Canon EOS M200

Canon EOS M200 Review: the great little mirrorless

Entry-level with interchangeable lenses, the Canon EOS M200 is a mirrorless that has among its main features 4K recordings, a 24Mp APS-C sensor, and a vertically rotatable display. Launched on the global market in September 2019, the Canon EOS M200 cannot be considered a revolutionary makeover compared to the previous M100, but it has on its side an updated AF system and a renewed DIGIC processor that has somehow limited the digital noise problem, especially in situations of non-optimal light.

The consumer target of the Canon EOS M200 is that of users coming from smartphones, willing to make a qualitative leap. A light and easy to handle mirrorless, the M200 is proposed as one of the most attractive entry levels, although it does not reach the levels of the Canon M6 Mark II which has completely different prices and features. But if you are looking for a non-professional camera, able to give you great satisfaction in terms of the quality of its shots, then this Canon EOS M200 could be the right one for you.

Camera body and display of the Canon EOS

The constructive features of the Canon EOS M200 reflect exactly the entry-level status of this mirrorless, which means a non-tropicalized camera body made with not superlative materials, even though the polycarbonate manages in this case to avoid the unpleasant and "cheap", plasticky feeling. Available in black or white version, the M200 has a weight of 299 grams - battery excluded - and small dimensions, like a true mirrorless: 108.2 x 67.1 x 35.1 mm.

In general, the Canon EOS M200 is sold in the kit that includes the 15-45 mm, the bare minimum to test your hand on a camera with interchangeable lenses. The most ambitious users will be able to go well beyond the basic kit, buying more performing and certainly more expensive optics.

On the top plate of the Canon EOS M200, we find the built-in flash - an excellent directional pop-up, for creative effects - the shutter button and modes: video, scene, and intelligent automatic. Only three options would seem few but, in this case, the saying “less is more” makes sense, also because everything is compensated by the numerous choices offered by the display.

The display of the Canon EOS M200 is a 3-inch 1.04 million dots touch screen. From the panel, you can access both the quick, simple, and fast menu; and the more complex but never complicated main one. The M200 lacks an electronic viewfinder, so consequently, this snappy and fast monitor represents the center of all the activity expressed by this small mirrorless Canon. Too bad it lacks a camera level, which could be very useful for more precise compositions.

Canon EOS M200: short technical datasheet

• Sensor:3 x 14.9 mm CMOS, 24.1Mp (3:2)
• Processor: DIGIC 8
• Exposure: Shutter speeds 30”- 1/4000; Compensation: +/- 3 stops in 1/3 steps
• AutoFocus: Dual Pixel CMOS AF Pixel Phase Detection System; Contrast detection in 4K video and 4K Time-lapse. Point AF system: maximum 143 points depending on the lens
• Burst (with autofocus): 4Fps x 13 RAW, 71 JPEG; without autofocus: 6.1Fps x 13 RAW, 71 JPEG
• ISO: 100 - 25600
• Display:0" Touchscreen LCD, 720 x 480 pixels, tilted upwards of approximately 180°
• Video mode: 4K (3840 x 2160p) at 24Fps
• USB: micro-USB (2.0) with the possibility of charging
• Memory: SD, SDHC, SDXC (UHS-I)
• Battery: Li-Ion (Canon LP-E12, capacity 6.30 Wh)

Taking pictures with the Canon EOS M200

The Canon EOS M200 has made reflex purists turn up their noses, not only for the absence of an EVF but also for the presence of a creative assistant that offers a set of filters and effects that can be used during shooting or even in post-production.

But this is not the only novelty of the Canon EOS M200, because the AF system has also received a substantial upgrade, going from the 49 points of the M100 model to the current 143, with new algorithms regarding face and eye focus. The Dual Pixel technology, the flagship of all Canon machines, has been kept, with its interaction between contrast and phase. The focus areas are not selectable by physical buttons, so with the Canon EOS M200, you will have to arm yourself with patience and work directly on the monitor. The automatic or semi-automatic mode, however, works very well.

The image quality of the Canon EOS M200 is indisputable, at least in its market segment, thanks also to the lights management that can be found in much more expensive cameras too. And with the 24.1MP APS-C sensor this machine delivers sharp images, fine details, and a good color range.

So far so good but unfortunately the talk of autonomy is always a sore point when it comes to mirrorless models, and this Canon EOS M200 is no exception. In fact, having the monitor as the only display tool, we are talking about a very expensive camera in terms of battery. For this reason, the M200 is equipped with an "Eco" function that allows autonomy of over 450 shots. Moreover, the charging (even with the USB port) is pretty fast.

Full and UltraHD recordings

Compared to the M100, the Canon EOS M200 has seen the transition from 2K to UltraHD, even though it is a 4K with some limitations because it is not possible to take full advantage of the Dual Pixel for recordings, remaining in an AF system that is based on contrast detection only. This limit, however, does not prevent the creation of high-quality 2K 1080p movies (using in this case the Dual Pixel technology and eye/face tracking).

To prove that the Canon EOS M200 is a camera that winks at vloggers, the REC button can be selected on the display for the "selfie" setting, but there is also the possibility to record vertically, a typical social trend. Unfortunately, the camera lacks the microphone input, but it is a typical shortcoming of machines in the price range (largely) under a thousand euros.

Canon EOS M200: the final verdict

The Canon EOS M200 is ideal for those looking for a light and space-saving camera, easy to use, with good photo quality and a smart character: the M200 connects quickly to different devices via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, with the Canon Camera Connect app. There is also the possibility of maintaining a constant connection to a smart device even when the machine is turned off, as long as it is within Bluetooth range.

Compact and easy to use, the Canon EOS M200 has been designed to meet the needs of those coming from the smartphone experience. And finally, the number of EF-M lenses in continuous growth should not be underestimated, as well with a price that, inevitably, after more than a year from its launch, will continue to drop, making this Canon EOS M200 one of the best choices for those approaching photography for the first time in a conscious way