Latest on mirrorless cameras: I just turned 73 today and as you may have read I have just returned from a 5 week holiday and found this time that carrying a lot of kit around became a...

Adicus Loc: New Zealand

I just turned 73 today and as you may have read I have just returned from a 5 week holiday and found this time that carrying a lot of kit around became a bit much. I am now thinking seriously about the possibility of going mirrorless to lighten the load. I reallise that this has probably been hashed over but wonder what the latest on mirrorless is.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Adicus wrote:

I just turned 73 today and as you may have read I have just returned from a 5 week holiday and found this time that carrying a lot of kit around became a bit much. I am now thinking seriously about the possibility of going mirrorless to lighten the load. I reallise that this has probably been hashed over but wonder what the latest on mirrorless is.

Try an Olympus E-M1 mrII, E-M5 mrII, or E-M10 mrIII with a 12-100mm f4 IS lense. Or the Panasonic GH4 or GH5 with a similar lense. I toured Germany for eleven days with the E-M1 mrII and 12-100mm f4 and it covered 99% of the shots. There was only one shot of a door where I could not back up to properly shoot with the 12mm end of the zoom. The E-M1 mrII with the 12-100mm f4 Pro is an amazing combination.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Adicus wrote:

I just turned 73 today and as you may have read I have just returned from a 5 week holiday and found this time that carrying a lot of kit around became a bit much. I am now thinking seriously about the possibility of going mirrorless to lighten the load. I reallise that this has probably been hashed over but wonder what the latest on mirrorless is.

Happy Birthday

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Adicus wrote:

I just turned 73 today and as you may have read I have just returned from a 5 week holiday and found this time that carrying a lot of kit around became a bit much. I am now thinking seriously about the possibility of going mirrorless to lighten the load. I reallise that this has probably been hashed over but wonder what the latest on mirrorless is.

If you really expect less total kit weight, look first at Micro 4/3 gear from Panasonic Lumix and Olympus. Full frame and APS-C offerings don’t save much weight, because only their BODIES are lighter.

Most of the mirrorless weight savings are in Micro 4/3 format lenses.

rayr

Adicus wrote:

I just turned 73 today and as you may have read I have just returned from a 5 week holiday and found this time that carrying a lot of kit around became a bit much. I am now thinking seriously about the possibility of going mirrorless to lighten the load. I reallise that this has probably been hashed over but wonder what the latest on mirrorless is.

I am 63 and just faced the same situation. I was using a full frame nikon and a 150-600mm lens to shoot wildlife and it was wearing me out after a few hours. I decided there must be another way to still do what I wanted with lighter equipment. I did some research and decided on the Olympus EM-1 Mark ll and a Panasonic 100-400 lens. After a few weeks learning my way around this camera, I rarely take the nikon out. Once you learn the strengths and weakness of the Olympus, it is a great camera and will serve your needs well. And there are literally hundreds of lenses out there to choose from. Good luck on whatever you decide on, I just recommend to a friend the other day that he rent a Mark ll for a week and see if it's what he wants.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Adicus wrote:

I just turned 73 today and as you may have read I have just returned from a 5 week holiday and found this time that carrying a lot of kit around became a bit much. I am now thinking seriously about the possibility of going mirrorless to lighten the load. I reallise that this has probably been hashed over but wonder what the latest on mirrorless is.

Not surprisingly, money enters into the equation. If I were switching from DLSR to mirrorless, I would look at Fuji (X-T2). Since you're leaving the DSLR world behind, look for a good quality mirrorless. Be sure to check the weight and consider what lenses you'll want. Adding an 18-200mm to my little A6000 makes it big and heavy. Spend three days reading. Then buy!

http://www.techradar.com/news/photography-video-capture/cameras/best-compact-system-camera-2013-the-best-models-reviewed-960832
https://www.switchbacktravel.com/best-mirrorless-cameras
https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-mirrorless-camera/
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-mirrorless-cameras,review-2221.html
https://www.pcmag.com/roundup/251078/the-best-mirrorless-cameras

jimfullwood Loc: Sarasota, but Ex pat from UK

I have the XT2, its an amazing camera.

AndyT Loc: Hampstead, New Hampshire

I also have and highly recommend the Fuji X-T2. I have Fuji's 18-135 lens, so it's basically a 27-200+ mm. I find this range covers my needs without changing lenses. Lightweight even without a thinner smaller lens.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

If you have thought about buying a mirrorless camera I am sure by now you have some information about the different brands and their system of lenses and accessories. I do not really know what do you mean by "the latest on mirrorless." The little cameras are all packed with more technologies than a dSLR.
If you are looking for a mirrorless camera I know the Olympus EM-1 Mk II has what appears to be a very good AF system but I have not used one to tell. Sony is also said to be very good, you will have to do your homework. Fuji I know is very good too and Panasonic is not far behind either.

AFPhoto Loc: Jamestown, RI, USA

wdross wrote:

Try an Olympus E-M1 mrII, E-M5 mrII, or E-M10 mrIII with a 12-100mm f4 IS lense. Or the Panasonic GH4 or GH5 with a similar lense. I toured Germany for eleven days with the E-M1 mrII and 12-100mm f4 and it covered 99% of the shots. There was only one shot of a door where I could not back up to properly shoot with the 12mm end of the zoom. The E-M1 mrII with the 12-100mm f4 Pro is an amazing combination.

I just got back from 18 days in Southeast Asia with that same combination and I am delighted with the results. I still have my big rig (Canon 5D iii and L lenses) but more and more I take the Olympus when I travel.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

Adicus wrote:

I just turned 73 today and as you may have read I have just returned from a 5 week holiday and found this time that carrying a lot of kit around became a bit much. I am now thinking seriously about the possibility of going mirrorless to lighten the load. I reallise that this has probably been hashed over but wonder what the latest on mirrorless is.

Love my Olympus micro 4/3 equipment. Olympus pro lenses are excellent. For my use, largely recreational, I find myself using the Olympus more and more. Excellent image quality. Learning another system can be time consuming.

D74M

I purchase a Fuji X-T1 about 6 months ago w/their 18-135mm lens. It’s a fundamental camera. Would have purchased the X-T2, but didn’t want to spend quite that much money. With the firmware updates, didn’t seem the difference were worth the higher cost. Probably the most significant difference is sensor (16mb to a 24mb). Anyway, good luck with your decisions. You’ve received many good suggestions and believe there are many quality mirrorless cameras available from Fuji, Olympus, Panasonic, and Sony.

Tonym2s Loc: Florida

I have a Olympus E5 love it but it was getting heavy with lens and all. Never thought I would go mirrorless but after reading up I got the Oly OM-D E-M5 MARKII. No regrets at all. That and a few of Olys pro lenses. Much easyer on hands and wrists. Great camera but I will point out you will put out some dollers for it not cheap. Another point for it as bending down is getting harder now (61) this camera can be controled through you smart phone! Can't wait to get some low ground shots with mono/tri pod.

oldpsych Loc: Indianapolis

I am about 70 and facing the same issues. I am trading in my FF Nikon gear for on Olympus OM D E M1Mll, 12-100 and 75-300 lenses. It came down to the Oly vs. the Fuji X2 and I opted for the Oly based in part on the in camera stabilization system.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Adicus wrote:

I just turned 73 today and as you may have read I have just returned from a 5 week holiday and found this time that carrying a lot of kit around became a bit much. I am now thinking seriously about the possibility of going mirrorless to lighten the load. I reallise that this has probably been hashed over but wonder what the latest on mirrorless is.

Hi Adicus
Hope you are having / have had a great birthday. Our Hog friends have said it all - but getting older and kit getting heavier is not the only reason for going M43. I know M43 has been around for nearly ten years - but it is still the new boy on the street. It is almost a different photographic world - but a brave new world that can surpass the olde worlde - as those who have taken the plunge can testify to. There are geometric differences in lens / camera construction which provide many subtle advantages - not the least being cost! After a decade most died-in -the wool DSLR fans will not have tried M43. So - try it - and you'll buy it, and become a born-again photographer.