Kickle Loc: Central Illinois

Has anyone had experience with the mirrorless cameras? After lugging my DSLR around on a recent vacation, I have decided I need a lighter camera for travel. I am considering the Panasonic Lumix GX7.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

This question, in vary forms, is posted several times a day. Lots of discussion here. Just sit back and absorb the wisdom.

Mirrorless cameras are selling very well, and there is a huge selection. Although they have smaller sensors than DSLRs, they have the electronics to deliver excellent images with a pocket-sized camera. I'm giving thought to the Sony RX100 III. It will be available within two weeks.

h2odog Loc: Brooklyn NY

I gave up my Nikon D7000 gear for an Olympus EM-10 with several light compact lenses and a second camera, the Sony RX100II. Both cameras fit into a very small bag and and allow me to take both anywhere without hesitation. The interchangeable lens EM-10 gives me the flexibility that the D7000 had without giving up in my opinion any quality that the Nikon gave me. The size of Sony also allows me to have that second body with a 28-100mm equivalent range to get quick grab shots and be extremely unobtrusive in a crowd for street photography, a quick video or different scene effects. Both cameras make for an extremely enjoyable shooting experience. I also like the addition of WiFi in both cameras as well as the tilt screens. Olympus makes some fine, inexpensive, compared to DSLR lenses that are really terrific. Their $99 9mm Fisheye is great fun to use and really sharp. You can get a very capable 40-150 for a little over $100. I was able to get the Oly 25 1.8 with the EM-10 for $299. Mirrorless cameras have come a long way and even if you still use a DSLR, they are a great addition to any camera kit.

Kickle Loc: Central Illinois

It has been a big decision for me, but I am about convinced to go completely mirrorless. I currently shoot with the Canon 60D and have several nice lenses for it. But on a recent vacation I decided I no longer wanted to carry around heavy gear. I also want something more unobtrusive. There were several times I was itching to take shots, but it seemed wrong to pull out my larger camera.
The only issue now is deciding which camera to go with. I see that there are even APS-C and Full frame mirrorless options. I welcome all your input!

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

I know a thing or two about mirrorless (refer to my signature).

I own a EPM2 and an EM1. I consider the Gx7, but since I don't do video, I preferred olympus's 5 axis over the stabilization in the Gx7. If you don't need weather sealing, the EM10 is perhaps the most exciting camera in the olympus line up to date. Keep in mind that the EM10 doesn't have a power grip accessory, so you are limited to the smaller capacity batteries (350-400 shots or so).

As to the lenses, if you like shooting with primes, then mirrorless was probably made for you. The 7.5, 12, 17, 20, 25, 42.5, 45, 60 macro, and 75 are all excellent. As to zooms, the 7-14, 12-40, 12-35, 14-140, 35-100, 100-300, 75-300 are excellent as well. Feel free to PM me with other specific questions.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd still buy the EM1.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I have had the GX7 since last winter. I took it on a 5 month USA roadtrip with three lenses, and enjoy it a lot.

In the micro four thirds group, Olympus and Panasonic owners can be fiercely defensive about their brand choices. It is not unlike the Nikon and Canon debates!

What questions can I answer?

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

I moved from a regular size DSLR to mirror less two years ago when the Olympus EM5 came out. I have since added the EM1. I have no regrets. Last month I hauled a camera and 4 lenses all over Holland and Belgium in a little sling bag and the total weight was a little over 2 lbs, I never even noticed it. The camera is so tiny that even in the old cathedrals where "real" cameras were prohibited, the guards let me use mine while the guys with the big Canikons had to pack them away.

I can use just about any lens ever made for any format, but the tiny m43 lenses by Oly, Panasonic and Sigma are great and I've gotten very comfy with them. I would suspect you'll be happy with your new toys. Don't be distracted by claims that you're giving up a lot of IQ or that you will only be able to print small. Yesterday I printed a landscape at 24x36 that came out great. Yes, you may have to be more cautious with your larger prints than you would with a giant-megapixel camera but people have been making quality prints from smaller files for years, just use good resize software like On One has for maximizing appearance.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

This article just popped into my inbox from adorama...
http://www.adorama.com/alc/0014688/article/panasonic-lumix-dmc-gx7-guided-tour?utm_source=RSYS&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Email060614ALC&j=Email060614ALC&utm_term=Other&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Email060614ALC&utm_source=RSYS

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

We apparently think on similar tracks except that I bought a RX100 first and then added a M43 camera.

No camera can be perfect, but RX100 has been my most productive camera ever.

Kickle Loc: Central Illinois

Thanks. I will take a close look at the EM-10. The lack of battery grip wouldn't be a problem for me - I would always carry extra batteries.

h2odog Loc: Brooklyn NY

Even though the EM-10 doesn't have a battery grip, the accessory grip that is made for the camera is an excellent addition. It makes the camera comfortable to hold as well as providing a more secure grip. Batteries for the EM-10 are small enough to carry several in a pocket if needed.

anotherview Loc: California

The Fujifilm X-E2 has an APS-C sized sensor, like the sensor on cropped sensor DSLRs.

I own and use this camera now as my walkaround camera. It produces images of remarkable quality. It also has many features and functions that enhance the appeal of this camera. I use the "kit" lens with its 18 to 55mm focal length range. I put the word "kit" in quote marks because this lens has outstanding optical quality.

I can recommend this camera and lens.

Note that the manufacturer says this camera has limits as to the kind of subjects it can successfully photograph; for example, it does not do sports activity well. Because I do not take pictures of sports, this limitation does not bear on my experience with this fine camera.

A couple Web-sites to visit if interested:

http://fujifilm-x.com/x-e2/en/index.html

http://fstoppers.com/this-is-the-fuji-youve-been-waiting-for

Good luck.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

There has also been quite the hype about the A6000, in reference to its AF accuracy. I'd also mention the GH4 and it's ability to focus in the dark (-2EV), but it's a bit larger than most mirrorless models...although it is smaller still than most DSLRs, and it is the only camera that shoots true 4k video (yes I know about the the Sony A7s).

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

FWIW, it was largely because of UHH that I bought a GX7.

Here on UHH I was inspired by the Nikanon group with their long lens wildlife shooting. I wanted to do that, but did not want the weight, bulk or price of Nikanon gear.

One day I found two lenses. Olympus makes a 75-300 and Panasonic makes a 100-300. In the M43 Olympus/Panasonic system, you double the numbers to get a "35mm equivalent". That's in the range on the long end of the popular Big Sigma 50-500 for the Nikanions!

I picked the Panasonic 100-300 because it has built in stabilization and is slightly faster than the Olympus 75-300. Reviews of the 100-300 were acceptable.

For the chosen lens I would need a body. There are plenty to pick from because within the Panasonic/Olympus M43 system you can mix and match lenses and bodies. It would be like being able to use a Nikon body if you owned Canon lenses! I gradually worked toward the GX7 for size, weight, price and capability.

Does it work? Better than I thought! I'm getting RAW photos, JPEGs and some video clips of wildlife I could not have imagined before. What didn't work was that the lens is too long for anything "normal". I fixed that by adding a Panasonic 14-140.

I now have a very compact camera and two lens kit that has extraordinary capability. And, it all started by admiring wildlife photos here at UHH!

Kickle Loc: Central Illinois

I like the look and size of the GX7, plus the tilt-out screen and some of the other features.

I am concerned about the image quality and low light performance since it has a smaller sensor than my current camera. What has been your experience on that?

How high can you set ISO and still get acceptable image quality?

I would also be interested in the lenses you use for your camera.

Can you get a converter to use Canon EF lenses?

Have you had problems connecting to WIFI with this camera?

Sorry, That is a lot of questions!