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We like the Canon EOS M -- far more than we might have expected, given its mediocre performance during our hands-on -- but the company's first mirrorless ILC falls short on several fronts.

Should You Buy It? No. Canon's effort on the EOS M buttresses those frustrated users who believe that their beloved brand is focusing more on protecting their markets than they are on innovating. The M is just too safe and too boring.

The EOS M, Canon's first compact interchangeable lens camera, feels polished on the outside, but its poor performance makes it clear that you're looking at a first-generation product.

We were impressed by the EOS M's excellent low-light performance and fluid touchscreen interface, but were let down by its slow autofocus performance.

Looking for SLR-like image quality in a compact body? The EOS M offers the best of both worlds, with the added benefit of interchangeable lenses. However, its sluggish autofocus may deter point-and-shoot upgraders.

The Canon EOS M delivers on the image quality front, but is otherwise ultimately a let down. It's late to the compact system camera game and fails to offer anything truly special.

Image quality is some of the best we’ve yet seen in a CSC and certainly a match for many DSLRs. ... Of course, there’s still some room for improvement; AF speed and burst shooting could both be faster

The slow AF even with native lenses, lack of viewfinder options and limited native lens catalogue at the time of writing rule out our top rating, but it remains a solid beginning to Canon's mirror-less compact system camera line and one deserving of the Cameralabs Recommended Award.

If we've an overriding sense that comes from using the 18 megapixel EOS M it is that Canon has delivered a well-built, competent product without it being one that is especially breakthrough or overtly exciting.

Canon has managed to produce a camera that isn't too far off the pace in many respects, and it should give the Nikon J2 a serious run for its money ... However, the M is let down by its AF system and its unbalanced feel that stems from it not having a decent grip.

Great shots, but the autofocus is crap.

The Canon EOS M could be a great camera. In fact, its easy, pleasant-to-use design and image quality are easily worth four stars. However, the M's general slowness just isn't acceptable, which is why it ended up with a two-star score.

The Canon EOS M is promising. I'm glad it has an APS-C sensor, I like the responsive capacitive touchscreen, and think it's built beautifully. I really didn't want to leave the meeting without it.