Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM review (photozone)

EF-M 11-22mm F/4-5.6 IS STM
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Photozone reviewed the Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM, one of the five lenses for Canon’s EOS M system. From the conclusion:

Canon has a quite consistent record when it comes to lens quality and this is reconfirmed with the Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 STM IS once again. The resolution characteristic is generally very good except in the extreme corners at 11mm. Image distortions as well as lateral CAs are about average (in the true sense) for a lens in this class. If there’s one substantial weakness, it’s the amount of vignetting. We can’t really tell whether it’s just the lens or the combination with the sensor but the system performance is poor at fully open aperture. However, the transition of the vignetting is fairly smooth – thus less disturbing – and it’s much better at f/8. Read the review…

There is an interesting point discussed in Photozone’s review. The reviewer hypothises that the stron vignetting on the EF-M 11-22mm may be in part also due to the sensor. They suggest the EOS M3 sensor is not optimised for lenses made for mirrorless systems. You can read about this issue here.

Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

Canon Powershot G9 X review (Photography Blog)

Powershot G9 X
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Canon Powershot G9 X key features

  • 20.2MP 1″ High-Sensitivity CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 6 Image Processor
  • 3x Optical Zoom f/2.0-4.9 Lens
  • 28-80mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Touchscreen LCD Monitor
  • Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps
  • Built-In Wi-Fi with NFC
  • ISO 12800 and 6 fps Continuous Shooting
  • Intelligent IS and Manual Control Ring
  • Dedicated Star Mode Shooting

Photography Blog posted their review of the new Canon PowerShot G9 X, Canon’s latest super compact camera with an 1 inch sensor. The cute little PowerShot G9 X has the same well regarded 1 inch sensor as the Powershot G7 X. In the conclusion Photography Blog writes:

Once again Canon has produced a very appealing compact camera for those looking for something which is pocket friendly but retains many of the high quality features which something bigger and more advanced has.

The fact that the Canon PowerShot G9 X uses the same sensor as the highly praised G7 X is good news. A one-inch sensor in something so small and neat is not easily achieved however, and as such there is a compromise in the focal length of the lens. However, the 3x optical zoom gives you a little bit of flexibility, and is enough for landscapes, portraits and macro subjects. Read the review.

You can pre-order the Canon Powershot G9 X in two color options, black and silver: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Powershot G9 X

Canon EOS M3 review by K. Rockwell (best mirrorless picture quality)

Eos M3
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Ken Rockwell posted his thoughts and impression about the Canon EOS M3. You may agree or nor agree with Rockwell’s reviewing and writing style, but sentences like the one that follows have my full agreement:

The EOS M3 has the world’s best mirrorless picture quality because Canon has better color rendition than any other mirrorless brand. Canon’s real-world color rendition is far better to the critical artist than Fuji, Sony, or LEICA. Read the review.

There is nothing to say here: Canon is still the undisputed leader when it comes to color rendition. The EOS M3 is a terrific mirrorless camera. I love mine and it is always in my bag now. It’s also my new travel kit with the EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM, EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and EF-M 22mm f/2 STM lenses. If there is one point in Rockwell’s review I agree totally, it’s the advantage to travel with such a lightweight kit while still getting stellar image quality. Rockwell also posted a review about the EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens.

Canon EOS M3 key features:

  • 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 6 Image Processor
  • 3.0″ 1,040k-Dot Touchscreen Tilting LCD
  • Full HD 1080p Video at 24/25/30 fps
  • Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity with NFC
  • Hybrid CMOS AF System with 49 AF Points
  • ISO 100-12800, Expandable to 25600
  • Hot Shoe and Built-In Flash
  • 3.5mm Stereo Mic Input
  • Full Manual Control

The Canon EOS M system: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

eos m3

Canon Powershot G5 X and Powershot G9 X hands-on, and link to user manuals

Powershot G9 X
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Canon Watch reader Al had the chance to quickly try out the new Canon Powershot G5 X and Powershot G9 X. He was also so kind to send me the download links for the user manuals.

Here are Al’s impression:

Canon Powershot G9 X (B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon):

  • Can be almost considered as the S120‘s replacement, except for the touch-only rear control interface which is a BIG issue.  Without the usual RHS control set (cursor/four-way dial) the touch-only operation is really a real problem especially if one has large fingers.  And as usual, touch buttons can be mis-pressed very easily during operation.  Despite the shorter focal zoom length, could’ve otherwise been the perfect Powershot compact P+S had the full RHS control config been retained;
  • In case of touch panel failure, the G9X will be pretty much inoperable at system level.  In fact I’ve witnessed a demo G7X at the same showroom where the touch operation has completely failed (even with the function set to “on”), only to be operative as usual thanks to the RHS rear control set.  Showroom staff has been informed of the matter;
  • NO live histogram display during EV shift unless with specific camera operation.  The first of the high-end Powershot kind that exhibits such issue, which typically appears on other make/models like the Sony RX100/II/III/IV, and some low-end Olympus Stylus compacts.  Adjusting EV via touching the onscreen EV scale results in an EV sub-menu with an enlarged EV scale and +/- touch buttons but nothing else.  Live histo display during EV shift is only possible by adjusting via the frontal lens ring.  IMHO Canon could (and should) follow the steps of Nikon and Ricoh to include an enlarged (and compulsory) histo display during menu-based EV shift operation;

Canon Powershot G5 X (B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon):

  • Nearest replacement to the outgoing G16 except for the shorter zoom focal length (the G16’s tele up to 140mm is much preferred).  Similar controls to previous models.  Smoother EV dial (much better than on the G7X for instance).  Also smooth frontal dial (above camera grip);
  • Relatively dimmer EVF than expected.  Even with brightness level set to 5 (max.) the EVF’s view still feels dim.  Rear touch panel’s brightness settings appear more normal;
  • Weak flash.  Didn’t get to tweak the flash settings, but overall feels a bit weaker than expected.  Apparently no zoom flash feature; (on both cameras as well as older GxX models)
  • Not sure why Canon would default the image aspect ratio to the typical 35mm’s 3:2.  Setting the ratio to the usual 4:3 (as in smaller image sensors up to m43) results in decreased pixel count to 18MP
Powershot g5 x
Powershot G5 X

A weird yet interesting comparison: Canon EOS D2000 (1998) vs EOS 5Ds R (2015)

EOS D2000
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Let’s play History Channel. The video below, by All Things Photo on YouTube, is about a bizarre comparison, one that truly dives into history. The venerable Canon EOS D2000, ancestor of all Canon DSLRs, is compared to the latest tech from Canon, the EOS 5Ds R. That’s a 2MP sensor vs a 50MP sensor. To say it all, the D2000 is a branded Kodak DCS 520, but it’s also Canon’s first digital SLR. The D2000 was developed by Kodak on a Canon EOS-1N body.

Canon D2000 key features:

  • 2 megapixel
  • Crop factor of 1.6X
  • ISO 200-1600
  • File formats JPG or TIF
  • PCMCIA card slot
  • CCD sensor
 Canon EOS 5Ds R key features:

  • 50 megapixel
  • Full frame sensor (no crop factor)
  • ISO 100-12800
  • File formats RAW, JPG, more
  • SD/CF card slot
  • CMOS sensor

You may be surprised to see that the menu interface after all didn’t change that much in 17 years. Do not miss mark 4:47 of the video and see how the D2000 performs in a low light setting. I bet some of the points in the video will surprise you quite a bit.

This is obviously a comparison that puts two extremes one against the other, shot by shot. It’s curious, and interesting to see how far we have gone in 17 years. Enjoy!

[via All Things Photo via DIY Photography]

Canon EOS 5Ds R review, the alternative to medium format

Eos 5ds R
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Imaging Resource felt the pulse of the Canon EOS 5Ds R, Canon’s 50MP full-frame DSLR that competes with medium format cameras.

From the conclusion:

All said and done, despite its limited high ISO sensitivities, its limited video capabilities, and increased technical skill involved with getting sharp, properly focused images, the Canon 5DS R is an all-around impressive camera. The 5DS R is Canon’s highest-resolution EOS body to date, and it can capture some seriously impressive, incredibly detailed, ultra sharp photographs.

Its high price point and aforementioned limited features put the 5DS R squarely into a niche category. If you want a more all-around, general use full-frame Canon DSLR with a more versatile ISO range and more video capabilities, the 5D Mark III is the better bet. However, for portrait, editorial, landscape or nature photographers looking for extreme image detail in a tried-and-true Canon DSLR package — and don’t want or need the increase in bulk and expense of a digital medium format system — the Canon 5DS R will fit the bill. Read the review at Imaging Resource.

Canon EOS 5DS: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA | Canon EOS 5DS R: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

eos 5ds r