Mirrorless Interchangable lens cameras..... Opinions sought.

[singhgp62]

Now-a-days many camera manufacturers are bringing out mirrorless interchangable lens digital cameras as a direct competition to the well established DSLR cameras.
The models so available till now are Olympus PEN models, Sony NEX 3 & 5, Samsung NX 10, Panasonic DMC G1, G2 etc.... more may be there, but I am not too sure. But till now Canon and Nikon have not brought out any such model in the market.
These are with lens changing option as well as have larger sized sensors (Samsung & Sony with APS-C sized ie 23x 15mm, and the Olympus/Panasonic models with micro four thirds ie 17 x 13 mm sized sensors.
I would like to have the opinion of the members regarding the image aspects of these cameras, are these as good as the DSLRs?
What are the advantage of these and DSLR over each other?
Will we see the end of DSLR era as these cameras get more and more refined?

Do they have advantage over DSLR for the travel freaks as they are small sized as well as easy to carry?
Would liketo have detailed answers from the members.

Gurpreet S

 

[Stuge]

yes ,they have advantages over dslr ,but shooting in broad daylight can be a pain .

I have used NEX5 for a while and found it awesome in terms of pic quality,but changing settings on a fly wasn't that easy for me though .

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Just like there is no replacement for displacement, there is no replacement for sensor size either (within the same generation of course)! Fact is, Micro Four Third sensors are smaller than APS-C sized ones, which are smaller than full frames and even full frame sensors are too small for some.

Size wise, well here is a comparison of NX3 with D3100.

NX 3 dimension: 117 x 63 x 33mm

D3100 dimensions: 124 x 96 x 74.5mm

NX 3 weight with battery: 297g

D3100 weight with battery: 505g

Add to that, unlike point and shoot cameras, their lenses do not retract and remain bulged out like that of a DSLR and the size and weight of their 18-55 lens is the same as a 18-55IS lens! So there is no question of pocket ability and it costs the same as an entry level DSLRs (even more if you are ok with the idea of no video and can buy Canon 1000D).

So the way I see it, if I am going to carry a DSLR bag for a camera, which at max weighs only couple of hundred grams less and costs the same, yet produces less detailed images, doesn't have as good a line up of lenses as a DSLR from Nikon or Canon, then I might as well endure those couple of hundred grams of extra weight and go with a APS-C sized sensor!

 

[pulsarider]

i tried to handle the sony at croma day before.. and was not at all comfortable holding it.. ergonomically i would still prefer a larger camera as i can place my hand to support the camera as well as the lens together..

 

[lucifer]

Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras (MILC) may be the future. As of today, all things being equal, I would recommend a DSLR. Or if you are truly serious about getting a good picture without being overly burdened by camera settings, then I would recommend any of the old disposable film cameras. But I shall go into that some other day.

MILCs seem to be marketed on the concept of size. Perhaps it and mobile phones are the only two things that men like small. Theoretically, there is no limit to how small a mobile phone can be. The only problem then becomes the operatability. How does one use a phone the size of a button?

The same holds true for MILCs. Below a certain size, how does one grip the camera? Heck, there is a huge grip difference between DSLRs of similar specs - Canons fit better in some hands while Nikons in others. This, to me, is a significant factor. If I am not comfortable holding a camera, how will I take great pictures?

Sensor size is not really an issue for most of us who do not print larger than 12x18. Besides, some of the newer MILCs are coming in with APS-C sized sensors.

Weight can be a factor. I realised this on my 750 steps climb to Gomukh. My tripod hardly weighs anything. I am quite comfortable lugging it around anywhere. But on this climb, the weight made its presence felt. So, if you are one of those who lugs around a camera all day 200g of weight may make a huge difference.

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Sensor size is not really an issue for most of us who do not print larger than 12x18.

In which case, doesn't a point and shoot with much greater range and portability, make more sense?

 

[lucifer]

In which case, doesn't a point and shoot with much greater range and portability, make more sense?

It does if you do not need wide apertures or jazz like that. P&S cannot be beaten when it comes to portability. Remember, only a camera that is available to you ever takes pictures. How many of us would lug our DSLRs to a wedding? Compacts are easy. Slip them in your pocket and you are ready to shoot when something nice happens.

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Many of the good quality point and shoot cameras have wider aperture than most entry level kit lenses .

 

[lucifer]

Many of the good quality point and shoot cameras have wider aperture than most entry level kit lenses .

Yes, but many of the good ones also cost as much as an entry-level DSLR. Also, remember a wide aperture on a smaller sensor will give you the same depth of field as a smaller aperture on a larger sensor (all things being equal).

For most of us, a P&S is enough. DSLRs have their pluses. But honestly, how many of us actually user our DSLRs to their fullest possibilities?

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Yes, but many of the good ones also cost as much as an entry-level DSLR.

Not really, a cam like IXUS 130IS, which costs 10k, comes with an aperture of f2.8 at wide angle.

For most of us, a P&S is enough. DSLRs have their pluses. But honestly, how many of us actually user our DSLRs to their fullest possibilities?

Exactly and most often than not, exploiting a DSLR to its max capability involves purchasing of lenses which can cost a hell lot more than the body itself and which at times weigh more than the body itself!