I use a matte box on my Sony EX3.
In my mind, it does make the camera look better.
But I actually use it because it keeps lens flares off my images better than the standard lens shade which came with the camera.
I have the 15mm rails which help me when I add a few other things to the camera...but that is rare.
I also rarely use the polarized filter...but it's there for the two or three times I have wanted it.
Is the matte box worth the expense?
I got mine at a good price. Much less than many pay.
I never take it off the camera. No reason to because it does not get in my way no matter what I'm shooting...unless I want to use my wide angle adapter.
I don't usually have the Nano Flash recorder on the camera, but...bottom line for me...my matte box is worth the extra expense and I don't mind if some think I only have it on to impress others.
It impresses me just fine with what it does.