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Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM Review (slrgear)

February 18, 2013
Canon Reviews
5 Comments

EF-M 2mm f/2 STM core specs:

Moderate Wide-Angle Lens for EOS M
Bright f/2 Lens Aperture
Exceptional Low-Light Performance
One Aspheric Lens Element
Built-In Stepping Motor
Smooth & Continuous AF
Seven Blade Circular Aperture
Short Minimum Focusing Distance of 5.9″

slrgear reviewed the Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM lens (price & specs), part of the Canon EOS M (price & specs) ecosystem. For the time being there are only two lenses for the EOS M system, the other one is the Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM(price & specs). I own this lens, and I have to say that I am overly satisfied by its performance, the featured review basically confirms my experience using the lens. Some excerpts:

The Canon EF-M 22mm ƒ/2 STM provided surprisingly sharp results.[…] Stopping down to just ƒ/2.8 provides very sharp images – for practical purposes, we would say it’s tack-sharp from corner to corner.
There is some significant corner shading with the 22mm ƒ/2: used at the ƒ/2 setting, the corners show up a full stop darker than the center of the frame.
The 22mm ƒ/2 provides excellent resistance to distortion
The lens, while not specifically built for macro, offers some usable close-up capability [max 0.21x]

In the conclusion they write:

For a small and relatively inexpensive lens, the Canon EF-M 22mm ƒ/2 STM provides an excellent result. Given the few options available […] for Canon EOS-M users, having this prime lens as an option is a no-brainer.

The Canon EOS M with the EF-M 22mm f/2 STM is now sold for $679 on Amazon (click here), for $699 at B&H (click here) and Adorama (click here).

Canon EOS M price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

[via slrgear]

Canon EOS 6D In-Depth Review Published (DPreview)

February 13, 2013
Canon Reviews
0 Comments

It is online. DPreview’s in-depth review of Canon’s entry level full-frame DSLR, the Canon EOS 6D (price & specs). We know that the 6D is becoming highly popular and selling very good. Customers have embraced the possibility to get full-frame without having to pay the price for a Canon EOS 5D Mark III (price & specs). Obviously, the 6D comes with compromises, first of all a much less advanced AF system than its bigger sibling and the competitors. But then, the 6D delivers outstanding low light/high ISO performance, noise is even less than the 5D Mark III, and more (as dpreview states “features that even […] higher-end models cannot match”). To check DPreviews high ISO comparison click here, for the image quality tests here. Moreover, it is the only full-frame DSLR to feature built-in WiFi and GPS, and these are very important features for a lot of photographers. Btw, the EOS 6D is actually down to $1899, see below for the links.

DPreview writes in the conclusion:

Let’s be clear, the EOS 6D has a lot more going for it than just its comparatively low price tag. Based largely on the well thought-out ergonomics and operational handling of the popular EOS 60D, this newest full frame EOS provides solid build quality and light weight in a snappy, responsive camera powered by the same DIGIC 5+ image processor found in the 5D Mark III and the dual-chipped EOS 1D X.

The 6D also sports features that even those higher-end models cannot match. You get class-leading low-light autofocusing capability with a very impressive -3 EV sensitivity (from the central AF point). The 6D also becomes the first full frame DSLR from any manufacturer with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, a feature that is put to excellent use with a free Canon app – for Android and iOS devices – that provides live view-enabled remote camera control, exposure control and AF lock. Throw in an internal GPS unit and you’ve got a camera that provides features that are of real, practical use to a wide range of photographers.

The 6D inherits a number of features from the EOS 5D Mark III as well. Yet it is with several of these features that compromises will have to be made for those looking for a budget-conscious option to that higher-priced camera. The 6D offers identical video specifications, including an ‘All-I’ compression option […]
Measured noise levels from the 6D are similar to the older 5D Mark III at low to medium ISO settings but consistently lower above ISO 3200, which does make a difference in real-world use when it comes to high ISO shooting in marginal light […]

They list the pros of the EOS 6D as follows:

Excellent detail in raw file output across ISO range
Class-leading low light focus sensitivity (from central AF point)
Very effective JPEG noise reduction at highest ISO sensitivities
Impressively quiet ‘silent’ shutter drive mode
Quick Control menu provides easy access to shooting settings
Wi-Fi-enabled remote camera control via smartphone or tablet
Effective and easy to use multi-exposure HDR mode
Built-in GPS with text log capability
Exposure simulation in live view can be toggled on and off
Full manual control in video mode
Choice of IPB and All-I video compression modes
In-camera Raw conversion
Good battery life (except when GPS and Wi-Fi are turned on)
High quality bundled raw converter (Digital Photo Professional)

Don’t miss DPreview’s comprehensive analysis of the EOS 6D.

Some more information bits. Just recently, Mosaic Engineering released an anti-aliasing filter for the EOS 6D. The filter eliminates one of the shortcomings of the EOS 6D, that’s moiré and aliasing artifacts, and is a welcome tweak especially for videographers.

The price of the EOS 6D has gone down to $1899 (Amazon | B&H | Adorama) for the body only, and to $2499 (Amazon | B&H | Adorama) for the 6D with the EF 24-105 f/4L IS lens. There is also a deal by Top Rated Plus seller photovideo4less (99.6% positive ratings) on eBay: Brand new Canon EOS 6D with EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens and more accessories sold for .

Canon EOS 5D Mark III price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Canon EOS 6D price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Video Review (DigitalRev)

February 9, 2013
Canon Reviews
1 Comment

DigitalRev’s Kai has a look on Canon’s new EF 35mm f/2 IS lens. This lens has rather high price tag, $849, and people is questioning if it is worth the money. Have a look at the video above to learn what Kai thinks about.

There are alternatives to the Canon’s EF 35mm f/2 IS USM (price & specs) to choose from if you are looking for a 35mm lens, as the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM which comes with f/1.4 and is getting very good reviews, or the manual aperture and focusing Rokinon 35mm f/1.4 (price & specs). The Rokinon is a very interesting lens, with a price tag of $479. For featured reviews of the Canon and Sigma lenses see here, here, and here. For the Rokinon see here.

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Rokinon 35mm f/1.4 price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

[via dslcamera]

Canon EOS 6D vs EOS 5D Mark III Comparison (ephotozine)

February 8, 2013
Canon Reviews
1 Comment

Interesting Canon EOS 6D vs EOS 5D Mark III comparison. Both full frame DSLRs, the 6D is noticeably cheaper than the 5D Mark III and obviously misses some of the features of its bigger sibling. Never the less, the EOS 6D is a full frame DSLR that is becoming highly popular.

Over at ephotozine they wanted to know how the Canon EOS 6D (price & specs) holds up against the Canon EOS 5D Mark III (price & specs). While the latter tops on speed (not just fps, check the table with the speed comparison), the former is known to have a very good high ISO performance. The EOS 6D definitely beats the 5D Mark III at ISO 25600 and ISO51200. Check the image below:

ephotozine’s comparison goes through all the functionality and feature set of both cameras, there are lots of lab test shots to compare. Many information for those who are uncertain which one of Canon’s full frame DSLRs is the right one to buy. In the verdict they conclude:

The Canon EOS 6D may deliver lower resolution images (20mp vs 22mp), however this gives the 6D the benefit of lower noise at higher ISOs. The Canon EOS 6D also benefits from a smaller body, as well as built in GPS and Wi-Fi, although these last two features do have a negative effect on battery life when used. The Canon EOS 6D has noticeably less focus points, just 11 compared to 61 on the 6D, which could be another concern for some.

The optical viewfinder in the Canon EOS 6D isn’t a full size (97% vs 100%) viewfinder like the 5D Mark III, however it does have the benefit of allowing it to be swapped out for an alternative viewfinder if required. The 6D also features a slightly smaller 3inch screen, instead of the 3.2inch screen on the 5D Mark III, as well as slower continuous shooting. Another potentially off-putting negative of the 6D is the lack of a headphone socket on the 6D which could be of concern for video recording (although this could be resolved by an external audio recorder).

Just recently, Mosaic Engineering released an anti-aliasing filter for the EOS 6D. The filter eliminates one of the shortcomings ofthe EOS 6D, and is useful especially for videographers.

The price of the EOS 6D has gone down to $1899 (Amazon | B&H | Adorama) for the body only, and to $2499 (Amazon | B&H | Adorama) for the 6D with the EF 24-105 f/4L IS lens.

Pimp My Canon EOS 6D: Mosaic Engineering Anti-Aliasing Filter

February 7, 2013
Canon News, Canon Reviews
1 Comment

The Canon EOS 6D (price & specs) is selling very well, and it is on the way to become a highly popular camera. Canon’s entry level full-frame DSLR has a lot of good points: noise performance (even better than the Canon EOS 5D Mark III (price & specs)), the price (currently available at $1899 – Amazon | B&H | Adorama – for the body only, and $2499 – Amazon | B&H | Adorama – for the 6D with the EF 24-105 f/4L IS lens), outstanding image quality, and then. But everything comes for a price, and Canon made some compromises on the EOS 6D, foremost not featuring the advanced AF system of the EOS 5D Mark III, and holding back the excellent moiré and aliasing filters sported on the 5D Mark III.

Indeed, the EOS 6D, while having a very high image quality (on par with the EOS 5D Mark III), suffers from much more moiré and aliasing artifacts than its bigger sibling. That’s where the Mosaic Engineering anti-aliasing comes into play. They develop such filters for Canon and Nikon DSLRs since long. Now they made one for the Canon 6D, the VAF-6D. They made a video (spotted by DSLR News Shooter) to show the capabilities of the filter.

These are the first video clips demonstrating our new VAF-6D – which corrects the HD video aliasing and moire artifacts of the Canon 6D!

By the way, as with all our VAF-series filters, there’s no significant light loss with this filter: The variation in exposure among the different segments in the video, is due to the highly variable lighting – very wild partly-cloudy skies that day! Beautiful skies, though – so we didn’t want to overexpose them… To give the most valid comparison, we purposely kept the aperture and other imaging and processing parameters exactly the same among all the shots, so the video brightness varies with the cloud cover.

The filter doesn’t appear to lower resolution. There is, however, a small drawback when using the filter. Dan Chung from DSLR News Shooter reports:

There is also a shift to the back-focus setting of the lens, which means that the distance scale will be rendered inaccurate. Early versions of the filter for the 5D mkII also had very soft and dark corners with wide angle lenses. Mosaic claim to have improved both back-focus shifts and wide angle performance with a new second version for the 5D mkII. The 6D version should share these improvements but I haven’t tested it.

Mosaic Engineering’s filter isn’t really cheap. It costs $365 and can be ordered in their online store. We have to wait for more test to see if the EOS 6D with the filter can hold up to more expensive full-frame gear, like the EOS 5D Mark III. In any case, Mosaic Engineering’s filter is welcome accessory that will be of great interest for all those photographers and videographers who own an EOS 6D and want to get rid of moiré and aliasing artifacts. Even if the filter isn’t really cheap, for people on a budget it makes a good alternative to a $3150 5D Mark III, when bundled with the EOS 6D .

Canon EOS 6D price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Canon EOS 5D Mark III price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA [DSLR News Shooter via nofilmschool]

Canon PowerShot S110 Review (best bet for enthusiast photographers)

February 5, 2013
Canon Reviews
1 Comment

Canon PowerShot S110 core specs:

12.1MP Resolution 1/1.7″ CMOS Sensor
24-120mm UA Lens (35mm Equivalent)
5x Optical Zoom, f/2.0-5.9 Aperture
3.0″ PureColor Touch Screen LCD Display
HS SYSTEM Technology, High Speed AF
DIGIC 5 Image Processor, Intelligent IS
Full HD 1080p Video with Stereo Sound
High-Speed Burst HQ, Manual Control Ring
ISO 12800, Multi-Aspect Ratio RAW
Smart AUTO, Movie Digest & Wi-Fi

Cameralab’s review of the PowerShot S110 (price & specs), successor of the highly popular PowerShot S100 (price & specs). Foremost: while the S100 had built-in GPS, the S110 comes with built-in WiFi connectivity, and no more GPS. I can’t say if Canon did this for commercial reasons or because of engineering issues. It is not a big issue since you can always geo-tag your pics by connecting to your smart-phone. The other big difference to its successor is the introduction of a touch-screen 3″ display, a welcome addition for all those who are used to smart-phones and similar devices. If the touch interface is as smart and well workingas on the Canon EOS M (price & specs) then Canon did it right. In the same way as on the EOS M, the touch-screen can be used for focusing and subsequent shutter release.

In the conclusion they write:

[…] the PowerShot S110 remains the smallest camera with advanced features like a bright lens, RAW files and manual controls, and the only one with a built-in motorised lens cap. The competition from Panasonic and Olympus meanwhile continues to travel in a different direction, offering brighter lenses, hotshoes and accessory ports, but in a less compact form factor with lens caps. Sony’s RX100 comes closest physically and packs in a bigger sensor too, but again lacks the motorised lens cover and some of the S110’s other features. While you may think having a manual lens cap isn’t a big deal, it does make a camera larger and delays the time to first shot; certanly when shooting with the S110 alongside any of the aforementioned rivals, it’s been noticeably quicker to action and that can mean the difference between capturing or missing a brief opportunity, and that’s worth taking into consideration.

[…] the PowerShot S110 remains the best bet for enthusiast photographers seeking the rare combination of advanced control in a truly compact connected camera. Had Canon made a better job of the connectivity features it would have been Highly Recommended, as it is the PowerShot S110 comes Recommended; if you value genuine take-anywhere portability over the bright lens, hot shoe and accessory optons of larger models it’s hard to beat.

Comprehensive review with sample pictures, noise comparison, and image quality tests.

Canon PowerShot S110 price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Canon PowerShot S100 price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA [via cameralabs]