Canon EOS M5

Canon EOS M5 may be the company's first competitive mirrorless camera

With much improved performance specs over the sluggish older models, the M5 looks like it might be a solid addition to the line and a decent alternative to Canon's similarly priced Rebels. With the EOS M5, Canon takes a step toward offering a mirrorless model that might finally compete with its entry-level dSLRs as well as other interchangeable-lens competitors. The camera has the specs and the features to surpass the EOS Rebel T6s/760D, at roughly the same price. I can't help but wonder if it's a tacit acknowledgement that while entry-level dSLRs are still selling, the popular ones are around $600 or less, so it doesn't matter anymore to Canon if they cut into the next price tier up.

FIRST LOOK: Canon EOS M5

The EOS M5 is a very welcome addition to Canon's product line-up and arrives at a time when many photo enthusiasts were starting to doubt whether Canon would ever produce a mirrorless camera that caters for their needs.

Canon turned up late to the mirrorless party. Very late. In fact, by the time it finally arrived in mid-2012, four years after Panasonic's ground-breaking G1, every other major manufacturer was already in the game.

CANON EOS M5 Compact System Camera with 15-45 mm f/3.5-6.3 Zoom Lens & Smart Lens Adapter - Black

Canon EOS M5 review: 'Mirrorless 80D' fails to faze its compact system competition

It's fair to say we've been highly critical of Canon 's compact system camera EOS M line. For a simple reason, though: the Japanese company's mirrorless cameras simply haven't been able to stand up to the competition.

Canon EOS M5 review

Although Canon launched its first mirrorless camera, the EOS M, back in 2012, the company has never quite seemed to take the idea seriously until now. The original EOS M was over simplistic and painfully slow at focusing, and while last year's EOS M3 was much improved, it was hamstrung by the lack...

Exactly what I wanted

Prefect compliment to my full frame DSLR. Precisely what I was looking for, Prmiarily a Nikon shooter but this Canon is quite good though I need some time to get used to the differences in the menu structure vs. Nikon.. Well made and nice fit in hand. Feels like a mini DSLR.

The EOS M5 has plenty going for it. Shooting smooth, properly focused video is incredibly easy, and the new 24MP sensor has made great strides in overall image quality. Dual Pixel autofocus makes for faster, more precise focusing and really makes the M5 shine with adapted lenses.

A game changer for Canon

I have an M1, M3, 6D, and 60D. I never had a problem with quality of the photos from the M series (I have a 2 X 3 foot very clear enlargement from the M1 on the living room wall), but the camera was slow. I hesitated purchasing the M5 because I already had the M3, which also has 24 megapixels.

Canon EOS M5

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.