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Canon 650D vs Canon M

The Canon EOS 650D (called Canon T4i in some regions) and the Canon EOS M are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in June 2012 and July 2012. The 650D is a DSLR, while the Canon M is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 17.9 megapixels.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Canon 650D
versus
Canon M
Canon 650D   Canon M
Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
Canon EF mount lenses Canon EF-M mount lenses
17.9 MP – APS-C sensor 17.9 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/30p Video 1080/30p Video
ISO 100-12,800 (100 - 25,600) ISO 100-12,800 (100 - 25,600)
Optical viewfinder No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots 3.0" LCD – 1040k dots
Swivel touchscreen Fixed touchscreen
5 shutter flaps per second 4.3 shutter flaps per second
440 shots per battery charge230 shots per battery charge
133 x 100 x 79 mm, 575 g 109 x 66 x 32 mm, 298 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 650D and the Canon EOS M? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon 650D and the Canon M is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The Canon M can be obtained in two different colors (black, white), while the 650D is only available in black.

Size Canon 650D vs Canon M
Compare 650D versus Canon M top
Comparison 650D or Canon M rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon M is considerably smaller (46 percent) than the Canon 650D. Moreover, the Canon M is substantially lighter (48 percent) than the 650D. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 650D nor the Canon M are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the 650D gets 440 shots out of its Canon LP-E8 battery, while the Canon M can take 230 images on a single charge of its Canon LP-E12 power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 650D 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 575 g 440 n Jun 2012 849ebay.com
2.
 
Canon M 109 mm 66 mm 32 mm 298 g 230 n Jul 2012 599ebay.com
3.
 
Canon M100 108 mm 67 mm 35 mm 302 g 295 n Aug 2017 499ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 750D 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 555 g 440 n Feb 2015 749ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 760D 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 565 g 440 n Feb 2015 649ebay.com
6.
 
Canon M10 108 mm 67 mm 35 mm 301 g 255 n Oct 2015 499ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 1200D 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 480 g 500 n Feb 2014 449ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 100D 117 mm 91 mm 69 mm 407 g 380 n Mar 2013 549ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 700D 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 580 g 440 n Mar 2013 649ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SL1 117 mm 91 mm 69 mm 407 g 380 n Mar 2013 549ebay.com
11.
 
Canon T5i 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 580 g 440 n Mar 2013 649ebay.com
12.
 
Canon G1 X 117 mm 81 mm 65 mm 534 g 250 n Jan 2012 799ebay.com
13.
 
Canon 600D 133 mm 100 mm 80 mm 570 g 440 n Feb 2011 599ebay.com
14.
 
Canon 1100D 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 495 g 700 n Feb 2011 449ebay.com
15.
 
Canon T3i 133 mm 100 mm 80 mm 570 g 440 n Feb 2011 599ebay.com
16.
 
Canon 550D 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 530 g 440 n Feb 2010 699ebay.com
17.
 
Canon 500D 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 520 g 400 n Mar 2009 799ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Canon M was launched at a markedly lower price (by 29 percent) than the 650D, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Canon 650D and Canon M sensor measures

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 17.9 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the 650D and the Canon M have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. Moreover, the two cameras were released in close succession, so that their sensors are from the same technological generation.

The Canon EOS 650D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600. The Canon EOS M offers exactly the same ISO settings.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

650D versus Canon M MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon 650D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.272262
2.
 
Canon M APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.282765
3.
 
Canon M100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.512.9127278
4.
 
Canon 750D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.712.091971
5.
 
Canon 760D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.612.091570
6.
 
Canon M10 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.211.475365
7.
 
Canon 1200D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.372463
8.
 
Canon 100D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.811.384363
9.
 
Canon 700D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.268161
10.
 
Canon SL1 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.811.384363
11.
 
Canon T5i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.268161
12.
 
Canon G1 X 1.5-inch 14.2 4352 32641080/24p21.710.864460
13.
 
Canon 600D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.579365
14.
 
Canon 1100D APS-C 12.2 4272 2848720/30p21.911.075562
15.
 
Canon T3i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.579365
16.
 
Canon 550D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.578466
17.
 
Canon 500D APS-C 15.1 4752 31681080/20p21.711.566363
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/30p).

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the 650D has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the Canon M relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon 650D, the Canon M, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon 650Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
2.
 
Canon Mnone n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.3/s n n
3.
 
Canon M100none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.1/s Y n
4.
 
Canon 750Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon 760Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon M10none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 4.6/s Y n
7.
 
Canon 1200Doptical n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
8.
 
Canon 100Doptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.9/s Y n
9.
 
Canon 700Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
10.
 
Canon SL1optical n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.9/s Y n
11.
 
Canon T5ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
12.
 
Canon G1 Xoptical n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/4000s 1.9/s Y Y
13.
 
Canon 600Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
14.
 
Canon 1100Doptical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
15.
 
Canon T3ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
16.
 
Canon 550Doptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
17.
 
Canon 500Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.4/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The 650D has one, while the Canon M does not. While the built-in flash of the 650D is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The 650D has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the Canon M does not have a selfie-screen.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the 650D and the Canon M write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 650D and Canon EOS M and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon 650DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
2.
 
Canon MYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
3.
 
Canon M100-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
4.
 
Canon 750DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
5.
 
Canon 760DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
6.
 
Canon M10-stereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
7.
 
Canon 1200DYmono / mono--mini2.0---
8.
 
Canon 100DYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
9.
 
Canon 700DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
10.
 
Canon SL1Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
11.
 
Canon T5iYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
12.
 
Canon G1 XYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
13.
 
Canon 600DYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
14.
 
Canon 1100DYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
15.
 
Canon T3iYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
16.
 
Canon 550DYstereo / -Y-mini2.0---
17.
 
Canon 500DYmono / mono--mini2.0---
padding

Both the 650D and the Canon M have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 650D was replaced by the Canon 700D, while the Canon M was followed by the Canon EOS M3. Further information on the features and operation of the 650D and Canon M can be found, respectively, in the Canon 650D Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon M Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon 650D and the Canon M? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.


Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS 650D:

  • Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
  • More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (5 vs 4.3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (440 versus 230) on a single battery charge.
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.


Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS M:

  • More compact: Is smaller (109x66mm vs 133x100mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 277g or 48 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (29 percent cheaper at launch).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the 650D emerges as the winner of the contest (6 : 4 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

650D 06:04 Canon M

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 650D and the Canon M place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the 650D and the Canon M in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 650D4/5+ +..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2012 849ebay.com
2.
 
Canon M3/5+....4/54/5 Jul 2012 599ebay.com
3.
 
Canon M1003/5+....4/53.5/5 Aug 2017 499ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 750D5/5....75/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 749ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 760D5/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 649ebay.com
6.
 
Canon M10..........4/5 Oct 2015 499ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 1200D3/5+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2014 449ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 100D4/5+..78/1004/54/5 Mar 2013 549ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 700D......76/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2013 649ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SL14/5+..78/1004/54/5 Mar 2013 549ebay.com
11.
 
Canon T5i......76/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2013 649ebay.com
12.
 
Canon G1 X5/5+..76/1004/54.5/5 Jan 2012 799ebay.com
13.
 
Canon 600D3/5o..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2011 599ebay.com
14.
 
Canon 1100D..80/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2011 449ebay.com
15.
 
Canon T3i3/5o..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2011 599ebay.com
16.
 
Canon 550D..+ +..77/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2010 699ebay.com
17.
 
Canon 500D..+ +..74/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2009 799ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Canon 650D vs Canon M

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon 650D Canon M
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses Canon EF-M mount lenses
    Launch Date June 2012 July 2012
    Launch Price USD 849 USD 599
    Sensor Specs Canon 650D Canon M
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.3 x 14.9 mm 22.3 x 14.9 mm
    Sensor Area 332.27 mm2 332.27 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.8 mm 26.8 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x 1.6x
    Sensor Resolution 17.9 Megapixels 17.9 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5184 x 3456 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.31 μm 4.31 μm
    Pixel Density 5.39 MP/cm2 5.39 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video 1080/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 12,800 ISO 100 - 12,800 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 25,600 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 5 DIGIC V
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 62 65
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 21.7 22.1
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.2 11.2
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 722 827
    Screen Specs Canon 650D Canon M
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder no viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.53x
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots 1040k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen Fixed screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Canon 650D Canon M
    Focus System Phase-detect AF On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Continuous Shooting 5 shutter flaps/s 4.3 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations100 000 actuations
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Canon 650D Canon M
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port External MIC port
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Canon 650D Canon M
    Battery Type Canon LP-E8 Canon LP-E12
    Battery Life (CIPA)440 shots per charge230 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 133 x 100 x 79 mm
    (5.2 x 3.9 x 3.1 in)
    109 x 66 x 32 mm
    (4.3 x 2.6 x 1.3 in)
    Camera Weight 575 g (20.3 oz) 298 g (10.5 oz)
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