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| EOS M6.2 with EF-M 32mm f1.4 lens There is much to appreciate about the M6.2 including very good image quality and performance however some aspects of the user experience could be improved |
For many years, Canon has offered its camera buyers a stream of new models, each of which adds features and capabilities to the previous model but at the same time takes away desirable features which owners had come to appreciate.
Behold the EOS-M6 Mk2.
This takes some of the best features of the M5, M6 and M50, adds a better sensor and faster processor giving better autofocus and better all round performance together with a comfortable grip and streamlined operation.
Hooray, jolly good Canon, well done…………BUT
They forgot the built in EVF, forgot the fully articulated monitor of the M50 and just to confuse everybody and make life for M6.2 owners more complicated than it needs to be they forgot the electronic first curtain shutter (EFCS) which is a feature of every other Canon mirrorless interchangeable lens camera since 2012.
Of course they didn’t “forget” these things. They were omitted as part of Canon’s concept/design/marketing strategy for this particular camera model.
EFCS is important for preventing shutter shock. See mydiscussion about this here.
The EOS 90D DSLR which uses the same sensor does offer EFCS so its omission from the M6.2 is all the more puzzling.
So the ergonomic evaluation and score becomes a series of ups and downs. Some functions work better then the previous models, some not so well. As a long time Canon camera user I find this very frustrating.
I really hope to see the day when Canon puts all the good stuff into just one camera, but maybe I won’t live long enough. That’s not a joke, I am getting quite old.
I assume the reason for failing to equip cameras with all the good features which are currently available to Canon might be about the price point.
But in the case of the M6.2 this is a bit of a furphy. Canon gets to advertise the camera at certain price without the EVF. So far, so good.
But I live in Sydney where bright sunlight is the norm all year round. So every time I take the camera outside it becomes unusable unless the EVF is fitted.
So I have to buy the EVF which cost a whole lot more as an accessory than it would if built in. So the camera actually ends up costing me more because of that (presumably) cost saving omission.
Plus fitting and removing the EVF is a nuisance and a quick way to lose the hotshoe cover and EFV foot cover.
Some people say they prefer their camera not to have a built in EVF because they never use it.
That’s fine but if the EVF is there you have the choice to use it or not. If the EVF is not there you don’t gots no choice.
Same goes for the swing up/down monitor screen. Some users say they prefer this arrangement.
But regardless of anyone’s likes or preferences the fully articulated monitor can do three things which the swing up/down type cannot do.
These are: fold facing the camera for protection, swing out to face forward without obstruction from whatever is in the hotshoe and allow underhand and overhead viewing in portrait orientation.
The ergonomic score below follows my usual schedule whichyou can read about here.
Setup Phase
The process of setting up the M6.2 will be immediately familiar to anyone who has used a Canon camera recently.
The Advanced User Guide is a model of clarity with well considered content and layout and plenty of graphics.
Compared to some other brands like Sony and Olympus the menus are easy to comprehend and navigate.
I do feel however that it is past time Canon (and all the others) conducted a root and branch review of their menus to make them more photographer-centric. For instance all the items in the [Custom] submenu could more usefully be re-allocated to more meaningful categories such as exposure/focussing/performance…and so forth.
The M6.2 scores a bit higher than the M50 because Mechanical or Electronic shutter are directly user selectable.
Setup score 11/15
Prepare Phase
This is very much in line with other current Canon models and is decently user friendly. There are C1/C2 positions on the Mode Dial and a dedicated MF/AF switch with integrated back button for focussing if desired.
These features give the M6.2 a higher Prepare Phase score than the M50 which is nice but there is more which Canon could and should do in this phase.
In particular items allocated to the Dial/Func button and the Q/Set button are not user selectable.
These access points would be much more useful if their functions were user selectable. Nikon and Sony get this right by having a Q button or equivalent leading to 12 functions all of which are user selectable and all of which appear in the same place for easy access and coherent management.
As it stands the Dial/Func and Q/Set buttons access some features which I want but several which I don’t want yet at the same time they do not allow access to things which I do want.
Other functions are accessed by buttons scattered about the top and back of the camera. The items accessed by each button differ from one model to the next.
This is a muddle which Canon could easily fix.
Prepare score 10/15
Capture Phase, Holding
The handle on the M6.2 is an improved version of that found on the M50 with a deeper grip. The overall design is a bit unconventional but in fact very appropriate for a lightweight camera. It allows the right hand to adopt a comfortable position with a secure grip which locates the index finger and thumb exactly where they need to be to operate the front and rear control dials.
The thumb support is well located and shaped.
Overall this is one of the best small camera grips which I have encountered.
There is no place for the little finger but that comes with the territory of small cameras.
Holding score 14/20
Capture Phase, Viewing
This is where things go downhill a bit, due to the absence of a built in EVF and the monitor screen being of the flip-up-down type, not fully articulated, issues which I discussed above.
Overall this is the least satisfactory aspect of the M6.2, particularly for someone who uses the EVF frequently.
Viewing score 10/20
Capture Phase, Operating
The M6.2 has a more advanced set of controls than the M50 for a more streamlined operating experience. There are two well positioned and designed dials on top and a third dial around the cross keys on the back.
In addition there is a back button which can be assigned to focus if desired.
The touch screen is well implemented in typical Canon fashion and is a pleasure to use. The position of the active AF area is easily moved with the touch screen with or without the eye to the viewfinder.
The user can easily adjust all primary and secondary focus and exposure parameters in Capture Phase while looking through the viewfinder (if fitted) and without having to shift grip with either hand.
Operating score 17/25
Review Phase
As with most current model cameras the M6.2 does all the things which I expect it to do in Review Phase. Selection, scrolling and zooming are all easily done.
The only improvement which I would like to see is the option to one-jump to the AF point at 100%, Sony style. Sony does get some things right, ergonomically.
Review score 5/5 (but with some room for further improvement)
Total score 67/100
Comment
The M6.2 actually came in scoring one point less than the lower priced and lower specified M50. As already discussed, the M6.2 does some things better, others not so well.
It scores higher than the Sony A6500 (61) which I tested a while back but below the more recent Nikon Z50 (73) which an ergonomically more balanced offering.
Some commentators have accused Canon of deliberately crippling various aspects of its camera products for a range of alleged reasons.
In a recent interview a senior Canon representative has been quoted as saying
Considering that Canon sells more cameras than any other maker I guess I have to agree with him.
However Canon’s no doubt well considered policy does leave quite a few enthusiast camera users wishing for a more fully specified M series camera.
Would I pay more for a highly specified crop sensor camera than a minimally specified full frame one ?
Absolutely I would if a selection of the most important lenses was up to the same standard.
There are numerous rumors about possible upcoming M series products. We will just have to wait and see what comes to pass.