Once everyone outside of USA adds the 15-20% "I don't live in America" tax that all companies impose , then add on the currently bad exchange rate (for AUD, which is about 10% worse than last year, & 20% worse than 5 years ago), these things will cost an absolute fortune!
anyway... I am waiting for the new 'M' model to come out. Hopefully before November when I go overseas, and can claim back the 10% GST.
I'm in Melbourne and I feel your pain too. The Australia tax and the AUD suck :-(
I love my 200D but it has its limitations. Depending on the price and my cashflow, I may spring for the new M5 Mk. II (and EF adapter to use my existing lenses) or maybe pick up a used 80D on ebay.
I'm in Adelaide, and yes, photography gear can cost notably more in Australia than it does in the USA (particularly new / recently released gear). However, at times certain products can be very close. It definitely pays to shop around, there's a lot of variation in both bricks and mortar stores as well as online retailers!
I have bought lots of digital photography equipment over the past 20 years. I began with Kodak and Fuji digital P&S cameras, to now having a number of Canon DSLRs, an M5 with lots of EF, EF-S and EF-M lenses and accessories. Two of my most used cameras are my 80D and M5.
Hamish, just sharing my experience with you - that Canon's APS-C mirrorless cameras (e.g. the M5) are quite different in use to a APS-C DSLR (despite having similar sensors). While DPAF (dual pixel auto focus) is great in many ways (e.g. in decent light it's extremely accurate and fairly quick). But in dim light autofocus reaches limitations, especially with 'slow' glass (i.e. slower than f/2.8). The M5 is not as responsive as the 80D in terms of shot to shot use, AF tracking. The playback and menu system are slower on the M5 too. In bright light, I much prefer the OVF (optical view finder) of the 80D. But in dim light the M5's view finder can be really helpful.
I have used the EOS R (FF mirrorless) - and it's EVF (electronic view finder) is notably better than the M5's (bigger, brighter and more accurate colours and in representing dynamic range). The M5 with medium to large sized adapted EF lenses (e.g. my 70-300mm L or even my 100mm L) soon feels uncomfortable to hold for long periods compared to my 80D.
Where the M5 shines is: having a smaller, lighter and more portable travel camera. It's great to be less intrusive for casual and street photography too. The Canon EF-M lenses I own are all handy in their own right. These are the: 22mm f/2, 15-45mm and 18-150mm - with all working well for different purposes. I also have the Samyang/Rokinon 12mm f/2, which is GREAT for astrophotography.
But If I would need to limit myself to 1 camera, I would choose my 80D (which often pairs with the very versatile 15-85mm for general purpose and travel). Or for ultra wide angle, the Sigma 8-16mm, for macro the 100mmL, for portraits the 50mm (or 100mmL) and for telephoto, the 70-300mm L. I will keep a close eye on the M5mkII, but at this stage, will also keep a DSLR or 2 - because they complement the mirrorless offerings.
Meanwhile, I will also be tempted to move to the EOS RF mount FF mirrorless in the future, when a more responsive body is available, and hopefully one which has IBIS. The 24-240mm looks like a decent travel lens, and I hope its optical quality is fairly decent for a 'super zoom'. Will be interesting to see.
PJ
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