About a year after introducing the EOS M3 mirrorless camera, the Japanese company Canon announced the EOS M5 luxury mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses, which inherited some of the functions of the recent amateur DSLR EOS 80D.
The Canon EOS M5 is built around a 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with ISO sensitivity of 100–25,600 and Dual Pixel CMOS AF for high-speed tracking of moving subjects for video shooting. The camera is equipped with the latest DIGIC 7 processor, providing continuous shooting at up to 7 FPS with autofocus tracking, as well as Full HD video recording at 60 FPS.
EOS M5 supports wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and NFC. The 3.2-inch touchscreen display can tilt 85 degrees up and 180 degrees down, and there is also an OLED electronic viewfinder.
The dimensions of the new product are 115.6 × 89.2 × 60.6 mm, the body weight is 427 grams. The Canon EOS M5 will be available in November 2016 for $979.99 without lenses.
Canon EF Lens
In addition to the new mirrorless camera, Canon also presented a full-frame lens, the EF model with a focal length of 70-300, which has an optical stabilizer with four exposure levels.
Nano USM autofocus is present, combining the advantages of the USM ring ultrasonic drive, providing fast focusing when shooting photos, and the STM stepper drive for smooth and quiet focusing when shooting video.
There is a liquid crystal indicator showing information about the focusing distance, focal length and the state of the optical stabilizer.
Detailed specifications of the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IS II USM lens:
- Focal length – 70-300 mm;
- Maximum aperture – F/4.5-F/5.6;
- Minimum aperture – F/32-F/45;
- Number of aperture blades – 9;
- Optical design – 17 elements in 12 groups;
- Minimum focusing distance – 1.2 m;
- Maximum magnification – 0.25x;
- Filter installation diameter – 67 mm;
- Dimensions – diameter 80 mm, length 146 mm;
- Weight – 710 grams
Sales of this lens will begin in November 2016 at a price of $550, and the kit will include an ET-74B lens hood.
Is it worth exchanging a representative DSLR for a compact device with an electronic matrix? Let's figure out what goodies the baby Canon EOS M5 can boast of.
Specifications
- Camera type: mirrorless with interchangeable lenses (EOS series)
- Processor: DIGIC 7
- Mount: Canon EF-M (EF and EF-S - with adapter for EF-EOS M mount)
- Lens: included (Kit) - Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM
- Image Sensor: 22.3 x 14.9mm CMOS
- Crop factor: 1.6
- Total number of pixels: 25.8 million
- Number of effective pixels: 24.2 million
- Maximum resolution: 6000 x 4000
- Cropping (photo): 4:3, 3:2, 1:1, 16:9
- Photo format: JPEG (high quality, normal quality; RAW (CR2 - 14-bit, original Canon RAW file version 2), supports RAW + JPEG recording; compatible with Digital Print Order Format version 1.1
- Video format MP4 [Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (stereo)], sizes: Full HD, HD and VGA; maximum recording length 29 min 59 s, maximum file size - 4GB
- Shooting speed: 7 fps
- Color depth 42 bit
- Sensitivity: ISO 100–25600 (ISO 100–25600 in 1/3-stop increments for photo and ISO 100–6400 in 1/3 stop increments for video)
- Matrix cleaning function: yes
- Image stabilization: Optical image stabilization on compatible lenses, built-in 5-axis digital image stabilization for video
- Focus: Dual Pixel CMOS AF, maximum 49 AF points (fixed position on 7x7 grid) via camera auto selection, freely positioned 1 AF point/1 AF area (9 points, 3x3 grid) via manual selection; Single-shot AF and Servo AF
- Shutter speed: 30–1/4000 sec (1/3 stop increments), bulb
- White Balance: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, White Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temperature (100 Kelvin increments)
- Viewfinder: electronic OLED type 0.39
- LCD: 3.2", ClearView II (TFT) touch screen, 3:2 aspect ratio; tilting design (85° up and 180° down)
- Flash: Built-in GN flash (ISO 100, m) - up to 5 m, red-eye reduction, hotshoe, bracketing, E-TTL II, second-curtain sync possible
- Memory card type: SD, SDHC, SDXC (UHS-I compatible)
- Interfaces: Micro-USB 2.0, HDMI, 3.5 mm stereo microphone jack, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, remote control connector
- Battery: lithium-ion LP-E17 proprietary format 1040 mAh
- Additional features: tripod mount, remote control, orientation sensor, HDR shooting, menu in 25 languages
- Direct printing: Canon printers, Canon compact photo printers and PIXMA printers with PictBridge support
- Supported operating systems: PC and Macintosh
- Dimensions: 115.6 x 89.2 x 60.6 mm
- Weight: 427 g (without lens, but including battery and memory card)
- Black color
- Working environment: temperature from 0 to +40°C, humidity no more than 85%
- Package contents: EOS M5 camera ("body"), R-F-4 camera cover, Kit lens, EM-300DB neck strap, IFC-600PCU interface cable, LC-E17 charger, LP-E17 battery, 2 instruction booklets, warranty card
- Price (at the time of review): from 66,500 rubles
Equipment
The small square cardboard box contains the "body" of the EOS M5 (the "body") with the battery inserted, the lens, as well as a neck strap, interface cable, charger and battery in separate bags, as well as 2 instruction booklets and a warranty card. There is no hood included, but there is a thread for it - you can buy it separately, like filters (49 mm diameter).
We screw on the lens, attach the strap (by the way, thanks to the creators for the convenient fastening), insert the SD card - the camera is ready to use.
Appearance
The M5 mirrorless camera is very similar to its DSLR counterparts in the EOS series, but it cannot be called just a smaller copy. Firstly, it is much inferior to them in size, completely fitting even in a woman’s palm. Secondly, some retro motifs appeared in the design, which is why the device began to look a little like a “film classic”, and the number and arrangement of buttons also changed slightly.At the top left is a mode wheel with intuitive markings. Underneath is a “walker” On/Off. There is a hidden built-in flash in the middle, with a so-called “hot shoe” above it. On the right is a shutter button framed by an adjustment ring (shutter speed in manual mode), a built-in flash control button, a programmable M-Fn button, a second control wheel (aperture) with a Dual Func button. in the center, which switches the parameters controlled by the wheel.
A new feature for those who are accustomed to Canon DSLRs will probably be a separate wheel for adjusting exposure compensation (from –3 to +3), which is more common to see on older film cameras. As expected, there was no place for the traditional monochrome information display for Canon cameras, where almost all shooting information was displayed.
In front, under the built-in flash, there is a corporate logo, on the right is a self-timer indicator (AF illuminator) and a lens unlock button.
Almost the entire space of the rear panel under the non-removable electronic viewfinder is occupied by a 3.2" LCD touch screen. It rotates not sideways, like in SLR cameras, but up (85°) and down (180°).
On the functional panel to the right of the screen there is a new portion of control buttons. At the top, on the edge of the tubercle of the “rest” for the thumb, there are a pair of side control keys (the top one is responsible for the flash, the bottom one “clears the frame”, removing unnecessary information from the screen). A round navigation pad with a classic Q in the middle allows you to access shooting settings, turn on/off the flash, adjust focus, ISO, and delete unnecessary items. There is also a separate button (red dot) to start video recording, as well as Info, Menu and the Play triangle, which have long been familiar to Canon users (the naming logic is clear to everyone).
On the right side of the handle there is an HDMI connector and a Wi-Fi control button. It itself is made of rubberized corrugated material, so it does not slip in the hand. The remaining slots are located on the left edge - a 3.5 mm microphone jack, a connector for the remote control and Micro-USB 2.0. At the bottom there are holes for attaching a tripod, as well as under the cover there is a battery compartment and a slot for a memory card.
Ergonomics and ease of use
After large SLR cameras, the EOS M5 seems weightless and fits somewhat awkwardly in the hand with its small “handle”: while the former has a similar part that allows you to firmly grasp the device with all four fingers, the smaller copy is held literally between the thumb, middle and ring fingers, while how the index finger fumbles along the top buttons. The handle has a special corrugated rubber coating that provides excellent “grip” - it does not slip even in wet hands!In order to get started, it is not enough to simply screw in the lens and turn on the camera: you need to unlock the lens, following the instructions that appear on the screen (click on the special button on the right). For the first time, this procedure may briefly confuse the amateur. Once the lens is “released,” you can rotate the zoom ring and focus.
With a kit lens, the Canon EOS M5 is very light, so your hands don’t get numb or tired during long periods of shooting, and the cord around your neck doesn’t cause much discomfort. If you equip the “baby” with an external flash and some serious lens with an adapter, then they greatly change the balance of the camera, shifting the center of gravity towards themselves. With this “body kit” the camera looks a little ridiculous, like a little girl trying on her mother’s shoes.
It is quite possible to reach the main control dial (to the right of the screen) with your thumb, but it is better to secure the camera with your second hand during the process, otherwise it may slip out of your hands.
You can adjust the exposure either using physical buttons or using the touchscreen (its sensitivity can be adjusted or turned off altogether). The screen is mounted on a special inclined structure (85° up and 180° down), which makes it convenient to shoot while holding the camera above your head, near the ground, or even take a selfie.
Interface
For fans of Canon technology, understanding the interface and buttons will not be difficult - almost everything here corresponds to the traditional control logic of EOS models. When you turn the mode dial (you need to press the button in the center to remove the block), the name of the mode appears on top of the screen or in the viewfinder window. In the settings (SetUp 3) you can easily find and enable the “Hints” function, which provides more detailed information about a particular mode.The disc installs the following: modes:
- Intelligent scenario mode;
- Hybrid Auto mode;
- Creative assistant;
- Scene programs (Self-portrait, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Food, Panning, Handheld shooting at night, HDR backlight);
- Creative filters: Grainy B/W, Soft focus, Fisheye effect, Oil paint effect, Watercolor effect, Toy camera effect, Miniature effect (photo and video);
- High dynamic range;
- Program auto exposure (AE);
- Shutter priority auto exposure;
- Aperture priority auto exposure;
- Manual exposure;
- Custom (x2);
- Video shooting (video auto-exposure, video manual exposure, time-lapse video). If necessary, you can enable video recording from any mode by simply pressing the button with the red dot (if you don’t have time to spin the wheel).
- Shooting menu (x8)
- Playback Menu (x5)
- Setup Menu (x4)
- Custom Function Menu
- My menu
In short, to understand the settings, you just need to read the labels. And, of course, first select Russian from the 25 available interface languages.
To quickly adjust the image, you need to press either the physical Q Set button or its equivalent on the screen: then the settings available for a particular mode will immediately appear on the sides of the display.
There is no usual AF/MF slider on the Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM kit lens, so switching focus modes is done by pressing the MF button on the control dial. The flash pops up on its own in automatic modes, but in manual modes it needs to be activated using the corresponding button.
Shooting and camera capabilities
The Canon EOS M5 is clearly not suitable as a camera for a beginner. Rather, it will be chosen by those who want to get the full range of capabilities of a professional DSLR camera in a more compact and lightweight form factor. This means that these people already understand the basic principles of setting up a camera, which you can understand, even when switching from products of another brand.The most popular modes for professionals and experienced amateurs are manual, shutter priority and aperture priority. The camera knows the exposure quite well, so most often it can be trusted to independently select white balance (AWB), except that under electric lighting the picture turns a little yellow. But this is the “eternal theme” of Canon. For convenience, you should immediately display the horizon, grid and histogram on the screen.
The main advantages of a device with an electronic matrix are a wider working ISO range, even with a crop factor (1.6). For example, from personal experience of using cropped DSLRs from Canon (EOS 60D and 650D), I can say with confidence: if the first one begins to produce obvious noise after 2500 ISO, then for the second 3200–6400 ISO is quite a working range (in other cases situation, you can get adequate footage at 10000–12000 ISO, which a rare entry-level/semi-professional DSLR can achieve). The maximum ISO value for the EOS M5 is 25600, which means this device allows you to get decent shots where a flash is really needed. This can be seen in recent footage from James Gunn, Pom Klementieff and Michael Rooker.
For better results, you should, of course, shoot in RAW format, which saves more information and allows you to extract even the most hopeless images into Lightroom and Photoshop. The only thing is that this camera records files in the new RAW format version 2 (CR2) - owners of Lightroom versions younger than 2016 may encounter that the editor does not recognize the images. You will have to either update or use a converter program.
RAW is also good for conditions with strong differences between light and shadow - the frame can be balanced during post-processing. However, the camera menu has an HDR mode: no hassles with a tripod or Photoshop, you press a button and the camera does everything itself.
Amateurs will be pleased with the wide selection of scene modes for any occasion (Self-portrait, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Food, Panning, Handheld night photography, HDR backlight). Those who want greater creative self-expression with a minimum of knowledge should turn to the “Creative Assistant”. Here you can select the degree of background blur using a clear slider (for example, achieve the desired bokeh without bothering with the aperture value), and also adjust the brightness, contrast, saturation and color tone, as well as select a filter (monochrome, sepia, blue, magenta or green).
The M5 also comes with a familiar assortment of creative filters: Grainy B/W, Soft Focus, Fisheye Effect, Oil Paint Effect, Watercolor Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Miniature Effect (for photos and videos). If previously they could be used in post-processing of images through the internal interface of the camera, then the electronic matrix allows them to be used in real time. According to my personal feelings, only the “Toy Camera Effect” (or miniatures) mode has acceptable artistic value, which allows you to immediately frame a frame advantageously for your artistic idea. The rest look rather poor even by the standards of Instagram filters.
The built-in flash works quite well, especially due to the fact that you can set the second curtain and brightness. It may not be very powerful, but it is great for compensating for backlight when shooting a portrait, as well as for shooting a small group of people (1-5 people) in low light conditions.
The focusing method can be selected from automatic, hybrid and manual. You can’t always rely on the first two options: the camera does not always correctly determine the main object in the composition, relying on purely technical parameters. And even if you point your finger at the desired object, the electronics do not always successfully concentrate on it. The first 2 focusing methods are almost impossible to use in conjunction with the viewfinder.
But manual focusing is more suitable for it: areas illuminated with bright red contours (“focus peaking”) that fall within the sharpness area are much better visible. But with a screen, the desired fragment can be enlarged up to 3 times (for example, it is convenient to see whether the eyes are in maximum sharpness). Although now most camera owners prefer to navigate using the LCD display, professionals often prefer a viewfinder, especially since an electronic one is much more convenient than a regular one: you can immediately assess the exposure and color temperature, and the horizon widget will not allow you to “fill up” the frame. The only complaint is that switching from the screen to the viewfinder occurs with a slight delay, so there is a danger of missing the moment.
Video recording comes out in decent quality and with good sound, even without connecting a microphone. The only thing is that it is better to choose a manual focus, otherwise the automatic one will jump chaotically from one object to another.
Example video
Examples of photos (sources can be downloaded)
Lens (Kit)
The EOS M5 comes with a Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens. The equivalent focal length for 35mm film is 24-72mm. Lens design: 10 elements in 9 groups, 7 aperture blades, 3.5-stop stabilizer. Maximum depth of field - 22–40 (folded).Not the fastest glass (minimum aperture value - 3.5), but light (130 g), compact (diameter 60.9 mm, maximum length - 44.5 mm) and quite versatile: at 15 mm you can take excellent landscape photographs, and 45 mm - quite suitable for a portrait. You can't shoot much macro with this lens - the minimum focusing distance is 25 cm, so the only way out of the situation is by cropping with an inevitable loss of quality.
The kit lens gives a pleasant bokeh in the form of a cloudy haze without any pronounced pattern. Simple and tasteful.
If necessary, and to expand the capabilities, you can purchase additional lenses with the Canon EF-M mount. If you still have a collection of original optics with EF and EF-S mounts, then you will have to buy an adapter for mounting the EF-EOS M. In general, the M5 is picky about glass. For example, using manual retro lenses (Zenit, Carl Zeiss, etc.) with a ring without a suitable chip will not work. And that’s not a fact.
Canon Camera Connect
One of the main bonuses of the new generation cameras is the ability to transfer data to the cloud or to a smartphone, and remotely control using the original application Camera Connect(for iOS and Android), and also send the footage directly for printing. To pair devices, simply turn on Wi-Fi on the camera and follow the instructions.
The application is a very convenient thing: you can immediately, without the hassle of adapters, flash drives and transferring to a computer, send files to your phone and immediately add them to social networks. The remote control function via a smartphone will be invaluable when, for example, you need to take a group photo from a tripod, or a self-portrait - this method is much more convenient than the usual timer.
When using the LCD monitor and/or viewfinder in standard mode, the power will last for approximately 295 shots (at 23°C, AE 50%, FE 50%). You can save a little by lowering the brightness of the display and selecting the minimum interval for turning off the display (15, 30 seconds or 1, 3, 5, 10, 30 minutes). The “Night screen mode” looks ergonomic - it simply dims the brightness and makes the colors faded for ease of use in the dark, which clearly helps save energy. Finally, there is a special eco mode that increases the battery life to approximately 420 frames (at 23°C, AE 50%, FE 50%).
With the EOS M5, you definitely need to train yourself to press Off between uses, otherwise you won't get through the day. Better yet, buy a spare battery right away.
Results
The Canon EOS M5 is a worthy replacement for an amateur, semi-professional or even professional DSLR camera in a compact form factor. It will certainly be suitable for reportage photographers and travelers who are tired of the weight and dimensions of SLR cameras (as well as back pain and always numb hands). The ability to pair with a smartphone via the Camera Connect application will certainly be appreciated by video bloggers and self-portrait lovers: now you can do without the help of an operator. A versatile, convenient and utilitarian camera for those who value convenience and the ability to adapt to difficult conditions, rather than aesthetic effects.pros:
- comfortable dimensions and weight;
- electronic matrix with a wider operating range of photosensitivity;
- electronic viewfinder;
- "focus peaking";
- pairing with a smartphone and remote control;
- "Night screen mode";
- separate wheel for exposure compensation.
- the ergonomics of the handle are not very well thought out (it has shrunk, but the hand has not);
- high power consumption with small battery capacity;
- a small selection of lenses compared to SLR cameras, as well as the need to buy an adapter if you don’t want to leave accumulated supplies idle;
- randomly floating autofocus when shooting video;
- turns yellow with AWB in artificial light.
The Canon EOS M5 is Canon's best mirrorless camera to date. This is a camera with a 24MP sensor and Dual Pixel technology. The APS-C sensor provides excellent depth of field. In addition, the camera has a built-in electronic viewfinder and a large number of external controls, as well as a well-implemented touch screen.
This level of direct control makes the camera competitive with the Sony A6000 and a6300, as well as the Panasonic GX85 (GX80) and GX8. All of these cameras are quite compact, but offer excellent capabilities for recording photos and videos.
Main characteristics
- 24MP Dual Pixel APS-C CMOS sensor
- 2.36MP OLED electronic viewfinder
- 1.62MP tilting touch screen
- Electronic video stabilization combined with optical stabilization for a total of five axes of stabilization
- 7fps continuous shooting speed (9fps with focus and exposure locked)
- Wi-Fi with NFC and Bluetooth
The M5 not only allows you to use the rear touch screen to position the focus point, but also allows you to move it when working through the viewfinder. Combined with the Dual Pixel autofocus system, this makes a big difference.
The camera has four control dials. This is a much greater level of control than is offered on other M models.
Three of the four control dials on the M5 are located on the top panel, giving users easy access to options. While the lack of 4K video capability is a disappointment, the ability to use the touchscreen to set the AF point is a definite plus. For many users, good 1080 quality is just as valuable as bad 4K.
The touch screen plus Dual-Pixel-AF in combination becomes a very powerful tool. Focusing on faces is also available.
Another important advantage of the M5 is that Canon's Dual Pixel AF system allows you to go beyond just a narrow area of focus points and work across the entire frame. Adapters will allow you to use lenses with EF and EF-S mounts.
Comparison with competitors
Nowadays photographers have a large selection of good cameras. It is very difficult to make a choice. Many devices provide a rich set of controls. Sony offers the a6000 and a6300 with 4K video. Panasonic, meanwhile, offers the GX85 and GX8, offering higher resolutions and better viewfinders. All of these models are extremely productive.
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Canon EOS M5 |
Sony a6300 |
Panasonic GX8 |
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$1099 with 15-45mm lens |
$1149 with 16-50mm lens |
$1199 body only |
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Number of pixels |
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Focusing |
Dual Pixel,PDAF |
Contrast detection |
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Electronic viewfinder |
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Continuous shooting |
9 frames per second (7 frames with constant focus C-AF) |
11 frames per second (8 with constant focus) |
8 frames per second (5.5 with constant focus) |
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Video |
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Touch focus in video |
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Battery life Screen/EVF |
295/295 frames (410 in Eco mode) |
400/350 frames |
330/310 frames |
Housing and processing
The M5 is the most user-friendly EF-M camera yet. The control set is really good. It allows you to very quickly adjust the camera and constantly see the level of exposure correction. This mirrorless camera is even more convenient than many entry-level Canon DSLR cameras.
With rich external controls and a built-in viewfinder, the EOS M5 is clearly aimed at meeting the needs of more experienced M-series users. There are customizable buttons on the case that allow you to assign basic settings to them.
Touch screen
The most striking feature of the EOS M5 is its touchscreen interface and how it integrates with the Dual Pixel AF system. The entire area of the image sensor can participate in autofocus, which means that the system is extremely productive and convenient.
The M5 uses the rear screen as a touchpad. You can select the active area of the screen to avoid focusing with your nose.
Canon has clearly learned from Panasonic how the touchscreen should work when the camera is at your eye level. Like Lumix cameras, you can select a focus point on the screen and drag it across the entire frame. Canon allows you to select the area of the screen that will remain active. This will prevent you from accidentally focusing with your nose when using the viewfinder.
While it's packed with features for advanced photographers, the M5 also offers a rotatable display for easy selfie-taking, and always-on Bluetooth connectivity to third-party devices makes it easy to share photos on social media.
What's interesting is that when the camera is in face focus mode, you use the touch screen to refocus on another face and the camera will follow it. This is very useful when shooting video.
Canon was a late entrant to the mirrorless market, introducing its first model, the EOS M, in mid-2012. At that time, Panasonic and Olympus had been in this market for almost four years with their Micro Four Thirds standard. The interface was pretty nice, but Canon fell into the same trap as every other manufacturer. The designed lenses and autofocus system were slow.
A year later, in the EOS 70D, the company introduced the Dual Pixel AF system. This is the most fundamental image sensor redesign in years. The system worked very well. This turned out to be what the EOS M system needed. However, the EOS M3 and M10 models received a less impressive CMOS III hybrid autofocus system.
Only now, four years after the release of the first EOS M, we get a camera with the most effective type of autofocus from Canon. We also get a good level of direct control over exposure and a great touchscreen interface.
The EOS M5 isn't as small as some of its rivals, but it has the functionality of the 80D in a much smaller body.
The EF-M lens line has now been expanded to include the 18-150 F/3.5-6.3 IS STM. Now we need to find out how effective the Dual Pixel autofocus system will be with EF-M lenses. It is already known that the wide-angle 22mm is very fast, but zoom lenses will be more popular and priority should be given to them.
Canon EOS M5 Specifications
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Price |
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$979 (body), $1099 (with 15-45mm lens), $1479 (with 15-150mm lens) |
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Frame |
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Style |
SLR style, mirrorless camera |
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Housing material |
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Sensor |
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Maximum resolution |
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Other permissions |
3:2 (6000 x 3368, 3984 x 2656, 2976 x 1984, 2400 x 1600), 16:9 (6000 x 3368, 3984 x 2240, 2976 x 1680, 2400 x 1344), 4:3 (5328 x 4000, 3552 x 2664, 2656 x 1992, 2112 x 1600), 1:1 (4000 x 4000, 2656 x 2656, 1984 x 1984, 1600 x 1600) |
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Image aspect ratio |
1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
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Number of effective pixels |
24 megapixels |
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Full resolution |
26 megapixels |
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Sensor size |
APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm) |
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Sensor type |
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CPU |
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Color space |
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Color filter set |
Primary color filter |
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Image |
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Auto, 100-25600 |
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White balance settings |
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Custom White Balance |
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Photo image stabilization |
No, just the lens |
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Video image stabilization |
5-axis hybrid (electronic + optical) |
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Uncompressed format |
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JPEG quality levels |
Okay, standard |
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File format |
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Optics and focusing |
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Autofocus |
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Autofocus illuminator |
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Manual focus |
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Number of focus points |
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Lens mount |
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Focal length multiplier |
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Screen and viewfinder |
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Pan and tilt |
Tilt only |
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Screen size |
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Screen resolution |
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Touch screen |
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Screen type |
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Live View |
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Viewfinder type |
Electronic |
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Viewfinder coverage |
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Viewfinder resolution |
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Features of photography |
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Minimum shutter speed |
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Maximum shutter speed |
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Shooting modes |
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Built-in flash |
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Flash range |
5.00 m (at ISO 100) |
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External flash |
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X-sync speed |
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Continuous shooting speed |
9.0 fps |
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Timer |
Yes (2 or 10 seconds, customizable, remote control) |
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Metering Modes |
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Exposure compensation |
± 3 (1/3 steps each) |
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Exposure bracketing |
± 2 (3 frames in 1/3 stop increments) |
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White balance bracketing |
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Video recording features |
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Permissions |
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Microphone |
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Speaker |
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Data storage |
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Types of memory cards |
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Connection |
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USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) |
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Yes (Micro-HDMI) |
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Microphone port |
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Headphone jack |
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Wireless connection |
Built-in |
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802.11/B/G/N with Bluetooth and NFC |
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Remote control |
Yes (wired, wireless or smartphone) |
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physical characteristics |
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Protection from moisture and dust |
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Power supply |
Accumulator battery |
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Battery Description |
Li-ion battery LP-E17 and charger |
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CIPA Battery Life |
295 frames per charge |
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Weight including battery |
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Dimensions |
116 x 89 x 61 mm |
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Other Features |
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Orientation sensor |
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Every person who is in love with photography dreams of having a camera that can shoot whatever they want, and with perfect quality. But not everyone is ready for a camera to be heavy and bulky. Some began to dream of a small and powerful camera, having become disillusioned with the photographic capabilities of a smartphone. Someone, having rashly bought a SLR camera “like from a friend,” increasingly leaves it at home, considering walking with it tiresome. And many professionals, forced to carry multi-kilogram sets of photographic equipment to commercial shoots, dream of shooting on vacation with something less burdensome, but comparable in quality and capabilities.
Background
About 10 years ago, photographic equipment manufacturers noticed a growing need for small but high-quality cameras, and soon “mirrorless cameras” - compact cameras with interchangeable lenses - began to appear on the market one after another. Practically not inferior to DSLRs in terms of shooting quality and capabilities, this new class of cameras has managed to return serious photography to the mainstream of pleasant pastime and creativity on vacation.
Canon has been producing EOS M family of mirrorless cameras since 2012, and recently its flagship camera was the EOS M5, which we will talk about in this review. Let’s try to figure out how close the “five” came to the photographer’s ideal.
Camera in hand
In terms of design, layout and control layout, the Canon EOS M5 is similar to a regular DSLR camera, only slightly smaller.
At first, it may even seem too small to those with large hands. But your fingers quickly get used to the comfortable non-slip grip at the front and the thumb rest at the back, after which the discomfort disappears, and the index finger rests precisely on the shutter button.
It is also convenient for them to turn the control wheel located around it. It is easy to move your index finger to both the function button located on the right and the flash release button located on the left.
All the buttons on the rear panel are within the range of your thumb, although you still need to lightly hold the camera with your left hand.
It also serves to switch the camera operating mode using the selector dial located to the left of the viewfinder.
It is also more convenient to turn on the camera with your left hand using the lever located under the selector dial.
It is worth adding that the disk cannot be accidentally knocked off, for example, when you take the cameras out of your bag - the developers have provided a locking button, without pressing which you cannot turn the disk.
The programmable button to the right of the lens is easy to press with your ring finger. The Wi-Fi connection activation button is located on the right side of the case, under the compartment with the HDMI connector (it is needed to output images from the camera to external devices).
You quickly get used to all the controls, gradually beginning to understand how carefully everything is thought out. The previously mentioned control wheels in manual and creative modes allow you to quickly and conveniently change basic shooting parameters, navigate menus and select settings.
One of the control function selection menu screens. Many buttons can be programmed to quickly access the functions and settings you need.
Camera in action
The camera is ready for use approximately 1 - 1.5 s after switching on. However, if you are using a standard folding zoom lens, you will still need to move it to the working position. With any other lens, just turn the power lever. Will anything else prevent the photographer from capturing an interesting moment that quickly arises? Under adequate lighting conditions - practically nothing.
Thanks to Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology, the camera achieves sharp focus very quickly. Let us remember that this system is used in top professional Canon DSLRs and uses pixels on the matrix with two separate photodiodes. This autofocus is very effective in most scenes, except for very poorly lit ones. In addition, the desired AF area can be instantly selected by tapping your finger on the LCD touch screen.
If there is not enough light in the scene you are shooting for autofocus, you can switch to manual focusing, where the “focus peaking” function, which highlights the contours of objects in focus with color, will help you achieve precise sharpening.
You can view shooting in the Canon EOS M5 both through a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (2.36 million dots) and 100% coverage of the frame area, and through a folding LCD touch screen with a resolution of 1.62 million dots and a diagonal of 3.2 inches.
The option with a viewfinder will appeal to owners of DSLRs, photographers with imperfect vision (there is a diopter adjustment), and also for shooting on bright sunny days. The infrared sensor built into the EVI reacts to the approach of a face to the camera and automatically switches the image output from the display to the viewfinder and back.
Framing on the screen will be more familiar to those who started taking photographs with a smartphone or digital point-and-shoot camera. In addition, the folding screen is very convenient when shooting from high and low points.
The LCD screen is indispensable for selfies, for which it reclines and moves to a vertical position with a 180° rotation. And the combination of a small, inconspicuous camera and a horizontally rotated screen will allow you to secretly shoot interesting genre scenes.
Let us remind you once again that the camera’s screen is touch-sensitive, thanks to which you can instantly change the position of the focus point by touching the desired place in the frame, and also take photographs with one touch without attracting attention to yourself.
The camera is more than suitable for reporting and dynamic scenes, the burst shooting speed is at the level of SLR cameras: 7 frames per second with tracking autofocus and 9 fps when focusing on the first frame.
Shooting quality
The Canon EOS M5 is equipped with a modern 24-megapixel CMOS sensor and the latest generation DIGIC 7 processor.
In the daytime, in good lighting, photographic images are obtained with rich, natural color reproduction and high detail.
The camera conveys all the halftones of not too contrasting scenes very confidently and accurately, without the intervention of the photographer.
During the day, in low light conditions, for example, in a forest with dense vegetation, the situation with image quality remains almost unchanged.
Canon EOS M5 camera review | Photography in daylight
In daylight Canon EOS M5 takes great photos, with lots of detail and bright, clean colors. Using nine shooting modes, you can change the color rendition, but we've found that in most cases it's best to shoot in the standard color mode and adjust the colors later. JPEG photos have a low dynamic range, and detail in the darkest and lightest areas is often lost in the darkness and light, making the picture look flat and unattractive.
If you're working with RAW files, which the camera can shoot at the same time as JPEGs (if you have enough memory card space), it's often possible to extract more detail when processing the photo in programs like Photoshop. In the photo below you can see how the camera captured the finest detail of the flower and the beetle chewing its way into the petal just below the center.
Canon EOS M5 camera review | Taking photos in low light
Photos taken outside of direct sunlight look just as attractive, with good color reproduction and detail. However, as light levels drop, the camera raises the ISO level and noise reduction becomes more intrusive, blurring fine details in images above ISO 1600. You can increase the ISO to an impressive 25600 units, but this should not be done unless absolutely necessary due to the loss of detail.
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To show how ISO settings affect image quality, we shot a full moon at different ISO settings and then zoomed in to show the noise level. In the original image, the diameter of the moon was about 140 pixels, or about 3% of the total area of the photograph.
Canon EOS M5 camera review | Video shooting
IN Canon EOS M5 It offers a good set of functions for video shooting, the resolution of which is up to 1080p with a frequency of up to 60 frames per second. During video shooting, both image stabilization and autofocus work, so handheld videos don't look particularly shaky. One important feature is missing: 4K shooting capability. The EOS M5 can shoot video in Full HD, but not in 4K - unlike many other cameras, for example, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 for $600 (in Russia - 49,990 rubles).
Canon EOS M5 camera review | Video shooting in bright light
As with photography, when recording video in bright light Canon EOS M5 produces a very attractive picture with excellent detail, bright, pure colors and smooth natural movement. This is especially true for the Full HD/60 fps mode - videos shot in it look great on a large TV screen. We had no problems with rolling shutter, an unpleasant effect in which straight objects become distorted due to the way the video signal is recorded.
In low light, digital noise becomes more noticeable and unpleasant. It appears as flickering in areas of the same color, and looks like many fireflies against a dark sky. An extremely unsightly effect, so if you plan to shoot video near a fire or at dusk, it is better to take a closer look at some other camera.
Sound quality Canon EOS M5 not impressive: due to the fact that two miniature microphones are located near the lens, they pick up the quiet humming sound of the stabilization and focusing systems. Luckily, the camera has a 3.5mm mic input that you can connect to a higher-quality external microphone, like the $100 Rode VideoMic Go, which mounts directly into the camera's hot shoe.
Canon EOS M5 camera review | Autofocus and continuous shooting
IN Canon EOS M5 A new focusing system called Dual Pixel is used, in which both contrast and phase sensors are built into the image sensor chip. This combination provides more accurate focusing in different lighting conditions (phase focus works better in low light, and contrast focus usually works faster). We liked the result: the standard lens was quickly brought into focus, and the focus point (or points) could be easily adjusted via the touch screen. The device also has automatic face recognition and tracking.
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The camera is capable of shooting bursts at 9 frames per second with single-shot autofocus and 7 frames per second with tracking autofocus. However, in this mode the device can only work for 2-3 seconds, after which it requires a pause to record images to the memory card, so we recommend that you calculate the time carefully.
Canon EOS M5 camera review | Wireless connection
Canon EOS M5 has two wireless adapters: Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz band and Bluetooth Smart. When connected to the Canon Camera Connect mobile app ( Android version or version for iOS The initial connection is established via Bluetooth Smart, and Wi-Fi is used for photo transfer and Live Preview mode.
This system works better than most. The EOS M5 connects to your smartphone to view images much faster than many other devices.
Canon EOS M5 camera review | Battery
Nutrition Canon EOS M5 is powered by an LP-E17 rechargeable battery with a capacity of 1040 mAh, which fits into the handle. Canon claims the ability to shoot up to 295 photos in standard mode or up to 420 photos in economy mode. During testing, we shot for two days before the battery required recharging. However, it cannot be charged without removing it from the camera: the battery is placed in a special device that connects to an electrical outlet. Replacement batteries cost about $50 for the original and less than $10 for a compatible third-party model.
Canon EOS M5 camera review | Standard lens
The stock lens we tested with Canon EOS M5, this is a zoom lens with a focal length from 15 to 45 mm and an aperture of f/3.5-6.3. It provides acceptable image quality and is a good starting point for the aspiring photographer. We noticed that the edges of images became quite soft at both the wide and long ends of the lens, and when the aperture was wide open, a lot of detail faded into blue.
The lens features a locking system that makes its non-operating height just 43mm. By pressing the lock button and turning the manual zoom ring, you bring it into a ready state, and then its height becomes just under 63 mm.
The Canon EOS M5 can also be purchased in a kit with an 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens, this kit will cost $1,300 (91,000 rubles).
Canon EOS M5 camera review | Lenses
The Canon EOS M5 uses the Canon EF-M mount, and Canon itself now offers 10 different lenses for this relatively new mount. Among them there is both a wide-angle model 11-22 mm f/2 for $350, and a long-angle 55-200 mm for the same $350, in addition, the assortment includes several lenses with a fixed focus. All of them cost less than $500, and most cost less than $300, so they are cheaper than most other types of glass today. If you have lenses from Canon SLR cameras, you can install them via an EF/EF-S adapter, which is sold separately for $200. Canon EOS M5 Capable of fully controlling EF/EF-S lenses; Both autofocus and image stabilization work as well as on DSLR cameras.
Canon EOS M5 camera review | conclusions
In the camera Canon EOS M5 There's a lot to like. It combines the handling of a DSLR with the small size and weight of a mirrorless camera. However, it won't displace the Sony A6000 from our Editors' Choice podium, as it's more expensive, heavier, and doesn't shoot as well, especially in low light. With the release of the EOS M5, Canon has taken several steps towards the ideal mirrorless camera, but it is still far from perfect.
