Trying to decide, mirrorless or DSLR (Page 4): I don't know how big a hurry you are in, but Panasonic is coming out with a new mirrorless camera around March/April 2017. The GH5. It...

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I don't know how big a hurry you are in, but Panasonic is coming out with a new mirrorless camera around March/April 2017. The GH5. It should be impressive. Not cheap though. And you have Sony and Olympus mirrorless that are quality cameras. Good luck.

Magicman

Although there are the a6300 and a6500 . A6000 is still a great choice especially for the price. I use the Zeiss 24/1.8 and the Sony pro G 28-105 oss zoom lens. I would also suggest that you get the Busch or Freidman's book to learn all of the camera's many capabilities.

Kuzano

johneccles wrote:

If you are considering going mirrorless I would ha... (show quote)

The Em10 has a nominal upgrade model, very nice at the price. It's the MKII model. Very nicely priced, particularly if you can find it on Olympus' GetOlympus.com page.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

mas24 wrote:

I don't know how big a hurry you are in, but Panasonic is coming out with a new mirrorless camera around March/April 2017. The GH5. It should be impressive. Not cheap though. And you have Sony and Olympus mirrorless that are quality cameras. Good luck.

The GH series has been a HUGE hit with low budget film makers and videographers. The dirty little secret is that the still camera features are quite good, too. I use my GH4 for stills and video about equally.

The GH5 should be a huge leap forward all around. Panasonic has been listening carefully to pros since the GH2 was a hit with them.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

saparoo wrote:

My dilemma-I would like to upgrade my Canon 60D and thinking of going mirrorless. What are the advantages of a mirrorless? I like that they are smaller and lighter. Since my hands are small, I think a mirrorless would fit me better. I've looked at a Sony a6000 and the Canon M3. Any advice?
Thanks and Happy New Year, Sylvia

The only Canon mirrorless I'd consider would be the new M5. It has an electronic viewfinder and much faster Dual Pixel auto focus.. near DSLR performance. Any other M-series Canon I'd consider a downgrade from your 60D.

The main advantages of mirrorless are their smaller size and unobtrusiveness.

One of the disadvantages of mirrorless... particularly Canon ( and Nikon... I don't know about the Sony)... is a rather limited lens selection. There simply aren't a lot of EF-M lenses being made for the Canon M-series cameras yet. The "good news" is that you can use EF and EF-S lenses on the camera via an adapter. Canon's is pricey, but there are some much less expensive adapters available from Vello and some other 3rd party manufacturers). There also are some interesting 3rd party lenses being offered. Samsung/Rokinon is making some neat manual focus primes for Canon M-series.

I simply don't know a lot about the Sony alternative. My main concern would be whether a different system could share lenses and accessories with your DSLR, if you plan to keep using it, too.

Chilimac

Have found renting (borrowlenses.com) a great help in decision making. Over the years that lighter is better. Good luck!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

amfoto1 wrote:

...My main concern would be whether a different system could share lenses and accessories with your DSLR, if you plan to keep using it, too.

This is the typical rationalization folks make for NOT switching to, or even adding, a mirrorless camera and lenses. While you CAN adapt full frame lenses to APS-C and Micro 4/3 cameras, many combinations lose functions, and others auto focus more slowly. Canon EF lenses adapt best... to Sony and Panasonic and Olympus bodies.

The downside is imbalance, bulk, and weight, although with MetaBones SpeedBoosters, the extra stop or 1.33 stops of concentrated light may be worth it.

In my situation, I walked away from my older systems and bought an m4/3 camera and native lenses. I may adapt certain older optics at some point, but haven't needed them yet.

Griff Loc: Warwick U.K.

Perhaps it would help the OP make up her mind if someone familiar with both types would list the advantages of the dslr over the mirrorless (irrespective of manufacturer).

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

saparoo wrote:

My dilemma-I would like to upgrade my Canon 60D and thinking of going mirrorless. What are the advantages of a mirrorless? I like that they are smaller and lighter. Since my hands are small, I think a mirrorless would fit me better. I've looked at a Sony a6000 and the Canon M3. Any advice?
Thanks and Happy New Year, Sylvia

After 40+ years of NiCan and other cameras, I went to an a6000 two years ago. I did not find it too small. In fact most of the controls are placed well for me. It is light and easy to carry. A trip through the Mediterranean and many good photos later, I had fallen in love. After another trip to shoot wildflowers in Death Valley, I sold all my Nikon gear and purchased an a6300. The latter has several advances including better weather sealing, but also better autofocus and follow focus. 11fps burst shooting for sports (Or fast fauna) Also improved Eye autofocus. Canik has dropped the ball on MILC. They put small sensors and no evf. (Canon has just moved up to an EVF) They were using 1/2x1/2 in sensors (Which they they lied and called 1 inch). Both Sony and Fuji have much better MILCs.

Those who insist on a 35mm sensor (FX) can get the A7 series (There are several to choose from in the series.)

If Canon proves serious with their M series, or if Nikon does, I could be lured back, but the Sony has so many great features that CaNik has to really step up their game.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

saparoo wrote:

Thanks so much for all the information. I love this group, always learn so much from everyone!! I guess I need to compare the cameras up close and personal to see how they feel. I'll let you know what my decision is!
Happy New Year to All....Sylvia

The biggest difference will be the finder view-real vs digital. Some like it, others don't.

Algernon Loc: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

romanticf16 wrote:

The biggest difference will be the finder view-real vs digital. Some like it, others don't.

I would add camera size as another big difference. Even the full frame mirrorless are smaller than the full frame DSLR.

As far as the viewfinder is concerned, I am one of those who like digital. Or, at least, don't dislike it. The A6300 has a pretty good EVF. Plus, an EVF shows what the sensor will capture, reducing the chances of making silly mistakes in camera settings.

jsenear Loc: Hopkins, MN.

saparoo wrote:

My dilemma-I would like to upgrade my Canon 60D and thinking of going mirrorless. What are the advantages of a mirrorless? I like that they are smaller and lighter. Since my hands are small, I think a mirrorless would fit me better. I've looked at a Sony a6000 and the Canon M3. Any advice?
Thanks and Happy New Year, Sylvia

I shoot with both. If God came down and said I could only have one camera I would keep the DSLR even though 90% of my shooting is now done with a Nikon 1 Mirrorless system.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

saparoo wrote:

My dilemma-I would like to upgrade my Canon 60D and thinking of going mirrorless. What are the advantages of a mirrorless? I like that they are smaller and lighter. Since my hands are small, I think a mirrorless would fit me better. I've looked at a Sony a6000 and the Canon M3. Any advice?
Thanks and Happy New Year, Sylvia

I have (2) 60D's and also an OLY M1... My wife drives a Subaru Outback and I drive a Nissan Frontier Pickup; each has advantages and disadvantages. I did not stop using the Canon after acquiring the Olympus as I still drive her vehicle to the store when I am allowed. I also like to shoot with my Sony Bridge with the Zeiss lens... Whats that old saying about variety being the spice of life ? Don't lock yourself into absolutes; think about your individual style and what is most comfortable for you. BTW, take a look at the Olympus as well as the Sony and Canon. Good Luck

Bob

father christmas Loc: Goodlettsville, Tennessee

I used Canon for years but now have switched over to Micro 4/3 Olympus. Like it very well. But you must decide by handling and comparing each camera. I love the Oly.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

saparoo wrote:

My dilemma-I would like to upgrade my Canon 60D and thinking of going mirrorless. What are the advantages of a mirrorless? I like that they are smaller and lighter. Since my hands are small, I think a mirrorless would fit me better. I've looked at a Sony a6000 and the Canon M3. Any advice?
Thanks and Happy New Year, Sylvia

And the answers to your questions are "Yes!" There are advantages to mirrorless - as well as cons. And you have probably have 4 or 5 pages of UUH advise and pros and cons. For me it simplely comes down to size, cost, and weight versus depth of field (DOF) and low light ability. My shooting these days does not normally require extremely narrow DOFs or shooting at midnight in a coal mine. Therefore I chose a 4/3rds camera. But you need to assess your needs before chosing a camera. Check online first to narrow down the possible candidates and then try them out at the store. This will get you to the point where it will make it much easier to make a good choice.