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7 reasons you should consider the Canon EOS M5

11 October 2017

7 reasons you should consider the Canon EOS M5

 It took Canon a little while to come up with a compact system camera which would grab the attention of enthusiast photographers. The EOS M5 came along towards the end of 2016 and is a great little model, especially for those who are already familiar with the Canon EOS brand. Here we take a closer look at its specifications to remind you why it’s a great option when you want to travel light. 

1. Sensor & processor

The sensor inside the EOS M5 is a 24.2 megapixel APS-C sized device, making it very similar to that which is found in Canon’s 80D DSLR. Unlike the 80D though, it has gapless microlenses, making it better suited to lower light photography. There’s also a DIGIC 7 processor, the company’s latest and best available. This combination not only powers high image quality, but also facilitates a relatively fast 7fps shooting, and 14-bit raw output.

2. Lenses

If you’re already a Canon user, it’s likely that you’ll have some EF or EF-S lenses sitting on your shelf. It’s very easy to use those lenses with the EOS M5, simply hire the adaptor to go with it and you’ll have full autofocus too. While other CSCs allow you to use your existing lenses through adaptors too, brand compatibility counts for a lot and is a much easier overall experience. Canon is also starting to expand its range of EF-M lenses to meet the demand created by cameras like the M5. The 18-150mm f/3.5-5.6 lens is a good option for those who want to travel light as it gives you the flexibility to shoot a variety of different subjects. 

3. Screen and Viewfinder

One of the biggest criticisms of previous Canon EOS M cameras was the lack of an inbuilt viewfinder. Most enthusiasts prefer to compose in a traditional way, so when the M5 was revealed with a 2.36-million dot OLED, it was good news. While it’s true to say that there are larger viewfinders out there, the one found here is good enough to use for the majority of your shots, and is particularly useful if bright sunshine prevents you from using the screen. Speaking of which, the screen is a 3.2-inch, 1.62-million-dot LCD panel which tilts for shooting from awkward angles, and is also touch-sensitive. You can use it to set the autofocus point, fire off the shutter and navigate around various menus. What’s more, you can continue to use the touchscreen while shooting through the viewfinder - including the clever ability to only use a portion of the screen (and therefore preventing your nose from setting the AF point.)

4. Handling 

Canon EOS M5 close up

Canon’s intuitive quick menu, plus the range of dials and buttons make the M5 a great camera to use. If you’re already used to using Canon’s other EOS cameras, you should be able to pick up the M5 and start using it straightaway without too much trouble.

5. Autofocus 

Another criticism frequently levelled at older M series cameras was poor or slow autofocus. By giving the M5 Dual Pixel AF, alongside the latest processor, what we have here is a major improvement. It’s quick, quiet and accurate in the majority of situations. Further good news is that the autofocus is also great when using the EF/EF-S adaptor with your existing lenses, even those which may be on the old side.

6. Connectivity 

One of the best things about modern cameras is being able to send shots over to your phone for instant sharing no matter where you are. With the EOS M5, not only do you have Wi-Fi, you also have Bluetooth and NFC. With Bluetooth you can maintain an always-on low-power connection. With a Bluetooth-only connection, you’ll be able to shoot remotely, but without a live view feed to your phone. The clever bit is that the app can quickly initiate a more powerful Wi-Fi connection without the faff of having to manually connect or enter a password every time you want to use it. It’s not just your phone that can connect to the camera either. If you have a wireless printer, or a smart TV, you can also send images across to those types of devices - perfect for a holiday slideshow once you’re back from your travels. 

7. Video

Although it’s true that the M5 isn’t capable of recording 4K video, it does have some other appealing video functions that should still be of interest to the average enthusiast. In Full HD you can record at up to 60fps, and there’s also a built-in stereo microphone socket. 5-axis image stabilisation helps to keep your video footage nice and smooth, while Dual Pixel AF makes for natural focus transitions which you can control via the touchscreen. If you’ve got a trip coming up where you want to travel light, consider taking the Canon EOS M5 with you - especially if you’re already a Canon user with existing lenses. Check availability here.

Sample Images:

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