Camera Advice (mirrorless vs DLSR) for Beginner?

hi Pibe,

There are many strong opinions, about the Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras (MILC) also called Compact System Cameras (CSC) or Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens (EVIL) cameras. As you can already see, mostly from DSLR users very resistant to change, most of whom have not even used this new technology.

The differences between the two types is primarily the viewing system. True DSLR type cameras use an optical system, most use pentaprisms or pentamirrors with movable mirrors that flip out of the way each time an exposure is made. This is a Reflex viewing system, the "R" in SLR and DSLR camera designation (D=Digital, S=Single, L=Lens, R=Reflex).

MILC models eliminate complexity, size and weight of an optical viewing system by using an electronic viewfinder. The display shows images directly from the sensor that records the image like the method used for phone cameras, tablets, electronic readers, etc.

ADVANTAGES of MILC - Smaller & lighter cameras models. In addition the cameras are less complicated allowing simpler and more compact lens designs, especially for Wide Angle lenses (So far it seems that only the Micro Four Thirds lens models from Olympus and Panasonic take significant advantage this capability) and, for technical reasons, virtually all MILC cameras can accept a vast arrays of affordable "legacy" lenses from most brands of earlier 35mm film cameras via adapters.

DISADVANTAGES of MILC -The chief disadvantages of MILC cameras are shutter lag, a brief delay between pressing the shutter release and recording the image, and occasional problems with the quality of viewfinder image and, if the camera lacks an eye level viewfinder, composing images on the viewfinder in bright light or glare may be difficult because the viewfinder is hard to view. If you have tried to use a phone camera at the beach or in other brightly lit situations you have probably experienced similar problems.

All MILC cameras are Digital because digital technology is what makes the camera design practical. They are true Single Lens designs because that designation indicates that a single lens is used for VIEWING and TAKING the photographs.

The two best selling brands of DSLR cameras are Nikon and Canon but both companies were slow to bring out MILC cameras. MILC's were first introduced by Panasonic, followed almost immediately by Olympus. Both of these companies support the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) standard and share some technology. They are partners in joint development of the Four Thirds DSLR and Micro Four Thirds "open" specifications (MFT is an extension of the original Four Thirds standard allowing for a smaller lens mounting system).

Sony is another very important MILC camera maker. They use the NEX designation for their own proprietary lens system. I feel that Sony has not taken advantage of the potential for smaller lenses other than the ability to mount lenses from cinema cameras on their system.

I am doing a personal research project on MILC camera models and have identified cameras and lenses for the MFT and Nex systems.

So far I have found 19 current MFT cameras with about 30 MFT lenses (not counting improved versions of lenses that have replaced early designs), 3 "Converter" lenses, a 3D lens and a Fixed Focus/Fixed Aperture "Body Cap" Lens. In addition, virtually all lenses manufactured for Four Thirds DSLR cameras can be used with MFT models via an adapter that provides full metering & auto focusing functions (there are approximately 30~40 additional lens available from the Four Thirds lens standard).

Here's a link to an extensive explanation of Micro Four Thirds cameras and lens systems -

http://www.four-thirds.org/en/microft/body.html#c=...

The Sony Nex product line, to my knowledge the second most widely developed MILC system, currently has 4 camera models, 11 lenses and 2 Conversion lenses. I have had a hard time interpreting Sony's published information concerning lenses using their "A Mount" (Alpha DSLR) and "G Mount" lenses but it appears these are fully compatible with the Nex models (via an adapter) giving about 10 more lenses for that system.

Here's a good MILC kit from a reputable dealer you could consider this option -

http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Interchangeable-Digi...

This includes a recently discontinued Olympus MFT camera model with TWO lenses and basic accessories. It has the full range of controls and has an eye level viewfinder available as an accessory.

Hope that helps. Contact me (from my email in profile) if you need more information.

Compact System Cameras may impact the low-end DSLR sales, but they will not take over advanced DSLRS - at least for many years, if at all.

The issue at hand is that they simply do not have the performance of the advanced DSLRs. At least not yet. And their lack of high quality lenses limits their impact on DLSRs, as when you get to the professional grade equipment, lenses are more important than the camera.

And the highest performance compacts are the Sony NEX series, as they do have cropped DSLR sized sensors. They do have the performance of the consumer-grade/entry-level DSLRs. But the other mirrorless camera types; m4/3rds, Nikon 1, etc. have nowhere near the performance of even the entry level DSLRs.

What I see more at risk are compact cameras. Smart phones will likely take over the low end of the point & shoot market, while mirrorless cameras will likely take over the high end of this market. This is already happening so some degree. You can now buy several mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras in the $400~500 range, which is where the high-end point & shoots top out.

However, there is an Achilles Heel for mirrorless cameras. The issue is that once you buy a mirrorless camera and several lenses, your investment is as much or more in some cases than buying a DSLR. And generally the performance will not be as good.

But who knows what will happen in the future. The only thing we know for sure is that high quality fast lenses cannot be made any smaller. That means if the buying public wants to continue using such lenses, they need a camera that will couple with those lenses.

In fact, if anything, lenses will tend to become larger and more expensive in the future. The reason is because cameras such as the Nikon D800 have such high resolutions that they are showing the optical limitations of even the most expensive lenses.

But where does this all end? When is enough quality enough?

That is surely the most important question for the future.

In my view, we will not likely see much more advancement in camera resolution above the D800, except for specialized or scientific purposes. We are just about at the end point - at least for awhile. Does the typical photographer need more than nearly 40Megapixels.

I will concede though that one day, we may have multi-hundred Megapixel cameras, not for the resolution, but for the ability to crop the image - which in some sense, might be considered "digital zoom", alleviating the need for expensive lenses. High quality digital zoom might be a valid alternative to expensive and massive lenses, if the sensor size is sufficient.

But that day is a long way off, and I suspect a new breed of camera would be created - obsoleting even the current mirrorless type of camera.

In contrast, for the next one or two dozen years, lenses, at least Nikon lenses, have been made for over 50 years, and even some of the oldest lenses will work on the newest cameras. With over 70 million such lenses in existence, there is an incredibly huge investment and customer base that will not be very pleased with a loss of their investment should DSLRs become extinct. They will want something compatible with their lenses.

The most significant cost of owning a DSLR, at least for serious amateurs and professionals, is the lenses. It is not unusual to have 80% of their investment tied up in lenses.

And for that reason alone, I think DSLRs will be around for a long time - at least in some form. Perhaps they will become smaller, perhaps they will evolve into high-end mirrorless cameras (natively using the same lenses that the current DSLRs use). Who knows?

At any rate, your D5100 will likely be long obsolete before that kind of thing happens.

You heard wrong. I know a couple of pro photographers, and they wouldn't touch a mirror less camera.

They will NEVER replace D-SLRs. NEVER. They're little more than a advanced point & shoot with interchangeable lens. Some don't even have a view finder that you can look through. You need a view finder to take real photos. Some don't have a hot shoe. You need a hot shoe for a flash unit.

My opinion, buy the D5100. It's a great camera to start with. The kit lens is good enough for every day photography.

the dSLR will have better quality (since in this case it has a larger sensor than the 4/3rds from olympus). But if you like small size then get that. It really depends on your preferences.