Camera Reviews / Canon Cameras / Canon EOS i Review

18.00 Megapixels	Canon EF-M	APS-C size sensor

Canon M10 Review

by William Brawley and Jeremy Gray
Preview posted: 10/13/2015

Updates:
03/14/2016: Performance test results posted
07/13/2016: Field Test posted
10/11/2016: Image Quality Comparison and Print Quality Analysis posted
10/19/2016: Conclusion posted

For the first time, Canon has expanded its EOS mirrorless camera line with a second, concurrent model. With past models, each new successor replaced the one before it, but with the Canon EOS M10, the Japanese camera maker is offering an additional, more entry-level model to sit beneath the beefier, more complex EOS M3.

The goal of the EOS M10 is to provide step-up users -- be it from just a smartphone or from a compact camera -- with interchangeable-lens camera image quality and features in a compact and easy to use package.

Borrowing many of the features and design from the earlier Canon EOS M2, which never officially made it to US shores, the EOS M10 takes a step beyond the M2 with a newer image processor and improved image quality, as well as some cosmetic and operability enhancements.

Let's dive into the details!

Starting with the heart of the camera, the image sensor, the Canon EOS M10 takes a small step down from its bigger sibling in terms of sheer megapixel count. The Canon M10 utilizes an 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, which is the same resolution as the original EOS M and M2. (The EOS M3, on the other hand, offers a bump up to a 24.2-megapixel chip.)

However, while the EOS M10 shares the same sensor resolution as the original Canon EOS M, the chip has been updated with improved on-sensor autofocus. Unlike the original EOS M camera, which used Canon's first-generation Hybrid CMOS AF system with combined on-sensor phase-detect and contrast-detect autofocus, the Canon EOS M10 uses the company's faster, more advanced Hybrid CMOS AF II system -- similar to the EOS M2 and Canon SL1.

The Hybrid CMOS AF II system in the EOS M10 provides 49 total AF points, a bump up from 31 AF points in the M2. Autofocus coverage spans about 70% by 80% of the total image frame area, which makes it easier to compose shots and get the focus point right where you want it.

As for image quality improvements, one of the major upgrades to the EOS M10 is the inclusion of Canon's DIGIC 6 image processor. According to Canon, the newer processor greatly improves the noise performance of the M10 compared to the M2. For example, Canon claims ISO 1600 images should have similar noise performance as ISO 400 shots on the EOS M2 -- a two-stop improvement for JPEGs as well as videos. RAW image quality, however, is said to be relatively unchanged.

Since the EOS M2 never came to the US and hence we've not reviewed it, we can't judge these claims. We can say, though, that while we saw minimal improvements in noise levels and overall image quality versus the original EOS M, the EOS M10 still turns in a fairly respectable performance by entry-level standards.

Like the previous EOS M models, the ISO sensitivity range begins at 100 and tops-out at 12,800, though you can expand the maximum ISO a step higher to 25,600.

Also like the earlier EOS M2, the continuous burst shooting rate is still pegged at 4.6 frames per second with autofocus, and maximum video resolutions and frame rates are also unchanged -- up to 1080/30p and 720/60p, as well as PAL-specific frame rates (24fps is also available).

The EOS M10 gains the M3's Creative Assist mode, which provides users the ability to tweak image parameters like sharpening and contrast, but in an easy to use, real-time, on-screen preview with touch-based sliders. The camera also gains the Hybrid Auto mode, which captures a few moments of video simultaneously along with a still image.

As with most of Canon's more recent camera offerings, the M10 also has Wi-Fi and NFC wireless connectivity that is compatible with the Canon Camera Connect app (iOS and Android) for both file transfer and remote control operation. The camera is also compatible with the Canon Connect Station CS100 home media device.

Blended: The Canon EOS M10 shares a similar 180-degree tilting touchscreen LCD like the G7X.

On the physical side of things, the Canon EOS M10 looks like a sleek blend of the original EOS M and the PowerShot G7X. The camera itself is very compact and lightweight, with its physical properties nearly identical to those of the original M.

The controls on the Canon EOS M10 are very minimal -- even more so than on the original EOS M. Like the original, there is no standard Mode Dial, but rather a simpler three-way switch on the top deck which powers-on the camera and places it in one of three shooting modes: full auto (Scene Intelligent Auto), stills mode and video mode. To select other available shooting modes, such as Aperture- or Shutter-Priority, you'll need to use the touchscreen interface. Around the shutter release button is the camera's single control dial, which is used to adjust shooting settings like aperture or shutter speed, depending on the mode. Lastly, there is a small movie record button to the right of the shutter release.

Original M/M2 owners will notice the lack of a hot shoe -- therefore making the M10 incompatible with Canon's Speedlite flash system. However, unlike these earlier models, the M10 gains a pop-up flash.

Like the Canon G7X, the M10 has a full 180-degree tilting rear touchscreen panel. The 3.0-inch touch-screen LCD monitor features a 1.04-million dot resolution just as in the G7X and features the traditional array of Canon touch panel amenities like tap-to-focus and touch-shutter.

And speaking of the touch-screen, it's a great feature to have on this camera, given the scarcity of physical control dials and buttons. Apart from the screen, the rear of the camera is quite sparse in terms of controls. Gone, even, is the secondary control wheel that surrounded the 4-way control button of the original M and M2 cameras -- it's now just a 4-way button. Apart from this control cluster button, only two other buttons sit on the rear of the camera: the menu and playback buttons.

Other physical controls consist of a small flash release on the left side of the camera and a Mobile Device Connect button on the right side.

Bottom: The rear controls of the Canon EOS M10 (left) compared to the original EOS M (right).

A High-Speed USB 2.0 port is provided for connecting to a computer or printer, as well as a Mini HDMI (Type-C) port for playback on an HDTV. Unlike the M and M2 cameras, the M10 does not have an external microphone input jack (which isn't all that surprising given the lack of a hot shoe to mount an external mic).

The Canon EOS M10 derives its power from a proprietary LP-E12 lithiium-ion battery pack, which is CIPA-rated for only 255 shots per charge. In-camera charging is not supported, so a dedicated LC-E12 battery charger is included in the bundle.

Images and videos are stored on a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card, and the Canon M10 includes support for UHS-I types.

 

In the Box

The Canon EOS M10 retail kit contains the following items:

• Canon EOS M10 camera body
• EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens
• LC-E12 Battery Charger
• LP-E12 Lithium-ion Battery Pack
• Front and Rear Lens Caps
• RF-4 Body Cap
• Battery Cover
• Hot Shoe Cover
• USB Cable
• EM-200DB Strap

 

Recommended Accessories

• Large capacity SDHC/SDXC memory card. 16GB Class 10 should be a minimum, UHS-I type recommended.
• Extra battery pack LP-E12 (~US$60)
• EF-EOS M mount adapter if you have any EF or EF-S lenses (~US100)
• Small to medium camera bag