Long before the RF mount, the EF-M mount reigned supreme. But is Canon EF-M dead? Well, not according to Canon, who, presumably, still have inventory to sell. Nevertheless, it appears Canon’s EF-M mount has had its day, and RF-S is here to stay. Here’s why. Jump to Conclusion
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Is Canon EF-M Dead?
While Canon has yet to officially discontinue the EF-M system, it seems clear that the whole EF-M system is about to follow the Nikon 1 system into the camera afterlife. Here’s why.
No new EF-M cameras
The EF-M system is headlined by the Canon M6ii – a nice camera by any measure, but one released in August 2019. More recently, in 2020, Canon released the M50ii – a camera that was little more than an incremental upgrade on 2018’s Canon M50. Also telling is the lack of a follow-up to the Canon M5 – a truly wonderful camera begging for modern tweaks.
While things may be quiet on the EF-M front, Canon has launched 12 cameras since the Canon M6ii and six since the Canon M50ii. So clearly, Canon likes making lots of cameras. Just not EF-M cameras.
No new EF-M lenses
Currently, Canon USA lists four of the seven EF-M lenses it made for the system. Notably absent are the Canon EF-M 22mm F2 and Canon EF-M 32mm F1.4, the latter being the latest EF-M lens released as far back as 2018.
Yet, since 2018, Canon has released 28 non-EF-M lenses, including three RF-S lenses, which takes us to the third nail in EF-M’s coffin.
RF-S
Like EF-M lenses, RF-S lenses are designed for cameras using Canon’s smaller APS-C sensor. But unlike EF-M lenses, RF-S lenses are fully compatible with Canon’s R mount.
As a result, you can attach an RF-S lens to a Canon R Full Frame camera, albeit in cropped mode. Or, attach one of Canon’s Full Frame RF lenses to your Canon APS-C camera. In contrast, EF-M lenses mount to EF-M cameras only.
Furthermore, Canon has released three RF-S lenses and three cameras in the last two years compared to zero EF-M cameras or lenses.
Should you buy a Canon EF-M camera?
Although there is nothing wrong with the Canon R50ii, M200, or M6ii – I would say no. In the coming years, replacing or repairing EF-M cameras and lenses will be increasingly difficult, and ultimately, you may need to buy into a new system.
Therefore, you might save money and trouble and buy into the right system now. Obviously, a great place to start is Canon’s own RF-S system. Alternatively, you could buy into Fuji’s APS-C-centric X system or the Micro Four Thirds platform, with both being an embarrassment of riches in terms of lens and camera choice.
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Conclusion – is EF-M dead?
Canon has made 28 lenses since 2018 – and none of them were for EF-M. Likewise, since 2020, Canon has released 12 cameras, with only the Canon M50ii being EF-M compliant. And out of the handful of EF-M lenses Canon produced, only four remain on sale via its own US website.
Of course, Canon could announce two new EF-M cameras tomorrow and a fleet of lenses. But, if they intend to do that, why would Canon produce a system to rival its own EF-M system in RF-S?
Therefore, it is easy to assume that Canon will officially discontinue EF-M to focus on its R mount-compliant RF-S system.
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