Canon · Camera History

Canon EOS M Series

Canon's compact EF-M mirrorless system — from beginner to enthusiast.

The Canon EOS M series was Canon's answer to the growing demand for compact, interchangeable-lens cameras. The EOS M launched in 2012 as Canon's first mirrorless body; the M3 brought 24MP and a tilting screen; the M5 added the first built-in EVF to the range; the M6 Mark II pushed resolution to 32.5MP with 14fps burst — the most capable EF-M body Canon ever made. The M50 became the most popular M-series camera thanks to its EVF, Dual Pixel AF, and vlogging-friendly flip screen. Canon discontinued the EF-M mount in favour of the RF ecosystem, making the M series a capable and increasingly affordable used-market option.

📷 9 generations 💷 £ → £600 current

Generation 1

Canon EOS M

£80 Released 2012 Canon's first mirrorless — a historic body that broke new ground with touch-AF and EF-M, but its sluggish contrast-detect system quickly became its Achilles heel.

18MP 1080p 30fps Contrast-detect AF only — notoriously slow 4fps ~230 shots (CIPA) 262g (body only)

View full specs → Upgrade from this →

Generation 2

Canon EOS M3

£150 Released 2015 The EOS M3 was a meaningful upgrade over the original EOS M — bringing 24MP, a tilting touchscreen, and improved Hybrid CMOS AF III. Video tops out at 1080p/30p and burst shooting is modest, but for stills photographers wanting affordable APS-C quality, the M3 is a competent used-market option.

24MP 1080p/30p Hybrid CMOS AF III (phase-detect + contrast-detect) 4.2fps ~250 shots (CIPA) 366g (body only)

What's new in this generation

Resolution: 24MP (+6MP)
Video: 1080p/30p

View full specs → Was the upgrade worth it? → Upgrade from this → Compare with previous →

Generation 3

Canon EOS M10

£150 Released 2015 The EOS M10 is Canon's most basic EF-M mirrorless — small, stylish, and approachable, with 18MP and a tilting touchscreen. It lacks the specs of newer EF-M bodies but delivers solid results for everyday shooting and represents an affordable entry into the Canon mirrorless ecosystem.

18MP 1080p/30p Hybrid CMOS AF III (phase-detect + contrast-detect) 4.6fps ~250 shots (CIPA) 284g (with battery and card)

What's new in this generation

Resolution: 18MP (-6MP)

View full specs → Was the upgrade worth it? → Upgrade from this → Compare with previous →

Generation 4

Canon EOS M100

£200 Released 2017 The EOS M100 is Canon's most stripped-back EF-M camera — small, simple, and focused on making great photos easy. Dual Pixel AF, 24MP, and a tilting touchscreen are its strengths; no EVF, no IBIS, and no 4K are its compromises. A solid, affordable first mirrorless for casual photographers who want more than a smartphone.

24MP 1080p/60p Dual Pixel CMOS AF with face and subject detection 6.1fps ~295 shots (CIPA) 302g (with battery and card)

What's new in this generation

Resolution: 24MP (+6MP)
Burst rate: 6.1fps
Video: 1080p/60p

View full specs → Was the upgrade worth it? → Upgrade from this → Compare with previous →

Generation 5

Canon EOS M200

£300 Released 2019 The EOS M200 is Canon's most approachable APS-C mirrorless — slim, light, and simple, with Dual Pixel AF that makes sharp results effortless. No EVF and no IBIS keep it firmly entry-level, but for first-time buyers stepping up from a smartphone, it delivers reliable, confidence-inspiring results in a genuinely compact package.

24MP 4K/24p (crop), 1080p/60p Dual Pixel CMOS AF with face and eye detection 6.1fps ~315 shots (CIPA) 299g (with battery and card)

What's new in this generation

Video: 4K/24p (crop), 1080p/60p
Price: +£100 vs previous

View full specs → Was the upgrade worth it? → Upgrade from this → Compare with previous →

Generation 6

Canon EOS M50

£350 Released 2018 The EOS M50 is the most complete-feeling entry-level EF-M camera — built-in EVF, fully articulating screen, Dual Pixel AF, and a well-designed compact body. Its 4K video carries a significant crop and loses Dual Pixel AF, making 1080p the practical option — but for stills and casual video, it remains an excellent used-market buy.

24MP 4K/24p (crop, no Dual Pixel AF), 1080p/60p Dual Pixel CMOS AF with face and subject detection 10fps ~235 shots (CIPA) 387g (body only)

What's new in this generation

Burst rate: 10fps
Video: 4K/24p (crop, no Dual Pixel AF), 1080p/60p

View full specs → Was the upgrade worth it? → Upgrade from this → Compare with previous →

Generation 7

Canon EOS M5

£350 Released 2016 The EOS M5 was the first EF-M camera with a built-in EVF — and it made the system feel complete. Fast Dual Pixel AF, a 9fps burst, and a high-resolution articulating screen deliver a confident shooting experience. No IBIS and 1080p video only limit its appeal for hybrid work, but for stills photographers it remains one of the most well-rounded EF-M bodies available.

24MP 1080p/60p Dual Pixel CMOS AF with face detection 9fps ~295 shots (CIPA) 427g (body only)

What's new in this generation

Video: 1080p/60p

View full specs → Was the upgrade worth it? → Upgrade from this → Compare with previous →

Generation 8

Canon EOS M50 II

£449 Released 2020 Canon's most approachable mirrorless — Dual Pixel AF and beautiful colour science in a beginner-friendly body.

24MP 4K/25p (cropped), 1080p/60p Dual Pixel CMOS AF, 143 AF points, eye detection None (no IBIS) 10fps ~305 shots (CIPA) 387g body only

What's new in this generation

IBIS added
Video: 4K/25p (cropped), 1080p/60p

View full specs → Was the upgrade worth it? → Upgrade from this → Compare with previous →

Current generation

Canon EOS M6 Mark II

£600 Released 2019 The M6 Mark II is the peak of the EF-M system — 32.5MP, 14fps, and Dual Pixel CMOS AF II in a compact rangefinder-style body. No built-in EVF is the main compromise, but the optional EVF-DC2 resolves this. An outstanding used-market buy for photographers who want high resolution and fast AF in a genuinely compact body.

33MP 4K/30p (1.56× crop), 1080p/120p Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with face and eye detection 14fps (mechanical and electronic) ~305 shots (CIPA) 408g (body only)

What's new in this generation

Resolution: 32MP (+8MP)
Burst rate: 14fps (mechanical and electronic)
Video: 4K/30p (1.56× crop), 1080p/120p
Price: +£151 vs previous

View full specs → Was the upgrade worth it? → Compare with previous →

All generations at a glance

Spec	EOS M (2012)	EOS M3 (2015)	EOS M10 (2015)	EOS M100 (2017)	EOS M200 (2019)	EOS M50 (2018)	EOS M5 (2016)	EOS M50 II (2020)	EOS M6 Mark II (2019)
Price	£80	£150	£150	£200	£300	£350	£350	£449	£600
Resolution	18MP	24MP	18MP	24MP	24MP	24MP	24MP	24MP	33MP
Video	1080p 30fps	1080p/30p	1080p/30p	1080p/60p	4K/24p (crop), 1080p/60p	4K/24p (crop, no Dual Pixel AF), 1080p/60p	1080p/60p	4K/25p (cropped), 1080p/60p	4K/30p (1.56× crop), 1080p/120p
Stabilisation	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	None (no IBIS)	—
Burst Rate	4fps	4.2fps	4.6fps	6.1fps	6.1fps	10fps	9fps	10fps	14fps (mechanical and electronic)
Battery	~230 shots (CIPA)	~250 shots (CIPA)	~250 shots (CIPA)	~295 shots (CIPA)	~315 shots (CIPA)	~235 shots (CIPA)	~295 shots (CIPA)	~305 shots (CIPA)	~305 shots (CIPA)
Weather Sealed	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Weight	262g (body only)	366g (body only)	284g (with battery and card)	302g (with battery and card)	299g (with battery and card)	387g (body only)	427g (body only)	387g body only	408g (body only)