Canon M5 Mirrorless.... A Mini Review

[smmokan]

After lugging the Canon 80D around on my company bike trips last year, I was determined to find a mirrorless solution that would reduce the size and weight of my camera setup. I went back and forth quite a bit, and even purchased a few different mirrorless systems (Sony A6000, Olympus E-M10ii, Fuji X-T20) that I ended up selling pretty quickly. All of the systems seem to have their flaws, and all have their selling points.

I'm a Canon guy, which is the #1 reason I ended up with the M5... familiarity. Reason #2 was cost of the camera (in line with the rest) and lenses. And reason #3 was the feature set, IQ, etc. A few thoughts after using it for a month:

- It's tiny. The camera plus the lens (I have both the 18-150 and the 11-22) is smaller than the 80D by itself. I can't even tell it's in my backpack, to be 100% honest. That was the main goal when I switched over, since I'll be using this for 4-5 days straight and 20+ mile rides regularly.
- The IQ is as good as the 80D, from what I can tell. Check out the pictures below for some examples.
- The AF system isn't as good as the 80D, but it's a compromise and it's damn close. AI Servo locks on pretty easily and focuses quickly- in my unprofessional opinion, I'd say it's 80% as good as the 80D, which is one of the best systems out there in an APS-C body.
- The lenses are light as shit, and are a fraction of the cost of competitors. As mentioned, I have the 18-150 and the 11-22. I paid about $600 (refurbished) total for both. The comparable Sony lenses would be double that, at least. Same with Fuji, if not more expensive.
- I absolutely love the touch-screen AF point selector. It's as seamless as using a small joystick, if not better since it works with bike gloves. The customizable buttons are nice as well- I've got one each set up for AF mode and burst rate. And then there are two easy-to-use dials to control Aperture and ISO.
- 9 FPS is a nice little feature to have too.

Some example photos from a recent MTB trip to Spain:

[Supermoon]

Nice!

After lugging my camera around Europe last fall I'm seriously considering a mirrorless setup for travel. Most of the time I left the camera home because it was too heavy to bring along all day.

[snapt]

Any chance to shoot some skiing with it yet? Curious how it does and in the same boat mulling over the give and take of jumping from APS-C Nikon to mirror less.

[smmokan]

This winter in Colorado has been virtually non-existent, so I haven't been skiing yet.... sorry! My thoughts is that it'll be "good enough" for most skiing applications. The AI Servo mode is pretty solid (not up to 80D or 7DII standards, of course) with the DPAF system, and all of the focal points are cross-type so acquiring the subject won't be an issue.

I think if money wasn't an issue, I would buy the A6500 and a few of Sony's lenses. That said, this is my second camera (I also have a Canon 6D and a few L lenses for more serious work) and I needed a solution in the "affordable" range. I know the M5 doesn't get much love in the reviews and shootouts, but I'm honestly not sure why.

[Supermoon]

What's the battery life like?

That's one thing that's always turned me off about the Sony

[dfinn]

I've got a trip coming up and came super close to pulling the trigger on one of those. I decided to hold off after reading all the rumors about the upcoming Canon full frame mirrorless that's expected out later this yet. Hoping Canon steps up their game and competes or bests Sony.

[smmokan]

My estimate is that the battery life is about 1/2 of what I see out of the 80D... it's not just Sony, it's mirrorless cameras in general. With the EVF and the LCD, there's a lot more drain on the battery. I think I probably got 300-400 shots out of a single charge.

dfinn- I've seen the rumors too, and I hope Canon can get their shit together. The problem with a FF mirrorless with Canon specifically, is that it'll have to use EF-mount glass, which makes the weight/size benefit negligible. And I'm not sure there's any performance increase between a FF mirrorless and a standard FF DSLR. I can't imagine Canon would ever develop an entirely new line of lenses just for mirrorless, either.

[adrenalated]

My estimate is that the battery life is about 1/2 of what I see out of the 80D... it's not just Sony, it's mirrorless cameras in general. With the EVF and the LCD, there's a lot more drain on the battery. I think I probably got 300-400 shots out of a single charge.

FWIW that's probably about what I'm seeing out of my a6000 too. I'm going through about a battery a day for ski touring in cold weather.

[jacob_dbu]

What are the 18-150, 11-22 equivalents? How are you liking the lenses compared to the EF-S offerings?

Also, how are the controls on the M5 compared to something like the 80D? I love how quick it is to switch settings on the 80D vs. the SL1.

I picked up the 80D + 18-135mm a couple months ago and I'm loving it, but I haven't taken it backpacking yet. That will be the true weight test.

[smmokan]

It's a standard APS-C sensor, so the crop equivalent is the same as the 80D... 1.6X. I think the 18-150 is close in quality and AF speed to the 18-135, but it's WAY smaller. The 11-22 is SUPER sharp and it's a tiny little lens... I find myself wanting to use it more and more.

The controls are very easy and intuitive; I think overall, a little easier to use than the 80D. See my thoughts above- the custom functions are nice to setup, and it's easy to choose different AF modes and focal points. I like the operation much better than the Sony A6000 I had last year. I'm sure part of that is my familiarity with Canon, but part is that the Sony menu layout is a clusterf*ck.

[smmokan]

A few recent shots with the M5. I'm so impressed with this little thing that I've actually decided to ditch my full-frame setup and use this as my only camera. I now have a few more lenses too, which gives me more range and flexibility (EF-M 11-22 and 18-150, and then the Sigma 17-70 2.8-4 and Canon 55-250 STM with an adapter).

My hope is that later this year or early next they'll come out with an upgrade to the M5 with a new sensor and slightly better AF tracking. Then I'll be set.

[Todds]

How did the Olympus stack up to the Canon?

[smmokan]

I can't really compare them directly since I had the Olympus a year ago and don't remember much about it. I guess you could just look at it as- I kept the Canon, and I almost immediately sold the Olympus.

[Todds]

Thanks. I guess that says a lot about what you thought of the Olympus. I downsized from a Nikon SLR to Olympus awhile back. The Canon M5 came out after I switched and was wondering how the new kid on the block compared. The bigger sensor in a similar sized body sounded interesting.

[ex-powderbroker]

can you show some without processing? the pics look great but I think you're over-sharpening them.

[smmokan]

Without processing? You want me to post the RAW file?

Not sure what you're seeing to say they're over-sharpened...

[smmokan]

Couple from yesterday, with adapted 55-250 STM lens (first shot) and Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4 (second). I'm super impressed with the focus tracking and the sharpness of these two lenses.

[jacob_dbu]

How big is the 55-250 with the adapter? Those shots look bomber.

[smmokan]

Not big. The 55-250 STM is pretty small, and only weighs 12oz. It’s significantly smaller (and lighter) than both the 70-200 f4 and the 70-300 IS v2.

[smmokan]

A few (non MTB shots) from yesterday with the 55-250, for your viewing pleasure:

[PowTron]

Damn Puffin Porn has me seriously thinking of getting the M5.

Do you even work, Bro?

[smmokan]

Nope, you should know that.

Check out the new M50 as well- slightly improved in AF and sensor, and a slightly smaller package too. This little camera is severely under-rated.

[zion zig zag]

How big is the 55-250 with the adapter? Those shots look bomber.

I thought the 55-250 was a native aps-c lens? What adapter do you need for the m5?

[smmokan]

It is. I have the Canon-branded EF-M to EF-S adapter, I bought it new on eBay (or Amazon?) for around $70. I figured it was worth the slight uptick in cost over the $40 generic ones out there.

I haven't noticed any drop-off in quality, focus ability, or controls with the adapter either.

[Lev]

Nice shots dude. Kind of makes me want a little longer aps-c lens for travel.

But can you stop over sharpening them??