duck72 Loc: Laurel Ridge, PA

Thank you, THANK YOU! for pulling all this together from your previous posts. This is the type of info I (we) can *use* in making an informed decision. When considering moving away from DSLR and its considerable (to me...) lens investments (Nikon DX here), The "stronger" and "weaker" points and DSLR (for an individual's needs) of Panasonic are nicely laid-out and become clearer, and explorable in other mirrorless brands as well. I tested a Sony last year and also *hated* the menu system, and overall higher cost for *everything* - although images are darn good.
Thanks again!

Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

I've read and watched several videos that state that it is hard to keep dust off the sensor in a mirrorless cameras. I don't own one, because I really like my Canon 5D Mark IV. I have a grip on it and some heavy lenses. The weight never bothered me, except for hiking. I bring my Canon G7 Mark II for hiking.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The body is probably going to be smaller and lighter.

https://www.lightstalking.com/considerations-mirrorless-cameras/
http://www.lightstalking.com/mirrorless-vs-dslr/
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/dslr-vs-mirrorless-cameras,news-17736.html
https://www.lightstalking.com/six-points-consider-transition-mirrorless-system/
http://www.diyphotography.net/love-breaks-sold-mirrorless-camera/
http://digital-photography-school.com/how-the-switch-from-dslr-to-mirrorless-changed-how-i-edit-photos/

miked46 Loc: Winter Springs, Florida

I have both, I have an 80D and the M50 Mirrorless. I use the M50 as my walk around if I am going to be out all day, and also for video. I find that it easier at 73 to take the mirrorless. Both units are awesome.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

The final picture is the same. The mechanics are different. You get more features from computational imagery in mirrorless, things like focus peaking. But like I said, the final picture is the same.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I went micro 4/3s 3 years ago and have never looked back. The weight and size of my Nikon gear had really gotten to me. With my new rig, Olympus e-m5 Mark II, i take my camera nearly everywhere because it’s so easy and light weight. I love the images I’m getting and the wide lens selection.

ELNikkor

If you do shots of the sun with telephoto, you won't go blind with mirrorless.

JDG3

A much debated issue here and elsewhere in photographic circles. However, here is an opinion that I have attempted to make as objective as possible. My background is in electronics manufacturing, specializing in industrial automation equipment. As software advances, we have been seeing the replacement of many internal discrete pieces and parts, both mechanical and electronic, by software. As processors have grown more powerful and software has gotten much more sophisticated, electronics assembly has gotten somewhat simpler in that fewer discrete components are being used. A printed circuit board from the 1970's or 1980's may have had many hundreds of discrete IC's to perform a function that today would be done with a few processors, associated support parts and software. This drives the costs way down and is the main reason that everyday items today such as cellphones, tablets, home computers, TV's etc are so much more capable and cheaper.

Automotive technology is another area this is evident. Cars in the 1970's were a nightmare assembly of various mechanical devices to control the engine, transmission and emissions. Today and for the last 20 years this is all done by internal computer(s) greatly simplifying auto maintenance and operation while decreasing production costs by eliminating dozens of mechanical parts and pieces. Engine efficiency and operation can now be modified by simply changing the software in the computer.

These changes also apply to mechanical bits and pieces. The new mirrorless cameras are great examples. The mirror and viewfinder mechanism of a traditional dslr, while being reliable and dependable represents both a bottleneck for advanced electronics construction techniques and the implementation of more advanced features. Much of this is driven by cost. It is most certainly cheaper to build a mirrorless camera than a camera with the moving mirror display AND include new advanced features. In my mind, because of the manufacturing savings and the use of software driven designs, the mirrorless models will dominate in the next decade.

The mirrorless designs also allow for nearly everything, within hardware limitations, to be upgraded by changing the software. I think the camera manufacturers are looking ahead to the time when there will be few, if any, mechanical parts in a camera, including the shutter. It may even be possible, as sensors get better and better to eliminate zoom lenses and use software to "zoom" as needed. A decade or so ago we were shooting digital cameras with 3-6 megapixel resolution so digital zoom was a big no-no. Today we are starting to see 40+ megapixels cameras be available. In another decade we may see 100+ megapixel sensors in our cameras. For everyday use, could we not do much of our "zooming in" by cropping these high-res images for our desired image without using a heavy and expensive lens.

So, simply, is mirrorless better than standard dslr? Probably not. I shoot both, I have a Sony A6400 and a Nikon D7000. The Nikon feels better in my hand but the Sony has so many more features. Image quality is a little better than the Nikon but that is probably only because it is newer and I have better Sony lens. So really it is a toss up. Look for the best deal, define exactly what feels best in your hands and try it out.

Canisdirus

It's not a contest.
Mirrorless is simply the future.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

I have Nikon and Olympus cameras. It seems to me the advantage of the mirrorless is the ability to preview the the exposure and the availability of focus peaking. On the DSLR the viewfinder is clearer and the image in the viewfinder does not reflect the image a small time in the past. Olympus cameras do have some unique features and are small and light. The number of lenses available for Nikon is a great advantage.

brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

Wake me when it's over please.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

That was worth spending the time to read your post, it was full of very interesting information.
I have been using M43 cameras for many years now and still do, I have an Olympus EM10 and a Panasonic GX7, they both fit in my small camera bag with all the accessories I need. I have a 20mm prime lens permanently attached to the Panny and a medium zoom on the Olympus, both lenses are Panasonic.
On the whole, I prefer the Olympus but there is really not that much difference between the two although battery life is not so good on the Panasonic.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Your last sentence was obviously written with emotive thought processes clouding your mind.
Mirrorless means EVFs, which have many, many advantages over OVFs, with no real disadvantages.

Retina Loc: Near Charleston,SC

Viewpoints can change quickly with time. Sometimes you may need a silent shutter. An hour later you may need a fast camera with a long battery life where noise doesn't matter. I agree with those who say pick the tool for the job.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

My post was almost at the character limit... the site probably cut it.