Camera Options... Canon EOS M

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I'm sure you've heard that Canon has recently unveiled their newest camera, the Canon EOS M. I've already posted my first impressions (based on specs and articles on the web) about the EOS M on Slide and Tap. Also, this is an extension of my previous blog post Camera Options For Me (And You) where I share what cameras I'm looking forward to.

There is already a lot of information about the EOS M posted on the web from tech and photography websites. No need for me to summarize it. What I'll talk about in this post is the significance of this camera especially for Canon users and why I'm adding this to my options for a camera.

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Size and Portability. One of the biggest points to owning an EOS M. This is in comparison to a DSLR that I can't even bring everyday with me. It's not really safe to bring a DSLR with me everyday and even if I want to, I can't bring it with me to the office. No cameras allowed. A camera that is relatively small as the EOS M can change this. Sure it's not entirely pocketable especially when a zoom lens is attached but it's no DSLR to the eyes of the public and security guards.

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Image Quality. Unlike the typical P&S cameras, the EOS M uses an APS-C size sensor, the same as those on entry to mid level Canon DSLRS, and Canon's latest DIGIC 5 processor. That's why it's not totally that small. The models that were mostly reviewed were pre-production models but if the current DSLRs that uses the same sensor and image processor can be used as basis, then I can safely assume that the pictures coming out of this camera will be fantastic.

Side note, I don't know why some people don't understand why we're glad that Canon used an APS-C sensor on this camera stating that the Sony NEX came first. We're not really saying that it came first, we're just glad that Canon didn't use a smaller sensor because we all know that sensor size does affect image quality (although now, smaller sensors are catching up a little to DSLR sensors).

www.dpreview.com

Those are the main reasons I'm adding the EOS M to my camera options. The compatibility to EF and EF-S lenses of Canon's DSLR lineup is a big plus. This is like the Olympus OM-D E-PM5 interchangeable lens system but with a more discreet look because of the almost-S100 form factor. I don't mind the lack of an optical viewfinder, I can live with that. What I'm worried about is the battery life. But we'll see come October or Q4 of this year when the final EOS M camera will be released to the public. As early as now, I can recommend this camera because I know that I might get this one in the future.




PS: I might get the Fuji X10 this week *wink* 

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EOS 650D and its New Feature

This was my first post in Mikoy's blog Slide and Tap.

Camera technology is keeping pace with the fast advancement in technology and is also following trends of the latest gadgets. It is evident in the latest entry level DSLR from Canon, the EOS 650D/T4i DSLR. Among it's features is an 18 Megapixel Hybrid CMOS sensor witha the power of Canon’s latest DIGIC 5 processor, a burst rate of 5 frames per second (on a xxxD body) plus a swivel screen that we’ve seen from it’s bigger and older brother, the 60D. Also, as a new standard to DSLRs, this camera can also shoot video. But other than those, EOS 650D sports a technology that is bound to be applied to this level of  cameras sooner or later and that is a touch screen interface.

Touch interface is now widely adapted to a lot of gadgets, most are on mobile phones, and it’s no surprise that they would try to incorporate it to DSLRs as well. Arguably, having this in a DSLR is either a good thing or probably just a gimmick to entice new customers. For me it’s a good thing since the small body of the xxxD line of Canon cameras have limited space in the back for buttons and this just makes use of that 3-inch screen well. Of course there are still buttons for those of us who still prefer a tactile response on their cameras. Changing settings or browsing through pictures with a simple touch of finger to the screen doesn’t seem much though since we’re all used to it by now so most people wouldn’t care if they have this in their camera. Even point and shoot cameras have adapted this for quite some time now.

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But there is one feature with this model that surprised me, even though I expected it to happen soon anyway, and that is Touch Shutter. What it does is it allows you point at any part of the image you see on your LCD screen in Live View and the camera focuses on that part and automatically takes a picture based from your settings. It’s the the next step from the Live View feature that was introduced to DSLRs 4-5 years ago. It’s a good feature and I actually like it because it is as close to a WYSWIG type of capturing a images we can get with this camera since the 650D has 95% viewfinder frame coverage, meaning there is this 5% that you can’t see in your viewfinder that might be a difference between having a foot or not in your frame. This feature also makes it easy for you to take overhead (hail mary) shots because with the swivel screen, you can just raise your camera, tilt the screen, and see where your camera is pointing then with touch shutter, pick the subject and the camera takes a picture or taking worm's-eyeview photos without the need to drop to your belly on the ground. It also means that you don’t need to press the shutter button when taking a shot. Composing with this feature is definitely a  lot easier and I can imagine this to be very helpful to macro photography. Open Live View, turn on the touch shutter and select the focus then BOOM, you have a picture.

Since it’s a new feature, there is bound to be some things with it that needs ironing out. Kai from Digitalrev pointed (no pun intended) this out in their review of the 650D and Touch Shutter has shutter lag, something that shouldn’t exist on DSLRs. It means that it takes sometime for the camera to focus on the point you selected on the screen before it actually takes the picture, something you'll be familiar with if you've used old point and shoot cameras. Having said that, this feature won’t be useful to street photography unless you’re shooting still-stills, as seen on the video.

Canon 650D/T4i Hands-on Review by DigitalRev


But there is something more about the touch shutter that doesn’t really sit well with me even though I think that it’s a really convenient feature. Touch shutter takes away the feeling of looking at the viewfinder and pressing the shutter button while you’re face is planted on the back of your camera. I don’t know how other photographers feel about this simple gesture but it’s something I like when I use a DSLR, this is coming from a person that values the sound of a shutter in a camera. Call me old school, relative to this feature, but I like framing my images in the viewfinder and pressing the shutter button. It has a mechanical feeling to it when I take a picture from that perspective and it also feels that the camera is an extension of my body. Kai also pointed out in his video that it looks like Canon thinks of this feature as something that pro-photographers don’t really need that’s why Canon haven’t applied this to their high-end cameras. Or maybe Canon is making sure that Touch Shutter works perfectly before they add this features to the future 1Ds, 5Ds and 7Ds. Maybe it will become a standard feature and I'll get the hang of using Touch Shutter since I mentioned that it’s actually a convenient way to shoot sans the shutter lag, but there is still something inside me that prefer my face to pressed at the back of a black box with my eye on a prism in the viewfinder framing the world on small box and having to half press a button to focus then pressing it completely to capture the moment.

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Camera Options for Me (And You)

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There are a bunch of new and beautiful cameras out there right now and it's like a surge of options in the market for all those who are in the market for a new camera. Thing is, even though Canon has released the much awaited update for the 5D Mark II in the form of EOS 5D Mark III, it's not on the top of my list right now. Sure it's a powerhouse of a full frame camera with a finally "working" autofocus but the trend now, in PiPho at least, is that hobbyists are thinking of switching to the micro four-thirds (m4/3, mirrorless) system. Other than the m4/3s cameras, there are also a bunch of point & shoot cameras out there that will give you the image quality you're looking for less the weight (and sometimes the price) of those big black boxes of a DSLR.

Fuji X100

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It all started with the Fuji X100. Remember that I wanted to have this camera last year? Until I found out that the price was a bit too much for me. It's still one of the good options out there and I'm sure you guys have already heard about this amazing camera. Even Zack Arias has high praises for this little beast. It's not really put-in-your-pocket compact but it's not a heavy weight either and since it's a fixed lens and fixed zoom camera, you don't need to worry about getting other lenses (not unless that's a con for you). This little baby retails locally at around Php 50,000 on grey and around 5,000 more to get it from autorize resellers. Retro looks is a BIG PLUS!

Fuji X10

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If you think that the X100 is still a big camera, then worry no more because it has a little brother in the form of the Fuji X10. With half the price of the X100, this is the compact version. Smaller size means smaller sensor but this time with a zoom lens equipped with image stabilization. The optical viewfinder doesn't have the gizmos of the X100 though but it zooms with the lens. It has the same color filter effects that replicates the renowned Fuji films such as Provia and Astia found in the X100 which I really like. This can fit in your pocket for sure! Image quality is really really good for it's class which is point and shoot. This baby is priced at Php 30,000 in The Digital Walker. Not bad eh?

Another image of the X10 with additional bottom grip. (Because I like it very much)

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Canon Powershot S100

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Not to be outdone, Canon too has a couple of new cameras on the compact level. First, the S100. In true point and shoot compact form, this is the update of the famous S95. Priced at Php 21,000 on grey, it gives decent images although others said that it's not that much different to the S95 (click on the image to read TheVerge review). I haven't dived in to the details of this camera but if it's predecessor was praised then I guess the S100 will give you the same or even better images. If you can't pocket this, you don't have a pocket!

Canon Powershot G1X

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Then we have the more rugged looking Canon G1X. To be honest, I don't really look at the Powershot G series of Canon because I find them too bulky for my taste. It's like in the middle option and I would have opted for a DSLR but with this latest model, the G1X now sports a CMOS sensor. A definite bump in image quality, that's for sure! A bit pricey though at Php 36,000 on grey (I bought my old EOS 450D with the same price 3 years ago). But hey, it's not a big camera and security guards won't hassle you when they see you shooting with this. You can't put it in your pocket unless you want to rip your pocket open though but this will give you the shots you are looking for.

Olympus OM-D E-M5

www.trustedreviews.com

Now for my final camera option, I present to you the new Olympus OM-D E-M5. I know this looks very DSLR like compared to the other cameras I mentioned before but this is smaller and thinner than a DSLR because it doesn't have a mirror and this camera was actually designed to look like the old OM cameras of the film days. It has been out for quite sometime now but I really didn't pay attention to it because, as you can see, it looks a lot like a DSLR and what I'm actually looking for is a different look. But I've been reading around a PiPho thread talking about this camera and I might have been swayed by the BIs posted there. Here is a review by Robin Wong and I must say, those pictures says a lot about the camera. This is a interchangeable camera system meaning you need to buy into the whole Olympus line of lenses and since it's new, price is really steep  at Php 53,000 for a kit on grey with SRP at around Php 67,000. PRICEY and it obviously won't fit in your pocket not unless you want someone to say "... or are you just happy to see me?". But this an option indeed.

So those are the cameras that I'm looking at right now. There are a lot more in the market right now but I've thinned them out to these 5. (The first image not included.) If you feel like getting a new camera right now, you might want to give these babies a try.

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