Decision tools · Compare

EOS 450D vs EOS M

Quick take: The EOS M has the highest resolution at 18MP; the EOS 450D is the most affordable.

16 specs side by side·13 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras

How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.

Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more

Verdictwhich should you buy?

EOS M — Canon Mirrorless History & Ef-M Collectors: 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.

Who should buy what
EOS M (2012)
is the right camera for you if…
  • Canon shooters who want the camera that started Canon's mirrorless story
  • Budget first-time mirrorless buyers who already own EF/EF-S glass
  • Collectors of significant digital camera milestones
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
Specification EOS 450DCanon · 2008EOS MCanon · 2012
Price £39Best£80
Sensor 12.2MP APS-C CMOS18MP APS-C CMOS
Resolution 12.2MP18.0MPBest
Video No video1080p 30fps
Autofocus 9-point phase-detect via viewfinder; contrast (Live mode) AF in live viewHybrid CMOS AF (phase + contrast), notoriously slow
Stabilisation No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only)—
Burst Rate 3.5fps4fpsBest
Battery Life ~500 shots (CIPA)Best~230 shots (CIPA)
Weight 525g (with battery)262g (body only)Best
Dimensions 128.8 × 97.5 × 61.9mm108.6 × 66.5 × 32.3mm
Weather Sealed Not weather sealedNot weather sealed
Viewfinder Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.87xNo viewfinder
Screen 3.0" fixed LCD, 230k dots3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.04M dots
Mount Canon EF / EF-SCanon EF-M mount
Memory Cards Single SD slot1× SD/SDHC/SDXC
Connectivity USB 2.0, AV out, E3 remoteUSB 2.0

Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.

How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
EOS 450D
EOS M
Portrait
4.9/10
4.9/10
Street
5.3/10
6.6/10
Travel
4.7/10
6.0/10
Wedding & Events
3.8/10
3.6/10
Documentary
3.0/10
4.5/10
Sports & Action
4.2/10
3.6/10
Landscape
3.6/10
4.2/10
Wildlife
4.7/10
3.9/10
Casual
3.2/10
4.9/10
Food
3.7/10
4.6/10
Macro
3.5/10
3.9/10
Architecture
3.9/10
3.8/10
Astrophotography
4.6/10
4.0/10

Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →

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