Canon EOS M Mirrorless Camera - Technologies Explained

See the details behind the Canon EOS M Mirrorless camera, also see the specification sheet of canon EOS M mirrorless camera EOS M specification sheet

Canon CMOS sensor

Exclusively designed and manufactured by Canon to work in combination with its own  DIGIC processors, Canon’s CMOS technology integrates advanced noise reduction  circuitry at each pixel site, delivering virtually noise-free images. In comparison with CCD technology, the lower power consumption characteristics of Canon’s CMOS sensors also contribute to longer battery life.  Signal conversion in Canon’s CMOS sensors is handled by individual amplifiers at each pixel site. Unnecessary charge transfer operations are avoided, vastly speeding up the process of getting the signal to the image processor. Noise is reduced, power  consumption is limited and faster frame rate potential is increased.

The EOS M APS-C sensor features a new Hybrid AF System with a total of 31 AF points which uses the central pixels of the sensor to enable continuous AF when shooting in  Live View Mode or when recording EOS Movies

1. The Hybrid AF system uses a  combination of both phase detection and contrast AF to ensure quick and accurate auto  focus.  The new sensor design also produces DSLR-level image quality at both high and low  ISO sensitivities, with 14-bit AD conversion for finer tonal gradation.

DIGIC 5 Image Processor 

The latest generation of Canon’s DIGIC processor – DIGIC 5 – has been engineered to  process more detailed image data faster than ever before, accurately reproducing every  part of the scene with natural colours and smooth tones. Processing image data six times faster than its predecessor, the power of DIGIC 5 featured in the EOS M enables photographers to utilise a range of advanced shooting  settings and modes to enhance image quality or creative scope. For example, with  DIGIC 5, the EOS M is able to shoot high resolution stills continuously at 4.3 frames per  second, capture low-light images at ISO 12800 with minimal noise and enable new  features including HDR Backlight Control.  Live View shooting

The EOS M features a 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 Clear View LCD II Touch screen which gives  photographers the ability to easily compose shots. Photographers are able to choose  from a number of onscreen displays and effectively compose and review shots in a number of ways:

• Exposure control – Different metering methods (evaluative, partial, spot and  centre-weighted average metering) can be selected, ISO speed is displayed.  The results of the exposure settings are also previewed on the screen, allowing  users to view the final image prior to pressing the shutter release button.
• Grid display – A choice of two different grid displays divides the screen into  either nine or 24 areas, perfect for composing perfectly balanced shots.
• Multi aspect ratios – Photographers can select from four different aspect  ratios, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9 and 1:1 which will then be displayed on the screen to  assist in framing each shot. When shooting in JPEG format, the image will be  captured in the chosen aspect ratio, whilst images shot in RAW will be  transformed to the chosen aspect ratio when using DPP.

31-point Hybrid AF System  The EOS M features a 31-point Hybrid AF System that delivers super-fast, accurate AF  when shooting both images and movies. The EOS M’s CMOS sensor couples Phasedifference AF with Contrast AF to provide a fast and highly-accurate Hybrid Autofocus  system. During both stills and movie shooting, Phase-difference AF provides high-speed  focus, using the central part of the CMOS sensor. Contrast AF, which focuses using the  wider scene, then provides the final stage of focusing for enhanced accuracy.  The EOS M offers photographers One-shot AF or Servo AF operation as well as a  collection of different AF methods to ensure an optimised approach to focusing on every  different subject. The AF methods include:

• Face detection and tracking – Automatically detects and focuses on faces in the  frame and tracks movement by switching between AF points. Photographers  can control where the camera focuses by selecting points on the camera’s LCD.
• FlexiZone – Multi – Automatically divides the frame into 31 different AF zones  and uses an algorithm to prioritise focus on the centre and closer parts of the  subject. Users can select one of nine AF zones to change the area of focus
• FlexiZone – Single – The standard AF mode that allows photographers to select  any AF point on the LCD touch screen.
• Focus Adjustment after AF – Similar to Full-Time Manual focus found on EOS  DSLR models, once the automatic AF has been established, the camera  automatically changes to manual focus, allowing photographers to manipulate  the image.
• Touch AF and Touch Shutter Release – photographers can simply touch the  display to pinpoint the area on which the camera should focus and instantly  capture a still image.

EF-M lenses and EF lenses

The EOS M features a new, bespoke EF-M mount diameter which has been optimized for  APS-C sized sensors. However, photographers have the freedom to explore the Canon  EOS System of more than 70 EF lenses thanks to the new Mount Adapter EF-EOS M. In addition, two new EF-M lenses have been specially engineered for the EOS M, offering photographers the ideal compact lenses to take with them wherever they go.

The new  lenses are:

• EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM – an 18-55mm standard zoom
• EF-M 22mm f/2 STM – a 22mm pancake lens

EOS Movie  – EOS Movie allows users to record Full HD (1920x1080p) movies with full manual  control of exposure and frame rates of 30, 25 and 24 fps at full resolution, with 60 and  50 fps available at 720p resolution.

The EOS M also features high speed AF in Movie mode, with three AF methods used to  capture sharp, detailed movies. The AF in Movies functionality uses the phasedifference AF which uses the central part of the CMOS sensor to achieve rapid focus. AF  in Movies uses the following AF methods to achieve optimal focus:

Face detection and Tracking

FlexiZone – Multi

FlexiZone – Single

The EOS M features a built in stereo microphone in order to record sharp, crisp audio to  compliment the visuals. The microphone is located to the left of the EOS M’s hot shoe so  it can easily capture audio, while the sound recording menu features an attenuator to automatically reduce any sudden loud noises. Photographers can also enable a wind  filter which works by reducing the recording level to below the 100Hz frequency.

Audio is recorded at a sampling frequency of 48KHZ, 16-bit, and photographers have  the ability to switch the recording level between Auto and Manual, the latter giving the  choice of 64 sound levels.  For budding movie makes, the EOS M also features a 3.5mm Stereo mini plug which  allows users to plug in a compatible external microphone.

Video Snapshot   – The Video Snapshot feature enables the user to capture short video clips of 2, 4 or 8  seconds in length. These short snapshots are then stitched together into one file as a  Video Snapshot Album, creating a dynamic, fast-paced movie sequence. Once video clip  duration has been selected, every time the Movie shooting button is pressed a video  clip of that length will be captured. For example, if a 4 second Video Snapshot is  selected, the Video Snapshot Album will be created consisting of 4 second movie clips.   When playing a Movie, Video Snapshot Album or Slideshow, background music (BGM)  can be applied, whether on the camera’s touch screen, or on a larger HDTV using the  camera’s HDMI connection. To do this, users must convert audio files to the supported  .WAV format, before using EOS Utility software to upload the files to the camera’s SD  card ready for selection during playback. A choice of five music tracks supplied with the  camera can also be used. With the EOS M, users can now also edit video snapshots,  changing the order or deleting clips in-camera.

Clear View LCD II Touch screen : The EOS M features a 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 Clear View LCD II Touch screen which employs  capacitive technology to support natural, gesture-based control during shooting and  playback – providing support for multi-touch gestures including pinching, swiping and  dragging. The new touch interface allows users to touch-select AF points, track faces  and objects, use Touch Shutter to take pictures directly from the screen interface or adjust image settings instantly with the Quick Control screen.

The screen itself offers an approximate resolution of 1.04 million dots, allowing highquality viewing of images, and focus checks, in playback. A solid construction eliminates the layer of air between the LCD and its hardened glass protective cover, reducing reflections. Additionally, an anti-smudge coating ensures marks on the screen are prevented and colours on the monitor appear natural and close to the sRGB colour space.

Multi Shot Noise Reduction: With Multi Shot Noise Reduction, the EOS M captures four shots in quick succession and  combines them to produce a single image with minimal noise. This new function has been designed to be more effective than Strong Noise Reduction.

EOS Scene Detection Technology  : EOS Scene Detection Technology automatically analyses faces, brightness, movement,  contrast and distance in the scene, with information provided as feedback to the Scene

Intelligent Auto mode – Scene Intelligent Auto  Scene Intelligent Auto takes the information gathered by the EOS Scene Detection System and determines the best settings to capture the scene. For example, when shooting portraits, the settings are adjusted to make skin tones appear more natural.

Picture Styles  – Picture Style presets can be likened to different film types – each one offering a different  colour response. Within each selectable preset, photographers have control over  sharpness, contrast, colour tone and saturation. The camera’s Standard Picture Style is  designed to deliver immediately-usable JPEG images without the need for additional

processing. When shooting RAW images, Picture Styles can be revised with Canon’s  Digital Photo Professional software.  The presets available with the EOS M are:

• Standard: For crisp, vivid images that don’t require post-processing.
• Portrait: Optimises colour tone and saturation and weakens sharpening to  achieve attractive, natural skin tones.
• Landscape: For punchier greens and blues with stronger sharpening to give a  crisp edge to mountain, tree and building outlines.   Neutral: Ideal for post-processing.
• Faithful: Adjusts colour to match the subject when shot under a colour temperature of 5200K.
• Monochrome: For black and white shooting with a range of filter effects  (yellow, orange, red and green) and toning effects (sepia, blue, purple and  green. The EOS M also features Picture Style Auto. This new Picture Style makes fine  adjustments, based on the EOS Scene Detection System’s analysis, to create a Picture
• Style for the image. Three User Defined Picture Styles can be selected to store  customised pre-sets created using the supplied Picture Style Editor, or any of the presets available for download from Canon’s web site:  www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/picturestyle/file/index.htm
• Basic+  – Basic+ makes it easy for newcomers to photography to create different image effects,  without changing individual settings, allowing users to shoot by ambience selection or  according to lighting or scene type.  When shooting according to ambience selection, users can select from one of nine  effects: Standard Setting, Vivid, Soft, Warm, Intense, Cool, Brighter, Darker,
• Monochrome – When shooting according to lighting or scene type, users can select from one of seven  settings which present white balance in a more user-friendly way: Default setting,  Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten Light, Fluorescent Light, Sunset.

Creative Filters  – The EOS M provides a range of creative effect filters which can be applied to RAW  images and all JPEG images. Since the filter can be applied after the shot is taken, users  can apply different filters to the same image and see the effects:

• Art bold effect (Low/Standard/Strong): Creates an “oil painting” type effect with  the ability to adjust the contrast and colour saturation.
• Water Painting effect (Light/Standard/Deep): Creates a “watercolour painting”  effect with soft colours. You can adjust the colour density according to three levels of intensity.
• Fish-eye effect: Creates a barrel-shaped distortion similar to a fish-eye lens. The  effect can be adjusted, and, depending on the level of distortion, the image  periphery may be cropped.  Grainy B/W: Creates a grainy, black-and-white image. The effect can be  emphasised by adjusting the contrast.
• Soft focus: Produces a soft result. This can be increased by adjusting the blur.  Toy camera effect: Provides colour cast typical of toy cameras. The four corners are also darkened. The image looks soft with a subtle grainy look. The colour cast can  be changed to cool or warm colours.
• Miniature effect: Gives the effect of a very narrow depth of field, making the scene  look like a small-scale model. When shooting, designated portions of the top and  bottom of the image are blurred, while the rest of the image remains in focus. The  orientation (vertical or horizontal) of the area can be changed by pressing the INFO  button.

ImageBrowser EX : ImageBrowser EX is a software programme for viewing, editing and organising images  and is intended for users who shoot mainly in JPEG format. It merges the popular  functionality of ZoomBrowser EX and ImageBrowser into one programme, enabling  users to perform basic image editing, including brightness and colour balance, with an  in-software connection to DPP for RAW image editing. Users can also select, rename, and resize multiple images at once, and print images via a range of simplified  integrated printing options.

EX Speedlite flash compatibility : The EOS M features a hot shoe that offers instant compatibility with Canon’s range of EX  Speedlite flash units. A new compact Speedlite, the Speedlite 90EX, offers a new a  guide number of 9, as well as optional wireless control for more creative flash.