Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

I assume the reason you want to switch is because of size and weight, if that's the reason, then go for it. besides being smaller and lighter, the M5 has a much faster burst mode, is weather sealed and longer battery life, for those reasons alone I would go with the M5.

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

Your T3i has the ability to produce much better results than you can be getting with your present (ho-hum) lenses.

Remember that a chain is only as good as it's weakest link!

If it were me I would be looking at spending my "up-grade" dollars on better and different glass. You will be amazed what your T3i can produce with real quality glass on the front of it. Also, top glass is an investment and will outlive many generations of camera bodies.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

If I understand your intention, you want a newer camera and lighter weight. That would be justifiable in my mind. Unfortunately, my knowledge of Canon cameras is pretty limited so I can't comment on the M5, but I do agree with the recommendation of the Panasonic. Olympus is another lightweight brand. Both Panasonic and Olympus make some very good lenses, and both have very good reputations. The micro 4/3 cameras are compact and light. I've done some research online on a couple Olympus cameras and Panasonic cameras, and they were on my short list. I went with a Sony A6300 only because I am familiar with that line from having an A6000. But I was close to getting an Olympus OMD-EM1-iii.

As for Best Buy, it's a good place to buy a camera from providing you arm yourself with some knowledge before going in because it seems that the folks in the camera section are rarely knowledgeable themselves and I suspect they are told to boost a certain brand--in this case, Sony. If you have a real camera store anywhere close to you, that is where you should go to look at cameras and ask questions of the staff.

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

If you’re going to Mirrorless then go with the big boys Sony,Fuji, Olympus and Panasonic

taj334 Loc: Long Island

Thank you for your insight. Your are so right about Sony being more expensive. I may not have the whole bank invested in Canon, but enough to make me wonder which way would make the most sense.

taj334 Loc: Long Island

Thank you for your your input. Size and weight are a factor, but I'm wondering if 5 ounces is enough + adapter to go for it. I didn't think the battery was that much longer because of the smaller size. I still have to really see and feel the M5.

taj334 Loc: Long Island

Thank you. Thank you. My instincts agree with what you say. Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree. The more I compare full frame to crop sensor and mirrorless to not, the more I tend to think it's what in front of the sensor that really matters. Any suggestions as to lenses that will improve the quality and not totally brake the bank? (macro, wide angle for example).

taj334 Loc: Long Island

Thank you very much for your input and opinion. Others have suggested the Panasonic and Olympus as well. I once had a Sony Nex6 and gave it to my son-in-law because of the SX50's reach. (We all make mistakes-oh well).

When I went to Best Buy, the one guy had my head spinning about everything and of course, was doing a hard sell on a Sony Alpha A7iii, even though he said to wait until the middle of May. I'm not looking to spend quite that much and then another $300 on an adapter for my couple of Canon lenses.

Saturday I'm going to a camera store for a meet-up and will see what they have to say. In the meantime, I guess the more one learns, the more one realizes how little they really know.

taj334 Loc: Long Island

Thank you for your input. I think you're right about going either with Sony, Fuji or the others. However, the more I research, the more I'm even questioning the idea of mirrorless.

Photocraig

When I recently lined up my new Canon choices, I really thought the M5 would be a top choice for me since a major criteria was weight. BUT, adapters, even the very best aren't the ideal solution. And they add weight back in. There is a limited selection of "M" lenses, so I passed. My 77D weighs 17 ounces. The T6i-7i's are similarly lighter. They have a 24 MP sensor, flippy (i think) screen and alleviate your lens compatibility issue. That's were I went, even though I was totally in the mirror Less mindset when I entered the store. I was surprise how easily I passed on teh Sony. Oly and the Fuji's too because their lenses are expensive and their bodies aren't inexpensive either.

Staying with the EOS layout which I've been using for 26 years made the learning cures less steep. Spend you GAS money on glass.

taj334 Loc: Long Island

Thanks. Appreciate your input. Funny how this journey has gone. I too thought the M5 might be a good way to go. Now need to revisit mirrorless vs. DSLR. Today, I'm looking at the Sony A6300. Who knows what tomorrow will be.