CanonEOS M 18.0 MP Compact Systems Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and EF-M18-55mm is STM Lens

I heard so many negative things about Canon EOS M so I stayed away from it for long time. Auto focus speed, lack of EVF option, Controls, lack of native lens selection, initial price, and the list goes on. Well, prices have come down drastically and my curiosity got the best of me as I heard that image quality was that of T4i which is very good. I went with this 22mm f/2 kit instead of 18-55mm zoom because I personally like the image quality and the speed of the prime lenses over the zoom ability. Image Quality is foremost important to me. 22mm f/2 which is near 35mm equivalent in full frame and has fast f/2 aperture (not much difference between f/2 and more typical f/1.8, but there is big difference between f/1.8 and f/2.8). f/2.8 primes while the IQ is typically better than a zoom, speed and DOF control isn't much different from a good f/2.8 zoom lenses. I am so glad Canon went with f/2 instead of f/2.8. I love the bokeh and ability to isolate subject with this lens as well as low light capability paired with the ASP-C sensor. It's one sharp lens that I wouldn't mind paying for entire price of the camera kit for. Sony and M43 versions of 35mm equivalent primes with at least f/1.8 aperture (since they don't make f/2) costs more than the entire EOS M Camera kit. Even if you already have Olympus, Panasonic, or Sony Nex, I would get this kit just for this lens. 22mm f/2 is pancake lens making the entire camera jacket pocketable. Great.Now, as for image quality, it's GREAT. Paired with 22mm f/2 Canon EOS M is able to produce beautiful sharp images. 35mm is most versatile range in my opinion. The entire kit cost $300 - 350. Wow. Try to get ASP-C sensor Mirrorless body with a "fast" pancake prime and see how much it cost you. M43 has Olympus 17mm f/1.8 $400-500 alone and Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 for around $300-400 used or new. Again slightly faster aperture is negated by smaller sensor compared to larger sensor on Canon when looking at low light and shallow DOF. Sony Nex has Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 premium lens that costs around $700-1000. Nothing cheaper if you are looking for around 35mm range prime with near f/1.8 aperture. I currently use Olympus m43, but I picked up this kit as it hits that 35mm fast prime void for $100 less.As for the CON of this kit. Canon EOS M does have much slower AF. It got better to be tolerable from what I hear, but "compared" to other options, it's definitely slower. Not for moving subjects. I was planning to use this kit for still subjects so that's no problem. The control is kind of bad, but it can be considered ok or even good only if you don't mind using the touch screen to change your settings instead of buttons. I personally got used to using the touch screen and come to like it. No built in Flash. (I real like the convenience of those tiltable build in flashes). I do like those tiltable displays for creative shots or candid shots. It would have been great if it had it. No EVF option. Well, at initial price this was a problem, but with current prices, that is comparable to other mirrorless in this price range.All it all, I say give it a try. Not much to lose with these prices. Don't get anything else even if you have other Canon lenses. This kit is perfect as it is with its limitations for current PRICE. Buying flash, 18-55mm (maybe this is ok since it's cheap as well), or the adapter kind of spoils the bargain aspect with little gain. If you have other Canon lenses that means you have a DSLR Body. Why would you use it on this camera with the limitations mentioned? Portability? As soon as you put that large lens on save 40mm f/2.8, it becomes an awkward set up. Don't do it. Flash? maybe... hopefully with f/2 and its high iso capability, you don't need one. Canon EOS M currently isn't so great if you are looking to "grow" your system. There are MUCH better options.Get it for stand alone 22mm (35mm equivalent) f/2 set up with maybe addition of 18-55mm. I would not get the 18-55mm bundle over this one as Sony Nex 3N or F3 kit is better than Canon EOS M 18-55mm kit in terms of value for features including similar image qualities for similar price. Canon EOS M only becomes incredible value for those who appreciates 35mm fast prime as you can't get one at this price on any other system with this good of image quality any where. I am saying this 22mm f/2 kit for the price is a five star, and not EOS M if you disregard the price.

I've been weighing the mirrorless option heavy and finally made the plunge to keep it in the Canon family. I Received this camera and have been playing with it and enjoying it for it's purpose. Let me state this, I own a Canon 5D Mark III as well, so I can only speak on my intentions and reasoning for wanting the Eos-M. I had no intentions of buying this camera as a back up body, nor would this be the camera I would recommend for others who are in the market for one. However, image quality wise, it could be. If you've made the Canon investment in gear, and could use something a little more light weight, sort of pocket friendly, and portable that has the capability to be used with your other canon gear.. It's a no brainer. This camera to me is the Hobbyist/enthusiast Canon gear owners good, to best friend.The Good: I love the image quality, size, and build quality of the camera and even the 22mm itself is a much better build then expected. It doesn't feel cheap. The touchscreen is pretty good and responsive, if you don't mind a few prints on the screen trying to assist the focusing. Also I love the relief of not carrying my battery gripped 5D around with me for all of the smallest things, and missing something worth capturing because of it. This camera has been a blast, and I've worn it around my neck on several occasions and even the people with me haven't noticed.The Bad: Slow maneuvering around the menus, as there are limited physical buttons and no turn dial (But this may get faster as you get use to the touchscreen). No built in flash (When this camera is said to target those coming from point and shoot cameras), No view finder (But after a couple of shots.. I wasn't missing it), And no direct lens mount Ef-s or EF (and mainly this is because of the outrageous price for the adapter). But all of this is tolerable... Sort of. I wont complain about the auto focus speed as to me, it's really not that bad. I have seen faster, and even faster focus speeds on this camera alone. But then again, I use a 85mm 1.2L quite a bit on my Mark III and that lens can almost make any focus speed seem fast.I did purchased the 16GB Eye-Fi card and use it to transfer images straight to my cellphone for quick editing if needed, and uploading to any social network services I use. I have no idea why it did not cross someones mind at Canon, to include wifi and/or Gps, when I've have heard time and time again about one of the excuses for not having a built in EVF was that this camera should attract those who are familiar with taking cellphone images.In the end, a built in Viewfinder, wifi, gps, flash and a cheaper if not free lens adapter would have been nice. But even so, I am happy with my purchase, and I've read enough to understand its purpose or my reasoning for wanting one, and have actually been more impressed then what I've originally expected. I do not think anyone would be in their right mind to purchase this camera for sports photography, and if you've taking pictures with almost any modern smart phone today, the focus speed may never be a issue to you. If you already own or are familiar with a Canon DSLR, this camera will feel right at home with the options and setup. And if this is a new world to you, you might want to read the manual, or watch a video to get yourself familiar first. Great buy for me!!!**UPDATE** 7-3-13I Still love this camera just as much as the day I got it, and has been a very solid performer overall. The biggest gripe about the camera from others was the auto focus speed in which has recently been corrected via v2.0.. And for me was the sun glare on the screen was a slight disadvantage while using the camera outside, (which could be fixed if the camera had a view finder), but I just added a non glare screen protector, and raised my LCD brightness to fix and works great for me.From my personal experiences that I've had since owning this camera, the slight auto focus problem has not made me feel any less different about it, as it was not that bad.The consistent color contrast, color balance and image quality has never been better, and have shocked me on many occasions. This camera is a very capable and solid performer for what my intentions were, and quite a few people have purchased it after seeing a few uses, and images i've taken with it. Now with the update, there is no denying how good and fun this little camera is, and have definitely increased my personal uses and longevity with this camera.Thanks Canon, the overall build, and image quality is nothing short of awesome. I can't wait to see how they will out do themselves with the next Eos-M camera.