Mirrorless cameras: Worth a reflection

Revolutionary mirrorless cameras are a strong contender in DSLR-dominated markets

Not only do mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras (MILC) pack a punch that is strong enough to rival a bulky digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera, but they also sport a convenient form factor that is similar to that of a simple point-and-click camera. Simply referred to as mirrorless cameras, they have slowly but surely captured the market with their focused and improved design.

Quite literally, the camera owes its small size to the absence of the mirror, which reflects the image to the viewfinder in traditional cameras. This design decision allows MILCs to carry the added benefit of having their lens and sensors fitted closer together which, in turn, has resulted in the camera featuring an impressively large sensor. Although this is not usually a full frame sensor, it allows photographers to capture high-quality images more conveniently.

The less complicated design has resulted in MILCs being lightweight and significantly more robust than its rivals. Interestingly enough, the convenience factor also accounts for mirrorless cameras being favoured by both professional and casual photographers. For the casual shooter, they offer easier learning, while professional shooters no longer have to lug around a heavy DSLR. In fact, for some professionals, MILCs are the preferred option, especially when it comes to shooting subjects in places of worship or at weddings where silence is an added bonus. According to professional photographer P Lesmana, who operates out of the Niagra region, he often captures better images of his subjects using a mirrorless camera because they are less intimidating to those being captured. “This is why photographers [have] started buying tiny mirrorless cameras — to scare their models/clients less. People are more relaxed when they see a small camera as opposed to a tank pointing at them.”

Compared to MILCs, an entry-level DSLR is available at a lower cost.

In terms of strength, although the gap between mirrorless cameras and DSLRs has shrunk over time, it still exists. Initially, DSLRs were significantly faster than their competitor, which meant that certain photographers who valued speed, such as those covering sporting events, would never have even contemplated using a mirrorless camera. Today, however, with MILCs like the Sony Alpha a6000 and the Samsung NX300, much of this has changed. Similarly, in terms of image stabilisation and quality, it has become increasingly difficult to choose between the two when looking at the pricier iterations of MILCs. When it comes to shooting videos, many photographers are leaning towards MILCs as they tend to offer a longer shooting time as compared to DSLRs that overheat when shooting long videos.

The biggest downside of mid-range MILCs, however, is that they lack a viewfinder that can provide a direct preview of the image and operators often complain of a grainy preview. Since they are smaller in size, mirrorless cameras also sport smaller batteries, meaning less than half the amount of images per battery charge as compared to a DSLR. And with MILCs being the younger product, they offer far fewer lens choices.

Although mirrorless cameras are far from picture perfect at this initial stage in their product life cycle, they are certainly providing consumers with more choices. And for photography enthusiasts, that is good news.

Noman Ansari is a freelance writer. He tweets @Pugnate

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, October 26^th, 2014.