Canon JP has today announced the launch of the Canon EOS M2 in Japan, successor to the firm’s first and only CSC, the EOS M.

The M2 retains the look and concept of its predecessor while reducing the body size by 8% and overhauling the AF system.

The EOS M2 retains the same 18MP APS-C-sized sensor as we saw in the EOS M, with an ISO range up to 12,800, expandable to 25,600.

The new AF system, dubbed (according to the translated press release) ‘hybrid CMOS AF II’ appears to use a combination of phase detect and contrast detect to deliver AF that’s 2.3x faster than that of the EOS M.

The new EOS M2 also introduces built-in Wi-fi, with the option to use a smartphone to remotely control the camera.

The release date given for the EOS M2 in Japan, surprisingly, is mid-December of this year.

UPDATE 04/12/13: A spokesman for Canon UK told Amateur Photographer that there are as of yet no plans to introduce the Canon EOS M2 in Europe.

CanonWatch has the full story, with a full spec and availability details of the new Canon EOS M2.