Teacher22 Loc: Texas

Just wondering what is the advantage of a Mirrorless camera over a digital full frame camera? I'm interested in your comments.

xxredbeardxx Loc: San Clemente CA.

Weight.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Mirrorless cameras are smaller and lighter. That's the big appeal. They also tend to be less expensive than some DSLRs, but not all. I've never read a review of a mirrorless that said it produced better images than a top quality DSLR, but no one ever complained about poor image quality from mirrorless cameras, either.

Mirrorless cameras have smaller sensors, so you're starting out with a smaller image. Technology balances out the equation and produces excellent pictures from the smaller sensor, but still, it is s smaller sensor.

You don't have the huge selection of lenses that DSLRs offer, but the choices are expanding. Lenses are generally more expensive, too. Where a DSLR has through-the-lens viewing, a mirrorless will have either no viewfinder or an electronic one. I don't care for either choice, but you can get used to anything. I tried the Sony NEX cameras about a year ago, and sold them, going back to my Nikon DSLRs.

There is tons of info online comparing these formats, and it was an article by Trey Ratcliff that persuaded me to buy the Sonys.

http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2013/07/04/sony-nex-review-nikon-vs/

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'm sorry, but I think Teacher wants the answer now! :D

Beagleman Loc: Indiana

Your title is misleading. All newer cameras nowadays are digital.

Commenting on your question, the trend seems to be towards mirrorless. In general they are smaller, lighter, have no mirror slap, and have electronic viewfinders. They also can accommodate smaller lenses because of no mirror in the way of the lens, hence closer to the sensor.

--Beagleman

amehta Loc: Boston

We should be a little more precise about what we are discussing, DSLRs and MILCs (mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras). DSLRs come in two sensor sizes, full frame (35mm) and APS-C. MILCs currently are available in four sensor sizes:
1. full frame, 1x (Sony A7 series)
2. APS-C, 1.5x (Sony, Fuji)
3. micro 4/3, 2x (Olympus, Panasonic)
4. 1"/CX (Nikon 1)
so one advantage is that you get some more choices for smaller cameras.

Removing the mirror has some specific advantages. Not having a mechanical device to move is good for both reliability and vibration. The camera can be thinner because it does not need to have room for the mirror to flip up. A DSLR has to be at least as thick as the height of the sensor, the MILC does not. Because there does not need to be room for the mirror, the lens mount can be closer to the sensor. This means that wide angle lenses can be designed differently, allowing them to be smaller and lighter.

DSLR lenses are designed to be mounted a certain distance from the sensor, which is larger than the distance between the MILC lens mount and the sensor. That means there is room for the MILC to add an adapter to then mount the DSLR lens. Sony A-mount lenses can be attached to the Sony MILCs this way, and Nikon FX/DX lenses can be put on a Nikon 1 camera.

Some people consider the electronic viewfinder (EVF) an advantage, while others see it as a disadvantage. Each user has to decide that for themselves.

amehta Loc: Boston

There are mirrorless cameras with the same sensor sizes as DSLRs, both full frame and APS-C (like your NEX?)

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

For me, mirrorless does everything a dslr will do...but in a much lighter package. There's no going back to a traditional dslr.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

Sony and Fuji use cmos size sensors. Olympus and Panasonic are micro 4/3 and us smaller sensors. Sony has a full frame mirror less camera.

Past Pro Loc: Spring Hill, Florida

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

I don't know about advantages other than weight.. Nikon has an adapter available to make all of the Nikon DSLR lenses work on theirs but the view factor is 2.77 versus 1.5 on DX so keep that in mind.

xxredbeardxx Loc: San Clemente CA.

Oh sure Jerry. spoiler.

Hey, when did you move over the fence to Sony?
That means buying all new lenses. ouch.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'm too impulsive. I read Trey Radcliff's article about switching to Sony NEX, and I did the same thing - about a year ago. After a few months, I sold them on ebay - bodies and lenses. It was an expensive mistake - probably not my last.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

When using a mirrorless EVF type camera doesn't it use more power to run it, there for I think one would need carry more batteries to power a system like that. So would not all that extra weight be like a DSLR?. Now I'm talking about the serious photographers who are in the field all day! OH well I guess to each his own! I'll keep my DSLR and sling bag with all my goodies in it.

amehta Loc: Boston

For now. :twisted: