Slowly expanding its mirrorless lineup, Canon has just unveiled the new top dog in its series of compact interchangeable-lens cameras, the EOS M5 Mirrorless Digital Camera. This model features a built-in electronic viewfinder and boasts improved performance, thanks to the pairing of a 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor with Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology and the DIGIC 7 image processor. Also a part of this mirrorless announcement is an EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM Lens that provides a versatile 28.8-240mm equivalent zoom range. Alongside these mirrorless offerings, Canon has released an updated EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM Lens for full-frame and APS-C DSLRs that is equipped with a digital Lens Information Display and NANO USM technology.
Stepping up its mirrorless game, the EOS M5 sits at the new top of Canon’s mirrorless camera system with a larger, more ergonomic design that offers a built-in 2.36m-dot electronic viewfinder and a 3.2" 1.62m-dot tilting touchscreen LCD. The internals of the camera have been upgraded, as well, starring a 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor and DIGIC 7 processor that offer a sensitivity range up to ISO 25600 and 9 fps continuous shooting and Full HD video at up to 60p. Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology makes an appearance here, too, providing fast, accurate focusing for capturing stills and video. Five-axis Digital IS image stabilization further enhances quality by providing sharper and steadier imagery. Additionally, the M5’s touchscreen supports Touch and Drag AF for more intuitive control over focusing points, while built-in Wi-Fi with NFC makes it easy to pair the camera with your mobile devices. The EOS M5 will be available as a body only, in a kit with the 18-150mm lens, and as a kit with the 15-45mm lens. Users can also pick up the EM-E2 Neck Strap in black or brown, as well as the dedicated EH29-CJ Body Jacket in black or brown.
Covering a vast range equivalent to 28.8-240mm is Canon’s latest mirrorless lens offering, the EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM, which is available in graphite and silver. Designed to be relatively compact, the 18-150mm is a great option for the EOS M5, especially due to an Optical Image Stabilizer that can work in tandem with the camera’s Digital IS system for incredible effective correction and more stable panning. The lens also offers an STM stepping AF motor that can be used in stills or video. An optional EW-60F Lens Hood can help block stray light from entering the lens.
Being released alongside the mirrorless offerings is the full-frame EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM Lens for DSLRs, which in a first for Canon, features a digital Lens Information Display that shows off focus distance, current focal length, and Image Stabilizer amount. It offers an excellent telephoto range, which, when used on APS-C bodies, has a 35mm equivalent focal-length range of 112-480mm. The lens has received numerous improvements to performance and speed with the addition of NANO USM technology for both fast focusing in stills and smooth, silent focusing when shooting video. The Image Stabilizer is also rated for up to 4 stops of compensation. Improving optical performance is the inclusion of an Ultra-Low Dispersion element to minimize chromatic aberrations while a nine-blade aperture diaphragm will help create smooth bokeh. An optional ET-74B Lens Hood will be available to help reduce flare and ghosting.
40 Comments
I wish I get 1 of this very great gear for me on Beta tester. May be I can send you as sponsor a thousands great pictures
from my paradise country Indonesia.... hahaha. Anybody....out there....
What's the battery life like on this? Any word on max number of shots?
I'd love a camera with 5-axis stabilization and I don't need a full-frame sensor or 4K.
However if battery life is similar to the A7II (and other mirrorless cameras) I'm going for the 80D.
Thanks in advance.
Hi Eric,
The CIPA rating says that users should expect about 295 shots on a full battery. There is an Eco Mode that can increase with to 420 shots when using the monitor. Compared to DSLRs this is quite low.
Also, note that the 5-axis stabilization is digital, not sensor-shift like we have seen in other mirrorless cameras.
Hope this info helps!
Shawn, Just got back from Photokina and LOVE the M5! They told me that if we order now we will get the adapter for my iother canon lenses. My question is if I bye the M5 with some new lenses will I still get the adapter?
Hi Joshua,
I unfortunately don't have any details on getting the adapter with the purchase of the camera. You may have to contact Canon directly to have your question answered.
does this use older EF full frame lenses?
Hi Mike,
It will work with older EF mount lenses with an official Canon EF-M Lens Adapter that can be found here. There are also less expensive alternatives which you can find here.
Canon STILL don't seem to get it about mirrorless......Fuji have done all this probably better for the same money for a while. What does this have over the XT-2....where is a nifty compact mirrorless with V/F at exciting price?
Is RAW shooting available ?
Hi Cyrille,
Raw shooting is available, as well as RAW+JPEG.
Is this a standard spec "M" mount, as in Leica, or is it Canon's own proprietary mount? Could one use other brand manual M lenses on it?
Hi David,
This camera uses the Canon EF-M mount, not the Leica M mount. You could however use Leica M mount lenses with an adapter.
will M5 lens comparable to 5DIII?
Hi koolace,
The M5 and 5D Mark III are very different cameras. The biggest difference being the body design (the M5 is a smaller mirrorless while the 5D Mark III is a hefty DSLR) and that the new M5 uses an smaller APS-C sensor compared to the 5D Mark III's full-frame sensor. Of course there are many other differences, but overall the 5D Mark III is a better system, but if you are looking for compact with still great IQ then the M5 is a great choice.
what does this camera weigh?
Hi Barbara,
The camera is very lightweight at just 15.1 oz / 428 g.
As a professional photography and video shooter dedicated to Canon for years, this announcement makes it increasingly more and more difficult to stay loyal to Canon. I wonder what goes on in the Canon headquater minds. First the major dissapointment of eos 5D mk 4 and now this fiasco maxing video out at 60 fps 1080. As someone mentioned earlier in this string, 4K has been out for a long time now, wonder how long before Canon catches on. My recommendation for those who may feel tempted to invest in this product to wait for thePanasonic release of the GH5. Listen Canon: this is not acceptable!!
Will the M5 support tethered shooting?
Hi Geoff,
Unfortunately we don't have this information at the moment. I will let you know if we learn anything about this.
anyupdate?
Hi Rolland,
There is some ability to wirelessly transfer files to a computer, but I cannot find any mention of actual tethering capabilities with this camera. It is likely similar to the M3 is this aspect.
what is the size of the sensor?
Hi Jim,
It is an APS-C sensor with a 1.6x crop factor.
As per Canon its *exactly* the same sensor as used in the 80D
I'm trying to see why I would want this camera over my G7. I was a Canon guy for years, but switched to m4/3s a couple of years ago and sold all my Canon gear. Does anyone see any major advantages of this camera over my G7?
Hi Dan,
The most significant advantages are the larger APS-C sensor with Dual Pixel technology and the ability to switch lenses. Also, via an adapter you can use pretty much any EF-mount DSLR lens on this camera. Also, it has improved performance across the board. But, this all comes with a larger body than a tiny point-and-shoot.
I thought you'd know that a Panasonic G7 is a m4/3 system camera that takes all the micro 4/3s lenses from Panasonic, Olympus, Sigma, and other manufacturers. It has 4K video and excellent autofocus speed and accuracy. I even bought it at B&H. It is not a tiny point and shoot.
Apologies Dan, got mixed up with the G7X from Canon. Besides the larger sensor, I don't see why you should look to switch back over to Canon compared to the G7, seems like it has all the features you could want.
Just FYI on these new products.
The EOS M5 requires an EF-M to EF adapter to use the new EF 70-300. The adapter can be purchased from B&H.
The mirrorless EOS M models have EF-M lens mount.
How much does the EF-M to EF adapter run?
Hello,
The official Canon EF-M Lens Adapter can be found here, but if you are looking for alternatives we carry a small selection of other adapters which you can find here.
Late 2016, a brand new EVF interchangeable lens camera costing $979 with no 4K? Come on Canon, this doesn't cut it. This camera is already outdated and it isn't even shipping yet. Sony and Panasonic cameras that have been shipping all (or nearly all) year have 4k. Do we need to wait out another 2-3 year cycle on the M cameras before we see 4K?
Affordable 4K: Panasonic G7, GX80, GX85, GH4; Sony A6300; Canon zip.
does this camera have a headphone and Mic jacks?
I'm calling Canon now to see if the camera has audio controls
Hi Jeff,
The M5 has a mic jack but does not have a headphone jack.
I called Canon this morning and they said this camera is like the M3, no headphone jack and didn't know yet if you can adjust the audio levels.
Does the M5 accpet the 100-400mm and 200 mm auto foucus telephoto white lenses?
You'd need the EOS M mount adapter to use either of those lenses. Regular EOS lenses sit farther from the sensor plane because of the mirror box. M series cameras have no mirror, so lenses sit closer to the sensor plane. The EOS M adapter is essentially and extension tube with all the electrical communication preserved.
Hi Ralph,
They will work but you will need either the official Canon EF-M Lens Adapter, or an alternative electronic adapter, for full functionality.
I was really looking forward to this new mirrorless, but the pricing is way too high.
For a few dollars more I could get the 80D.
I hope they lower the M5 price substantially for the holidays, otherwise I do not envision a lot of sales for this model.