PCB_smv

I am thinking of getting a mirrorless Camera and would appreciate any advice. I have a Nikon D700 and lenses but due to severe arthritis in my hands the weight of the Camera is making it difficult to use. I have read that the mirrorless Camera are lighter in weight. Again, any advice will be appreciated.
I am new here but have enjoyed the posts.

BebuLamar

I would recommend you to check out the EVF on these cameras. The mirrorless has a lot of advantages over a DSLR if you think the EVF is right for you.

MtnMan Loc: ID

They are lighter but also can be much smaller. If you go non-Nikon you'll have to learn a new control approach. Nikon has still failed to come out with a decent mirrorless (at least M 4/3 sensor but preferably APS-C).

I tried a Sony NEX7. It is the predecessor to the Sony 6000. It took great images but I couldn't adapt to Sonyspeak.

You might consider a Nikon D3300. It is pretty light but not so small that handling would be difficult. Or a D5500.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Check out Fuji, Olympus, Panasonic or Sony mirrorless models.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

If you are looking at mirrorless, the Panasonic Gx8, Fuji X-T1 or X-T2, or Olympus EM 1 or EM2 might be the right size for you. They are all on the larger size, perhaps a bit heavier but with much larger, deeper grips than most mirrorless. Too small will be just as bad as too heavy for your arthritic hands. In your case I would definitely say try before you buy but I know that it is difficult to find a local camera store that carries the aforementioned brands/models. You might consider renting. I have the Panasonic Gx8 and Fuji X-T2 and both are comfortable cameras. And it's not too hard to find small lenses for each. I previously owned the Olympus EM5, Sony a6000 and Olympus EM10 and Fuji X-T20 and although all were fine cameras I never could get comfortable holding them.
(PS- IMHO Olympus menus are complicated and non intuitive)

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

In your case since you want to keep the weight down, look at m4/3. Sony and Fuji are great, but their lenses are the same size as your typical aps-c sized DSLR lenses. Take a look at the EM10ii, EM5ii, Gx-85, Gx-8. If those are too small, then step up to an EM1, EM1ii, or GH5.

My personal favorite lenses for the m4/3 system are: 12-40 f2.8, 75mm f1.8, 7-14 f2.8, 25mm f1.4 or f1.8, and 45mm f1.8. If you need more reach the 40-150 kit lens is dirt cheap and quite nice, but if you're after speed, then go with the f2.8 version. Also consider buying used, you'll save a ton a cash...that's how I buy most of my lenses (bodies I typically buy new).
You'll be amazed at the weight savings. Keep in mind you'll also need to buy a few extra batteries, and likely a new bag, as a mirrorless setup will swim in a traditional DSLR bag.

(Download)

BJW

My primary camera is a Nikon D500. My travel camera is a Panasonic Lumix G85 which is a MFT. I'm on vacation now and Oh how I wish I had brought my G85. Sorry I left it home. The difference in weight is very substantial. The difference in practical benefits of one over the other is not that great. Both are excellent cameras.
But as I get older I agree that weight and bulk has convinced me of the wisdom of mirrorless.
When comparing which mirrorless to choose it will all boil down to how much you feel like spending and maybe your photographic preferences. The one big difference that I have found is performance in low light, where the D500 is far better than the Lumix. To compensate I just use as fast a lens as I can get on the Lumix. But there are mirrorless cameras with larger sensors--but they are bigger and they cost more. Like most others I would say go to a local camera store and spend a few hours holding each brand in your hands to get the feel. And, there are plenty of internet sources including youtube where you can compare the features of the mirrorless brands. Whatever you decide, you will be impressed with the huge difference in weight and portability without compromising image quality.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Amen!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The only systems (bodies plus native lenses) that are *significantly* lighter are Micro 4/3 systems made by Olympus and Panasonic. A Micro 4/3 system can be 1/3 the size, bulk, and weight of an APS-C/DX system, or 1/4 the size, bulk, and weight of a full frame/FX system.

If you want the "top of the heap," look at the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5. Those are $2000 bodies. If you want something less pricey, look at the OM-D E-M5 Mark II and the Lumix DMC-G85 (G80 in Europe).

Over 90 Micro 4/3 lenses are available. At least a quarter of them are of professional quality (and price), but overall, you'll spend less on lenses. The focal lengths are HALF what full frame lenses need for the same fields of view — i.e.; a 25mm lens on Micro 4/3 provides the same field of view as a 50mm lens on your D700. A 60mm lens on Micro 4/3 provides the same field of view as a 120mm lens on full frame, etc.

Because the focal length for a given field of view is cut in half, the depth of field for that same field of view is greater by about two f/stops. (A 25mm Micro 4/3 lens set at f/2 has depth of field similar to a 50mm lens on full frame set to f/4.)

Because a Micro 4/3 sensor has about 1/4 the surface area of a full frame sensor, each sensor site is about 1/4 as sensitive as an equivalent full frame sensor. So a 16MP Micro 4/3 sensor receives 1/4 the light that a full frame 16MP sensor does. That is equivalent to two f/stops less dynamic range and high ISO sensitivity. If you like your D700 up to ISO 6400, you will like your Micro 4/3 camera up to ISO 1600. (Put another way, a 16MP Micro 4/3 sensor has the "pixel density" of a 64MP full frame sensor!)

Knowing those three points about focal length choice, depth of field, and sensitivity is important, and will scare away some purists. In practice, however, I have not found them to be severely limiting for the kinds of work I do.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Very well done explanation of the technical aspects.

The only thing I'd add is that the control approach and programming might be worth considering. Starting with any manufacturers approach is probably equally fine. But switching between two can be testing.

I had become adapted to Nikon's approach. I then bought a Sony NEX7 (predecessor to 6500). It took great pictures and had better programming features than my Nikons (e.g. Panorama and low light). But I struggled with the controls and Sonyspeak each time I switched to it. So I dumped it and went back to a lighter weight Nikon (D5300).

More recently I got a M4/3 Lumix (teeny GM5). Somehow its programming and control isn't as difficult to switch back and forth from (still have two Nikons for when size and weight doesn't matter much). The only problem I have with it is that when we are travelling my wife tends to grab it over her Nikon. 😒

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Great point!

Panasonic has the easiest menu structures to follow, and the most sensible dial and button layouts, of any brand of mirrorless camera I've tried. Sony and Olympus have the most challenging.

I can re-assign the functions of my GH4 dials and buttons to match whatever scheme I want.

Ergonomics are very important. Buying a camera with the best specs or test scores is a mistake if you don't want to use it because it is awkward to do so.

Rent or borrow, and try before you buy...

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

I am reading and seeing so much about Sony A7s and A9s overheating that I would stay far away. Look at the Panasonic GH5 of the Fuji XT2

JPL

There are many good choices for you. You could f.x. get a Nikon 1 camera and kit lens and FT1 adapter. Then you can use that camera when you want and you can still use the D700 when you can and you could use the lenses you already have with the adapter and the Nikon 1 camera.
This would be the least expensive solution to your problem and you would be able to use it with your old glass when you want to. And when you want to use this as standalone system it is the lightest option available.

You could also switch system and go to Olympus or Panasonic or Fuji crop sensor cameras (m4/3) They are not as light as the Nikon 1 system, but a whole lot lighter than the D700 with lenses.
This would be a bit costly but you would get very good cameras and lenses that weigh a lot less than what you currently use.

Or you could switch to a bridge camera with 1" sensor. They generally produce good image quality and have pretty good zoom lenses.
Then you would have a rather good all-in-one camera that is a lot lighter than your current camera.

What I would not recommend is to buy f.x. a full frame mirrorless camera as the weight difference is not all that much and when you put lenses on it is maybe down to 15-25% compared to what you are using now so I am not sure if it would really help you to do that.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Yes.

The touch screen on the Panasonic Lumix GM5 surprised me. I am not of the touch screen generation so didn't think I'd like it. Turns out I like it so much I'm considering trading my Nikon D5300 for a D5500.

The other thing that surprised me with the GM5 is the LCD. Prior to the GM5 I wouldn't have a serious camera without a viewfinder because I usually photograph in bright sun and often couldn't see the LCD on my P&Ss. The GM5 has a viewfinder but the LCD is so good in bright sun I find myself using it over the viewfinder. The touch screen might encourage that behavior.

jcboy3

I shoot Panasonic, Olympus, and Nikon. Had a Sony, but it got stolen and I didn't replace it because I didn't like the Sony user interface.

I think Olympus menu system is more like Nikon; it may be an easier transition.

You will find a few differences; everybody elses lenses twist on/off in the opposite direction. Also, Olympus lenses zoom in the opposite direction. I really don't notice it too much, but try not to mix Panasonic and Olympus zoom lenses on the same shoot (I do mix prime lenses, focus goes the same direction).