While the EOS R system and RF mount have proven quite successful, they actually were not the company's first foray into the mirrorless market. That honor belongs to the EOS M system, but it seems (unsurprisingly) that the company is continuing to wind down those cameras and lenses to focus on the RF mount.
The news comes as the EF-M 55-200 f/4.5-6.3 IS and the EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM have been discontinued. This is not particularly surprising, as both these lenses have near-direct RF mount equivalents in the RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM and RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM. This leaves five remaining EF-M lenses, none longer that 45mm:
- EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
- EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM
- EF-M 22mm f/2 STM
- EF-M 28mm f/3.5 IS STM
- EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM
As we have not seen a new EOS M camera since late 2020, it seems the company is winding down the system while simultaneously building out the RF-S mount as a replacement. That being said, most of the company's APS-C mirrorless cameras and lenses have been well received, and they seem committed to continuing to build it out.
Yet some people still believe Canon won't be dropping the EF-M system ... They've got some amazing cameras and lenses but come ON... The writing has been on the wall for the past few years.
Even a stopped clock is eventually correct. People have been saying EOS M was "dead" since at least 2017, less than halfway between its introduction and now. Yes, it is in its twilight. But you can still buy some bodies and lenses, and Canon will support those purchases for several years to come. When they stop selling any EOS M hardware it will be "retired". When they stop fixing them it will be "dead".
Eventually Canon will drop the RF system, just as they have dropped the FD and FM mount and will soon drop the EF and EF-M mounts. But that doesn't mean those who, today, might be saying "the RF mount has numbered days" can, with any degree of sincerity, claim in 20-30 years, "See we were right back in 2023!"
Hopefully they remount the M6II. That's all I'm waiting for. Change nothing about the physical features except the RF mount, and upgrade the inside. That would be my perfect camera. Compact, flip up screen, with a wide range of lenses? That would be one of the best street travel and documentary photography cameras around.
Let's go Canon. 🤞
I gave up years ago wanting my perfect camera to be built. Saves so much time and unnecessary agony when it never arrives.
I'm not sure what the EF-M system has to do with a perfect camera. It was a huge compromise that leveraged size, weight, and budget and ignored any form of perfection.
Please explain what connection you see between the M series cameras and perfection.
As written in the comment I replied to: "That would be my perfect camera."
Where did I imply the EF-M is a perfect system and why can't someone else love the EF-M system even if you don't? Besides, my comment wasn't meant to be taken too seriously. No need to get so judgemental.
Oh, I see now that your comment was a reply to another comment. Makes more sense to me now that I know that.
I don't believe that you ever implied that the EF-M system is a perfect system.
Anyone can love the EF-M system! But loving something is very different from that thing being perfect. I love lots of things that fall far short of perfection.
I did not intend to judge anything. I just wanted an explanation as to the connection between the EF-M and perfection. And you provided that explanation. Thank you!
True, its even more sad because my dream is so small: Compact, flip up selfie screen, a reasonable range of lenses. 😭
On a positive note, these cameras will be widely available in the used marketplace. I am somewhat locked into the system with my previous lens purchases. Certainly an option for photographers that want a decent camera under $1000.
Maybe so, or maybe not as much as you think. The EOS M system was not marketed at the type of folks who are constantly looking to sell what they've got and upgrade to the latest and greatest new gear. It was always aimed at people who wanted a small, lightweight, and affordable camera to use when a phone isn't enough for birthdays, family events, holidays, etc. Those types of buyers tend to hang on to them until they've outlived their usefulness.
It's never been aimed at gearheads.