CANON EOS M REVIEWS: DIAL M FOR MAGIC

Canon boils down all its DSLR know-how into a stylishly-cased compact system camera that works with all its full-size lenses too... Sony has its nex range, Panasonic has the GF series, Olympus the PEN and Nikon the "1". To that burgeoning list you can now add the EOS M, the first compact system camera (CSC) from optical heavyweight Canon.

The EOS M is built around the top combo of an 18-meg, APS-C hybrid CMOS sensor and a Digic 5 processor. With the addition of the EF-EOS M adaptor (ЈTBC) you can also use it with any of Canon's range of over 70 EF lenses, opening up new creative possibilities. That makes this a potentially great choice for anyone downsizing from a Canon DSLR.

As well as the ability to pick from this humungous, established lens range, the EOS M also has its own bespoke selection, including a pancake lens and a standard zoom - see Accessorise, bottom right. These slimline lenses feature Stepper Motor technology, which Canon claims offers exceptional AF performance.

There's no built-in flash, but a new, compact Speedlite 90EX flash unit has also been rustled up for the M. Want to get experimental? It includes wireless flash support, allowing you to control multiple flash guns remotely. Which is, well, flash.

On the rear there's a three-inch, Clear View LCD II touchscreen, which allows you to focus on a desired part of the shot by tapping on screen, and makes navigating the EOS M's many features a breeze. There are plenty of shooting modes, settings and creative filters to swipe through, from Toy Camera to monochrome to one that mimics a fish-eye lens. Filters can be applied prior to shooting, and you can preview their outcomes using Live View.

Feeling a bit "tired"? You can let the EOS M do the thinking for you. Scene Intelligent Auto mode adjusts the camera's settings based on what you're shooting and what the lighting is like, ensures point-and-shoot ease when you need to get the perfect shot quickly.

Full-HD video can be recorded at up to 25fps with stereo sound, or as short, easily editable clips using Canon's Video Snapshot mode - you can even edit these on the cam. All videos benefit from the M applying continuous autofocus during shooting.

For such a compact device, the EOS M has a lot going on. It's a serious DSLR-alike for those that desire to pack a lighter camera for their city breaks. It is, however, the same price as a top-of-the-range DSLR without the full functionality of one. So the question is how much are you willing to pay for portability?

If the answer is "About Ј770 RRP, actually;' then the Canon EOS M will make a very classy addition to your carry-on luggage when it launches this autumn.