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DIGITAL
December 25, 2014
Canon | Mirrorless Finally Arrives!
Canon
Finally Arriving!
Canon's Mirrorless "EOS M"
Mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras first appeared in 2008, pioneered by Panasonic. Since then, various camera manufacturers have entered the market, and it has grown to a scale that rivals the single-lens reflex market. Amidst this, Canon, a giant in the camera world, has finally broken its silence and will release its mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera this September. It is named the "EOS M."
Text by SUGIURA Shu (OPENERS)
Technology Cultivated in EOS DSLRs Condensed into a Compact Size
The improvement of smartphone camera functions has led to a contraction of the compact digital camera market. On the other hand, mirrorless cameras, which clearly differentiate themselves from smartphone cameras, have opened up a new market. The number of people who don't need a large camera like a DSLR but want to take better photos than with a smartphone has surged, and the term "camera girls" has become commonplace.
The "EOS M," launched after careful preparation, can be positioned as an entry-level model in Canon's "EOS" and "EOS Kiss" series, which have led the DSLR market.
Yui Aragaki and Satoshi Tsumabuki Also Appeared at the Announcement Event
EOS M with a Zoom Lens Attached
What about the specifications? The sensor size, which greatly influences image quality and bokeh, is APS-C, the same as the "EOS Kiss." This is the same size as Sony's NEX series and Pentax K series mirrorless cameras, and it is the largest sensor size for a mirrorless camera. The effective pixel count is 18 million pixels. With an ISO of 12800, it can capture bright images with reduced noise even in dark scenes by using a fast shutter speed.
For autofocus, it employs Hybrid CMOS AF, which combines phase-difference AF for high-speed focusing with contrast-detection AF for high precision. This allows for fast and high-definition focusing, and it can also smoothly maintain focus on moving subjects during video recording.
Will the Industry's Largest Player, a Late Entrant, Bring Further Evolution to Mirrorless Cameras?
Two "EF-M" lenses were announced simultaneously. The standard zoom lens "EF-M18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM" achieves high image quality in a compact size and incorporates image stabilization. It is versatile, suitable for everything from portraits to landscape photography. The other lens, a prime lens "EF-M22mm F2 STM," is compact at 23.7mm but has a bright F2 aperture, making it excellent for low-light shooting and producing beautiful bokeh, ideal for aspiring to create "professional-looking" shots unique to mirrorless cameras.
Available in Four Colors: Black, Silver, Red, and White
Prime Lens "EF-M22mm F2 STM"
The color lineup includes four options: black, silver, red, and white.
It will be available for purchase as a lens kit with the standard zoom lens "EF-M18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM" (planned retail price on Canon Online Shop: 84,800 yen), a lens kit with the prime lens "EF-M22mm F2 STM" (79,800 yen), or as a body-only option (69,800 yen), which will be available only in black.
The double lens kit (109,800 yen), which includes both the standard zoom lens "EF-M18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM" and the prime lens "EF-M22mm F2 STM," also comes with a mount adapter that allows the use of existing EF lenses for EOS cameras. This is a welcome set for EOS users who already own EF lenses.
The fact that Canon, the industry's largest player, has finally entered the mirrorless market is significant. The EOS M, which has observed the mature mirrorless market for longer than its competitors and achieved compactness while maintaining high performance, is expected to make a considerable impact. This news, which will be a major stimulus for other manufacturers, is likely to trigger further enrichment and evolution of mirrorless cameras.
Canon
Tel. 050-555-90002
http://cweb.canon.jp/eos/index.html