Has the M-Series Arrived?

[HDNitehawk]

At $979 for body only seems steep for this camera.

[NFLD Stephen]

At $979 for body only seems steep for this camera.

That was my thought as well. I've considered the m-series very briefly as it would be nice to have a smaller more-portable camera system still with good image quality. But the price puts it out of range for me at the moment.

[Kayaker72]

At $979 for body only seems steep for this camera.

That was my thought as well. I've considered the m-series very briefly as it would be nice to have a smaller more-portable camera system still with good image quality. But the price puts it out of range for me at the moment.

Overall, I had a similar reaction. But looking at it, the feature set is similar to the T6s/80D and the price point is right between those two cameras. You are getting the 24 MP sensor with DPAF. I am assuming it is the same or very similar to the 80D which has been Canon's best performing APS-C sensor. But I do expect the price to drop after 6-12 months. Or, at least, start getting $100-$200 rebates.

A few other comparisons, the T6s, M5 and 80D are (respectively):

• Price: $849 (after rebate), $979, and $1,099 (after rebate)
• Low Light AF sensitivity (EV) -0.5, -1, and -3.
• MP: 24, 24, and 24
• Digic: 6, 7, and 6
• FPS: 5, 9, and 7.
• Weight: 565g, 422g, and 730g.
• Size: 62.9 in3, 38.6 in3, and 70 in3.
• Cross type AF points: 19, 49, and 45. Spread of the cross type AF points seems to favor the M5, granted, I still want to learn more about cross type AF points and how that works with DPAF (separate system or combined pixels?).

I haven't read about weather sealing. But a few online reviews have mentioned that it "feels sturdy" etc. But looking at some basic specs, it is smaller, lighter and similar to better specs.

I am only kicking this around out of general interest as a M1 owner and I think my "small" camera is something that I will try to address this winter.

But, more of what I was going after, is the M5 finally a mirrorless camera that will be interesting enough for a large number of people to build systems around? Something to recommend to friends, family or if a forum member asks about building a kit for less than $2k. Or would we still direct them to something else (Rebel, x0D)? I am waiting on more reviews, but, especially if the EF-m 18-150 is a good lens, I am starting to see a viable kit. For travel/walk around, I could see EF-m 11-22, 18-150 and 28 f/3.5 macro as a specialty lens.