sergio

I do all kinds of photography but I mostly enjoy doing birds for which I am using a Canon 7D II with a Tamron 150-600 and frequently a 1.4X extender. It seems to me that a mirrorless camera would offer a small decrease of the weight (as the weight is mainly in the lens and not in the body), a limited choice of lenses and no gain in picture quality. Therefore I am inclined to purchase (when available) a Canon 7D III and not a mirrorles.
Please advise!

scubadoc Loc: Sarasota, FL

The 7D II is a fantastic camera for BIF. High frame rate, great focusing system, and with its cropped sensor, and a 400 mm lens with a 1.4 TE, you have the equivalent of a 900 mm tele. If there is a MK III, it can only be an improvement, unless Canon comes out with a R series with similar specs.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

You are absolutely right in general.
No advantage in weight with long lenses, in fact Sony lenses are generally larger and heavier than Canon lenses in the high end optics so the 1 oz you save in the camera goes to the lens making for an awkward front heavy setup.
Who knows if there is a 7DIII coming or not. If it does it will be a most excellent camera. If it comes out as an R camera it will be excellent and Canon is not overdoing the miniature mirrorless body for ergonomics and "Feel". Also all your lenses will work just fine and even better than before as the EOS system is that advanced. Canon was smart with the M series for those who truly want a small light package but if needed can still use the EF/EFs lenses just fine.
So remember that with the Canon system ALL EF/EFs lenses work on the R mirrorless even better than before on the EF so you do have an incredible range of lenses for the R system as well.

anotherview Loc: California

The switch to mirrorless will become easier for Canon camera shooters for the reasons you describe.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Though mostly a Nikon user, I'd agree with your staying with the conventional DSLR format. This is especially if you are primarily photographing birds.
--Bob

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Why switch? If it ain’t broken...

anotherview Loc: California

Generally my view. I own but seldom use an early Fujifilm mirrorless camera. It has its pluses. I like the way it calibrates flash lighting. Its two lenses I own produce fine images.

Still, I remain invested with the Canon DSLR and its lenses including a few Sigma lenses.

I take the wait-and-see position regarding the mirrorless camera while exercising skepticism toward the sales ballyhoo associated with this innovation.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

What I am seeing with Canon R and to some lesser extent Nikon Z are showing the true potential of the mirrorless as a system that a DSLR can't do. They chose to make large lens flange openings for exotic designs and features. These are not available on the small openings like Sony has. Sony was marketed as "small and light" but in reality the equivalent lenses as the DSLRs they were as big and heavy or larger and heavier than DSLR lenses so the ounce or 2 saved was lost in a huge front heavy lens. With Sony's small opening they are limited to now small incremental improvements. I do think we are seeing the beginning of some pretty incredible things as Canon and Nikon mirrorless mature.

Photocraig

I had the chance to replace my Canon gear that was stolen with just about anything I wanted. When all was said and done, and I'd put SONY A6000 series, Olympus 5 series and fuji X series cameras to he "feel" test at a bricks and mortar store. The EOS 77D body was about an ounce heavier than the Sony 6000 series body and several $hundred less expensive than the 6300 or 6500. True, no IBIS. And the 77D is no 80 D, 7DII or soon to be (rumored 7DIII. The deal breakers were that the Mirrorless lenses were just as big and heavy as the Canon lenses, and the premium lenses were far and few between and TWICE as expensive as the Canon "L" Series--and few are available on the used market. So knowing my forever limited budget, my chances of ever buying a premium lens for a SONY, OLY or Fuji camera were very small.

AND I've had three EOS D series cameras two with the top screen. I know how they work, I chose to replace my working lens set. EF-S 10-18, EF 70-300 II (upgrade for me from the original) and the terrific SIGMA 17-70. If I'd chosen another path, I would have really WAY overspent my insurance check or would have had to live with just a body and normal (but very good) kit lens--and a learning curve.

If the good fortune does come my way, I can still buy a 7DIII, or a used/refurbed 7DII or 80D afterwards and upgrade my body durability. With the adapters the EOS R comes into play.

I walked into that store researched and prepared t walk out with either a SONY, Oly or Fuji camera. It was the weight, size and form factor of the lenses, and the limited availability and numbers of Premium lenses for the future that turned the deal. My results with the 77D are very good. Canon has also finally rewarded us with an upgrade path (if the adapter reviews are correct) to full frame AND mirrorless at the same time while preserving our lens investments.

Confession: I subscribe to Jeff Goldblum's character's line in "The Big Chill." "Rationalization is more important than sex. When was the last time you went two weeks without a rationalization?"

C

BebuLamar

Not my opinion but according to many UHH members you're wrong. They said "Mirrorless is the future" and using the DSLR turns you into a dinosaur. (Being a dinosaur isn't a bad thing right? as I heard finding a dinosaur these they can make you rich).

anotherview Loc: California

Short take: The mirrorless camera will have to prove itself to photographers as a worthy innovation. Virtually everything else remains boliviation and sales hyperbole.

BebuLamar

Once again not my opinion but reading the posts on the UHH it seems that the DSLR will be dead in less than 5 years.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Unless you are living under a rock, how can you make such a statement?

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Wasn't the old Leica mirrorless?