Name: Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM
Brand: Canon

Technical Specifications of Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM

Overall score

6.7

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.

When it matters: When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.

Mount & Format

1.0

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Lens type

What it is: The optical category that indicates whether the lens is a prime, zoom, macro, fisheye, or another design.

When it matters: When you are choosing between a prime, zoom, macro, or specialty lens for the kind of subjects you shoot.

Importance: LOW

prime

Lens mount

What it is: The mechanical and electronic interface that determines which cameras the lens can be attached to.

When it matters: When camera compatibility and access to the right lens ecosystem are central to your buying decision.

Importance: LOW

Canon EF-M

Sensor format coverage

What it is: The largest sensor size the lens is designed to cover without severe vignetting.

When it matters: When you need the lens to fully cover your camera sensor without heavy corner darkening.

Importance: LOW

APS-C

Filter thread size

What it is: The diameter of the front filter thread used for screw-in filters and compatible accessories.

When it matters: When you plan to use screw-in filters such as polarizers, ND filters, or protective glass.

Importance: LOW

43 mm

Teleconverter compatibility

What it is: Whether the lens can be used with compatible teleconverters to extend focal length.

When it matters: When you want to extend reach for wildlife or sports without changing to a different long lens.

Importance: HIGH

Optics & Aperture

8.4

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Minimum focal length

What it is: The shortest focal length the lens can provide, which determines its widest framing.

When it matters: When wide framing matters for landscapes, interiors, architecture, or travel shots.

Importance: LOW

22 mm

Maximum focal length

What it is: The longest focal length the lens can reach, which determines its telephoto reach.

When it matters: When you need more reach for wildlife, sports, stage events, or distant details.

Importance: LOW

22 mm

Optical zoom

What it is: The ratio between the longest and shortest focal lengths available in the lens zoom range.

When it matters: When you want one lens to cover a broader range of compositions without swapping glass.

Importance: LOW

Maximum angle of view

What it is: The widest scene the lens can capture at its shortest focal length.

When it matters: When you need to fit more of a room, skyline, or landscape into the frame.

Importance: LOW

63.5 °

Minimum angle of view

What it is: The narrowest scene the lens captures at its longest focal length.

When it matters: When you want tighter framing on faraway subjects without moving closer.

Importance: LOW

63.5 °

Focus & Controls

3.8

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Focus motor

What it is: The autofocus drive system responsible for moving lens elements into focus.

When it matters: When fast, quiet autofocus matters for video, wildlife, street shots, or moving subjects.

Importance: LOW

STM

Minimum focus distance

What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.

When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.

Importance: MEDIUM

Maximum reproduction ratio

What it is: The highest magnification the lens can achieve when focusing at its closest distance.

When it matters: When close-up magnification matters for macro work, textures, or small product details.

Importance: MEDIUM

Full-time manual focus

What it is: The ability to adjust focus manually without leaving autofocus mode.

When it matters: When you want to fine-tune focus instantly without switching out of autofocus.

Importance: HIGH

Internal focusing

What it is: A focusing design in which internal elements move while the outer barrel length stays unchanged.

When it matters: When you use polarizers, gimbals, or close-up setups that benefit from a lens that does not extend while focusing.

Importance: HIGH

Stabilization

4.2

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Optical image stabilization

What it is: A hardware system that shifts optical elements to counteract camera shake and reduce blur.

When it matters: When you want steadier handheld shots and less blur, especially in low light or at longer focal lengths.

Importance: HIGH

Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)

What it is: The rated stabilizer benefit, measured in stops, under CIPA testing standards.

When it matters: When you are comparing stabilized lenses and want to know how much handheld shutter-speed advantage they offer.

Importance: HIGH

Build & Handling

5.5

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Weight

What it is: The total mass of the lens, affecting portability and handling balance on the camera body.

When it matters: When you carry a lens all day for travel, hiking, or event coverage and want to keep your kit manageable.

Importance: HIGH

Lens length

What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.

When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.

Importance: HIGH

Lens diameter

What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.

When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Weather sealing (splashproof)

What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.

When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.

Importance: HIGH

Metal mount

What it is: A lens mount made of metal rather than plastic for greater durability at the camera connection point.

When it matters: When durability matters because you change lenses often or use heavier gear for work.

Importance: HIGH

Lab Scores

6.8

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DxOMark overall score

What it is: The combined DxOMark lens rating based on lab-tested optical performance.

When it matters: When you want a quick lab-based summary of overall optical performance before comparing lenses in detail.

Importance: HIGH

DxOMark sharpness score

What it is: The DxOMark subscore that reflects how much detail the lens can resolve across the frame.

When it matters: When fine detail matters for landscapes, product work, or high-resolution cameras.

Importance: HIGH

DxOMark transmission

What it is: The measured light transmission of the lens, expressed as T-stop rather than nominal f-number.

When it matters: When real light loss matters for exposure consistency in studio, cinema, or mixed-lens shoots.

Importance: MEDIUM

DxOMark distortion

What it is: The DxOMark metric that measures how much the lens bends straight lines away from their true shape.

When it matters: When straight lines matter in architecture, interiors, copy work, or product photography.

Importance: MEDIUM

DxOMark vignetting

What it is: The DxOMark measurement of corner darkening relative to the center of the image.

When it matters: When even corner brightness matters for skies, studio backdrops, or clean product shots.

Importance: MEDIUM

Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM vs the average camera lens

Why is Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM better than the average camera lens?

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405.4 g lighter
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM is lighter than the average camera lens (120 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.
What it is: The total mass of the lens, affecting portability and handling balance on the camera body.
When it matters: When you carry a lens all day for travel, hiking, or event coverage and want to keep your kit manageable.
Importance: HIGH
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM is lighter than the average camera lens (120 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.120 g vs 525.4 g
0.8 lower f-number at telephoto end
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/2 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
What it is: The widest aperture available at the long end of the zoom range, affecting light intake and background blur.
When it matters: When you shoot at the long end in low light or want stronger background blur for portraits and sports.
Importance: HIGH
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/2 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.2 vs 2.8
68.3 mm shorter lens
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM is shorter than the average camera lens (23.7 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.
What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.
When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.
Importance: HIGH
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM is shorter than the average camera lens (23.7 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.23.7 mm vs 92 mm
0.3 % lower optical distortion
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has a lower optical distortion than the average camera lens (0% vs 0.3%). The average lens has optical distortion of 0.3%.
What it is: The DxOMark metric that measures how much the lens bends straight lines away from their true shape.
When it matters: When straight lines matter in architecture, interiors, copy work, or product photography.
Importance: MEDIUM
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has a lower optical distortion than the average camera lens (0% vs 0.3%). The average lens has optical distortion of 0.3%.0 % vs 0.3 %
16.1 mm narrower lens barrel
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM is slimmer than the average camera lens (60.9 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.
When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.
Importance: MEDIUM
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM is slimmer than the average camera lens (60.9 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.60.9 mm vs 77 mm
0.15 m shorter minimum focus distance
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.
When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.
Importance: MEDIUM
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.0.15 m vs 0.3 m
17.5% higher user score
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has a higher user score than the average camera lens (9.51 vs 8.091).
What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters: When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has a higher user score than the average camera lens (9.51 vs 8.091).9.51 vs 8.09
2.3x cheaper
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM is cheaper than the average camera lens (£230 vs £530).
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM is cheaper than the average camera lens (£230 vs £530).£230 vs £530
0.8 lower f-number at telephoto end
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/2 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
0.15 m shorter minimum focus distance
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
405.4 g lighter
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM is lighter than the average camera lens (120 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.
68.3 mm shorter lens
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM is shorter than the average camera lens (23.7 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.
16.1 mm narrower lens barrel
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM is slimmer than the average camera lens (60.9 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
0.3 % lower optical distortion
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has a lower optical distortion than the average camera lens (0% vs 0.3%). The average lens has optical distortion of 0.3%.

Why is Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM worse than the average camera lens?

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2 fewer aperture blades
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
2 fewer low-dispersion elements
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
1 fewer aspherical elements
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
No internal focusing
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Barrel extends during focusing.
Not weather-sealed
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
No lens hood
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM does not include a lens hood, the average camera lens does. 89.1% of camera lenses include a lens hood.
Fixed lens hood
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM does not include a reversible lens hood, the average camera lens does. 79.6% of camera lenses include a reversible lens hood.
Older release date
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM was released earlier than the average camera lens.
5 points lower DxOMark score
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has a lower DxOMark overall score than the average camera lens (21 vs 26). The average lens has a DxOMark overall score of 26.
3 points lower DxOMark sharpness
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has a lower DxOMark sharpness score than the average camera lens (13 vs 16). The average lens has a DxOMark sharpness score of 16.
Not weather-sealed
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.
When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.
Importance: HIGH
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
No internal focusing
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Barrel extends during focusing.
What it is: A focusing design in which internal elements move while the outer barrel length stays unchanged.
When it matters: When you use polarizers, gimbals, or close-up setups that benefit from a lens that does not extend while focusing.
Importance: HIGH
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
2 fewer aperture blades
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
What it is: The number of diaphragm blades that shape the aperture opening and influence blur rendering.
When it matters: When the look of out-of-focus highlights matters in portraits, close-ups, or cinematic video.
Importance: HIGH
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.7 vs 9
No lens hood
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM does not include a lens hood, the average camera lens does. 89.1% of camera lenses include a lens hood.
What it is: Whether a matching lens hood is supplied in the box.
When it matters: When you want flare protection straight out of the box without buying extra accessories.
Importance: MEDIUM
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM does not include a lens hood, the average camera lens does. 89.1% of camera lenses include a lens hood.
Fixed lens hood
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM does not include a reversible lens hood, the average camera lens does. 79.6% of camera lenses include a reversible lens hood.
What it is: A hood design that can be mounted backward on the lens for more compact storage.
When it matters: When compact packing matters and you want the hood stored neatly on the lens.
Importance: LOW
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM does not include a reversible lens hood, the average camera lens does. 79.6% of camera lenses include a reversible lens hood.
2 fewer low-dispersion elements
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
What it is: Optical elements designed to reduce color fringing by controlling how different wavelengths focus.
When it matters: When you want cleaner edges and less color fringing in high-contrast scenes.
Importance: MEDIUM
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.0 vs 2
5 points lower DxOMark score
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has a lower DxOMark overall score than the average camera lens (21 vs 26). The average lens has a DxOMark overall score of 26.
What it is: The combined DxOMark lens rating based on lab-tested optical performance.
When it matters: When you want a quick lab-based summary of overall optical performance before comparing lenses in detail.
Importance: HIGH
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM has a lower DxOMark overall score than the average camera lens (21 vs 26). The average lens has a DxOMark overall score of 26.21 vs 26
Older release date
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM was released earlier than the average camera lens.
What it is: The date when the lens model was first officially introduced.
When it matters: When you prefer a newer optical design with more modern autofocus, coatings, or stabilization features.
Importance: LOW
Canon EF-M 22mm F 2 STM was released earlier than the average camera lens.2012 vs 2016

Expert reviews

digitalcameraworld.com

15/06/2022

Summary of the review

Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM review | Digital Camera World

The Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM is a remarkably compact and lightweight "pancake" prime lens designed specifically for Canon’s APS-C format EOS M mirrorless system cameras. Weighing just 105 grams and measuring under an inch in length, it provides a classic 35mm effective focal length that makes it highly portable and ideal for stealthy street photography and all-day casual shooting. Its optical configuration consists of 7 elements in 6 groups, including an aspherical element to minimize physical size and aberrations, alongside Super Spectra coatings to reduce ghosting and flare. Performance-wise, the lens delivers respectable center sharpness and contrast, zero distortion even uncorrected in-camera, and a short 6-inch minimum focusing distance that allows for close-up shots with a smooth bokeh. The review highlights several prominent pros and cons for prospective buyers. On the positive side, the lens is exceptionally lightweight, stands at less than an inch long, and features a durable metal mounting plate rather than plastic. It also features a quick and very quiet STM (Stepping Motor) autofocus system. On the negative side, the lens completely lacks optical image stabilization...

dxomark.com

11/09/2013

Summary of the review

Canon EF-M 22mm f2.0 STM lens review - DxOMark

The DXOMARK Canon EF-M 22mm f2.0 STM review highlights this pancake prime lens as a decent performer, earning a total score of 21 points. Pros of this wide-angle lens include high overall sharpness peaking at 13 P-Mpix and strong edge-to-edge clarity when stopped down past f/2.8. It features a complex optical construction—7 elements in 6 groups—yet remains incredibly compact at 23.7mm long and lightweight at just 105g. Additionally, it boasts reasonably low levels of chromatic aberration and utilizes a quiet linear stepper motor (STM) that provides discreet autofocusing ideal for video capture. On the flip side, the lens suffers from notable cons regarding light management and initial frame consistency. Specifically, DXOMARK notes that it exhibits quite high vignetting when shooting wide open at its maximum aperture, though it becomes well-controlled starting at f/2.8. Furthermore, its light transmission rating sits lower than ideal at 2.3 T-stops. Edge-to-edge sharpness is also compromised at the widest settings, as the lens requires users to step down to at least f/2.8 to achieve uniform clarity across the entire frame.

pointsinfocus.com

16/10/2013

Summary of the review

Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM Lens Review

The Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM is a highly compact, "pancake" prime lens that serves as an excellent, lightweight option for the EOS M mirrorless system. It features a solid, well-damped electronic focus-by-wire ring that mimics the feel of vintage manual lenses. Optically, the lens delivers exceptional performance, providing center-to-corner sharpness that easily beats out the system's standard kit zoom when stopped down to f/4. Additionally, it exhibits virtually nonexistent image distortion. Its 43mm filter thread is incredibly small, which helps keep the overall setup sleek and ideal for one-handed shooting. However, the lens has several design and operational drawbacks. The focus ring takes up half of the lens barrel and lacks physical hard stops, which can cause users to accidentally turn the focus ring instead of unlocking the lens from the camera mount. Autofocus performance is noticeably slower than the 18-55mm zoom lens—taking 0.48 seconds to focus from infinity to three feet—and its unit-extension focusing mechanism makes a faint rubbing noise during still photography. For video creators, the lens lacks optical image stabilization and suffers from visible focus breathing,...

photozone.de

N/A

Summary of the review

Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM - Review / Lens Test - OpticalLimits

The OpticalLimits (formerly PhotoZone) review of the Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM highlights it as a highly capable pancake prime lens tailored for the EOS M mirrorless system. The pros of this lens include its exceptionally compact pancake design and lightweight build of just 105g, which makes it an ideal "take-me-everywhere" option for street photography when paired with a body like the EOS M3. Optically, it provides a versatile "35mm" full-frame equivalent field of view and delivers a fast f/2 aperture. The reviewer notes that image quality features great center sharpness throughout the aperture range, very impressive borders, minimal image distortions, and well-controlled lateral chromatic aberrations. Mechanically, its build quality is solid with a smooth, highly precise "by-wire" manual focusing ring and a stepping motor (STM) that operates noiselessly. However, the review details several notable cons regarding the lens's performance and system limitations. Optically, there is visible softness in the image corners at large apertures, which is exacerbated by field curvature. Additionally, vignetting remains on the higher side even when the lens is stopped down, and the bokeh is described...

sansmirror.com

N/A

Summary of the review

Canon 22mm f/2 STM EF-M Lens Review | Sans Mirror | Thom Hogan

The Canon 22mm f/2 STM EF-M is an exceptionally compact and lightweight pancake lens weighing just 3.7 ounces (105g) and measuring roughly one inch in length, making it a highly portable 35mm-equivalent option for EOS M bodies. Structurally simple with 7 elements in 6 groups, it features a 7-bladed rounded diaphragm, a 43mm filter thread, and a thin front focus ring. In terms of advantages, the lens boasts very fast and virtually silent autofocus performance due to its lightweight internal mass. Its center sharpness is excellent even when shot wide open at f/2, reaching peak performance across most of the frame by f/4. Additionally, it offers impressive perspective versatility by focusing as closely as 5.9 inches (0.15m), and it suffers from virtually non-existent, ignorable linear distortion. On the downside, the lens exhibits severe vignetting that never drops below two-thirds of a stop, measuring a heavy one and two-thirds stops in the corners at f/2 and remaining noticeable even when stopped down. Optical sharpness drops significantly at the extreme edges, yielding terrible corners at f/2 that only become fair at f/2.8...

norberteder.photography

04/03/2024

Summary of the review

Review: Canon EF-M 22mm - Norbert Eder Photography

In this review, Norbert Eder strongly recommends the Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 as a top-tier prime lens for the Canon EOS M series, particularly highlighting its outstanding price-to-performance ratio. The reviewer considers it a permanent fixture in his travel gear due to its ultralight weight of 105 grams and compact size, making it a perfect match for smaller bodies like the Canon EOS M50. Optically, the lens delivers far better image quality than its sub-200 Euro price tag implies, featuring a wide f/2 maximum aperture that easily handles low-light situations while producing smooth, quiet, and jitter-free autofocus thanks to its stepping motor (STM) technology. While the overview paints a highly positive picture, a balanced assessment reveals specific trade-offs inherent to its design. On the pros side, the lens excels in affordability, exceptional center sharpness, portability for on-the-go reportage, and video-friendly quiet focusing. However, analyzing the cons from standard technical assessments of this pancake lens points to notable vignetting (corner shading) when shooting wide open at f/2, some soft flaring in direct bright light, a very thin manual focus ring that...

photografix-magazin.de

01/05/2021

Summary of the review

These are the 6 best Canon EF-M lenses [2022]

The reviewed article highlights the top six Canon EF-M lenses tailored for APS-C mirrorless cameras like the EOS M50 and M200, emphasizing that the system is highly compact, budget-friendly, and ideal for hobbyists. It recommends that beginners start with the 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM kit lens due to its excellent bundle value, before upgrading to prime lenses. For general use, the 22mm f/2.0 STM is heavily praised as a light, affordable pancake lens, with the sharper and faster 32mm f/1.4 STM serving as a premium alternative. Specialized photography needs are addressed with the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN for portraits, the Canon 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM for wide-angle landscape shots, the lightweight 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM for telephoto zoom, and the 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM featuring built-in front LEDs for macro enthusiasts. Pros and Cons of the System Lenses: Pros: Lenses like the 22mm prime and 55-200mm telephoto are praised for being exceptionally lightweight, compact, and highly affordable, matching the design philosophy of the EOS M camera bodies. Performance highlights include the superb sharpness and low-light capabilities of the...

digitalkamera.de

23/12/2012

Summary of the review

Review: Canon EOS M - digitalkamera.de

The Canon EOS M is a compact, well-built mirrorless camera praised for its premium feel, excellent touchscreen interface, and very good image quality up to ISO 1600. It features a sharp kit lens and, with an adapter, provides access to Canon's extensive EF lens library. Conversely, the camera's major drawbacks include an extremely slow hybrid autofocus that hampers usability and a, grip-less, slippery,, body, design,. Overall, while delivering great image quality, the sluggish performance limits its suitability for fast-moving subjects.

lesnumeriques.com

07/12/2012

Summary of the review

The Canon EOS M goes head-to-head!

In this review, Les Numériques gives the Canon EOS M a very low score of 2 out of 5 stars. The primary pros center around its image quality and hardware capabilities. Inheriting the 18-megapixel APS-C sensor from the EOS 650D DSLR, the camera delivers crisp, beautiful photos with highly manageable grain up to 3200 ISO. Additionally, using the camera with the EF-M 22mm f/2 pancake lens completely eliminates geometric distortion and chromatic aberrations, yielding excellent sharpness all the way to the edges of the frame. On the downside, the Les Numériques testing process reveals severe performance and optical limitations. When paired with the standard EF-M 18-55mm kit lens, the camera suffers from poor JPEG distortion corrections and noticeable chromatic aberrations in the corners. Low-light shooting is another major weak point; pushed to 6400 ISO, image details begin to blur from heavy noise smoothing, while the maximum extended setting of 25,600 ISO suffers from omnipresent digital noise and a near-total loss of fine details. Historically, the review site also penalized the device for its unacceptably slow autofocus system and subpar battery...

phototrend.fr

19/10/2017

Summary of the review

Testing the Canon EOS M5, Canon's best mirrorless camera

The Canon EOS M5 is an expert-level mirrorless camera featuring a 24.2 MP APS-C sensor, a Digic 7 processor, and a built-in OLED electronic viewfinder. Designed like a miniaturized Canon DSLR, it offers comfortable ergonomics with a deep grip, simple menus, and three customizable dials for quick exposure settings. The camera's Dual Pixel AF system delivers precise tracking across 80% of the sensor, which performs exceptionally well for both photography and smooth video transitions. Image quality is strong up to ISO 1600, producing clean RAW files with Canon’s signature color science, while its continuous shooting speeds hit a respectable 7 to 9 frames per second. However, the reviewer highlights several significant limitations that make the EOS M5 struggle against its mirrorless competition. It lacks a fully electronic silent shutter mode, does not support 4K video recording, and lacks in-body image stabilization (IBIS), relying instead on lens stabilization or a digital 5-axis video crop. Autofocus tracking accuracy and EVF refresh rates also noticeably degrade in low-light conditions. Furthermore, the native EF-M lens ecosystem is quite limited, lacking constant-aperture zooms or fast...

dxomark.fr

11/07/2012

Summary of the review

Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM - Specifications and Measurements

The Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM is a compact pancake prime lens evaluated by DXOMARK as a high-quality, moderately wide-angle option yielding a 35mm equivalent field of view. Priced at an indicative $250, it achieved an overall DXOMARK score of 21 with a notable 13 P-Mpix sharpness score. Major pros highlighted in the assessment include its ultra-light 105g weight, an incredibly slim 23.7mm aluminum barrel, and a bright f/2 maximum aperture that ensures high image quality. Additionally, its integrated linear STM autofocus motor provides smooth, discreet refocusing that benefits video capture, complemented by a versatile full-time manual focus collar. On the downside, the lens lacks optical image stabilization (IS), which limits its steadiness during handheld video recording or low-light shooting without a tripod. Optical testing also reveals a cons profile that includes noticeable wide-open vignetting at -2 EV and some edge softness at the wider apertures, though geometric distortion remains minimal at 0%. Ultimately, DXOMARK considers its combination of 7 lens elements in 6 groups to deliver excellent value for street, landscape, and reportage photography, provided users can work around...

photo-review.com

18/11/2013

Summary of the review

Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM Photo Review

The Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM is a compact "pancake" lens designed for the EOS M mirrorless system that balances lightweight portability with high optical performance. Equivalent to a 35mm lens in full-frame format, it is highly versatile for urban snapshots, journalism, interior photography, and low-light environments. Optically, the lens delivers excellent image quality, offering linear resolution, faithful color rendering, and a high level of contrast that easily outperforms the standard EF-M kit zoom lenses. Its bright f/2 maximum aperture allows for efficient low-light shooting and creates a smooth, creamy bokeh effect when separating a subject from the background. Additionally, its STM stepping motor provides near-silent autofocus, making it particularly well-suited for video recording. On the downside, the physical build quality is a major drawback, as the entirely plastic construction feels cheap and lacks the premium feel expected from Canon. Ergonomically, the focus ring is quite narrow, and the lens completely omits a physical AF/MF switch, forcing users to navigate the camera menus to toggle manual focus. Furthermore, while the autofocus system operates quietly, it is noticeably slower for still...

clubdelbokeh.wordpress.com

29/10/2013

Summary of the review

Canon EF-M 22mm f/2.0 STM - Review and Field Test

The Club del Bokeh review highlights the Canon EF-M 22mm f/2.0 STM as an essential, "must-have" pancake prime lens for the EOS M mirrorless system. Delivering a 35.2mm full-frame equivalent field of view, this highly portable, 105-gram lens is praised as an ideal choice for street photography and everyday walk-around shooting. The reviewer notes that its building quality feels solid despite its plastic and lightweight design, while its bright f/2.0 maximum aperture enables effortless low-light shooting without a flash. Center sharpness is respectable wide open and becomes completely perfect starting at f/4.0, while chromatic aberrations and purple fringing remain incredibly well-controlled. However, the review points out several distinct weaknesses, most notably the sluggish autofocus speed, which makes it challenging to capture spontaneous moments in fast-paced street photography. The reviewer attributes part of this lag to the camera body itself, but highlights that the lens is noticeably slower than the EF-M 18-55mm kit option. Optically, the lens suffers from heavy corner vignetting at f/2.0 and f/2.8, along with softer edge resolution before stopping down to f/4.0. Additionally, it lacks built-in optical...

riflessifotografici.com

13/04/2026

Summary of the review

Canon EOS M review (with an in-depth test of the 22mm f/2.0 STM)

The Canon EOS M packs the heart of a competent DSLR into a remarkably compact, robust, and lightweight metal body, utilizing an 18-megapixel APS-C sensor paired with a Digic 5 processor. Reviewer Donato Chirulli praised the camera's ability to produce excellent, well-defined images with a warm base characteristic and high raw file flexibility when processed through Canon's Digital Photo Professional (DPP) software. A significant asset is its lens mount adapter, which flawlessly integrates existing EF and EF-S reflex lenses into the system, retaining identical DSLR image quality and making it an ideal, cost-effective backup body for Canon shooters. Additionally, the dedicated EF-M 22mm f/2.0 STM and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lenses deliver surprisingly good sharpness, pleasant bokeh, and robust build quality despite their low price tags. However, the system suffers from distinct limitations, most notably the lack of an integrated viewfinder, a built-in flash, and a non-articulating rear touch screen that becomes difficult to read in bright sunlight. Autofocus performance is sluggish—a weak spot only partially corrected by firmware version 2.0.2—making it unsuitable for action or sports photography. Noise control...

eoszine.nl

06/09/2016

Summary of the review

EF-M 22mm f/2 STM Review - EOSzine

The EOSzine review of the Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM praises the pancake lens for delivering exceptional corner-to-corner sharpness at f/2, practically invisible distortion, and lightning-fast autofocus for EOS M cameras. While strong vignetting at maximum aperture is noted, the review considers it easily corrected or a useful artistic effect for reportage photography.

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