Are you all done with mirrors?

Want high quality photos but tired of paying a premium for bulky DSLR cameras? These mirrorless models might be perfect for you

EVERYBODY knows you can’t have the best of both worlds, right? There’s always some compromise being made somewhere.

Nowhere is this more true than in the world of photography. Once upon a time you either had a massive bulky DSLR that took excellent photos, or a tiny point-and-shoot take-anywhere compact that produced images that somehow never satisfied.

A new breed of camera has emerged lately to upset the apple cart... The mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses.

One of the reasons a DSLR is so heavy and bulky is that contained within is a mirror that sits between the lens and the sensor to divert the light entering the camera up into the viewfinder.

When you press the shutter button, the mirror has to flip up out of the way so the light coming through the lens hits the sensor at the back of the camera when the shutter opens.

Mirrorless cameras don’t do that – they have electronic viewfinders –essentially a tiny screen, which allows you to see directly what’s coming through the lens.

And so, as there is no mirror, the cameras can be much smaller, much lighter, and much quieter in operation.

What’s the drawback? Not a lot really. The images are great and the whole package can be small enough to fit in your pocket. And you get the added advantage of being able to switch lenses for different occasions. Here are five to try for various budgets.

FUJIFILM XT-4

YOU know when you’re standing in front of the toothpaste section in the supermarket, paralysed by indecision over which to go for – there’s one that does whitening, and another one that does enamel repair? Another one over there has baking powder in it. Do I need that? Is there one that does all three? Looking for the perfect camera was a bit like that... until Fijifilm revealed the XT-4 last week.

This camera has been hailed as the holy grail of the mirrorless world – it can capture exceptional stills, AND great video. It has a weather-sealed body AND it’s got a flip-out screen. It’s got an in-body image-stabilisation system for steady shots, AND it’s got really fast auto-focus. It can shoot 15 frames per second AND boasts incredibly accurate in-camera simulation of some classic Fuji film stock.

In short, it’s got everything. It might be a little pricy, but this is the camera you want if you want no limitations (although it won’t whiten your teeth.) Cost: £1,899 with XF 18-55mm lens Find out more: fujifilm.eu/uk

SONY ALPHA A5000

THE a5000 is the smallest and lightest camera in Sony’s Alpha range and represents a great starting point for those hoping to up their image game.

It has a 20.1MP sensor, a flip-out LCD and wi-fi and Bluetooth. Video is limited to 1080p. There are lots of helping-hand features for the beginner, including an innovative “Auto Object Framing” feature, which helps you compose your shots.

Sony’s range of E-mount lens cameras goes all the way up to the exceptional a6500, which adds all-sorts of pro features to the mix… but still takes the same lenses as the a5000. That’s the big advantage with all these cameras - there’s always a big-brother to grow into, but you don’t need to buy new lenses. Cost: £449 with E=mount 16-50mm lens. Find out more: sony.co.uk/ electronics/cameras

OLYMPUS PEN E-PL8

OLYMPUS is a grand old name in photography, and, for me at least, is synonymous with a classic age of fashion and street photography in the Sixties.

The company has always been an innovator. This means that, despite the PL8 being a bit long in the tooth these days (we’re up to the PL10 now), at the moment it can be had for a knock-down price with a nice pancake zoom lens (thus named because it is, you guessed it, quite flat).

The PL8 also has to be the best-looking camera on this list. That isn’t to say it’s not got what it takes when it comes to features – flip-screen, wi-fi sharing, and the 17.2MP sensor can capture 1080p video, too. It’s a whole lot more camera than Olympus’s fashion-accessory marketing gives it credit for.

Cost: £399 with 14-42mm pancake lens