Faster autofocus and Wi-Fi networking help make Canon's high-end compact camera more competitive. So far it's only announced in China and Japan, though. December 3, 2013 6:23 AM PST The Canon EOS M2 with the EF-M 18-55mm lens. (Credit: Canon) Canon announced the EOS M2 Tuesday in China and Japan, updating the autofocus system that was the chief weakness of the company's its first-generation high-end "mirrorless" compact camera. The EOS M2 includes Hybrid CMOS AF II, an updated autofocus system that Canon said is faster than the M's system. It also gets Wi-Fi support, but the sensor is still an 18-megapixel model that tops out at ISO 12,800 or 25,600 if you enable its higher-noise expanded range. It wasn't immediately clear what Canon plans for the EOS M2 in other parts of the world, but the M line is a very competitive segment in the camera industry: models with interchangeable lenses but significantly smaller than traditional SLRs. Related stories Samsung Galaxy and Ativ event: Join CNET on Thursday (live blog) How camera makers are getting their design groove on Pentax reveals high-end, compact K-01 camera Compact new hybrid cameras leave me cold Canon, with a much stronger SLR and compact-camera business than rivals, was late to the mirrorless market but has considerable resources when it comes to camera design, manufacturing, sales, and customers that already own Canon lenses. The M line can accept Canon's EF and EF-S lenses geared for full-size SLRs with an adapter, but it ships with smaller EF-M lenses. Olympus, Panasonic, Sony, Samsung, Nikon, Pentax, and Fujifilm all are vying for a place in the mirrorless camera market. One reason it's so appealing is that the traditional incumbent players -- Nikon and Canon -- don't have as much power. Another is that the compact camera market is dwindling as mobile phones take over mainstream photography needs. [Via Canon Rumors]
Faster autofocus and Wi-Fi networking help make Canon's high-end compact camera more competitive. So far it's only announced in China and Japan, though.
The Canon EOS M2 with the EF-M 18-55mm lens.
(Credit: Canon)
Canon announced the EOS M2 Tuesday in China and Japan, updating the autofocus system that was the chief weakness of the company's its first-generation high-end "mirrorless" compact camera.
The EOS M2 includes Hybrid CMOS AF II, an updated autofocus system that Canon said is faster than the M's system. It also gets Wi-Fi support, but the sensor is still an 18-megapixel model that tops out at ISO 12,800 or 25,600 if you enable its higher-noise expanded range.
It wasn't immediately clear what Canon plans for the EOS M2 in other parts of the world, but the M line is a very competitive segment in the camera industry: models with interchangeable lenses but significantly smaller than traditional SLRs.
Related stories
- Samsung Galaxy and Ativ event: Join CNET on Thursday (live blog)
- How camera makers are getting their design groove on
- Pentax reveals high-end, compact K-01 camera
- Compact new hybrid cameras leave me cold
Canon, with a much stronger SLR and compact-camera business than rivals, was late to the mirrorless market but has considerable resources when it comes to camera design, manufacturing, sales, and customers that already own Canon lenses. The M line can accept Canon's EF and EF-S lenses geared for full-size SLRs with an adapter, but it ships with smaller EF-M lenses.
Olympus, Panasonic, Sony, Samsung, Nikon, Pentax, and Fujifilm all are vying for a place in the mirrorless camera market. One reason it's so appealing is that the traditional incumbent players -- Nikon and Canon -- don't have as much power. Another is that the compact camera market is dwindling as mobile phones take over mainstream photography needs.
[Via Canon Rumors]
