Six Points to Consider as You Transition to a Mirrorless System

Even with an impressive selection of bodies and lenses currently holding their own in the digital imaging space, mirrorless cameras remain for some people a curiosity; for others, using a mirrorless camera isn’t something they would ever consider. There are quite a few myths swirling around mirrorless cameras, even as they continue a slow but steady march toward wider acceptance. So, for those who may be on the fence about the value and virtue of mirrorless cameras, I will address a few of the most common bits of misinformation or confusion surrounding mirrorless gear. Consequently, you will be able to better decide if a mirrorless camera is for you.

Mirrorless Cameras are for Beginners

Gone are the days when mirrorless meant “point-and-shoot camera made for clueless shooters.” Mirrorless cameras are no different than DSLRs in the sense that they cater to everyone from novice to professional. Whether you’re in search of an entry level camera (Olympus OM-D E-M10II, perhaps) or a high end rig (say, the Sony a9), there are mirrorless options aplenty.

Photo by Kārlis Dambrāns

Mirrorless Cameras Don’t Have a Wealth of Lens Options

With the exception of the Micro Four Thirds system, mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras are limited in lens selection when compared to their DSLR counterparts. Fujifilm and Sony are making appreciable inroads in this area, but they’ve got a lot of work ahead of them to come anywhere near the lens lineups of Nikon and Canon (even disregarding legacy glass). The good thing about mirrorless cameras is that they are generally easily adapted to all sorts of lenses, new and old, from a wide range of manufacturers.

Photo by David Russo

Mirrorless Cameras Have Insufficient Battery Life

While the perception of what “insufficient” means will vary from person to person, there’s no denying the fact that the life of a mirrorless camera battery is considerably shorter than that of a DSLR. Disappointing perhaps, but it makes sense considering the EVF and/or LCD are drawing power anytime the camera is in use. The remedy: stock up on extra batteries.

Photo by Rusty Clark

Mirrorless Cameras Suffer From Poor Autofocus

This was once a legitimate knock on compact system cameras, but advancements implemented in recent models have helped put this complaint out of its misery. Every major mirrorless manufacturer is cranking out models in which autofocus speed and accuracy are virtually indistinguishable from DSLR performance for all but the most critically demanding photographers.

Mirrorless Cameras Suffer From EVF Lag

On the whole, viewfinder lag has been minimized as refresh rates have gotten faster, allowing for a close to “real time” view of a scene (something necessary for panning shot, for example). Lag is also noticeable in low light situations, which is where most shooters are likely to find EVF lag bothersome.

Photo by Kārlis Dambrāns

Mirrorless Camera Size Doesn’t Offer Much Advantage Over DSLRs

Yes, many tout the compactness of mirrorless systems as being preferable to heavy, bulky DSLRs, but it is a truth of varying degrees. Look at the Sony’s full frame line of mirrorless cameras; having a full frame sensor in a relatively streamlined body is, in theory, something that would appeal to any photographer. That streamlined feeling, however, is lost once you attach a native lens to the body, as many of them are just as big as DSLR lenses. To be sure, this is just one example. The most honest answer to whether compact system cameras and lenses provide true size/weight savings over DSLRs is: usually, but it depends.

Photo by Kārlis Dambrāns

Final Thoughts

The point of all this isn’t to suggest that mirrorless cameras are better than DSLRs or vice versa; either camera type is capable of capturing a high quality image which, I would argue, is the most important thing to a photographer. Sure, there are other factors to consider when selecting a camera — some may give preference to compactness, while others may require world class AF speed. Your specific criteria may preclude you from buying a mirrorless camera, but it’s a brave new world in which going mirrorless is a realistic option for more and more photographers of all skill levels. If you’re on the hunt for a new camera, know your needs and enter the market with an open mind.