Mirrorless cameras have become a major chunk of the camera market. Their large sensors and interchangeable lenses make them more powerful than compact cameras, and their small size make them more portable than digital SLRs. Panasonic, Olympus, Sony, and Nikon have all produced mirrorless cameras, but Canon hasn't yet offered that step between compact and D-SLR. That changes with the Canon EOS M, the company's first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera.
The EOS M uses an 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, the same size as the sensors used in Canon's EOS Rebel digital SLRs. It uses Canon's new EF-M lenses, and optional adapters let it work with the company's EF and EF-S SLR lenses. The sensor can reach up to ISO 12,800 sensitivity and boost up to ISO 25,600, and it uses Canon's DIGIC 5 image processor. It also features a 3-inch, 1,040,000-pixel touch screen. On paper, it sounds like a solid Canon digital SLR in a compact body.
Canon is introducing two new EF-M lenses to go with the EOS M, including a prime 22mm f/2 kit lens that will come included with the EOS M itself. An 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens will also be available. Canon digital SLR lenses will be useable with an adapter (pictured below), and certain Canon speedlights, GPS modules, and other accessories will be compatible with the EOS M.
The Canon EOS M with 22mm lens will ship in October with a retail price of $799.99, and will be available in a selection of colors. The EF-M 18-55mm lens and EF-EOS M mount adapter will ship at the same time, with respective $299.99 and $199.99 suggested retail prices.