Thought Provoking Article: DSLR v Mirrorless

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
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Nasim Mansurov just posted a pretty even handed article on PhotographyLife discussing advantages and disadvantages in the never ending DSLR versus mirrorless debate. As most here know, I have and use both DSLR and mirrorless and see firsthand some of the points made in the discussion. The most controversial point made is the APS-C or DX has a limited future because Nikon and Canon have been slow on creating pro-level glass that takes advantage of the format. Personally I do agree with the points made about innovation in mirrorless leveraging the direct link between the sensor and focusing system and that mirrorless must improve the power/battery capabilities.

I thought I'd link to the article here and start a dialog.
 

AC016

Senior Member
I for one am a bit sick of the debate. There is no best camera or best brand. A bit of lively, friendly banter is great. But, when discussions get nasty because of fan boyism, it's pathetic. A camera is a personal choice and not everyone makes the same choice. In the end, we all strive to become better at photography and to get "that" shot. I' m happy with my camera and I hop you're happy with yours.
 

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
I dont read much about the contest now,as far as ime concerned its a forgone conclusion,mirrorless will win the battle at some point,it doesn't have to be better it just needs to gain a large enough sector of the market to make DSLR R&D not viable,there will be a DSLR made for a long time yet but it will most likely be a top end model or two that most cant afford so pushing mirrorless even further ahead.
The only thing that stops me going that way is the lack of speed in the EVFs reaction time,if i move away from the forum type of hype from owners of mirrorless systems and quietly ask questions most will say for things like BIF the cameras are not ready yet to compete.
 

Eduard

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Staff member
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I wasn't intending on starting a negative thread - I'm a tech geek and was hoping folks would discuss some of the innovative things happening because of new capabilities! I love that the upstart technology is making the established players rethink their approach. I believe we would have never seen a D500 if it wasn't for the mirrorless challenge - we all win!
 

traceyjj

Senior Member
I moved from Olympus as they dumped all the dslrs in favour of mirrorless. Yes they have their plusses (nice and small and light, and the Oly brand has some great glass) but I wanted a camera that looked and felt like a DSLR. Once Oly focussed their resources on Mirrorless, the development stopped overnight for DSLRs, and as a customer I felt let down. MAYBE sometime in the future when the EVF is as fast as the hand/eye/shutter, I would consider one. But I dont want to be one of those people who hold the camera at arms length to take a photo... I might as well have a compact camera
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
... MAYBE sometime in the future when the EVF is as fast as the hand/eye/shutter, I would consider one. But I don't want to be one of those people who hold the camera at arms length to take a photo...
Couldn't agree more.

As for the whole Mirrorless vs DSLR thing, I hate to invoke the car analogy but we have spacious mini-vans, off-roading SUV's, cushy sedans and gas-sipping/hybrid/electric Smart Cars because the wants and needs of individual drivers vary. I don't ever remember an SUV enthusiast trying to convince me I need to trade in my Nissan Altima for a Range Rover.

On a more personal level... I don't LIKE the mirrorless format. I don't like how the bodies feel in my hand, I don't like EVF's and the list goes on. Maybe I'm old and set in my ways or whatever, but I'm okay with that. And just because they're the "wave of the future" doesn't mean I need to catch it.

In the final analysis, shut up about your camera and put your prints on the crit rail.
 

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
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Fish I like the car analogy very much! To take it one step further I always remember my Gramps who was a tradesman (does anyone still use that term?) telling me to use the right tool for the job!
 

AC016

Senior Member
I moved from Olympus as they dumped all the dslrs in favour of mirrorless. Yes they have their plusses (nice and small and light, and the Oly brand has some great glass) but I wanted a camera that looked and felt like a DSLR. Once Oly focussed their resources on Mirrorless, the development stopped overnight for DSLRs, and as a customer I felt let down. MAYBE sometime in the future when the EVF is as fast as the hand/eye/shutter, I would consider one. But I dont want to be one of those people who hold the camera at arms length to take a photo... I might as well have a compact camera

The EVF refresh rate on mirrorless cameras has being going up and up over the years. The new X-Pro2 has an EVF with a refresh rate of 85fps. That is very close to how the human eye works. Ask @Eduard about the EVF in the X-T1 (which has a refresh rate of 54fps) and i am sure that he will tell you that 85fps would be waaaay better then what he has on his XT1 and that's saying something. The technology will only get better as time moves on.
 

lrlebron

Senior Member
I have both a DSLR and mirrorless cameras. For me they serve different purposes. If I need automatic flash, dual memory cards or high iso then my D7100 is the one I use. The D7100 also has a large amount of buttons which make adjusting the settings faster.

If I am going to be hiking or travelling the smaller size/weight of the mirrorless systems gives them an advantage. Both the OVF and EVF have their advantages and disadvantages. I like the OVF in low light or fast action situations. I like the EVF when I can display a live histogram as I am adjusting the exposure compensation or have set the camera to shoot in black and white.

I am camera agnostic. Whatever works for the task at hand be it a DSLR, mirrorless or my point and shoot.
 

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
The EVF refresh rate on mirrorless cameras has being going up and up over the years. The new X-Pro2 has an EVF with a refresh rate of 85fps. That is very close to how the human eye works. Ask @Eduard about the EVF in the X-T1 (which has a refresh rate of 54fps) and i am sure that he will tell you that 85fps would be waaaay better then what he has on his XT1 and that's saying something. The technology will only get better as time moves on.

The new Sony A6300 has an incredible 120 fps refresh rate! The EVF on the X-T1 is a non-issue and in many ways an advantage in my opinion. I really like the immediate feedback when adding or subtracting EV. Focus peaking, especially with manual or non-native lenses is very intuitive. Having a live histogram has resulted in less chimping and more keepers. The X-T1 EVF (and the SLR-like form) was one of the main reasons I chose the body that I did.

I've included a picture below of the EVF modes of the X-T1 for those who may not have seen it. Not trying to sell it, just to keep the conversation going. The bottom left shows the rotation of the display when you are shooting in landscape mode. Absolutely brilliant. The bottom right shows the dual display option for when you are shooting in manual focus. The focus point is magnified at 1:1. This is the best experience for manual focusing I've had since the split prism in the film days.

xt-1_evf-modes.jpg
 

AC016

Senior Member
The new Sony A6300 has an incredible 120 fps refresh rate! The EVF on the X-T1 is a non-issue and in many ways an advantage in my opinion. I really like the immediate feedback when adding or subtracting EV. Focus peaking, especially with manual or non-native lenses is very intuitive. Having a live histogram has resulted in less chimping and more keepers. The X-T1 EVF (and the SLR-like form) was one of the main reasons I chose the body that I did.

I've included a picture below of the EVF modes of the X-T1 for those who may not have seen it. Not trying to sell it, just to keep the conversation going. The bottom left shows the rotation of the display when you are shooting in landscape mode. Absolutely brilliant. The bottom right shows the dual display option for when you are shooting in manual focus. The focus point is magnified at 1:1. This is the best experience for manual focusing I've had since the split prism in the film days.

View attachment 198561

Thanks for the screen grabs. Would be great to have that split screen for MF on my X-Pro1. 120fps?? That is insane. What i love about EVF, is WYSIWYG. What i don't like and this is more of a personal issue, is when my transition eye glasses tint, it is hard to see the EVF on my camera. However, part of that issue is due to the old EVF tech in my camera. X-Pro2...... hmmmmmmmmmmmm, tempting.
 
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