The Canon EOS M5 is the latest mirrorless camera from the Canon stable. Interestingly it is powered by the same sensor and the same on-chip phase-detection auto-focusing system as the more illustrious EOS 80D. It is powered by a 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor. Image processing is handled by DIGIC 7 image processor. Let’s dig deeper and find out more about the camera’s features.
Canon EOS M5
Electronic Viewfinder and Rear LCD Screen
If you own or have used the EOS M3, the Canon mirrorless that made a belated entry into the US market, the most striking feature would no doubt be the presence of an Electronic Viewfinder at the back of the camera. Canon seems to have finally realized that they cannot overlook the EVF anymore. The EVF on the EOS M5 has a resolution of 2.36m-dot.
The 3.2” rear LCD screen has a resolution of 1.62m-dot. It tilts to an extent of 85 ˚ up and 180 ˚ down, giving you some extra advantages when shooting from acute angles. At 180 ˚ you can easily shoot selfies with the EOS M5. Frame coverage is 100%; meaning there will be no surprises at the periphery of the frames when they are downloaded. Most photographers prefer to crop their frames when they have something at the edge of the frame that they did not anticipate. With 100% frame coverage you know exactly what you are going to get in the final shot.
The LCD screen has touchscreen features and incorporates Touch and Drag AF capabilities. It basically means the ability to move the focusing point around on the LCD screen to lock focus on a specific point on the frame. All that while keeping your eye on the EVF.
Focus Peaking
Focus peaking is a feature that is borrowed from traditional camcorders. This technology ensures that the user is able to convey when sharpest focus is attained, both while using the EVF and the rear LCD screen.
Still Shooting
The large APS-C sensor with its 24.2 effective megapixels allow large JPEG and RAW frames. The EOS M5 has a decent continuous burst speed of 7 frames per second. With AF lock that extends to an additional 2 frames per second. The ISO range on the camera is 100 – 25600.
Video Recording
The EOS M5 is capable of recording full HD videos at 60 / 50 fps. Aspect ratio of the videos are 16:9. Up to 29 mins and 59 seconds can be recorded in a single clip.
Dual Pixel CMOS AF
The EOS M5 incorporates the same on-chip dual-pixel CMOS auto-focusing mechanism that we have seen on the EOS 80D as well as the EOS 70D before that. This is nothing new. Dual-pixel CMOS auto-focusing brings in the magic of dedicated phase detection auto-focusing to DSLR and mirrorless cameras. On-chip phase detection uses a different pixel architecture compared to traditional sensors. Pixels on these sensors are split into two light capturing photo-diodes. Each one captures light coming in from two different sides of the lens. These images are then compared and focusing is adjusted.
Dual-pixel CMOS auto-focusing is a much smoother and faster process than traditional contrast detection auto-focusing. This is more camcorder style auto-focusing than DSLR style and is resultantly better than traditional contrast detection auto-focusing.
Image Stabilization
The EOS M5 comes with a 5-axis digital image stabilization system. This 5-axis image stabilization will be handy when shooting in low light situations as well as in windy situations. This digital image stabilization works in tandem with all stabilized lenses for the M mount.
Along with the EOS M5 a new lens has been announced; the EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5 – 6.3IS STM. On a 35mm format the lens becomes the equivalent of a 29-240mm lens mounted on a 35mm format camera. It has 4 stops of image stabilization which would work in tandem with the 5-axis built-in image stabilization of the camera.
Connectivity
The EOS M5 comes with both Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity to pair the camera with a compatible device and send image and video files. The EOS M5 has Bluetooth connectivity too. This is a low energy smart Bluetooth feature that is ideal for a continuous connection between a compatible smartphone or tablet with the camera and control the camera using the dedicated Camera Connect Application. Sending large video files or RAW frames over a Bluetooth connection can, however, be a painfully slow affair.
Price and Availability
At $979, the EOS M5 is priced at par with some of the mid-range APS-C DSLRs available in the market. It is priced at par with the likes of the current retail prices of the Canon EOS 70D and the Nikon D7200.
The camera is likely going to be available from November 2016.
Rajib Mukherjee
Latest posts by Rajib Mukherjee (see all)
- How to Pick the Best Shooting Mode among Auto, S, A, Manual in any Situation - July 20, 2017
- Camera Settings Presets for Shooting Different Scenes - July 11, 2017
- What to Discuss with Client Before the Photo Shooting - July 6, 2017