topic Why do Canon EF-M lenses still hold their value? in EF & RF Lenses

Why do Canon EF-M lenses still hold their value?

fonolko1 — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 12:18:33 GMT

Can someone explain to me how this works? Ef-m is a discontinued system, you can't buy anything new anymore, more or less people are getting rid of cameras and lenses to invest in new systems, but still the lenses are not that much cheaper than they were before the system was discontinued? How does the lens economy work?

Re: Why do Canon EF-M lenses still hold their value?

shadowsports — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 16:24:45 GMT

Greetings,

Lens prices are driven largely by popularity and demand. There are a lot of people out there who really enjoy their M series, body and lenses. This is followed by bargain hunters looking for lower priced photography equipment.

On an aside, I would not recommend investing in M series, body's or lenses. You might face an inability to get support or repairs and have a limited selection of lenses and accessories.

Re: Why do Canon EF-M lenses still hold their value?

March411 — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 15:22:59 GMT

Published End Of Service Canon Japan. The Kiss bodies have a couple more years but the lenses go EOS Aug 2030

Re: Why do Canon EF-M lenses still hold their value?

JFG — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 17:05:45 GMT

Hi fonolko1,

Canon lenses generally depreciate at a slower rate than Canon camera bodies. While camera bodies tend to lose 30-40% of their value in the first year due to rapid technological advancements, lenses often retain their value much longer, typically depreciating around 10% per year.

High-quality lenses, especially Canon L-series glass, can hold their value for years, sometimes even appreciating if they become rare or discontinued. Proper maintenance, original packaging, and accessories can also help preserve resale value. Therefore, investing in glass goes a lot further than investing in the latest body. Making the move to RF lenses is the future in glass.

Re: Why do Canon EF-M lenses still hold their value?

ebiggs1 — Sat, 14 Jun 2025 14:28:33 GMT

"Can someone explain to me how this works? Ef-m is a discontinued system ..."

Who knows? It wasn't a good system in the first place and pretty much just a stop gap so Canon could say they had a mirrorless camera. Really just a Powershot on steroids. However for what they were intend they did decent job.

You must be aware that some things in our society that do this and it's hard to predict. It is also hard to predict how long people will want this stuff it could be a day or week or year(s), or whatever. Personally I have no idea what they are worth because I have zero interest.

Re: Why do Canon EF-M lenses still hold their value?

March411 — Sat, 14 Jun 2025 16:16:35 GMT

However for what they were intend they did decent job.

It was a really nice little Camera and I would have held onto mine if they had a better lineup of lenses. My M50 got replaced with an R50 both of which are great camera's for hiking and traveling.

It wasn't a good system in the first place

Not sure about that but it for me it produced some beautiful captures. Both of these were shot on the M50 with the dreaded Sigma 18-300mm, a lens I know you love Ernie.

Sometimes the proof is in the pudding ;o)

Re: Why do Canon EF-M lenses still hold their value?

Waddizzle — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 01:54:34 GMT

Prices for used gear is driven by demand, and operating condition, of course. Popularity of the M series of cameras was stronger outside of North America. The cameras were better than nearly all the competitors, and so were the lenses.

Re: Why do Canon EF-M lenses still hold their value?

ebiggs1 — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 15:50:41 GMT

"... but it for me it produced some beautiful captures."

So, can an iPhone but it doesn't make them a good camera.

Re: Why do Canon EF-M lenses still hold their value?

ebiggs1 — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 16:05:48 GMT

Canon never really convinced people they were all in on the M system. The mount wasn't good (too small) and why we have the RF mount for the R series. The M was simply a stop gap to the R series while it was being created. A Powershot on steroids, a Powershot that had interchangeable lens ability. This unwarranted popularity won't last.

Re: Why do Canon EF-M lenses still hold their value?

March411 — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 17:28:35 GMT

A wise man once made this statement.

Your iphone makes snapshots. Snapshots and selfies with silly poses are what they are and they don't require editing. You either look at them on your iphone or u/l to social media. However if you want something like this, you need a real camera like your R7. 😉

With that being said the sensor is better on the R7, IBIS and weather sealing don't exist on the M50 but the it has a better ISO range. And the sensor on the M50 is far better on the iPhone although the current model has more MP.

I don't own an iPhone but my better half does and I know it's difficult to go to a large format print, it simply doesn't have the detail.

But I get what you are saying Ernie.

Re: Why do Canon EF-M lenses still hold their value?

Waddizzle — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 21:30:44 GMT

“ Canon never really convinced people they were all in on the M system. The mount wasn't good (too small) and why we have the RF mount for the R series. The M was simply a stop gap to the R series while it was being created. A Powershot on steroids, a Powershot that had interchangeable lens ability. This unwarranted popularity won't last.“

You forgot one of the biggest selling points. You could use EF/EF-S glass. I found it great for street photography without looking like Joe”the Pro” Photographer.

The M series was also popular with video content creators, including many YouTubers.

Re: Why do Canon EF-M lenses still hold their value?

wq9nsc — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 22:43:48 GMT

I bought a M6 Mark II purely to have a convenient camera for travel via air because I hate phone cameras and I don't want to carry my 1 series bodies and L series glass unless it is a serious photo trip. The M series is extremely light and compact and provides to me the right mix of performance and convenience for casual trips.

The build quality and reliability obviously doesn't match my 1DX series DSLR gear but I am not convinced the R line does either...

Rodger

Re: Why do Canon EF-M lenses still hold their value?

ebiggs1 — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 17:49:08 GMT

"I don't own an iPhone but my better half does and I know it's difficult to go to a large format print, it simply doesn't have the detail."

Never misjudge and underestimate the ability of a iPhone especially the newest models.

Re: Why do Canon EF-M lenses still hold their value?

March411 — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 18:14:57 GMT

Ya, not an Apple guy Ernie but you may have more insight then I do with the iPhone. We've done some side by side and to my eye it always looks like the details get soft on the iPhone, landscapes with trees are the worst. But I wear glasses, maybe it's time for a new prescription.

I only swapped my M50 for the R50 because I knew there would be more glass available in the future. As Waddizzle mentioned, it is a small and unobtrusive camera that produces some great captures.

My wife and I were sitting on our balcony in Mexico, I grabbed this with my M50 and Sigma 18-300mm, the wife tried it with her Iphone and it was a bust.

Re: Why do Canon EF-M lenses still hold their value?

JFG — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 18:30:55 GMT

I agree with ebbiggs1,

I don't own an iPhone, however I do own a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and it's incredible the photos one can take with it. There are telephoto and wide angle lenses that one can attach to it. One can shoot in JPEG or RAW as desired. As for enlargement The Galaxy S24 Ultra captures high-resolution images, typically at 50MP or 200MP depending on your settings. The degree to which you can enlarge a photo while maintaining quality depends on several factors:

- Starting resolution: A 200MP image provides significantly more detail than a 50MP image.

- Post-processing techniques: Using AI-based upscaling tools like Topaz Gigapixel AI or Adobe Super Resolution can help enlarge without losing detail.

- Viewing distance: A large print might not look sharp up close but could appear crisp when viewed from a distance.

- Noise and sharpening: If the image has noticeable noise, enlarging it could amplify those imperfections.

A 200MP image can be printed at approximately 24x36 inches at 300 dpi, or much larger at lower resolutions (e.g., billboard-sized prints). For extreme enlargements beyond this, AI-powered upscaling is often necessary.

Of course a full frame camera will do much better.

Like my dady always told me, never underestimate or overestimate and always do your research. 👍

Re: Why do Canon EF-M lenses still hold their value?

ebiggs1 — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 14:46:44 GMT

"Ya, not an Apple guy ..."

Marc one thing we have in common, I am not an Apple guy either as a matter of fact I wouldn't have a Mac computer if you gave it to me. But truth be known I am not a Microsoft fan either, it's just the lesser of two evils.

However you have to bow to the facts and they are what they are. BTW, I would have a M series if you gave it to me but I would never buy one! I have and love my Powershots.