Canon unveils mirrorless EOS M5

Canon looks to be chasing a bigger slice of the mirrorless camera market with the release of its latest EOS M5.

According to the manufacturer, the EOS M5 combines DSLR performance with the convenience of a compact.

The M5 is the first EOS camera to feature Canon’s DIGIC 7 processor, which Canon says offers boosted image processing power for lower noise, more detail and richer tones. The M5 also has a 24.2 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and Dual Pixel CMOS Auto-Focus.

Photographers currently using Canon EF glass can use their lenses on the M5 via an optional EF-EOS M adaptor.

Canon's DIGIC 7 processor features subject tracking which helps the camera lock onto subjects for longer and more precisely in both movies and stills.

The M5's sensor boasts similar technologies to the EOS 80D DSLR and the camera offers an ISO range up to 25,600 without expansion. Canon says the EOS M5 fires up in one second and can continually shoot at 7 fps, or 9 fps with fixed AF. It can also shoot Full HD 60p video with the camera’s five axis-stabilisation system helping supply still footage. 

The EOS M5 features a high resolution electronic viewfinder with 120 fps refresh rate. The rear LCD has a fully adjustable touch screen that allows users to use a thumb to change the AF point or zone. Several customisable external buttons are available including a new thumb operated dial for exposure control. The M5 is equipped with pop-up flash as well as a hot shoe for attaching larger flash units.

The EOS M5 also offers full wireless connectivity with Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth allowing for easy transferring of images as well as remote control operation via smartphones.

To complement the EOS M5, Canon is launching the EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6/3 IS STM lens. The new zoom features 8.3x optical zoom, four stop Dynamic IS that operates seamlessly with the M5’s in-camera stabilisation, STM Motor technology for near-silent focusing and seven-blade circular aperture.

Both the EOS M5 and the EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM will be available from mid-November 2016. Prices are to be announced shortly.