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.

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's EOS M5 is widely touted as the mirrorless alternative to the larger, heavier EOS 80D. There's certainly a number of parallels, including a 24.2 MP APS-C sized sensor, Full HD video recording, built-in wireless and almost the same number of focus points (49 vs 45 in favour of the M5).

Touch and drag; EVF at long last; comes with lens adapter when purchased with bundle

Shutter lag; EVF flickers a bit; strong competition in its price range

Canon EOS M5 is a good package camera all around. Getting a preview image that is about to be taken is excellent. You can save precious time and catch more good moments. I love the EVF and those dials are easier to access. The camera is also small and perfect for travellers who want to travel light.

The EOS M5 really opens up the SLR-versus-mirrorless debate. Many people like electronic viewfinders because they show the image exactly as the camera will capture it, but others prefer the visual clarity of an optical viewfinder.

Very compact for an APS-C camera; Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus; Effective control layout

Limited lens choice; Some exposure inconsistencies; Expensive compared to rivals

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.

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.