Focusing On The M5 Vs M3 --- How Much Better?: Canon EOS M Talk ...

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Started Mar 27, 2017 | Discussions

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Ali • Senior Member • Posts: 2,454 Focusing on the M5 vs M3 --- how much better? Mar 27, 2017

I have an M3 and am eyeing the M5 or M6, and the main reason is focusing. Specifically:

1. speed of focusing

2. ability to focus in lower light

3. ability to focus with a smaller focus box

For those of you who moved from the M3 to the M5, do you find that the above areas are improved enough to get excited about?

Ali

Ali's gear list:Ali's gear list Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V Olympus TG-5 Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 Canon EOS M6 II Canon EOS R50 +1 more Canon EOS M3 If you believe there are incorrect tags, please send us this post using our feedback form. Reply to thread Reply with quote Complain (unknown member) • Senior Member • Posts: 2,153 Re: Focusing on the M5 vs M3 --- how much better? In reply to Ali • Mar 27, 2017

Yes.

Don't forget you can always rent/borrow an M5 now that it's out, or find one at a store to play with, if one is around (M5's are rare depending where you live).

Some BestBuy's in the USA carry the M5 + 18-150 kit, on display. But only select ones; check the website for the nearest one that shows in-stock for today.

Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain Cheezr • Senior Member • Posts: 1,446 Re: Focusing on the M5 vs M3 --- how much better? In reply to (unknown member) • Mar 29, 2017

How does the shutter sound compare? My M3 is very loud and sometimes people turn and look.

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PAST PERFORMANCE IS NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE RESULTS.

Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain 4xdog • Contributing Member • Posts: 556 Re: Focusing on the M5 vs M3 --- how much better? In reply to Ali • Mar 29, 2017 3

I moved from M3 to M5. In fact, I use both of them still. The M5 is VASTLY improved in focus speed. No contest, really. The M3 seems to get slower every time I return to it.

The M5 really struggles in low light, however. It's no better than the M3 and in fact might be worse. The M5 definitely likes light.

The small focus box hurts a lot.  I've defaulted to using the larger box on the M5 because focus was so unreliable with the small one.

Both of them do better with diagonal lines across the focus box than verticals, or even horizontals.

4xdog's gear list:4xdog's gear list Canon PowerShot SD870 IS Canon PowerShot S95 Canon G1 X II Canon EOS 5D Mark II Canon EOS M3 +12 more Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain OP Ali • Senior Member • Posts: 2,454 Re: Focusing on the M5 vs M3 --- how much better? In reply to 4xdog • Mar 29, 2017

4xdog wrote:

I moved from M3 to M5. In fact, I use both of them still. The M5 is VASTLY improved in focus speed. No contest, really. The M3 seems to get slower every time I return to it.

The M5 really struggles in low light, however. It's no better than the M3 and in fact might be worse. The M5 definitely likes light.

Ugh...

The small focus box hurts a lot. I've defaulted to using the larger box on the M5 because focus was so unreliable with the small one.

This too is unfortunate to hear...  I've been looking forward to the small box since the giant one on the M3 is one of my less favorite aspects of the camera.

Thanks for the response,

Ali

Both of them do better with diagonal lines across the focus box than verticals, or even horizontals.

Ali's gear list:Ali's gear list Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V Olympus TG-5 Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 Canon EOS M6 II Canon EOS R50 +1 more Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain OP Ali • Senior Member • Posts: 2,454 Re: Focusing on the M5 vs M3 --- how much better? In reply to (unknown member) • Mar 29, 2017

Lightgreen wrote:

Yes.

Don't forget you can always rent/borrow an M5 now that it's out, or find one at a store to play with, if one is around (M5's are rare depending where you live).

Some BestBuy's in the USA carry the M5 + 18-150 kit, on display. But only select ones; check the website for the nearest one that shows in-stock for today.

I am interested in impressions from folks who've used the M5 a while, but it's a good idea to also check one out in a store.  Or rental too.  Given the mixed feedback about focus box and low light, I may have to do that.

Thanks,

Ali

Ali's gear list:Ali's gear list Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V Olympus TG-5 Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 Canon EOS M6 II Canon EOS R50 +1 more Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain 4xdog • Contributing Member • Posts: 556 Re: Focusing on the M5 vs M3 --- how much better? In reply to Ali • Mar 29, 2017

Ali wrote:

4xdog wrote:

I moved from M3 to M5. In fact, I use both of them still. The M5 is VASTLY improved in focus speed. No contest, really. The M3 seems to get slower every time I return to it.

The M5 really struggles in low light, however. It's no better than the M3 and in fact might be worse. The M5 definitely likes light.

Ugh...

The small focus box hurts a lot. I've defaulted to using the larger box on the M5 because focus was so unreliable with the small one.

This too is unfortunate to hear... I've been looking forward to the small box since the giant one on the M3 is one of my less favorite aspects of the camera.

Thanks for the response,

Ali

Both of them do better with diagonal lines across the focus box than verticals, or even horizontals.

TBH, the "larger" box on the M5 is nowhere near as irritating or imprecise as the standard box on the M3.  It hasn't given me any significant problems, although I do wish focusing were more reliable with the small box.

4xdog's gear list:4xdog's gear list Canon PowerShot SD870 IS Canon PowerShot S95 Canon G1 X II Canon EOS 5D Mark II Canon EOS M3 +12 more Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain beagle1 • Forum Pro • Posts: 12,123 Re: Focusing on the M5 vs M3 --- how much better? In reply to Ali • Mar 29, 2017 1

Ali wrote:

I have an M3 and am eyeing the M5 or M6, and the main reason is focusing. Specifically:

1. speed of focusing

2. ability to focus in lower light

3. ability to focus with a smaller focus box

For those of you who moved from the M3 to the M5, do you find that the above areas are improved enough to get excited about?

Ali

haven't compared to the M3 but for me the M5 focuses fast (for sports) and pretty good in low light at least with the 22mm f/2 pancake prime

www.flickr.com/photos/mmirrorless

Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain Don Karner • Senior Member • Posts: 1,811 Re: Enjoyed seeing your shots In reply to beagle1 • Mar 29, 2017

on Flickr.  thanks for sharing the link.

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Ol' Don in Broken Arrow

Don Karner's gear list:Don Karner's gear list Canon EOS M Nikon D5300 Sony a7R II OM System OM-5 Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II +17 more Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain StevenSHH • Contributing Member • Posts: 609 Re: Focusing on the M5 vs M3 --- how much better? In reply to beagle1 • Mar 29, 2017

It really depends on the lens M uses when using EF-M 22m STM AF will work:

M5 EV -1 - 18 (at 23 °C, ISO 100, with EF-M 22mm f/2 STM)

VS

M3 AF working range EV 2-18 (at 23°C, ISO 100, with EF-M 22mm f/2 STM)

VS

M1/M2/M10 AF working range: EV 1-18 (at 23°C & ISO 100)

*Above are at same condition using same lens....

Basically M/M2 is slightly than M3 in AF performance at darker places, M5(M6 is probably same as well) is better than other M).

Performance Timing on M5:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/canon-eos-m5/canon-eos-m5DAT.HTM

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Have fun with photography! Start taking photos!!

StevenSHH's gear list:StevenSHH's gear list Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF 24-70mm F4L IS USM Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Canon EF-M 32mm F1.4 Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain (unknown member) • Senior Member • Posts: 2,153 Re: Focusing on the M5 vs M3 --- how much better? In reply to Cheezr • Mar 29, 2017 1

M3 is a ka-ching vs the tick of the M5. Both are loud compared to non-canon mirrorless offerings, but the M5's tick is "superior" in terms of being acoustically pleasing vs the M3.

Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain Mr Grinch • Contributing Member • Posts: 646 Re: Focusing on the M5 vs M3 --- how much better? In reply to Ali • Mar 30, 2017

Ali wrote:

4xdog wrote:

I moved from M3 to M5. In fact, I use both of them still. The M5 is VASTLY improved in focus speed. No contest, really. The M3 seems to get slower every time I return to it.

The M5 really struggles in low light, however. It's no better than the M3 and in fact might be worse. The M5 definitely likes light.

Ugh...

The small focus box hurts a lot. I've defaulted to using the larger box on the M5 because focus was so unreliable with the small one.

This too is unfortunate to hear... I've been looking forward to the small box since the giant one on the M3 is one of my less favorite aspects of the camera.

Thanks for the response,

Ali

Both of them do better with diagonal lines across the focus box than verticals, or even horizontals.

Rotating the camera 45 degrees, locking focus and recomposing helps in low contrast situations.

Due to the high contrast EVF and control layout, the M5 is easier to switch into Manual Focus and see the focus peaking cues than the M3. Finding that I am using MF far more than I did in the M3.

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"Remember, it's the camera, not the photographer!"

Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain 4xdog • Contributing Member • Posts: 556 Re: Focusing on the M5 vs M3 --- how much better? In reply to Mr Grinch • Mar 30, 2017 1

Yes indeed -- a 45º rotation will often get focus lock when normal field of view doesn't stand a chance.

4xdog's gear list:4xdog's gear list Canon PowerShot SD870 IS Canon PowerShot S95 Canon G1 X II Canon EOS 5D Mark II Canon EOS M3 +12 more Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain

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