Canon was the final big player that needed to get on
the compact system camera (CSC, also mirror-less) bus, and last year they did
just that with the EOS M.
Although Canon and Nikon dominate the DSLR market, the CMC
market is beset by Sony, Olympus, Samsung and Fujifilm, some with already their
fourth generation units in market. Unlike Canon and Nikon, these companies do
not have to worry too much about cannibalizing other product lines, and it’s
important to view the M from that perspective. It seems as if this camera is
aimed at those looking for great quality pictures (it shares the EOS 650D’s
great APS-C sensor) out of a very solid compact body, without wanting to bother
too much about the know-how behind it. This way, it does not tread on Canon’s
DSLRs’ toes, nor really intrude on their impressive G-series compact line.
Canon was the
final big player that needed to get on the compact system camera (CSC, also
mirror-less) bus, and last year they did just that with the EOS M.
Auto and touch whammy
An intuitive Intelligent Auto mode combines extremely well
with the 3” capacitive touchscreen at the back. One can see that the M has
learned a number of good touch tricks from Canon’s compact range. For example,
being able to select your different shooting options directly by touch or, much
like a smartphone, choose your focus point on the screen make operation a
breeze.
Missing are an electronic viewfinder and built-in flash,
while we also struggled with the autofocus assist, inconveniently placed next
to a key holding area. Luckily an adaptor allows integration with Canon’s
regular EF lenses.
To the point
Finally Canon has now played their CSC hand, with the EOS M
being a mirrorless camera that’s easy to use with very good image quality. The
M is not the best camera to buy to learn the ins and outs of photography, nor
first choice if you demand a lot of functionality from a small body (the G15 is
your man there). It’s pretty clear that Canon is not prepared to tread on their
other lines’ well entrenched territory, which begs the question – what is lying
ahead for their next model?
Canon EOS M
It retails for R 8 500 for the body with 18-55mm lens and a
flash, or R10 000 for the body with a 22mm pancake lens, EOS adapter and flash.
Top 3 reasons to like: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
There is no denying that the full-frame EOS 5D Mark III is
an impressive camera. But having had the opportunity to spend a lot more time
playing, and photographing with it of late, there are three features that stand
out in everyday use, each making a considerable difference to the photographic
experience.
Canon EOS 5D Mark
III
- The focusing system Borrowed from the top of the
line EOS 1D X, the 61 point focusing system on offer is an absolutely joy.
Provided one takes the time to learn the length and depth of how to use
it, and how to take advantage of the different focusing scenarios that the
Mark III caters to, the new focusing system can make a significant
difference to one’s shooting style. Whether selecting a fine focusing
point to target in on a bee hovering over a flower, or instead setting the
focusing point to capture fast moving action, the focusing system performs
like a star.
- High ISOs, low noise Perhaps the most liberating
aspect of the 5D Mark III, is the capacity to venture into high ISO
territory while being assured of little to no noise. What this means is
that in practice, one can support the two basic creative controls –
aperture priority and shutter speed – with one’s ISO settings. This comes
in handy when responding to low light obviously, as well as when wanting
to squeeze out a bit more control of one’s aperture or shutter speeds. The
end result? Greater creative latitude and the opportunity to capture
images that would otherwise have gone amiss.
- Great quality One of the biggest noticeable gains
when moving from a cropped sensor to a full frame sensor is the sheer
quality photos that the 5D Mark III produces by comparison. While there is
certainly nothing wrong with the image quality of a 20D, for example,
particularly when paired with a great lens, the image quality on offer by
the full frame sensor is a noticeable step up. In short: it had made us
fall in love with the art of taking and making images all over again, and
thus reinvigorated our photography.
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Specifications
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Price: $749
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Sensor type: 22.3 x 14.9mm CMOS
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Aspect ratio: 3:2
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Processor type: DIGIC 5
§ LCD monitor type:
Touch screen 7.7cm, 1040k dots
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