Mirrorless cameras compared

MIRRORLESS INTERCHANGEABLE LENS cameras (MILCs) — now more commonly known as just ‘mirrorless cameras’ or ‘compact system cameras’ (CSCs) — have come a long way in the last few years. So much so, in fact, that the top end model from Sony, the 7R II is starting to now challenge traditional heavyweight DSLRs from Nikon and Canon as the preferred tools of professional photographers. For enthusiasts like us, this advancement in technology also makes it an exciting time to jump into this powerful category.

The likes of Olympus, FujiFilm and Panasonic have all embraced mirrorless designs and o er a wide range of lenses to suit the many di erent needs of photography. Once dominated by entry-level DSLRs from the two main players of Nikon and Canon, we now see great offerings from manufacturers that were previously considered bystanders in the enthusiast camera market.

The biggest appeal of MILCs is the smaller body size. Due to the lack of an optical mirror, they can be made much smaller than their DSLR counterparts. Lenses have also been designed specifically for these types of cameras. e lenses for the mirrorless cameras are generally quite small to match the bodies, as opposed to some of the higher-end lenses for DSLRs, which can balloon up to gargantuan sizes. Mirrorless cams are also generally cheaper than their DSLR equivalents — and not just when buying the original body, but for lenses and accessories too.

And despite their small size, mirrorless models are also quite versatile. e fact that there’s no physical mirror means that mirrorless cameras can employ sensor-shiftiing technology to stabilise images, which can be quite e ective, especially for video.

One of the biggest drawbacks for this style of camera is that there’s no optical viewfinder. is means that, unlike most DSLRs, all the shooting is done through an electronic viewfinder or the LCD, both of which consume some battery life. However, don’t let this be a deterrent, as we’ve found it’s still much more convenient to carry around an extra battery than it is to carry around the extra bulk of a DSLR.