Canon's foray into the mirrorless world was fraught with missteps, with its first few efforts lagging well behind the competition in focus speed. The EOS M5 ($979, body only) represents a big change—its autofocus system is speedy, and it can fire off images at a quick 8.2fps burst rate. It doesn't have as many features as our Editors' Choice at this price point, the Sony Alpha 6300 ($998.00 at Amazon) , which sports 4K capture, a weather-sealed design, and a faster burst rate. But the EOS M5 is a solid choice for Canon SLR system owners, as it can use EF lenses (via an adapter) and Speedlite flashes. Design The EOS M5 ($779.00 at Amazon) features an SLR-style design, with a centered electronic viewfinder and protruding handgrip. It's very compact, measuring just 3.5 by 4.6 by 2.4 inches (HWD) and weighing 15.1 ounces. If you've got big hands you may find the design to be a bit cramped, but everyone else will find the handgrip and rear thumb rest to be ample real estate on which to...

The Canon EOS M5 is the best mirrorless camera that Canon has made to date, but it lacks some features you can get elsewhere at this price point.

24MP resolution; Quick autofocus; 8.2fps continuous shooting; TIlting touch-screen LCD; Sharp EVF; Built-in flash; Canon accessory compatibility; Wi-Fi

Video limited to 1080p; Omits weather sealing; Focus can struggle in dim light

I returned it in case Canon don't fix the shutter delay issues now widely discussed on dpreview. This issue makes the camera a disappointment to use in low light (with or without flash) even in manual mode with manual focus.

Let me be honest: I sincerely don't know what to think of the Canon EOS M5. There, I said it. I'm sitting here in front of my computer trying to write some useful insights and I realise I don't really have a clue. Do I like it? No. Do I dislike it? No. Perhaps the best word would be: indifference.

The EOS M5 finally brings DSLR-level performance to Canon's mirrorless series.

Ergonomic design; Enthusiast-friendly control layout; Fast Dual Pixel autofocus; Good still image quality; Nice wireless connectivity options

No 4K video; Lens lineup lacks enthusiast options; EIS no substitute for sensor-shift stabilization

Nice OLED eye viewfinder; Varied connectivity options; Useful touchscreen;

No 4K video recording; Pricey;

Canon launched the EOS M5 just a few days before 2016's Photokina, the massive bi-annual photography show in Cologne, Germany. It was a clear sign that the company was starting to take its mirrorless proposition a little more seriously.

Nice OLED eye viewfinder; Varied connectivity options; Useful touchscreen

No 4K video recording; Pricey

It’s great to see Canon finally taking CSCs seriously, and coming up with something that competes with big-hitting rivals from Fuji, Olympus and Panasonic. This is a camera that’s more than capable of taking some very nice images, and it’s also enjoyable to use. If you’re already a Canon user, or perhaps have been in the past and are looking to downsize, it’s very tempting. Fast-moving wildlife, sports or action photography might not be its strength, but it’s still a great option if you like to photograph stationary subjects. On the other hand, if you’re not already invested in Canon, it’s hard to recommend over more established CSCs - especially at the M5’s launch price. There’s nothing truly “special” about this camera, and while it’s a good all-rounder, it could do with being a couple of hundred pounds cheaper. Hopefully that’ll be the case in a few months’ time. Buy the EOS M5 here from Cannon

Lots of quick access dials and buttons; Bright and clear viewfinder; Tilting touch-sensitive screen;

M-mount lens range limited; Screen not fully articulated; Pricey;

Great for the money, do not think you can get more today. However, I have not had time to test it with some EF-M loopholes than just the EF-S and a couple of older manual. Larger than its predecessor. Quick focus both manually and automatically. ISO useful way over 1600 which was my previous limit.

Canon's latest compact system camera is perhaps the first time the company has launched a CSC for a "serious" audience. The EOS M5 features a 24.2 megapixel, APS-C sized sensor, which is joined by a Digic 7 processor. It is, in essence, a miniature version of the Canon EOS 80D.