Decision tools · Compare

EOS M vs IXUS 285 HS A

Quick take: The IXUS 285 HS A has the highest resolution at 20MP; the EOS M is the most affordable.

16 specs side by side·14 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 MCanon · 2012IXUS 285 HS ACanon · 2025
Price £80Best£369
Sensor 18MP APS-C CMOS20.2MP 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS
Resolution 18.0MP20.2MPBest
Video 1080p 30fps1080p/30p
Autofocus Hybrid CMOS AF (phase + contrast), notoriously slowContrast-detect AF
Stabilisation —Intelligent IS (lens-based)
Burst Rate 4fpsBest2fps
Battery Life ~230 shots (CIPA)Best220 shots (CIPA, estimated)
Weight 262g (body only)145g (estimated)Best
Dimensions 108.6 × 66.5 × 32.3mm—
Weather Sealed Not weather sealedNot weather sealed
Viewfinder No viewfinderNone (screen only)
Screen 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.04M dotsFixed screen, no touch
Mount Canon EF-M mountFixed 12x zoom lens (25-300mm equivalent)
Memory Cards 1× SD/SDHC/SDXCmicroSD (this 'A' revision only)
Connectivity USB 2.0USB, Wi-Fi

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 M
IXUS 285 HS A
Portrait
4.9/10
2.7/10
Street
6.6/10
5.4/10
Travel
6.2/10
6.1/10
Wedding & Events
3.6/10
1.4/10
Documentary
4.5/10
2.9/10
Sports & Action
3.6/10
1.8/10
Landscape
4.2/10
3.3/10
Wildlife
3.9/10
2.7/10
Casual
4.9/10
5.5/10
Food
4.6/10
3.4/10
Macro
3.9/10
2.7/10
Architecture
3.8/10
3.1/10
Astrophotography
4.0/10
1.4/10
Fun & simple
—
6.4/10

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 →

Next
More comparisons with EOS M
Camera family history