CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

This summary list should help: Myths about mirrorless cameras

ratjones

I recently bought a Nikon Z6 - having used Nikon DSLRs - currently a D4s... I have a good means of comparison. The Z6 excels in most every aspect of photographic mechanics... I use it with a small LED lighted studio mostly as the ISO range is superior to the D4s when using those lights (You need the higher ISO range with the dimmer lighting of LEDs) I love being able to see exactly what I am getting when I look through the viewfinder, too! Outside in the environment is a different story.... The Z6 has one MAJOR flaw - it will shut down in direct sunlight on hot days after only a few minute of operation - unless you somehow shield the camera from said sun. The housing becomes very hot and - no more shooting until the housing cools down....typically a few minutes keeping the camera in shade. So not a bright sunny day camera. It functions normally in every other situation and is a great tool to use alongside your DSLR or as a backup camera - just not in bright sunny environments! (I am hoping Nikon will be taking steps in their next versions of these cameras to eliminate that problem - don't know if the Z7 is subjected to the same shortcoming....)

Retina Loc: Near Charleston,SC

Three big advantages I can think of are In Body Image Stabilization (IBIS), silent shooting option, and reduced or no vibration from the shutter. Also, if you happen to be into video, you can use the same system for both better than with a reflex camera.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

"What are the advantages to switching over to a mirrorless camera from a dSLR? "

It all depends. For sure not a spectacular advantage when it comes to AF from all I know. For traveling or long hikes the mirrorless is very hard to beat. Mirrorless cameras are usually smaller and lighter and so are the lenses with few exceptions. Firing rate is pretty fast with mirrorless bodies.

The technology built into mirrorless cameras is far superior to that built into a dSLR. Mirrorless, and my experience is with Olympus, allow the operator to see changes made to the exposure in the rear LCD. Because they have no mirror they tend to have a quiet shutter.
The quality of the files for enlargements is excellent. The majority of photographers using full frame mirrorless bodies feel comfortable having the smaller camera compared to dSLR. Arguably the absence of a mirror and the closer distance from the rear of the lens to the focal plane makes for sharper images.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Yes, as they say "old habits never die." I still sometimes shoot a film 4x5" View Camera or two.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

Mirrorless camera advantages:
1. What you see is what you get. You know you have the correct exposure before you press the shutter release.
2. Front focus and back-focus problems caused by buildup of lens, focus sensor, and mirror tolerances in DSLRs are resolved.
3. No vibration at low shutter speeds as a result of the mirror being lifted for the exposure.
4. You can see the histogram on the back of the camera and in the viewfinder before you press the shutter release, making ETTR (expose to the right) easy.
5. The AF points cover a much larger area of the focal plane--up to 95% in some systems.

While mirrorless cameras weigh ½ to 1lb less than their DSLR counterparts, the lenses don't weigh less and some find the grip on mirrorless cameras to be uncomfortably small.

If you are happy with the images your DSLR produces with the lenses you have, there is no advantage to switching--you would have to learn a new set of controls and a new menu system.

Mirrorless cameras work better with native mirrorless lenses, but adapted DSLR lenses are an option. Buying a whole new camera system of both camera and lenses is expensive.

Vietnam Vet

For me, with my current cameras, switching to mirrorless I would have fewer frames per second and lose my 1200+ shots per battery charge. And that's enough for me not to switch. One benefit of mirrorless is you can actually see exactly what your picture will look like before you take the picture. But I can use Live view and and the depth of preview button and that's close enough for me.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

The simplest differences, especially if you are comparing any DSLR to 4/3rds, is size, weight, and cost. In the viewfinder, what you see is what you get and is recorded for mirrorless. This is not always true for the DSLR if it is too dark to see anything in the viewfinder. There is a trade off in ISO and DOF between DSLR and 4/3rds. And if you want large resolutions, stick with DSLR. But not many of us print that many photos above 30 X 40 anymore. If you print 8 X 10s mostly, a 26mp DSLR (2:3 ratio) prints with almost the same number of megapixels as the 20mp 4/3rds camera. Still, it comes down to your needs and preferences.

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

How many FPS do you get with your DSLR? The Fuji X-T3 can get up to 30 FPS. Another benefit with most of the Fuji MILC's is that there is very little menu diving needed as most controls are external.

CaptainPhoto

I had a Canon APC - 70D canon and 5D - Full frame with all the different lenses. Sold the whole Canon system for the Olympus E-3-Mk II -
Wight was one consideration along with size, of both the camera and the lenses. Compare the MACRO lens for the Olympus to the Canon - world of difference is size and weight. Do that for any DSLR camera vs the Mirroless and you can easily see the difference.

But even more than that. Depending on what type of shooting your do, the Olympus offers more features than any other mirroless brand or DSLR camera. Nothing else on the market comes close to the Olympus. I also have a Sony A6000 - nice camera (my first mirroless) but it is not weatherproof. Olympus lenses and camera top the A6000 by a long shot.

Indy55

Simply put, size, weight, mobility, and technology.

kufengler Loc: Meridian, Idaho 83646

I have a Nikon D7100 w/18-200mm Nikkor lens and Nikon D90 w/10-24mm Nikor lens; about 18 months ago I purchased a Canon EOS M50 w/EF-M 18-150 lens after trying out the M3 on a couple trips. As far as results for what I take pictures of I feel the mirror-less is just as good as the DSLR cameras I have.
My main reason for getting the Mirror-less is size, weight & just as good picture quality. I got tired of lugging the DSLR cameras on our Mexico vacations, where as the M50 even with the 18-150 lens fits in my shoulder bag that I usually carry when we wander around.

Firefox23508

While I’m firmly in the MILC camp and have been since the Panasonic Lumix G1 came out in 2008, I do take issue with some of the advantages stated above. While the bodies can be smaller, they aren’t cheaper. The lenses for Canon, Nikon, and Sony are huge. AND they are not inexpensive. I’d say the DSLR camp has the advantage in small and more inexpensive lenses. For me, the real advantages to MILC are the elimination of front/back focus issues and having the histogram in the viewfinder. Other advantages such as the lack of viewfinder blackout and the option for silent shooting can’t be ignored. While I no longer use Panasonic or Olympus, those two companies have the edge in small kits and a panoply of small, light, and sharp lenses and someone looking for those qualities should check those companies out. Currently I am using a Canon R, not a small body (not big either, but bigger than Sony or Nikon equivalents) and the 24-105 L zoom—not small either. Options abound in MILC, just depends what you are looking for.

AndyGarcia

Hi there,

I switched to MILC from Nikon for the following reasons:

1: Weight
2: Tactile experience - I had a D7K which I never really liked though it took v good photos & I still have a D300 which produces very good images but weights a lot. My Fujis are made of metal and feel great.
3: I chose Fuji APSC with the XE2 to start. So light. Great images. Low profile.
4: Using MILC Fuji cameras means I can use vintage M/F glass from Konica, Industar, Helios etc etc &, of course, my Nikon lenses. Due to the flange distance with Nikon DSLRs, I could not do this other than with the Nikon glass. The cost of truly amazing vintage lenses is a fraction of the cost on modern AF lenses.
5: The XT1 & XT2 Fujifilm cameras remind me a lot of my fave Camera of all time the Nikon FM2, hence my comment about the tactile experience in 2 above.
6: I actually slightly prefer the T1 to the T2 because is a little smaller as I don't shoot video it works perfectly for me. The T2 is an exceptional camera too. Battery life is better on the T1 for me.
7: Fuji glass is exceptional and not too expensive.

I hope this information is of some help for you. Good luck.

bittermelon

No mirror is harmed in the manufacture of mirrorless cameras. Thus more mirrors get to run free in the wilderness.