Popular rumor site “Canon Rumors” has been suggesting the the EOS M line of cameras and lenses may be terminated sometime in 2021. Although Canon Rumors is one of the best photography ‘rumor’ sites sporting an impressive accuracy and consistency record, they are by no means infallible. The rumor mill is also suggesting that an EOS R camera is coming with an APS-C sensor.
Here in the United States Canon’s EOS M line of cameras face heavy competition from the likes of Sony, Fuji, and Panasonic. In Japan however, Canon EOS M cameras are among the best selling interchangeable lens cameras besting Sony.
Canon never really seemed to put their heart into the line. Since its introduction in 2012 with the EOS M which I wrote up here. They have only produced a mere eight lenses. They have made more M cameras than lenses! Here are the lenses available from Canon:
- EF-M 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 IS
- EF-M 22 f/2.0
- EF-M 11-22 f/4-5.6 IS
- EF-M 55-200 f/4.5-6.3 IS
- EF-M 18-150 f/3.5-6.3 IS
- EF-M 15-45 f/3.5-6.3 IS
- EF-M 32 f/1.4
- EF-M 28 f/3.5 Macro IS
I own six of these, I do not have the 18-150 or the 15-45. They are all excellent lenses. None of them are magnificent or amazing, but solid performers. What I like about the EF-M lenses is the small size. Canon’s EF-M mount is very similar in size and spec to the Sony E mount. For APS-C cameras the EF-M mount and Sony E mount are ideal as the lenses are ultra compact. For full frame bodies the Sony E mount is at a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to ultra high performance glass like a high speed 24mm or ultra fast tele zoom. Sony still has the advantage with smaller lens designs for more pedestrian lenses like a 50/1.8 or a 24/2.8.
The EOS RF mount already has twice as many lenses as the M line and in the span of just two and a half years! The RF mount is much larger and thus the camera bodies are larger and the lenses diameter is larger. The APS-C cameras using an RF mount will never be able to be as compact as the M line. Nor will Nikon’s Z50 ever be as small as Sony’s A6000 series or the EOS M cameras.
I own an EOS M5 and an EOS R5 and the M5 is so small. I have a travel kit page on this site about just how handy the little M system is for travel, click here. I think Canon should keep the EOS M line and make an adapter that allows the RF lenses to be used on it. There is only 2mm of flange distance difference so the adapter would have to be really slim, but since the connection is 100% electronic it is absolutely doable. Unfortunately it is not feasible for EOS M lenses to be used on a future APS-C EOS R as the short 18mm flange distance is incompatible with the longer 20mm RF flange distance. If Canon does eliminate the line, I may buy an EOS M6 Mk II when they discount the price at close out 🙂
I like the M cameras and also Sony’s A6000 series. These are excellent cameras with fabulous image quality in a super small package. If I had to choose just one system, honestly I keep my EOS R5 and probably get a super zoom for travel, but fortunately I have both systems.
'Couv' Camera 