Opinion: EOS-M transition that never was

I had the original M6 and the M6 MK II the 32mm lens was a hidden gem and the 22mm stayed on my M6 as my compact carry-around camera. Gave the M6 to my son to make YouTube fishing videos on his channel Fly Fishing With Colby.
Even though I loved them for what they were I do also have an R6 I use for my sports photography and the two mounts limited my versatility. I had tried using my M6 MK II with my EF 100-400L with surprising results but clunky use. Just last month I came to the realization that it was the end of the road for the M system and sold my M6 MK II and lenses and picked up the R8 and RF28mm. It is nearly as compact as the M6 MK II and gives me a second cam for sideline shots. It even stays pretty balanced with the RF 24-105L. I took the R8 to a fair recently with the RF 35mm 1.8 and got some fantastic results in a VERY compact setup.
It's sad because I really did like the M-Mount and hope that Canon develops some kind of compact APSC G series style camera. I also really liked the flip-up screen for photography and no viewfinder to make the camera smaller.
 
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There is no M6 Mk 2 replacement. The M6 mk 2 is still priced $1000 because of it'ss small footprint, options, Sigma support, and no EVF hump. It's simply a perfect travel camera and works on a compact gimbal, because of it's small footprint. Regardless of attempts for years to dismiss it. Until Canon has a similar footprint with similar options, it will still be priced $1000. It sells. It looks like a cheap compact camera from afar and doesn't draw attention. Canon's latest releases simply don't replace it.
 
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I brought the R8+28mm on the current trip, it fits nicely in my coat pocket :) Or next to the R5+100-500L in any bag, it nicely fits in awkward spaces.
R series cameras are too large for my travels and carry on needs. The M6 mk 2 is perfect. Personally, I'm not traveling abroad with any of the R series cameras. I don't need anything with an EVF hump. If I need a pro body while traveling, I can rent one. I leave my R5 at home when traveling. Its too large for me, and takes up entirely too much space. My smartphone and M6mk2 is the perfect travel combo. Never have to return to the room to secure anything. When Canon gets around to replacing the 32.5mp M6mk2 with an equivalent footprint without an EVF, maybe I may upgrade. Until then, my M6mk2 is perfect for travel.
 
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I really wish I'd never bought into the M-system. I've given all that gear to people with even worse cameras. There was only 6 years between the introduction of the M-system and the R-system. I see no technical reason why the original M couldn't have been introduced with the R-mount.
 
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I think this whole thing is largely tied into size and convenience. People that want a tiny formfactor today are likely to bring their phone over a MILC camera. The battery in these smaller cameras can't power the larger lenses, so we have a divided user base. If you want small, the majority of people are going to pull out their phone. If you want more than point and shoot (which the M series is and isn't) then you are going all in for a larger body and lenses.

While the M series did offer significant versatility, it has been somewhat eclipsed by mobile devices. Carrying a full size camera is engrained in my DNA. I'm old enough now that this will probably not change. I'm willing to be inconvenienced, or to be the guy with the camera and big lenses. For others, maybe they don't want to carry or present themselves with this. I won't show up with a big camera and lens at a party or wedding, but if I'm out and about, I'll have my camera. Phones continue to get better, but I enjoy my larger camera. Smaller cameras had their place, but like it or not, mobile devices do a pretty good job now, they are all smaller and lighter than just about any M series camera, and lens combo. The M series was never for me, but I'm happy for others who wanted it. Buy what you like.
 
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can't power the larger lenses
M6 II does very well with an EF 100-400. And using it with small lenses is nice for traveling, casual use, active sports (participating not spectator) and dangerous environments where it has to fit in small protective cases.

Smartphones still can't do anything in lowlight with moving subject's.
 
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The M6 II still is....but also is inferior to modern Sony small formfactor cameras.

View attachment 212349

M6 II with RF Mount, tight fit but possible. :D
Thanks for the comparison.
I think, even if an "RM6" (Let's call it "R11") is some 5 mm higher, no one would be upset.
Maybe we could get the FF R8 into that size. Include a pluggable EVF.
Then I'd be fully torn into that idea and start saving ;)
 
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A compact ILC body should have a compact lens mount. A good selection of RF-S lenses could mute this suggestion to a degree, but even if that becomes a reality, there will be those who want to push beyond that form factor and into longer and/or more specialized FF (or even EF-S) lenses, which will always be more of an ergonomic challenge for R50/R100 (and maybe R10) users than they are for M system users.
 
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The battery in these smaller cameras can't power the larger lenses, so we have a divided user base.
the LP-E17 was in the EOS-RP. I never heard of any issues with it and larger lenses, same with the DSLR's that used the LP-E17.

Obviously the larger batteries in the 1 series allowed super telephotos to be AF'ed quicker, but I've never heard of issues using the rebels and super tele's.
 
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I really wish I'd never bought into the M-system. I've given all that gear to people with even worse cameras. There was only 6 years between the introduction of the M-system and the R-system. I see no technical reason why the original M couldn't have been introduced with the R-mount.

You have it reversed really. at the time of the M mount, Canon didn't even begin to look at the RF mount that came later.

I suspect Canon wishes they put a larger mount on the EF-M system as well, becuase it would have saved them some headaches.
 
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