Canon EOS M200 Mirrorless Digital Camera Review

The Canon EOS M200 is a solid entry level mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC), and an ideal choice for beginner photographers. For years, when it was time to buy your first ‘serious camera’ the answer was always to get an SLR—a single lens reflex camera. That is no longer the case.

When you are ready to step up from your phone camera, or even your typical compact point and shoot, the best options now are mirrorless digital cameras. There are very sophisticated mirrorless cameras with more compact and lighter bodies than an SLR could ever hope to be. Plus, you will tap into the ranges of superior lenses that mirrorless systems deliver.

The EOS M200 is the successor to the EOS M100 that came out in 2017. There are not a huge number of changes that come with the M200. However, Eye Detect autofocus is one welcome addition, as is the ability to now shoot 4K video.

The standard kit for the Canon EOS M200 includes the EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens. In the box you will also find the LP-E12 battery pack plus LC-E12 battery charger, and a neck strap.

The Canon EOS M200 at a glance

Pros

1. Very compact and light mirrorless camera
2. High resolution 24MP sensor
3. Dual pixel autofocus with face and eye detection
4. 3″ tilting screen, that flips 180º up for selfies & vlogging

Cons

1. 4K video is heavily cropped
2. No electronic viewfinder (EVF)
3. No mic jack, or hot shoe
4. No charging via USB
5. EF-M lens selection not extensive

Review Summary

The EOS M200 is not a camera that is going to wow anyone by having the most impressive features and technology. Though, it does contain the new DIGIC 8 processor, which is the same as used in the Canon’s latest full-frame mirrorless cameras. What it will do is give you great images from a very compact form.

It uses a APS-C size CMOS image sensor that is 24.1 megapixels. The senor is 22.3 x 14.9mm, with the maximum image size being 6000 x 4000 pixels. This is a cropped frame sensor, but it is still at least four times the size of what you will get in the average smartphone.

Build quality is in line with this being an entry level camera. The body lacks an electronic viewfinder, and you won’t get any finger grip, hot shoe for external flash, nor multiple control dials. For these features, look to the older Canon EOS M50.
However, this is a camera whose intended audience is probably going to use it primarily in the fully automatic mode. They will be happy to let the camera choose the best settings and trust it to be correct. The built-in flash on the EOS M200 is decent, and has the added ability to be pulled back and angled up to use as a bounce flash.

There are plenty of easy to apply creative options, and RAW files can be processed in-camera using Canon’s Creative Assist function. This is perfect for those who do not have access to software that will process RAW files. Or, anyone who wants a quick option that allows them to get nicely edited images up on social media as quickly as possible.

The connectivity is also great. Controlling the Canon EOS M200 and browsing images via bluetooth is very simple and intuitive. The Canon EOS-M mount also has a decent, but small range of high quality lenses available that cover most typical shooting situations.

Who is the Canon EOS M200 for?

For those people who enjoy taking images with their phone, but now want to go beyond its limits, the EOS M200 is a great option. The EOS M200 is positioned as an ideal budget-friendly first interchangeable lens camera. The image quality definitely surpasses images that coming out of smartphones, yet it won’t feel like lugging a big camera around.

It also offers users the ability to improve their knowledge of photography, by accessing greater control if they wish. Better background blur, improved low light performance and more video options too. It is suitable for travelers, as well as for documenting social and family gatherings.
It is clear that Canon also has social media users specifically in mind with the EOS M200. They have released a special content creators bundle. Included is a 32 GB SDHC memory card and a handy Tripod Grip (HG-100TBR) that features a detachable bluetooth remote. This is a neat little set up for some vlogging.
However, photographers who want to really take control over their images could be frustrated by the EOS M200. It won’t provide quite enough options to allow the user to really experiment and take charge. And, it can take a few button presses and a bit of menu scrolling to change settings and achieve the desired results.

The EOS M200 also does not cope well with fast moving and unpredictable subjects. The burst speed is only about 6fps, without continuous focus. Take a look instead at the Sony a6100 for superior subject tracking and autofocus.

Key Features and Benefits of the Canon EOS M200 Mirrorless Digital Camera

Autofocus system

The EOS M200 shares the same Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus that Canon uses across all its EOS mirrorless bodies. As with other mirrorless systems, the sensors for autofocus are located on the actual image sensor. This is direct and more accurate than dSLR autofocus systems.

It uses up to 143 points for AF, and coverage is up to 88% horizontal and 100% vertical of the frame. Canon notes that actual coverage depends on the lens used, and for some lenses coverage will only be 80% horizontal and 80% vertical. However, that is still enough to focus on subjects well off center in the frame.

Canon cameras have always had solid autofocus. It is generally fast and accurate. For non-moving subjects in good light, the EOS M200 hits the mark well. There is a built-in LED focus assist beam, and the camera is rated to focus down to -4 EV. But, this little M200 is still going to hunt a bit in low light.

The EOS M200 comes with the very reassuring Eye Detect autofocus. This is an upgrade from the Face Detect autofocus of its predecessor, the M100. Eye Detect autofocus means you get real time feedback that the camera has your subject correctly selected, and you will get the result you need without any guesswork.
Rating: 4/5

Ergonomics & Controls

The EOS 200M is made to be as straightforward and approachable as possible. It is simple and there are not a lot of buttons or direct controls. To be fair, that is exactly how the target audience will like it. This is a camera for people who most of the time will want the camera to do much of the thinking for them.

It is a compact camera, so the body is tiny and there isn’t any finger grip. It doesn’t sit quite well enough in the hand for good single-handed use.

As well as a fully automatic mode, there is a program mode where the camera selects the aperture and shutter, plus shutter priority, aperture priority and manual mode. The menu system is well organized, as you would expect from Canon. Most controls are easy to navigate to and set. The dial around the shutter button rotates to control aperture or shutter speed depending on the mode.

When set in fully automatic, the EOS M200 does an admirable job taking charge. Though, in some cases the full auto settings it selects might not get the best out of the lens being used. It doesn’t like to open up to the widest aperture. That means images will miss out on the shallow depth of field and it also doesn’t give optimal low-light performance. Selecting a different exposure mode will often give a better result.
Canon suggests assigning the movie record button to show the depth of field preview. This makes it easy to see the effect of different apertures on the image.
Raw files can be edited in camera with the new Creative Assist function. It is easy to use, but omits some more refined full raw processing controls that were on the EOS M100. Familiar adjustments like brightness, contrast and color tone are there and simple to apply, along with many creative options.

Rating: 4/5

Rear LCD and Touch Screen

The rear touch screen of the EOS M200 is a strong point of this snappy little camera. It is a 3″ screen with a 1.04M dot resolution. Being social media savvy, this camera has a tilting screen that makes taking selfies easy. It flips up 180°, keeping the base clear to attach a tripod or use a selfie grip.
It functions very well as a touch screen, and everything you need to do is there. For those users who are coming from a smartphone, the touch screen will be familiar and intuitive to use. Double tapping on the screen will activate image zooming. Images can be viewed up to 10x magnification.
In playback mode there are options to display the histogram and shooting info along with a thumbnail of the image on screen. Len corrections—vignetting, distortion, and digital lens optimizer—are built-in and preview live on the screen.

The brightness of the screen can be adjusted manually to seven brightness levels.

Rating: 4.5/5

Video Capabilities

Yes, the Canon EOS M200 will shoot 4K video. However, it does come with some big compromises and restraints. For a camera in this price range it is good to have the option, but if you are serious about taking video regularly you will want to look at other options.
Video can be recorded in 4K (3,840 x 2,160) at 24fps, but is heavily cropped, and there is no dual pixel autofocus. Turning on electronic image stabilization crops it even further. It will be tough to get wide angle video shots. The maximum continuous record time for 4K shooting is 9 min 59 sec.
Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) and HD (1,280 x 720) can be recorded at higher frame rates.120fps is only available in HD. At these sizes there is less detail than 4K, but the focussing is faster and hunts less. For vlogging, Full HD will be the most practical choice.

Built-in stereo microphones record sound for video, and levels are adjustable. There is also a built-in speaker to hear sound during video playback, but no headphone jack.
Missing is also a microphone jack. So, your only option is to use the internal microphones—bar perhaps some fancy and expensive work-arounds. This ultimately limits the sound quality you will be able to achieve.
One sensible feature is that a record button appears on the screen—very helpful when vlogging, as it cuts out any fumbling to find the physical record button on the camera back. For streaming, the EOS M200 does offer a clean HDMI output, so none of the camera menus will be annoyingly visible. Canon is also currently rolling out a new streaming via USB option with its EOS Webcam Utility.
Screen grabs from 4K video are possible, but they cannot be cropped in camera.

Rating: 3/5

The Canon EF-M mount system and lens support

One big advantage of the Canon EOS M200 over point and shoot cameras and smartphones is the ability to swap lenses. This flexibility immediately increases the shooting possibilities. Users can select just what they need for the type of images they want to make.

Furthermore, the key strength of mirrorless camera systems is that they allow smaller great quality lenses to be designed. This is true of the EF-M mount, which has a small flange focal distance of 18mm and wide 47mm diameter. These lenses are designed for the APS-C sensor and have a crop factor of approximately 1.6x.

Canon has released a number of good lenses for the EF-M mount, but the range is not extensive. Five zoom lenses and three primes. Though, third party manufacturers have bought out some additional options.
The 15-45mm F3.5-6.3 that is available as a kit lens is a solid performer. With the crop factor of the sensor this is approximately a 24-72mm field of view. For wide angle shooting, and a faster lens with a wide F2 aperture the EF-M 22mm is a great addition.

The EOS M200 can also take Canon’s EF and EF-S lenses with an adapter. That does increase the number of lenses available, but people buying the EOS M200 are not often going to already own a range of these Canon dSLR lenses.

Additional features to note

Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity works fantastically. Given that the typical user will most likely use their phone for managing and editing images, this is an important consideration. Mobile devices can be connected via the free Canon Camera Connect app.

One very handy feature is that the camera will keep the Bluetooth connection even when the camera is turn off. Images can still be browsed and sent to mobile devices. Geo-tagging of images is also possible via the app.

The battery is charged via the supplied LP-E12 battery pack. With a DC coupler and power adapter the EOS M200 can be run via an AC power outlet, but these need to be purchased separately.

How does the Canon EOS M200 stack up against the competition?

The Canon EOS M200 faces some tough competition as an entry-level mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC). Though the price point and specifications for entry-level mirrorless cameras do vary across different makers. We take a look at what Sony, Olympus and Fujifilm offer as alternatives.
The Sony a6100 is the most expensive entry-level mirrorless with the basic kit being around $800, whilst the Olympus and Fujifilm camera kits are close in price to the EOS M200 kit, at around $500 -$550.
The rivals stand out for the inclusion of an electronic viewfinder, and ability to use external mics and flash. In bright sun it can be much easier to compose the image and view settings through a viewfinder. The connectivity, menus and touch screen functionality of the EOS M200 are its strong points. The Olympus is the only body with image stabilization, and it is almost the same compact size as the EOS M200, though heavier.

Quick Comparison Guide

	Canon EOS M200	Sony a6100	Olympus PEN E-PL10	Fujifilm X-T200
Sensor – pixels	24.1MP	24.2MP	16.1MP	24.2MP
Sensor size	APS-C 22.3 x 14.9mm	APS-C 23.5 x 15.6mm	Micro-four thirds 17.3 x 13.0mm	APS-C 23.5 x 15.7mm
Maximum resolution	6000 x 4000 pixels	6000 x 4000 pixels	4608 x 3456 pixels	6000 × 4000 pixels
ISO	100–25,600	100 – 32,000 exp. to 51,200	200 – 25,600 exp. 100 to 25,600	200 to 12,800 exp. 100 to 51,200
AF system	Dual pixel AF with up to 143 AF points	Hybrid AF 425 point phase detect /contrast detect	121 point contrast detect AF	425-point hybrid AF
AF joystick	no	no	No, four-way controller	yes
Viewfinder (EVF) resolution	none	1.4M dots	none	2.36M dots
Rear Screen	tilting touch screen 1.04M-dots flips up 180°	tilting touch screen 922K dots flips up 180°	tilting touchscreen 1.04M-dots flips down 180°	Articulated touchscreen 2.76M-dots
Image Stabilization	lens only	lens only	3-axis IBIS	lens only
Maximum Frame Rate	6.1fps – locked focus 4 fps – tracking focus	11fps	6.1fps	8fps
Video Capture	4K up to 25fps – cropped clean HDMI output for streaming	4K up to 25fps full sensor width or up to 30fps, cropped sensor Full HD up to 120fps HDMI output	4K up to 30fps – cropped Full HD up to 60fps	4K up to 30fps Max. 15min record time FullHD up to 60fps
Microphone jack	no	yes	no	yes
Hot shoe	no	yes	yes	yes
Battery Life (CIPA)	350 shots Eco mode: 485	420 shots LCD/ 380 EVF	350 shots	270 standard 450 economy
Lens mount	Canon EF-M	Sony E-mount	Micro Four Thirds (MFT)	Fujifilm X
Card slots	1 x SD card (UHS-I)	1 x SD card (UHS-I)	1 x SD card (UHS-II)	1 x SD card (UHS-I)
Dimensions (approx.)	4.3 x 2.6 x 1.4″ 108 x 67 x 35mm	4.72 x 2.64 x 2.32″ 120 x 67 x 59.5mm	4.6 x 2.7 x 1.5″ 117.1 x 68 x 39mm	4.8 x 3.3 x 2.2″ 121 x 83.7 x 55.1mm
Weight – with battery and card	299g	396 g	380g	370g

Canon EOS M200 vs Sony a6100

This is Sony’s latest model entry level APS-C mirrorless camera. It was released in late 2019 around the same time as the EOS M200 and is pricier, but comes with some very welcome additional features. The inclusion of an electronic viewfinder is nice, albeit with a fairly low resolution.

What stands out is the superior autofocus system and the better video capabilities. Sony’s autofocus really is impressive. It has more AF points and comes with Eye AF for both people and animals. 4K video is captured using the full width of the sensor and is very detailed. There is also a HDMI output and a microphone jack.

Like the M200, the screen flips up 180º for selfies and vlogging. The touch screen works for focus control, but not to navigate menus. It can also be set to control tracking AF in video.

Sony also has an extensive range of E-mount lenses available, but is not as intuitive to use. The Canon menu system and build quality is better.

Take a look at the Sony a6100 for shooting more action or higher quality video.

Canon EOS M200 vs Olympus PEN E-PL10

The sensor on the Olympus is a 16 megapixel Micro Four Thirds (MFT). That is smaller than the APS-C sensors of the other cameras compared here. That might put you off at first, but it performs very well and the advantage is it’s a very small and portable camera. It feels well built and comfortable to use, with a metal finger grip. The MFT lenses are also similarly light and compact, with extensive options available from Olympus, Panasonic and others.

The PEN E-PL10 produces very nice images, but is heavily biased towards using fully automatic mode. The interface is simple for this, and basic adjustments can be controlled via the touchscreen. However, it gets unnecessarily complicated when you want to actually take more control.

The autofocus system is not as sophisticated as Canon’s Dual pixel technology. It uses contrast only, and is not really strong at tracking moving subjects, though it does have face and eye detect. Video options and quality is good for social media, but not a standout. It will record 4K video up to 30fps, but it is cropped.
A couple of things are lacking. There is no USB charging, nor headphone or microphone jacks. The screen also flips down for selfies. That means any extra bracket is required to use a tripod or selfie stick without blocking the screen.

The Olympus PEN E-PL10 is a good choice when stylish compact design and image stabilization is a high priority.

Canon EOS M200 vs Fujifilm X-T200

Currently, this is the only entry level mirrorless camera Fujifilm has available. Its design mimics an older style SLR camera body, and comes in three different color options. There are dials on top and the viewfinder is raised in the center.

The X-T200 features a larger, and very impressive fully articulated 3.5″ screen. Smartphone users will transition to the X-T200 well, as it is designed to be controlled primarily via the touch screen. Playback, menus, focusing and even a slider to control background blur all work well via the touch screen. In contrast, the dials are unmarked and at times inconsistent, which makes it trickier to recall how they are set up if you only shoot casually.

The autofocus system is good, but it does have a few quirks. Face detection and eye detection work well. And, Fujifilm has many lens options.
The X-T200 will use the full sensor width to record oversampled un-cropped 4K footage up to 30fps, with a maximum take length of 15mins. There also a ‘digital gimbal’ feature to reduce camera shake issues, and a HDR movie mode. Jacks for mic and headphones are included.

Take a look at the Fujifilm X-T200 for oversampled 4K video and a nice large screen that lets you control your camera much like a smartphone.

Conclusion

Overall the Canon EOS M200 is a decent little mirrorless camera. The touch screen driven interface is a breeze to use and the image quality and color are great. It is a good casual camera that does well to shoot family and friends, as well as for traveling.

Vloggers who want to spend most of their energy on their content, rather than the technicals of shooting will find the Canon EOS M200 very useful and approachable. For the price, it really is a solid and fun camera to use.