First look at the Canon EOS M

Take a closer look at the Canon EOS M, the company's very first interchangeable lens camera (ILC).

For further details on the new camera, as well as our first impressions, make sure to check out the preview. The EOS M will be available in a number of kit configurations, namely:

• EOS M body and EOS lens adapter

• EOS M body (black) with 18-55mm and 90 EX Speedlite

• EOS M body (black, red or white) with 22mm, 18-55mm and 90 EX Speedlite.

Expect the camera to be released in October, though, as with all Canon Australia products, no official RRP is released. It will most likely fall in between the price bracket of the 600D and 650D, in the region of AU$799.

The EOS M was designed concurrently with the EOS 650D, a traditional SLR camera. Underneath it all, the two cameras are virtually identical, including an 18-megapixel APS-C sensor, Digic 5 processor and native ISO range from 100-12,800 (expandable to 25,600).

The EOS M uses a different lens mount to regular EOS cameras in the Canon range. This means you'll need an adapter to mount other lenses (either EF or EF-S) on the camera, which gives it full AF compatibility.

Like other ILCs, the EOS M is targeted towards the photographer stepping up from a compact camera or smartphone, but not ready for the bulk and serious nature of an SLR. Controls are similar to those found on any number of Canon's compact cameras, in particular the mode switch at the top, which changes between full automatic, more manual modes, including full PASM control, and movie mode.

There are also seven creative filters, like black-and-white and toy camera, to choose from. Also pictured above is the new 90 EX Speedlite, which is designed for the EOS M, though, as it's a proper hotshoe, you can attach any of the other speedlite accessories from the EOS range.

Connectivity is similar to other EOS cameras; a 3.5mm microphone jack, HDMI and USB ports.

The 3-inch touchscreen is the star of the show. With exactly the same components as the EOS 650D, it's responsive and easy to use when it comes to selecting shooting options. There's also options such as touch AF and touch shutter, like on the 650D.

While the EOS M is designed for more beginner photographers, you can still access all the manual controls you desire. In movie mode, to get into manual exposure controls, just hit the info button underneath the selection dial.

As mentioned earlier, the mount adapter can be used to put any number of the company's lenses on the camera. Here's the 70-200mm totally overwhelming the little M.

Two new lenses on the EOS M mount were announced at the same time as the camera, including this 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM model, and a 22mm f/2 STM. Both are made of anodised aluminium, and suit all the colours of the EOS M (black, white and red). The 18-55mm pictured here has a retractable design, with no physical switches on the lens. All lens controls are found within the menu system of the camera.

The 22mm makes the EOS M a particularly compact package. The lens weighs 105 grams on its own and has a minimum focusing distance of 15cm.