One of the big reasons to pick a camera with a removable lens is the ability to change your perspective, swapping the starter zoom out for a wide, telephoto, or fast aperture lens, all of which offer different creative effects.

Canon has taken an interesting approach with its mirrorless camera development, splitting its efforts across two separate, incompatible systems. This guide covers the EF-M lenses that work with EOS M cameras. If you have an EOS R mirrorless camera, you'll use different lenses, those with RF mount. We've put together a separate guide for Canon R photographers.

Canon's Compact Camera System

Canon opted for the APS-C sensor size for its EOS M cameras. The format is common among consumer models—it's the same one Canon uses in its popular Rebel SLR line. It makes for a generally smaller, lighter kit than you can get with full-frame cameras.

The company has held true to the compact philosophy with M cameras and the EF-M lenses that go with them. You won't find big zooms with F2.8 apertures or F1.2 primes like you can get for EOS R mirrorless or Canon SLRs.

You can still use SLR lenses with the system. Canon sells its EF-EOS M adapter for around $200. Autofocus performance was an issue with the first-generation models from 2012, but more recent entries offer speedy focus with adapted lenses.

You may find adapted lenses to be useful. Canon has covered the basics with its EF-M lenses, but only offers eight choices so far. Sigma has added a handful of F1.4 primes with autofocus to bolster the library. Other third parties, including Venus Laowa and 7artisans, make manual focus glass for the system.