Canon EOS R vs Canon EOS M

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      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon EOS R and the Canon EOS M, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Canon EOS R was introduced in September 2018 and Canon EOS M was introduced in July 2012. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Canon EOS R Highlights

      • 30.3 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 40,000 Native ISO
      • 5655 Focus Points
      • 3.15" 2,100k dot Fully Articulated Screen
      • 0.5" 3,690k dot Electronic Viewfinder
      • 8.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 3840 x 2160 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-In Wi-Fi
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Canon EOS M Highlights

      • 18.0 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 12,800 Native ISO
      • 31 Focus Points (31 Cross-type)
      • 3.0" 1,040k dot Fixed Screen
      • 4.3 fps Mechanical Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Canon EOS R and Canon EOS M.

      PROS

      Canon EOS R

      Canon EOS M

      •   Video Capture
      •   Large Sensor
      •   5655 Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Digital Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Large Screen - 3.15"
      •   High Resolution Screen - 2,100k dot
      •   Large Viewfinder - 0.5"
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 89
      •   High Video Resolution - 3840 x 2160
      •   Webcam Functionality
      •   High USB Speed
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   USB Charging
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Cheap
      •   Video Capture
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Touch Screen
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 298 g (0.66 lb / 10.51 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Canon EOS R

      Canon EOS M

      •   40,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Short Battery Life - 370 shots
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   +1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 230 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Canon EOS R

      Canon EOS M

      •   Price
      •   Sensor Resolution - 30.3 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   -6 EV Min AF Detection
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 3,690k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.0 fps
      •   Weight - 660 g (1.46 lb / 23.28 oz)
      •   Sensor Resolution - 18.0 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   31 Focus Points
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.3 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 65

      Advantage of Canon EOS R

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon EOS R over Canon EOS M.

      Canon EOS R vs Canon EOS M
      Larger Sensor Full Frame vs APS-C
      Higher Sensor Resolution 30.3 Megapixel vs 18.0 Megapixel
      Higher Boosted ISO 102,400 vs 25,600
      Max Image Resolution 6720 x 4480 vs 5184 x 3456
      Timelapse Recording vs
      Lower Min AF Detection -6 EV vs +1 EV
      More Focus Points 5655 vs 31
      Center Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Digital Image Stabilization vs
      Screen Type Fully Articulated vs Fixed
      Larger Screen 3.15" vs 3.0"
      Higher Resolution Screen 2,100k dot vs 1,040k dot
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Viewfinder Electronic vs
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/8000 sec vs 1/4000 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 8.0 fps vs 4.3 fps
      Average Metering vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 2742 vs 827
      Higher DxO Color Depth 24.5 vs 22.1
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 13.5 vs 11.2
      Higher DxO Overall Score 89 vs 65
      Higher Video Resolution 3840 x 2160 vs 1920 x 1080
      Higher USB Speed USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 (5 GBit/sec) vs USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
      Headphone Output vs
      Built-In Wi-Fi vs Eye-Fi connection possible
      Built-In Bluetooth vs
      Environmental Sealing vs
      Longer Battery Life 370 shots vs 230 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon EOS R.

      Advantage of Canon EOS M

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon EOS M over Canon EOS R.

      Canon EOS R vs Canon EOS M
      Cheaper $2299 (body only), $3399 (w/24-105 F4L lens) vs $799.99 with 22mm lens, €849/£769 with 18-55mm lens, €1049/£949 with 18-55mm + 22mm lenses, €979/£879 with 22mm lens + EF adapter
      Higher Native ISO 40,000 vs 12,800
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 30 sec vs 60 sec
      Lighter 660 g (1.46 lb / 23.28 oz) vs 298 g (0.66 lb / 10.51 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon EOS M.

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Canon EOS R Canon EOS M
        Video Capture
        Touch-to-Focus
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        Touch Screen
        HDMI Output Mini Mini
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Canon EOS R Canon EOS M
        No Image Stabilization
        Low Video Recording Limit30 min - 59.94 fps or less
      7 min, 30 sec - 119.9/100 fps
      30 min
        No Built-in GPS
        Short Battery Life370 shots230 shots

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Canon EOS R has a 3.15" Fully Articulated screen with 2,100k dot resolution and Canon EOS M has a 3.0" Fixed screen with 1,040k dot resolution. Fully articulated screen makes Canon EOS R selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting. Both models feature touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment and most importantly a Touch-to-Focus functionality allowing users to select a specific point on the screen where they want the camera to focus. This feature can be helpful for achieving precise focus in both photo and video recording.

      Image cannot be displayed

      Canon EOS R with Fully Articulated screen


      Electronic Viewfinder on Canon EOS R

      Canon EOS R has a built-in 0.5" Electronic viewfinder with 3,690k dot resolution. It has a 100% coverage and 0.76x magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Canon EOS M.

      Sensor

      Canon EOS R features a 30.3 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36 x 24 mm and a total area of 864 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 40,000 and expands to 50 - 102,400 in boosted mode. Canon EOS M features a 18.0 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 22.3 x 14.9 mm and a total area of 222 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,800 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Canon EOS R is equipped with DIGIC 8 processor and can take pictures up to 6720 x 4480 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4176 x 2784 (1.6x crop) with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Canon EOS M is equipped with DIGIC 5 processor and can take pictures up to 5184 x 3456 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3456 x 2304, 2592 x 1728, 1920 x 1280, 720 x 480.


      Lens Mount

      Canon EOS R has Canon RF lens mount and Canon EOS M has Canon EF-M lens mount. Due to Full Frame sensor in Canon EOS R its crop factor is equal to 1x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length. Due to APS-C sensor in Canon EOS M its crop factor is equal to 1.6x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.6.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Canon EOS R it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Canon EOS M nothing can be done. On Canon EOS M it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Canon EOS R nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      Built-in Wi-Fi on Canon EOS R

      Canon EOS R has a built-in Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz) which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
        Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.


      Bluetooth on Canon EOS R

      Canon EOS R has a built-in Bluetooth (version 4.1 LE) which lets you to connect the camera to a smartphone or a dedicated remote control device. This allows you to remotely trigger the camera, adjust settings and controls remotely through a paired mobile app. While Wi-Fi is generally faster for transferring larger files, Bluetooth can be used for small, selective transfers, it can provide real-time information about your camera's battery status, memory card capacity, and other key settings directly on your paired smartphone or smartwatch.
        Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in Bluetooth.


      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. Canon EOS R has a Mini HDMI and Canon EOS M has a Mini HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Canon EOS R comes with LP-E6N battery pack with battery life of 370 shots and Canon EOS M comes with LP-E12 battery pack with battery life of 230 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Canon EOS R has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II) card slot. Canon EOS M has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Canon EOS R has Electronic shutter. Canon EOS M has Electronic 1st curtain shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Canon EOS R, and up to 1/4000 sec on Canon EOS M. Canon EOS R can shoot continuously up to 8.0 fps. Canon EOS M can shoot continuously up to 4.3 fps.


      Focusing

      Canon EOS R has Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with 5655 focusing points and Canon EOS M has Hybrid CMOS AF III system with 31 focusing points. Canon EOS R has detection range from -6 to +18 EV and Canon EOS M has detection range from +1 to +18 EV.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Canon EOS R ranges from -3 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±3 EV range. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Canon EOS R and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Canon EOS M.


      Flash

      Cameras have no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected to both of them via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Canon EOS M.

      Physical Parameters

      Canon EOS R body has dimensions of 136 x 98 x 84 mm (5.35 x 3.86 x 3.31") and Canon EOS M body has dimensions of 109 x 66 x 32 mm (4.29 x 2.6 x 1.26"). Canon EOS R weighs 660 g (1.46 lb / 23.28 oz) and Canon EOS M weighs 298 g (0.66 lb / 10.51 oz).

      Canon EOS R

      Canon EOS M

      136 mm

      98 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      109 mm

      66 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      98 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      66 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      84 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      32 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Canon EOS R and Canon EOS M

      Canon EOS R and Canon EOS M for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Canon EOS R

      Canon EOS M

      EXCELLENT
      88
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Touch Screen
      •   High Resolution Screen - 2,100k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      74
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Canon EOS R

      Canon EOS M

      GOOD
      82
      •   40,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   5655 Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   High Resolution Screen - 2,100k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 3,690k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 370 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      70
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   31 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.3 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 230 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Canon EOS R

      Canon EOS M

      GOOD
      79
      •   40,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   5655 Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   High Resolution Screen - 2,100k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 3,690k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 370 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   31 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.3 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 230 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Canon EOS R

      Canon EOS M

      EXCELLENT
      93
      •   Large Sensor
      •   5655 Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Large Screen - 3.15"
      •   High Resolution Screen - 2,100k dot
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      83
      •   31 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Canon EOS R

      Canon EOS M

      EXCELLENT
      90
      •   Large Sensor
      •   5655 Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   High Resolution Screen - 2,100k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 660 g (1.46 lb / 23.28 oz)
      GOOD
      83
      •   31 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 298 g (0.66 lb / 10.51 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Canon EOS R

      Canon EOS M

      GOOD
      84
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   High Resolution Screen - 2,100k dot
      •   High Video Resolution - 3840 x 2160
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 660 g (1.46 lb / 23.28 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 370 shots
      GOOD
      83
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 298 g (0.66 lb / 10.51 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 230 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Canon EOS R and Canon EOS M and give them scores of 81 and 66 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Canon EOS R

      Canon EOS M

      OVERALL
      81
      OVERALL
      66

      Sensor

      Canon EOS R

      Canon EOS M

      GOOD
      75
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 30.3 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   40,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 89
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Sensor Resolution - 18.0 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 65

      Photo

      Canon EOS R

      Canon EOS M

      GOOD
      74
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.0 fps
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.3 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec

      Video

      Canon EOS R

      Canon EOS M

      POOR
      48
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Video Resolution - 3840 x 2160
      •   Webcam Functionality
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      BAD
      16
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit

      Focusing

      Canon EOS R

      Canon EOS M

      EXCELLENT
      96
      •   -6 EV Min AF Detection
      •   5655 Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   +1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   31 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Canon EOS R

      Canon EOS M

      EXCELLENT
      89
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Large Screen - 3.15"
      •   High Resolution Screen - 2,100k dot
      •   Large Viewfinder - 0.5"
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 3,690k dot
      GOOD
      74
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Canon EOS R

      Canon EOS M

      EXCELLENT
      95
      •   High USB Speed
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   Built-In Bluetooth
      GOOD
      78
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Canon EOS R

      Canon EOS M

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 660 g (1.46 lb / 23.28 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 370 shots
      POOR
      41
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 298 g (0.66 lb / 10.51 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 230 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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