Canon's EOS M: Strong competitor in the mirrorless market, but perhaps not for video

Digital Photography Review has one of the first analyses of the new EOS M, Canon's first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. It has an APS-C-sized 18MP sensor and a new EF-M mount for which two lenses will be available at release: An 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM zoom, and a 22mm f/2 STM pancake lens. In the U.S., the only configuration available will be a kit with the EOS M and 22mm lens for $799. (The 18-55mm lens will be sold separately for $299.) An adapter will be available for conventional EF and EF-S lenses. No flash comes with the EOS M, although a separate Canon flash can be purchased.

According to DP Review, the EOS M is designed as a step-up camera for point & shoot users who want DSLR capabilities without DSLR complexity. To that end, the EOS M's exposure mode dial has only three settings, and most of the camera's controls are available through a touchscreen menu--on a 3" 1.040M display that doesn't pivot. The EOS M doesn't have a viewfinder. Maximum shutter speed is 1/4000 second, and maximum ISO is 12,800 (25,600 with boost.) The camera can shoot 4.3 fps in continuous shooting, or 3 fps with autofocus tracking.

The EOS M has some nice video features: 1080p at 24, 25 or 30 fps for a maximum of 29 min. 59 sec. per clip, with continuous autofocus in movie mode with subject tracking. Recording can be done in full auto, full manual or anything in between. It also has built-in stereo microphones, stereo inputs and adjustable level controls. The EOS M's biggest limitations (at least on paper) are that 60 fps is limited to 1280 x 720 and 640 x 480, and the rear display is both fixed and the camera's primary control surface, making a separate video viewfinder required for professional videography.

The EOS M is a strong competitor in the mirrorless market, but videographers for whom size isn't the first consideration should probably spend a bit more for the Canon Rebel T4i/650D in order to get its more flexible display, physical controls and adapter-free support for EF and EF-S lenses.

Nikon's D800 DSLR: A serious digital cinematography option

For DSLR digital cinematography fans, Nikon has been a continual source of frustration: Their DSLRs are superb still cameras, but video has always been an afterthought for the company--more an item on a marketing checklist than a well-implemented feature. However, Nikon's new D800 might change that. EOSHD reports on one of the first D800 video samples, footage shot at a temple in Taiwan. The video is gorgeous--far better than video shot on Nikon's D4, and with much more detail than video from Canon's new 5D Mark III, which has been roundly criticized for the softness of its images.

For its part, DxO Labs tested the D800 and said that its imager is the best that it's ever tested, with a rating of 95 out of 100. It had extremely accurate color rendition, the best dynamic range they've ever measured (14.4 stops) and excellent low-light performance (the ability to go to 2853 ISO without compromising image quality). They said that the D800's imager is about as close as you can get to medium-format performance in a DSLR imager. This performance is especially impressive given the 36.3 MP resolution of the D800's imager. In general, for a given imager size (such as APS-C), the higher an imager's resolution, the worse its low-light performance will be. Nikon has managed to combine excellent low-light performance with very high resolution.

DxO didn't test the D800 in video mode, but the video found by EOSHD suggests that the quality of the D800 is very good. However, Nikon still hasn't figured out a way to do 60P in 1920 x 1280. 60P is only supported at 1280 x 720 resolution; 1920 x 1280 supports 30P and 24P. Also, the D800's very high resolution could result in rolling shutter and moire problems; much more testing of the camera's video mode is needed. In short, I wouldn't rush out and place an order for a D800 yet, but the camera is shaping up to be a serious option for digital cinematography.