Canon EOS M Mirrorless Camera Body, Bay Blue {18MP}

Canon's first EF-M mirrorless, built around a full APS-C sensor

The EOS M put a genuine 18MP APS-C sensor into a rangefinder-style body just 32mm thick, using the EF-M mount that Canon designed specifically around that sensor size. Paired with the Digic 5 processor, it delivers ISO 100-12800 as standard, expandable to 25600, giving you usable files well after the sun goes down. RAW capture is on board for anyone who wants to push shadows and highlights in post.

The 3-inch touchscreen runs at 1,040,000 dots and borrows its interface from Canon's Rebel-series touch layout, so changing AF point, drive mode, or exposure settings is a matter of tapping the display than digging through buttons. With no built-in flash, Canon leaves room for the standard EOS hot-shoe instead, so external flash units and wireless triggers mount without an adapter. A stereo microphone and HDMI mini output round out the body for anyone shooting 1080p video at 30, 25, or 24 fps alongside stills.

At 298 grams, it's light enough to live in a coat pocket paired with the 22mm pancake, yet the sensor size means files hold up next to a Rebel-class DSLR shooting the same scene. That combination of APS-C output and genuinely compact dimensions was the whole idea, and it still delivers on that promise.

Who It's For

Travel photographers get an APS-C sensor and full manual controls (aperture priority, shutter priority, manual exposure) in a 298g body that clears space in a carry-on. Street shooters pairing the body with a compact prime benefit from the quiet electronic first-curtain shutter and a 3-inch touch interface for adjusting settings without raising the camera to eye level. Landscape and architecture shooters who work at a deliberate pace get 18MP RAW files, a 1/4000 sec top shutter speed, and ISO up to 12800 (25600 expanded) for dawn or dusk conditions. Anyone building out a Canon EF lens collection can adapt EF and EF-S glass to the EF-M mount, turning this into a lightweight second body alongside a DSLR.

Key Features

• 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor with Digic 5 processor
• ISO 100-12,800 standard, expandable to 25,600
• 31-point hybrid autofocus system
• 4.3 fps continuous shooting rate
• 3-inch 1,040,000-dot capacitive touchscreen
• Canon EF-M mount for compact lens designs
• Full HD 1080p30 video with stereo microphone
• No viewfinder; external flash via standard hot-shoe

FAQ

What mount does the EOS M use, and can I adapt other Canon lenses?

The EOS M uses Canon's EF-M mount, designed specifically for APS-C mirrorless bodies. You can use an EF-EOS M adapter to mount Canon's EF and EF-S lenses, though the setup gets unwieldy quickly given the compact body size. The 18-55mm IS STM and 22mm f/2 pancake were built for EF-M from the start.

How fast is the autofocus on the EOS M?

The autofocus is slow. It hunts before locking on, making it unsuitable for moving subjects, sports, or kids. The 31-point hybrid AF system works better with stationary subjects and landscape shots.

What's the battery life like on the EOS M?

CIPA-rated at 230 shots per charge. That's well below a DSLR, which hits 1,000-plus shots. The LCD and electronics staying on constantly drain the battery fast, so bring a spare.

Does the EOS M have a viewfinder?

No viewfinder at all. You compose entirely on the 3-inch, 1,040,000-dot touchscreen held at arm's length. The screen lacks auto-brightness control, making it hard to see in bright daylight compared to optical or electronic viewfinders.

Can the EOS M shoot RAW?

Yes. The camera records both JPEG (Fine or Normal) and RAW files, giving you full control over shadows and highlights in post-processing.

Is there any image stabilization in the EOS M body?

No in-body stabilization. The 18-55mm kit lens has IS built into the optics, but the body itself doesn't stabilize. Manual focus is available on all lenses.

What video formats and frame rates does it record?

Full HD 1920x1080 at 30, 25, or 24 fps, or 1280x720 at 60 or 50 fps, all in H.264 MOV format with stereo sound. You get adjustable recording levels and an external microphone jack.