 |
On the left EOS M6.2 with EF-M 18-150mm, 708 grams. On the right EOS RP with RF 24-240mm, 1235 grams Having owned and used both I prefer the EF-M option. It is smaller, lighter, less expensive and makes better pictures which are easier to manage in post processing. comparison photo courtesy of camerasize.com |
Canon produced the original EOS-M in 2012.
Since then there has been some uncertainty about Canon’s commitment to the EF-M system.
There are rumors floating about the internet suggesting that Canon might drop the M system altogether in favour of some as-yet-unseen super compact subgroup of bodies and lenses in the RF full frame system
The chronology of M series body releases is:
2012, M, no EVF, 18Mpx
2015, M10, 18 Mpx, no EVF,
M3, 24Mpx no EVF
2016, M5, EFV, 24 Mpx, more controls.
2017, M100, no EVF 24Mpx,
M6, Clip-on EVF 24Mpx.
2018, M50, EVF, fully articulated screen, 24Mpx.
2019, M200, no EVF 24Mpx.
M6.2, clip-on EVF, 32Mpx, high frame rate.
You will notice some uncertainty in this list regarding a naming convention for the M series.
Canon’s usual pattern is to use single digit numbers for the highest level model(s) with more digits representing a lower level in the hierarchy.
But there is quite a lot of overlap in the M series with, for instance the M50 being in some respects a higher specification model than the M5 and having some features (built-in EVF, fully articulated screen, EFCS) which the M6.2 lacks.
If Canon does decide to stay the course with the M system maybe this will clarify in due course.
There are rumors of an M50.2 coming soon and who knows what that will offer but for the moment the M6.2 has the best image quality, best control layout and best performance of the M series.
Specifications and features
You can read all the details elsewhere but the M6.2 has the typical compact, streamlined design of the whole series with a well designed and implemented control dial and twin dial control layout and flip up/down screen.
There is no built in EVF.
The M6.2 and the EOS90D DSLR (released concurrently) are the first Canon models to use the new 32Mpx sensor which on my tests performs very well.
The M6.2 has several capabilities not seen before in EOS-M land such as 14fps capture rate with servo AF and 30 fps RAW burst with pre-burst.
There is still no in-body-image-stabiliser (IBIS) although there are unconfirmed rumors that a model with IBIS could be in the pipeline at some stage.
What’s it for ?
Anything really as long as weather sealing is not required. I can’t think of any substantive photographic challenge which this camera could not mange.
Of course it works well with native Canon EF-M lenses but I have read numerous reports that it also functions well with EF lenses using the dedicated adapter.
My own experience with the EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 Mk2 on the M6.2 is very positive.
Who’s it for ?
The user who has some EF-M lenses and wants to get the best possible overall imaging capability available in the M system.
Anyone who wants to get the best possible resolution from the EF-M primes.
Someone upgrading from an EOS-M5 or M6.
Someone upgrading from an M50 provided they do not mind losing the built in viewfinder and the fully articulated screen.
I think if Canon wants to entice crop sensor users across from Sony or Fuji mirrorless, they will need to put together are more comprehensively resolved package with a camera body incorporating all the best features of existing M series models plus IBIS and at least two extra lenses, these being a higher quality standard zoom than the existing 15-45mm plus a better quality tele zoom with a longer reach than the existing 55-200mm.
Image quality
This is very good at all sensitivity settings up to around ISO 6400.
On my tests it delivers about a half EV step less noise at ISO 3200-6400 than the 24Mpx M50 provided that images are viewed at the same output size.
Overall the quality of the images is very pleasing with accurate color, good dynamic range, moderate luminance noise and very good sharpness and resolution particularly in RAW files.
The amount of fine detail which can be resolved with the 32mm f1.4 prime and to a slightly lesser extent the 22mm f2, is most impressive even when compared to results achievable from the EOS-R full frame model with a high quality L standard lens.
Performance
The M6.2 is easily the best performing M camera and in fact is better than many much more expensive models from any maker.
The camera responds quickly to all user inputs with no perceptible lag.
The disconcerting freeze-frame effect after each shot seen on Canon mirrorless cameras is still present but is less noticeable than on the EOS R or RP.
Single AF is very fast and reliable. In several thousand photos which I have made with this camera the number of frames which are not focussed as I intended are all due to errors of technique on my part.
Face detect, eye detect and tracking all work well.
It can shoot at 14 frames per second with servo autofocus and live view and deliver a high percentage of sharp frames in the process.
The M6.2 also introduces RAW burst mode at 30 fps with pre-burst.
This feature first appeared on Panasonic micro four thirds cameras and can be handy for capturing some otherwise almost impossible types of shot such as small birds taking off.
In [High+] drive mode running at 14 fps the camera can shoot 35 CRaw frames before slowing. With a 170MB/s card the buffer clears in 13 seconds and the camera will continue to operate at reduced speed while the buffer is clearing.
Professional sports photographers might not be too impressed but for enthusiast/amateur users this represents a very good performance.
Ergonomics
I have published a separate post on this here.
With respect to the layout and operation of the controls the M6.2 delivers a very good ergonomic user experience.
But the camera loses points for the lack of a built-in EVF and lack of a fully articulated screen.
Canon could also have made better use of the Dial/Func, Mfn and Q/Set buttons the functions of which should be user assignable and more coherently integrated into the user experience.
Video
I am a stills shooter with only rudimentary knowledge of video so I can’t comment much.
However even on my very basic testing it is apparent that the camera can produce good quality 1080p or 4K video with sufficient control for amateur/enthusiast and vlogging use.
For the latter at least the screen flips up so you can see it from the front but not if anything such as a microphone is in the hotshoe.
Continuous autofocus in video is smooth and confident with no wobbling.
Downsides
For many users the lack of built-in EVF and the lack of a fully articulated EFV are downsides.
But some users say they like those features and often use the camera without the EVF.
The one thing nobody can be pleased about though is the absence of any option for electronic first curtain shutter. The M6.2 is inexplicably the only Canon MILC to date which does not offer this capability and the result is significant shutter shock with the zoom lenses at some focal lengths and shutter speeds if the mechanical shutter is used.
Fortunately there is the option to use the fully electronic shutter although this comes with the known problems of banding in some kinds of artificial light and rolling shutter with moving camera and/or subject.
On my tests there appears to be no loss of image quality with the electronic shutter.
Summary
The EOS M6.2 offers a significant advance for the M series in image quality, performance and overall capability.
But the lack of some key features which are present on the less expensive M50 make the overall M6.2 package rather less endearing than it could have been.
Does the M series have a future ?
As a buyer and enthusiast user of Canon cameras I think it is time for Canon’s product development people to make up their corporate minds about the future of the M series.
I think it is fair to say that Canon has been dithering with the M series since it’s inception.
I would much prefer they decide one way or the other and get on with it.
Canon has all the technology it needs to either:
a) evolve the M series with a body which incorporates all the best features of existing models plus recent advancements in technology plusat least a high quality standard zoom and a high quality tele zoom,
or
b) discontinue the M series and replace it with a compact full frame RF mount body and a line of compact RF lenses.
There is already evidence in the RF product catalogue that Canon is thinking in this direction.
The EOS RP is quite compact as are the 24-105mm STM lens and the 600mm f11 and 800mm f11 lenses.
I really liked the design and form factor of my RP but sold it on due to the outdated sensor and slow performance.
I sold my RF 24-105mm STM as I found the image quality from this lens was not up to the standard I expect from full frame gear.
I also sold my RF 24-240mm STM which was not compact at all and also delivered a level of image capability which was not up to my expectations.
I actually find the EOS-M50 with the EF-M 18-150mm lens to be a better combination in every way than the EOS-RP with RF 24-240mm STM.
I suspect that Canon will continue to have an each way bet on this issue and dribble out incremental upgrades to the M series while offering a few compact options in the RF series.
I guess they will decide on further strategy based on market response to the current approach.
As a consumer I find this unsatisfactory.
They want me to make a commitment to their products but are hedging their bets on their commitment to their own products.
Memo to Canon
Please make a decision about the M series and announce it.
Do the right thing by your consumers or they will decide to suffer your indecision no longer.