What Mirrorless model do you recommend?

[PapaST]

I'm still up in the air about the uses of mirrorless. I've mentioned before the potential is great but the market seems to struggle with an identity. I've gone from Nikon 1 to my current mirrorless Sony NEX6. The NEX6 is a great performer and has some decent options for glass.

I think the biggest market for a mirrorless camera are those folks that want more performance and lens selection (better IQ) without having to actually buy a DSLR. The problem for us on this forum is we all already own at least one nice DSLR. For me, if image quality is important then I'm going to carry my DSLR, hands down. If I want compactness THEN I'll carry my mirrorless, but again I now have a 19mm, 16-50mm, 50mm, 50-210mm and some adapters. So now my bag isn't so compact anymore. So basically my NEX has become a toy that I play with every so often (firing off 10fps is fun) and I'm considering getting another traditional P&S for compactness.

If I didn't own a DSLR then a mirrorless would be much more attractive to me. BUT looking at the prospect of spending $1400 for a 70-200 f4 makes me think I'd probably end up with a DSLR anyways.

That being said, you can never have enough toys.

 

[Steve B]

I shoot with both Nikon and Olympus. As mentioned earlier the nice things about the Olympus bodies is in-body stabilization and a plethora of lenses that can be used with them. The 16MP sensor that is being used in most of the newer bodies has the same pixel density as the sensor in a D7100. Right now there is a special on the E-PL5 for one week. E-PL5 | Olympus Good way to test the waters to see if mirrorless works for you.

 

[Phillydog1958]

I'd wait and see what the introduction of the Nikon 1 V3 will do to the Nikon 1 product line's pricing. We should see some sort of a price-drop with current Nikon 1 products.

 

[Bill16]

After some thought and sleeping on it, I think my interest in the mirror less camera, is mostly as a point and shoot with extra lenses to play with. So top notch models would be unnecessary for my needs. But a viewfinder would be a feature I would want. I have real trouble seeing a LCD screen outdoors, so a viewfinder would be a real plus.
I think I would prefer to stick with Nikon, though mostly out of brand loyalty I think! Lol But being able to use an adapter to use my other DSLR Nikkor lenses is a pretty big incentive since I can't hardly afford good lenses for my D300 , and I sure can't afford to have to buy everything twice! Lol
With no money right now to buy anything, I'm wondering if anyone thinks someone would trade a Nikon mirror less with a couple lenses for my D3100 with 18-55 kit lens, battery grip,extra batteries, 32gig card, with box and pretty much everything that came with it when I bought it new?

Otherwise I figure it will be some time, before I'll be able to buy a mirrorless.I have no intention of switching to mirrorless, instead of a DSLR. I just want one to play with when I don't want to haul a full DSLR setup with me! Lol

Any ideas or offers welcome!

 

[Marcel]

I got myself a used Fuji X10 for $200. It's small, light, looks a bit like a Leica and fits in my jacket pocket. I played around with the more expensive XE-1 and Nex-6 but I have a problem with the EVF. I find the delay in the viewfinder of these is just enough that I don't capture the right moment or expression. But my little X10 can be used just like a rangefinder camera and I can shoot in real-time.

 

[PapaST]

I got myself a used Fuji X10 for $200. It's small, light, looks a bit like a Leica and fits in my jacket pocket. I played around with the more expensive XE-1 and Nex-6 but I have a problem with the EVF. I find the delay in the viewfinder of these is just enough that I don't capture the right moment or expression. But my little X10 can be used just like a rangefinder camera and I can shoot in real-time.

The delay when LCD goes out and EVF turns on has never really affected me. It happens quickly for me but it could just be my perception. The EVF is just a super hi-density LCD and because of this I notice the projected image isn't EXACTLY like a normal VF. Sometimes I'll notice moire or some other shading that plagues LCDs.

One thing I think is nifty and I suspect most mirrorless camera have this feature, it's called Focus Peaking. I can't remember if it works with auto-focus as well as manual focus but as you focus, the areas that are IN focus will become "shaded" (with whatever color you preselect, red, white, etc.) so you know when an area is in focus. What's neat about it is, if you change your aperture (decreasing) you can actually see the shaded area become larger. It gives you a representation of what your dof is as you go up or down on your aperture. There are some other tools like this I've seen that would be great for beginners to see how certain aspects work and are effected by changes. This is where mirrorless I feel has so much room to grow, utilizing the one fundamental difference that is has from DSLRs and making it more useful than a super fast FPS count.

 

[PapaST]

I think I would prefer to stick with Nikon, though mostly out of brand loyalty I think! Lol But being able to use an adapter to use my other DSLR Nikkor lenses is a pretty big incentive since I can't hardly afford good lenses for my D300 , and I sure can't afford to have to buy everything twice! Lol

I can't remember if the Nikon 1 mirrorless adapters allowed you full functionality of Nikkor lenses, I suspect they do. One cool thing about mirrorless cameras is the short flange focal distance (distance from lens to sensor). For instance on my NEX 6 the "E" in E-mount stands for the eighteen millimeters of distance. Because of this distance, the NEX 6 is easily adaptable to many different lenses (Nikon, Minolta, Canon, Pentax, etc.) You don't get full functionality but the ability to buy old sharp glass and use it on your mirrorless is pretty intriguing. I have a Nikon adapter ring for my Sony mirrorless and have used lenses with it successfully.

 

[dragion]

I just jumped on the mirrorless band wagon.
I found myself purchasing the Sony Nex 5T...similar to the Nex 6 like PapaST's.
What I like about it is that it is pretty much a compact version of my D7000...I think it might share the same sensor(?)
The main difference is the size & weight, but still able to produce very nice shots.
The other thing is that it is menu driven via touchscreen LCD and omits a lot of the physical controls outside the body...I still need to get used to it.
The negative is the lack of a viewfinder, but plan on buying the Sony FDA-EV1S Electronic Viewfinder attachment.

Right now the Nex 5T can be purchased for $499 which includes the E PZ16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS pancake zoom.
I got a deal that added the E55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS lens for $649.99 @ Best Buy...saving $400.
I also bought the E 20mm F2.8 for $159 on clearance...list price @ $350.

I will "never" replace my DSLR, but going mirrorless is a good alternative.

 

[Phillydog1958]

I just jumped on the mirrorless band wagon.
I found myself purchasing the Sony Nex 5T...similar to the Nex 6 like Bill16's.
What I like about it is that it is pretty much a compact version of my D7000...I think it might share the same sensor(?)
The main difference is the size & weight, but still able to produce very nice shots.
The other thing is that it is menu driven via touchscreen LCD and omits a lot of the physical controls outside the body...I still need to get used to it.
The negative is the lack of a viewfinder, but plan on buying the Sony FDA-EV1S Electronic Viewfinder attachment.

Right now the Nex 5T can be purchased for $499 which includes the E PZ16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS pancake zoom.
I got a deal that added the E55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS lens for $649.99 @ Best Buy...saving $400.
I also bought the E 20mm F2.8 for $159 on clearance...list price @ $350.

I will "never" replace my DSLR, but going mirrorless is a good alternative.

Nice kit.

 

[Marcel]

The delay when LCD goes out and EVF turns on has never really affected me. It happens quickly for me but it could just be my perception. The EVF is just a super hi-density LCD and because of this I notice the projected image isn't EXACTLY like a normal VF. Sometimes I'll notice moire or some other shading that plagues LCDs.

When I wrote delay, I wasn't thinking about the delay when it goes on of off, I was thinking more about the time lapse between what's happening in front of the lens and when that action appears in the LCD (at least on the X-10). It's like when I'm trying to capture a moment, if I rely on the LCD, what I see already has happened and I press the shutter a moment too late. This is why I got the X-10 (range finder) but, I have to admit, also because I like the fact that it looks and feel "Leica" like.

 

[PapaST]

When I wrote delay, I wasn't thinking about the delay when it goes on of off, I was thinking more about the time lapse between what's happening in front of the lens and when that action appears in the LCD (at least on the X-10). It's like when I'm trying to capture a moment, if I rely on the LCD, what I see already has happened and I press the shutter a moment too late. This is why I got the X-10 (range finder) but, I have to admit, also because I like the fact that it looks and feel "Leica" like.

Okay, I see what you're saying. I hadn't experienced that with the Sony. I googled it and didn't find many comments about it (really nothing at all). It must not be a deal breaker for most.

 

[Bill16]

Well my friends it looks like the Nikon 1 V1 camera won out for me, so I guess I'm officially one of the mirrorless clan thanks to my buddy @Eduard 's moving on up to the V2! Lol
I did say I leaned heavily towards Nikon brand, so I guess it was an obvious choice for me! Lol

 

[crashton]

Bill I'm sure you will love the V1. Have fun!