EOS Mvs Z30
Canon
EOS M (2012)
Starting from £80 new
Best for Canon mirrorless history & EF-M collectors
View EOS M
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Canon Mirrorless History & Ef-M Collectors — EOS M (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.
Travel & Everyday Video — Z30 (2022): Nikon's lightest Z-mount body — no fuss, excellent subject tracking, and a flip screen for creators.
Who should buy what
EOS M (2012)
- 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
Z30 (2022)
- Vloggers and content creators who don't need an EVF
- Beginners entering the Nikon Z system at the lowest price point
- Streamers who want a compact interchangeable-lens camera for desk use
- Travel and lifestyle shooters who want a compact APS-C Z body
Quick take: The z30 has the highest resolution at 21mp; the eos m is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS M (2012) | Z30 (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £80 | £479 |
| Sensor | 18MP APS-C CMOS | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 18.0MP | 20.9MP |
| Video | 1080p 30fps | 4K/30p, 4K/60p (with crop), 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF only — notoriously slow | Phase-detect, 209 points, subject tracking (human/animal/vehicle) |
| Stabilisation | — | None (no IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 4fps | 11fps |
| Battery Life | ~230 shots (CIPA) | ~300 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 262g (body only) | 405g body only |
| Dimensions | 108.6 × 66.5 × 32.3mm | 127.5 × 73.5 × 59.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | None (optional EVF accessory) | None |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Canon EF-M mount | Nikon Z-mount |
| Memory Cards | 1× SD/SDHC/SDXC | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input, micro HDMI |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | EOS M | Z30 |
|---|---|---|
| Casual | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Street | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Family & Everyday | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history