Lake Success, NY—Canon USA unveiled its first compact system camera, the EOS M, as a solution for videographers and photographers of all levels. It boasts pro-quality HD video capture, advanced CMOS sensor technology, “smooth, quiet continuous autofocus” and accepts lenses—all in a portable form factor.
The interchangeable-lens EOS M leverages core EOS technologies to provide an 18 megapixel APS-C-size CMOS image sensor that offers a shallow depth of field, low-light performance and a wide dynamic range. The CSC debuted with two new lenses designed specifically for Canon’s new camera format: the EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit lens and the optional EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens; the camera can also be used with the full line of Canon EF and EF-S lenses via the optional EF-EOS M mount adapter.
“The EOS M includes a unique feature set making it an ideal moviemaking tool, while also offering incredible still image quality on its APS-C-size CMOS sensor. The camera’s size, image quality, advanced video capabilities and the versatility of Canon’s full lineup of lenses make the EOS M another great option to help our customers record and capture their creative vision,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications, Canon USA.
To capitalize on the popularity of Full HD video capabilities in digital still cameras, the EOS M records MPEG-4 AVC H.264 video as an .MOV file in a range of NTSC and PAL professional frame rates, including 1080p Full HD video at 30p, 24p and 25p; 720p HD video at 60p or 50p; and standard definition video at 30p or 25p.
It also incorporates the following video recording functions: EOS Full HD movie mode with movie servo AF for continuous focus tracking of moving subjects; manual exposure control; multiple resolution frame rates; a built-in stereo microphone; manual audio level adjustment; and ISO 100-6400 settings (expandable to 12,800 in H mode) for video recording. In addition, the EOS M provides picture style settings, including custom styles, when shooting video, which enables users to adjust color settings the same as when shooting photos. And, video snapshot mode offers a way to create a highlight reel that can be shared; it combines a series of short video clips into a single file. Through touch-screen controls, users can delete, cut or reorder the clips in-camera.
Other key EOS M features include: ISO 100-12,800 (expandable to 25,600 in H mode) for still images in bright to dim light; a Digic 5 image processor; hybrid CMOS AF designed to deliver fast autofocus speed for video and photos; scene intelligent auto mode to automatically optimize photos and scene detection, even when shooting at night; handheld night scene mode; HDR backlight control mode; seven creative filters; multi-shot noise reduction, which helps preserve details at high ISO speeds; a slot for SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, including Ultra High Speed (UHS-I) cards; and compatibility with all Canon Speedlite accessories, including the new Speedlite 600EX and Speedlite ST-E3-RT transmitter, and Canon’s GP-E2 GPS receiver.
With a magnesium and stainless steel frame, the EOS M also has a 3.0-inch Clear View touch-screen LCD monitor II (approximately 1,040,000 dots) with a smudge-resistant coating. The LCD features multi-touch operation, which lets photographers use familiar gestures such as pinch-to-zoom and swiping to scroll between pictures, and touch AF for a more intuitive video capture experience. And through touch-panel operation, subject recognition and tracking is engaged at the touch of a finger, so users can track subjects and focus on intended subjects. In addition, the touch-panel allows for menu navigation.
The new format camera also utilizes Canon’s Hybrid CMOS AF system, engineered to deliver fast autofocus speed for both video and photos. The system is located on the CMOS sensor itself and combines phase-difference AF and contrast AF to achieve operational stability, speed and precision. The movie servo AF function is enabled by default, which keeps images on the rear screen in constant focus, even before the shutter is pressed. This continual focus helps capture sharp video or reduce shutter lag due to focusing when shooting still images. There are three AF methods for video and photos: face detection & tracking AF; multi-point AF for automatic selection; and single-point AF, where users select one of 31 AF points.
Along with the EOS M, Canon introduced two M-series lenses with new EOS M mounts and STM technology. The fixed focal length EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit lens is for shooting video and still images. Its f/2 aperture combines with the camera’s APS-C image sensor to record bright images and background blur for both video and stills. For more focal range versatility, Canon announced the EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM, which has a variable zoom range for general use with video recording or photographing.
The EOS M bundled with the EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit lens will be available at retail in October for $799.99. A white version of the EOS M bundled with the EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit lens will be exclusively available through Canon’s Online store.
The EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens, EF-EOS M mount adapter and Speedlite 90EX will all be available in October for $299.99, $199.99 and $149.99, respectively. usa.canon.com
