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Canon EOS M photo samples

The EOS M produces very nice photos up through ISO 1600 -- just like its competitors.

Lori Grunin
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Lori Grunin
35401433_SIC1_620-22mmlow.jpg
1 of 14 Lori Grunin/CNET

Noise and JPEG processing, low ISO sensitivities

The EOS M produces JPEGs that look quite clean up through ISO 800, and good as high as ISO 1600.
35401433_SIC1b_620-1855mmlow.jpg
2 of 14 Lori Grunin/CNET

Noise and JPEG processing, high ISO sensitivities

Above ISO 1600, detail degrades rapidly and there's a lot of color noise.
35401433_SIC7_620-100.jpg
3 of 14 Lori Grunin/CNET

ISO 100 JPEG

The EOS M fares pretty well on image sharpness -- not too soft and not too crunchy.

(1/125 sec, f8, spot metering, AWB, ISO 100, 18-55mm lens at 18mm)
35401433_SIC5_620-100rj.jpg
4 of 14 Lori Grunin/CNET

ISO 100, raw vs. JPEG

Even at ISO 100, however, you can improve upon the JPEGs by shooting raw. Note especially the edge artifacts.

(1/125 sec, f8, spot metering, AWB, ISO 100, 18-55mm lens at 18mm)
35401433_SIC6_620-bokeh1855.jpg
5 of 14 Lori Grunin/CNET

Bokeh, 18-55mm lens

The 18-55mm kit lens displays some nice out-of-focus highlights.

(1/800sec, f6, spot metering, AWB, ISO 100, 18-55mm lens at 35mm)
35401433_SIC8_620-400.jpg
6 of 14 Lori Grunin/CNET

ISO 400 JPEG

The camera resolves details very nicely at ISO 400.

(1/100 sec, f2, spot metering, AWB, ISO 400, 22mm lens)
35401433_SIC9_620-800.jpg
7 of 14 Lori Grunin/CNET

ISO 800 JPEG

The camera maintains crisp edges as high as ISO 800. Well, if you don't count the fringing of the 22mm lens.

(1/40 sec, f2, spot metering, AWB, ISO 800, 22mm lens)
35401433_SIC10_620-800rvj.jpg
8 of 14 Lori Grunin/CNET

ISO 800, raw vs. JPEG

Those fringy edges clean right up if you shoot raw, along with increased tonal range and less color noise.

(1/40 sec, f2, spot metering, AWB, ISO 800, 22mm lens)
35401433_SIC11_620-1600-2.jpg
9 of 14 Lori Grunin/CNET

ISO 1600 JPEG

While it doesn't stand up extremely well to 100 percent viewing, ISO 1600 shots print well at 13 x 19. This is just a scaled-down reference for the cropped view on the next slide.

(1/80 sec, f2, spot metering, AWB, ISO 1600, 22mm lens)
35401433_SIC11_620-1600rvj.jpg
10 of 14 Lori Grunin/CNET

ISO 1600, raw vs. JPEG

Because the default Picture Style boosts contrast, once you get to higher ISO sensitivities you lose a lot of detail in low light. I didn't adjust the exposure of the raw file here.

(1/80 sec, f2, spot metering, AWB, ISO 1600, 22mm lens)
35401433_SIC12_620-3200.jpg
11 of 14 Lori Grunin/CNET

ISO 3200 JPEG

ISO 3200 JPEGs look OK scaled down by about 50 percent.

(1/40 sec, f4, spot metering, AWB, ISO 3200, 22mm lens)
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12 of 14 Lori Grunin/CNET

Color

Canon really pushes the saturation on some of the colors.
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13 of 14 Lori Grunin/CNET

Picture Styles

Canon's default Picture Style (Auto) never delivers the best results.

(1/80sec, f5, spot metering, AWB, ISO 100, 18-55mm lens at 27mm)
35401433_SIC3_620-nvsraw.jpg
14 of 14 Lori Grunin/CNET

Picture Styles, neutral vs. raw

The Neutral profile seems to be flat rather than accurate. There's also Faithful (not shown), which is a little better.

(1/80sec, f5, spot metering, AWB, ISO 100, 18-55mm lens at 27mm)

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