent underwater housing for it, I'm interested. Housed SLRs are too big for the type of underwater shooting I do.
I currently use an Olympus E-PL2 for this. I am relatively happy with my current setup. Could use a bit improvement in AF speed and higher strobe synch speed. I've been looking at the Olympus OM-D/EM-5 as an upgrade. Lenses are very good given that you don't need a ton of different FLs or very wide apertures underwater. The Panasonic 7-14 is awesome as is the Leica 45mm macro. 99% of my underwater shooting happens with those 2 lenses.
This EOS M intrigues me because I can use EF lenses and its APS-C. My Oly is 4/3 and, as we all know, bigger sensors are always better.
Other than underwater potential, I have no other interest in this. If I want compact, I have an S100.... otherwise, topside, its SLRs for me.
davidimdpt wrote:
The reasons this camera interests me.
1. My wife can use it as a point and shoot
2. I can use it with my EF lenses when I don't want to lug around my 5d3 with BG for non paid events or recreational activities.
3. I can use my new canon flashes and transmitters.
Do you really think you would use this with your EF lenses just to save a little weight. If you are already taking your lenses, why not just also take your 5D3 ungripped? How much savings is there is size once you add the adapter onto the P&S?
Maybe I have a mental block, but I really don't see myself ever taking this along with a bag full of full frame lenses? I can see taking this with the 20mm lens in place of all my other gear, but to just replace the 5D3 with this camera and keep all those lenses, what are you really saving?
jerrykur wrote:
Or are over 40 and have presbyopia. We all develop it sooner or later.
So? Get the right prescription. Get bifocals. Get trifocals. Get reading glasses. You don't need to hold it at arms length. Bring it in closer. Rest your upper arms and elbows against your body.
davidimdpt wrote:
The reasons this camera interests me.
1. My wife can use it as a point and shoot
2. I can use it with my EF lenses when I don't want to lug around my 5d3 with BG for non paid events or recreational activities.
3. I can use my new canon flashes and transmitters.
That's my thought about this camera. I'll be watching...
and +1!