I was looking around at the Adorama website and noticed the following:

Canon EOS M3 Mirrorless Digital Camera (24.2 APS-C sensor) Kit, with EF-M 18-55mm F3.5/5.6 IS STM Lens, and Mount Adapter EF-EOS M for $599. To add the EVF-DC1 electronic viewfinder for $2.00 The list price on these products is $1,201 ($999+$202 for the view finder). Two of the most complained points from the reviews are 1) the lack of/cost of the exterior viewfinder and 2) lack of available lenses.

For a total of $601.00 (50% off), it includes an adapter that can utilize your existing EF and EF-s lenses, an electronic viewfinder and a STM 18-55 kit lens. Is it a good deal? Based on what I can find on the reviews, the EOS M3 model is significantly improved from the original EOS M model.

Would like to hear your comments, especially from existing Canon M users. Thanks.

I was looking around at the Adorama website and noticed the following:

Canon EOS M3 Mirrorless Digital Camera (24.2 APS-C sensor) Kit, with EF-M 18-55mm F3.5/5.6 IS STM Lens, and Mount Adapter EF-EOS M for $599. To add the EVF-DC1 electronic viewfinder for $2.00 The list price on these products is $1,201 ($999+$202 for the view finder). Two of the most complained points from the reviews are 1) the lack of/cost of the exterior viewfinder and 2) lack of available lenses.

For a total of $601.00 (50% off), it includes an adapter that can utilize your existing EF and EF-s lenses, an electronic viewfinder and a STM 18-55 kit lens. Is it a good deal? Based on what I can find on the reviews, the EOS M3 model is significantly improved from the original EOS M model.

Would like to hear your comments, especially from existing Canon M users. Thanks.

YES, skip Canikon.

Strategy: certain Olympus, Panasonic, Sony and Fujifilm bodies can use Canon EF lenses WITH automation features (how much varies by brand) IF you use them with the right "smart" adapter. MetaBones SpeedBoosters are the most advanced adapters.

Of course, EXCELLENT pro-grade lenses are also available for these four excellent brands.

For many, however, it makes more sense to build a new system. I'm an old Nikon and Canon user, and that's what I did. I don't have enough old glass that I can't unload it on someone else without crying... And I can't justify having two SpeedBoosters (Canon and Nikon mounts) for lenses I use maybe 2% of the time.

Whatever you do, study your options carefully. Each brand has carved out a specialty niche for itself. Get the one that makes the most sense for what you want to photograph.

I have owned a Canon EOS M for a few years now, before I bought it I did a lot of research on its good and bad points so I was pretty well aware of what I was getting myself into. I do a lot of hiking in the Arizona mountains so I needed a good camera that was light, small and took good photos. The EOS M met those requirements so I have never felt that I should have bought something else.

The camera is very sturdy and has taken some tumbles but it has never been sent in for repair. I purchased a lens adapter so that I can use some of my old FD lens (from the AE-1 days) and I have extended it abilities. The Canon touch screen and menu layout is fast and easy to catch on to, I just wish the screen would tilt for those high and low shots.

The M3 seems to have resolved several of the issues and upgraded the sensor from 18mp to its current 24.2, added some NFC and a tilt screen but the battery life remains a problem unless you buy a couple of spares. I think the pricing on the camera is a bit high and if Canon expects to be a competitor in the mirrorless market they have got to go all out. I tried the Sony a6000 several times but was spoiled by the ease of navigating through the Canon menus and the frustration of trying to find the setup features in the Sony (and the lack of a touchscreen). After a user break-in period the lack of an EVF is not such an insurmountable problem....(think cell phone camera).

Six months ago I purchased the Samsung NX500 and its been in for repair two times now, by comparison the Samsung is like a spendy toy but it has many of the advanced features that I was looking for (I love the photos from the 28.2mp sensor) . The construction of the Samsung, body or lens, can't compare with the solid little Canon. I had thought about selling my EOS M but after the experience with the Samsung, I'm going to need a reliable backup.

I think the M3 could be a handy traveling companion but it seems priced on the high side yet when compared with features offered by the competition.
Jack

Let me first say that I have the original Canon EOS M 18MP camera and think its fantastic. It got a bad reputation because the newly released camera had some issues with focusing, but Canon quickly updated the Eprom software in the camera and this resolved the problem. Now let me say that if you are looking for a fast action sports camera you need to buy a DSLR. Cameras are like tools in toolbox, they are designed for different jobs. A mirrorless camera is a very light weight camera that will do most photographic chores well, but if you have a specific job you want to do, you may have to reach for the best tool for that job. I have 3 Canon EOS M lenses and they are all excellent. As you and others mentioned, you can use other Canon lenses on the body. The touch screen interface is the best I've seen on any camera. You ask if it's a good price for an M3 with lens for $600. I would probably go to a camera shop and compare it to a Sony 6000 (similar price). See which one feels better to you. I can tell you the Canon is built like a tank with an all metal body. If you have Canon lenses that may influence the decision. I find the 3 Canon M lenses I have are all I need. Again Canon is trying to overcome bad publicity when it initially fumbled the ball when it introduced the original camera, but I think they have a great product.

About 15 months ago, I began looking at MILCs. After forty years of mostly Nikon, I started there. Bahh. Nikon blew it. No viewfinder. Mommy, I wann my viewfinder!!! Wah. Then I checked out Canon, which I have also shot and respect. Same story, second verse. Canon will allow you to overpay for an add-on viewfinder, but it is weakly constructed and easily broken. The image is just not in the same ballpark as a real viewfinder. Oh and they both use small sensors. I looked at Fuji. Fuji is almost perfect. It is just a lot of money and seems to have images that are ??? not right. Also the lenses are high price. But the quality is there. And the viewfinder. And an aps-c sensor.

Finally tried the Sony a6000 which met almost all my points. Good EVF. aps-c sensor. Eleven fps. The focus is usually excellent. Of course it is Sony. I don't like that Sony always uses proprietary technology if they can. (They are still pushing the memory stick.) And their menu system is totally different from anyone elses. The only deal breaker was (almost) the way you have to use their proprietary microphones for video because of the odd shoe and no 3.5mm jack.

I bought one and took it to Europe. Came back with a lot of pretty decent images. Occasional focus-hunting sometimes was a problem. I sold the thing and went back to my Nikons. About six months ago I decided to ditch my DSLRs and sold them both. I was about to take a trip to Death Valley with a friend. Others told me that Sony fixed the focus problem. So I bought another new a6000. Came back with many good images of Death Valley and the wildflowers. I understand it was a firmware thing. Based on this, I ordered an a6300 and have been enjoying that. It is an amazing camera. I am going to sell my almost new a6000, not because it isn't a good camera, but because the a6300 does everything I want.

I know that's a little long-winded, but you wanted people's experiences.

For travel, I'd stay away from the Sony A7 line. I've used the original A7 and now the A7rii. The problem is the lack of good travel zoom lenses. I have the 24-240mm but it has focusing issues. I looked at the recently released Sigma MC-11 adapter with the Sigma 18-300mm. But you sacrifice a lot with that combination on a full-frame camera. Canon has good zooms for travel, but they are big and expensive, so using them with the Sigma adapter doesn't make sense. I'm sticking with my Canon5Diii and Tamron 28-300mm which is my workhorse for travel. It's heavy but every shot is in focus and there is more reach on the telephoto.