New Mirrorless for Half Price

Just passing this along...since it qualifies as a "screaming bargain." B&H Photo is offering the Canon EOS M with the 22mm ƒ/2 lens for half price: $300 instead of the regular $600.

The kit with the zoom lens is also $300 off, although that's not quite half.

Good for the next five days or so...or whenever they run out, whichever comes first.

Mike

Original contents copyright 2013 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site.

TOP's links!

(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:

Kirk Tuck: "I shot [with] one and even at half price it's still not worth it."

Mike replies: I should add I've never shot with one or seen one. I'm just passing along the closeouts.

I've talked to people who like theirs, and to others who've agreed with Kirk. One friend got one with a bad 22mm lens. I should recall who that was, but I don't. Gizmodo's review asks, "Should you buy it?" and answers its own question, bluntly, with "No." Of course, that was at $800. With Canon picking up $500 of that tab, that answer might well change to "maybe."

John Driggers: "Most negative comments about the EOS-M were about slow focusing—and it was horrible using multiple focus points and the shutter release. Using a single focus point and recomposing, or using the touch screen pick-a-focus-point-and-trip-the-shutter-when-in-focus worked pretty well in reasonable light, but slowed down some in dim light.

"One other gotcha for a lot of people was the the EOS Utility was listed as supported—that's the software that lets you tether the camera to a computer and control all the camera functions (and there are Android apps that work to do the same via cable if the camera is fully supported by the EOS Utility). But it was dumbed down for the EOS-M and only lets you trip the shutter, but not control the camera.

"Canon recently introduced a wide-angle zoom in this lens mount—you often wait years to get that with other mirrorless systems (Sony I am talking to you). [I assume John is talking about the 18–55mm lens, which is the only zoom Canon appears to offer for the EOS M. It is not a WA zoom but a normal zoom with a 28.8mm-equivalent wide end. —Ed.]

"A new firmware update speeds AF for the EOS-M, but it remains to be seen how much.

"Likely, this fire sale precedes the release of a sucessor to the EOS-M that will probably have the same style sensor as the new Canon 70D (which Mike called evolutionary—but which I, along with many others, think is really revolutionary).

"This will be a major game changer for the M series. If they add an EVF option and tilt screen, it will be a killer camera. (Full) remote control by Wi-Fi would also be a killer feature.

"We'll have to wait and see about the new M. But at $300 for the current version, you're only paying $84 for the body—Amazon sells the lens alone for $216.

"Despite its shortcomings, it seems like a good value to me. I'll bite."

Ivan Muller: "I have to disagree with Kirk on this one.... I have one bought as a backup for my 5D Mark II. I shot corporate group photos yesterday and used the EOS M and 22mm lens for about half of the shots, just to see how it would perform. It just worked wonderfully with a nice and clear screen and quick and easy placements of the AF point, and with the new firmware update the AF was fast enough and the quality was impressive at 800 ISO. In fact it was easier to use than the 5D Mark II.... The point is that I felt comfortable enough using the EOS M in a group photo situation where there is already a bit of extra pressure and making a fool of oneself in front of a bunch of people is not an option. I mailed some of the EOS M images to my client and the short reply was: 'friccin love it!!'"

David Teo: "Mike, I think John Driggers was referring to the 11–22mm ƒ/4–5.6 EF-M lens made specially for the EOS M. That gives the equivalent of 18–35mm in 35mm terms."

Mike replies: Is that real? It isn't listed at Canon USA nor is it listed at B&H or Amazon.

Svein-Frode (partial comment): "Used one for a week and lost the last bit of faith I had in Canon during those uneventful seven days."

Paulo Bizarro (partial comment): "This is the best small camera that I have used in 20 years for travel and documentary photography."

Comments

[John Robison]

Already got a camera with a 22mm lens. Not a f2 though, it's a f2.8

[emptyspaces]

I've shot with it, too, and I have to say it's tempting at $300 with the 35mm-e lens. But it sucks if it's $600. Great image quality, but frustrating to use. And a Canon rep told me he would "put the M on eBay" and buy an SL1. Not sure how I feel about that, the guy was a salesman and not a photographer.

But what if CHDK gets ahold of the M and hacks the crap out of it, turns it into a time-lapse powerhouse or something...could end up being a crazy steal at $300. Like I said, it's kinda tempting.

[Aldo]

Most of the bad reviews or people unhappy with this camera were due the sluggish speed of the AF system. Canon fixed this recently with a firmware update, and the camera takes new live with it.
A camera with an APS-C sensor with a prime 22mm f/2 lens that fits in your pocket at $299 is a bargain never seen it before.

[ginsbu]

Following on the release of new firmware that's supposed to dramatically improve AF speed, this deal prompted me to pick up the 22mm kit today. I'm basically thinking of it as a large-sensor, fixed 35mm-equivalent compact. There aren't too many options if that's what you're looking for. The X100s is the obvious choice, but out of my budget and I'm specifically looking for a camera my wife will be comfortable using. I had considered adding the Olympus 17/1.8 or Panasonic 20/1.7 to my micro 4/3 setup, but both are more expensive than the discounted EOS M kit and my wife doesn't like using my E-M5 anyway. At $299 it seems worth giving the EOS M + 22mm f/2 a chance.

[Svein-Frode]

Used one for a week and lost the last bit of faith I had in Canon during those uneventful seven days... Sure, Canon was top dog in the world of digital cameras for a while, but you've got to wonder how long they plan to rest on their laurels. That said, I'm sure there are photographers who will love it, just as some like the image quality of the Canon 7D, or operatin of Leicas (Rangefinders are as outdated to me as penny-farthers).

[Paulo Bizarro]

This is the best small camera that I have used in 20 years for travel and documentary photography. The 22mm lens is a little gem. The kit 18-55mm zoom is better than the typical entry-DSLR kit zoom. Metal built, with metal mount.

The reception to the M is bad, due to slow focus and high price. But the interface is brilliant: I set the camera to aperture priority mode, auto-iso to 1600, and select the focus point by touch. So basically, once the camera is set, all you have to do is touch the screen to focus and shoot, or just to focus. What could be simpler? Image quality, especially from the 22mm lens, is very good indeed.

At the current discount price, and with the recent firmware update, this is the best deal in mirror less compacts these days.

[Adam Maas]

@Paulo: You just described how to use the Sony NEX-5 models as well, which also have a rather nice lens lineup (and with a Samrt Adapter, the NEX bodies have just as much EF mount compatibility). The Olympus OM-D E-M5 and PEN E-P5 can be used similarly. Both have superior IQ and all-round performance to the EOS M, even after the new firmware. The EOS M looks like a decent little basic mirrorless, but it's held back by its long obsolete sensor which delivers IQ worse than the current Micro 4/3rds bodies and by the combination of few lenses and merely middling body performance.

@Mike: The 11-22 has been announced but not released, here's the DPReview preview link:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/06/06/just-posted-our-canon-efm-11-22mm-f4-5-6-is-stm-preview-wideangle-zoom-for-eos-m

Personally, I wish that the SL1 had been and EF-M mount body as well and that Canon would bring out a couple more lenses (minimum) for the system. It certainly has potential but right now there's little reason to buy in other than a good deal, and you can get a lot of good deals on older mirrorless cameras, the Panasonic GX1, which is superior to the EOS M in many regards, has been showing up regularly for $200 body-only on Amazon.

[Michael Barkowski]

It's too bad we have already exceeded the time scale of Roger Cicala's Graph of Imaging Equipment Perceived Worth.
http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/01/rogers-law-of-new-product-introduction

I wonder what it is like to use the Canon EF f/2.5 compact macro on the adapter with the EOS M. That, plus the kit lens, plus the new wide angle, would seem like a neat combo.

[YS]

The 11-22 is real. Announced June 6th.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/06/06/canon-announces-ef-m-11-22mm-f4-5-6-is-stm-image-stabilised-wide-angle-zoom-for-eos-m

[Jim]

How about getting one and doing an InfraRed conversion so you have a walk around IR 'point and shoot' with good quality, large file sizes?

[Steve Jacob]

So, does this mean Canon are poised to announce a version of the EOS M with the 70D sensor?

Or does it just mean that sales of the EOS M were a little disappointing?

Or both?

I'm one who tried but didn't gel with it. Lens performance was iffy at the corners (kit zoom) and I really need an EVF so I don't have to keep swapping glasses.

[Bob L]

I bought the 22mm kit yesterday through the TOP link. I wanted one when they came out but the AF was dismal. The new firmware fixes that.

The 11-22 EF-M was announced.
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canon-efm-11-22-4-5p6-is-stm

[Kevin Purcell]

Has anyone tried street photography with AF with the updated firmware? Did it work for you? And what would you compare it to?

It's turn on to first shot time is a slow 2.9s. I suspect that hasn't improved.

Shot to shot time is not bad with a fast (UHS-1) card.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/canon-eos-m/canon-eos-mA6.HTM

[David Teo]

Mike, apparently the mysterious Canon EF-M 11-22 f4-5.6 lens isn't officially announced in the US, which is why you can't find it listed in Canon US..... Dpreview has a preview at http://m.dpreview.com/previews/canon-efm-11-22-4-5p6-is-stm

[John Driggers]

Yup. I was referring to the new 11-22 zoom. Just announced in June and expected to ship this month.
Cheers
John Driggers
Adelaide, South Australia

[Al Patterson]

I'd buy one if I could use my many FD lenses. Oh wait, no. Might as well go Micro 4/3...

Having had a recent period of unemployment though, which has made me frugal, it is always better to buy the closeout at 50 cents on the dollar every few generations than pay full price on day one.

[Ivan Muller]

....I forgot to mention that I also use the OVF from my Leica X1 on my Eos M, which works perfectly with the 22mm f2 and transforms the Eos M into something much better than the X1 with faster Af, more solid body and altogether more responsive overall, all that for less than a quarter of the price of the X1...

[Jonathan]

I'd buy it but I'm still happily using the last $300 closeout marketing failure (K-01). You can't go wrong at this price.

[Kurt Holter]

Until a few weeks ago I simply couldn't understand why the EOS M even existed.

Then, the new firmware came out.

Then, on Monday, B&H had them at $445. Having been disappointed by every p&s camera I've ever owned, I loved the idea of a tiny camera with a decent sized sensor, so I bought one with the 22/f2 lens, along with the EOS M Lens Adapter and a 50/f1.8 Canon lens.

Then, on Wednesday, the price dropped to $299, and my outfit was scheduled for delivery that day. I called B&H, and they immediately adjusted my buying price by the reduction to $299. Great service!

I've had my EOS M outfit since Wednesday. For about %550, I have a body, an insanely great FAST 35mm equivalent lens, and a very nice FAST 35mm equivalent short portrait lens.

You can do a hell of a lot worse for %550.

Also, from my limited experience, this camera is at least as good at ISO 1600 as my Nikon D800's and D600's.