JimRPhoto Loc: Raleigh NC

Hello Everyone. I’ve been following posts daily for several years now, and this forum is a great place to learn, both from the narrative posts and the photos. I follow with interest the many posts on switching to mirrorless cameras. My question is, why do so many see this as a step up? I for one have a Canon full frame DLSR, and an Olympus OM-D (which is essentially a mirrorless camera). I am not seeing a good reason, an advantage, to even consider going into the Canon FF mirrorless world, with the need for all new lenses and accessories. As of now, I use the Canon equipment for trips by car where I can bring what I need, since size and weight are factors. And I use the Olympus OM-D system for trips by air, since I can fit two bodies, three lenses, and accessories, all into one “normal” size over the shoulder messenger bag. I see and understand the differences between the mirrorless Olympus body and the SLR body of the Canon, but beyond that, why push to “upgrade” to full frame mirrorless. I would be most interested in your views on this. Thanks much. JimR

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

'Cause it's the latest and greatest??

I won't, unless that's all that is available in the future.
I just have no interest in mirrorless.

But you'll get a lot of people telling you why you should.

anotherview Loc: California

Beware the sell-job for new gear.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Whenever I see "vs." the intent of the question is dubious. I have both types, each has advantages and disadvantages. IMO No one can dictate what the best choice is for anyone else. Person has to do their research work and make their own choice.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Jim, you've likely observed by now: the longer you read UHH, the more expensive it gets. The dump your DSLR camera for mirrorless phenomena is just the latest iteration, similar to the need to replace your camera for each new incremental version number or calendar year, whichever happens first.

The idea that FF cameras are both lighter and smaller has been disproven by the facts, especially if you're shooting the premium f/2.8 and faster lenses and / or the IS-enabled models.

A mirrorless body does provide several tangible improvements, including:

- In-body image stabilization for all lenses

- Eye-tracking AF (most advanced models)

- Sharper native 'mirrorless' lenses

- Electronic View Finders (EVF) that provide more technical details in the view finder with the camera raised to your eye in a shooting position

- Integrated camera controls on the native mirrorless lens

- AF points across the entire frame geography

- Greener grass when captured with a mirrorless camera

All the other technology benefits such as higher pixel resolution, newest processors, higher frame rates, AF improvements (tracking) will also now appear first in the mirrorless models where the new DSLRs releases will slow or completely stop. Canon especially is pushing the technology envelope with new RF lenses like 600mm and 800mm primes at reasonable prices and a very compact 70-200 f/2.8 zoom that will surely put the traditional internal zoom versions out of favor.

If you've ever struggled to 'see' your LCD for image review in bright light, you can use the EVF to review image details in the view finder, including the 10x zoom into the details.

Only you can decide if you're letting a mirror hold you back from the photographer you were meant to be.

bleirer

Something to consider when your gear is older and long of tooth, no need to rush to the camera store now. If you have quality EF lenses you can use them all with no loss of performance on the RF mount with the adapter. Canon is no longer developing EF lenses, so all new lens models will be RF.

There are some things I like, like having the viewfinder show me manual focus peaking, 10x magnification, exposure simulation, eye and subject tracking, thumb control of the focus point position, every pixel is an autofocus position, a fully articulating led screen so you can lean over the edge to shoot, I'll think of more later. New models have in camera image stabilization, more advanced tracking.

mrpentaxk5ii

I have been using Pentax DSLR'S for about a dozen years, I still own every camera I have bought along the way. I have A K1 MKII, K3 MKII K3, K5 MKII KP and now I have added a Olympus OMD 1 MKII aqnd I got a great buy on a Panasonic GH 4. I just used the Oly to photograph a series called Through the woods. Both systems give good results both a different photographic experience, so it's hard to pick one over the other. I photograph different subjects and do some event photography and for events I use the K1 and K3, for times i need to travel light the KP and the Oly / Panasonic cameras work great, so it depends on your shooting style, budget and weather you want travel light or you rather use a larger camera body and lens combo.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I, like you, have a FF DSLR and a crop mirrorless system. I pick one or the other based on weight/size (the crop MILC is half the size weight of the FF) or capability (the FF has better high ISO performance and better resolution). Honestly, I wouldn’t notice the difference except for those factors if the FF was mirrorless or the crop was a DSLR. I won’t be changing either system.

User ID

Kinda makes you wonder how the SLR ever replaced the good old familiar simple rugged TLR ... maybe cuz there were no Internet forums.

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

Mirrors are genuinely handy things sometimes. On the one hand, they let you see what you look like, on the other (hand) they either let you see where you could have been, or that you're wearing a glove.

BebuLamar

Many posts here have listed all the advantages of the mirrorless vs DSLR. If you don't find it's better then don't use it. I don't but I know why others do.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

There is only you and your camera. Will you let the mirror be the weakest link in the chain?

Quixdraw Loc: x

Vampires hate mirrors!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

There ya go!

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

Many of the advantages of mirrorless aren't because of the lack of the mirror, but because of the camera companies putting the newest features into mirrorless first
Keep in mind that the only reason companies change anything is either because they believe people will buy it, or it will save/make them money.