05-05-2015, 10:36 AM
(This post was last modified: 05-05-2015, 12:09 PM by Klaus.)
First impressions:
- it doesn't handle like your average EOS DSLR (which puzzled me at first)
- BQ is good but it's clearly a low to mid range product. This also applies to the 55-200mm, the 18-55mm feels better.
- The shutter sound is a bit soso
- Good display
- no fine spot AF ... bummer!
- no electronic shutter ... bummer reloaded
- histogram can only be displayed very much inwards from the corners
- Rather limited customization options (but maybe I have to understand it better)
- IQ ... no idea yet
In any case this thing is still way behind the competition ...
To test it!
If it doesn't handle like a Canon DSLR, does it handle like a Canon compact?
Is the build quality comparable, say, to the xxxD line and their associated kit lenses? I guess that is the space it is most likely self-competing in.
<a class="bbc_url" href="http://snowporing.deviantart.com/">dA</a> Canon 7D2, 7D, 5D2, 600D, 450D, 300D IR modified, 1D, EF-S 10-18, 15-85, EF 35/2, 85/1.8, 135/2, 70-300L, 100-400L, MP-E65, Zeiss 2/50, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300/2.8, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Olympus E-P1, Panasonic 20/1.7, Sony HX9V, Fuji X100.
The build quality of the EOS M line bodies is very high. Tight tolerances, sturdy metal feel, scratch resistant glass over the LCD. It is the one standout feature of the EOS M series.
The lens build quality is pretty good (11-22mm, 22mm, 18-55mm), a notch above that of most EF-S lenses.
The touch screen interface of the M series works the same as the one found on the EOS DSLRs (650D and up, 70D). Well thought out and works pretty well, only (big) problem with it is that the screen is always touch active, so you HAVE to switch the camera off when not taking photos.
The fine spot AF lack has a little work around: when you magnify the live view the area of the scene within the AF box gets smaller.
The EF-M 22mm f2 STM has a similar build to the 11-22mm and 18-55mm. Because it does not zoom and therefore does not show a plastic inner tube when zooming, the subjective impression is of an even higher build quality.
I am looking forward to your review Klaus!
As I am an almost happy M1 user, I was eagerly awaiting the M3 to come.
Now that it is here, it shows already some severe shortcomings.
Initially I was going to buy the M3 as soon as it became available, but right now I am holding back.
The M1 still serves me well for what i am doing and some of the shortcomings have not been properly adressed with the new model.
Canon even added new concerns to the list, e.g. the strange menue (a cross-bread of DSLR & Powershot) and a green color cast even in raw mode; very strange!
On top of things, for M-users in EU staffed already with M-lenses it is not attractive to buy a 2nd 18-55mm...
The very useful Tamron 18-200mm VC in EF-M mount is not yet compatible with M3 and many other Tamron lenses, too.
I may even wait as long as a M4 appears before I buy anything new!
The M3 is a good camera. However, it resides in a market with excellent cameras.
As long as Canon follows a me-too strategy it's going to be difficult for them.
The 'gang of four' (lenses) is now also here.
Somewhat surprising - the EF-M 11-22mm is a retractable zoom lens.
