Have you experienced coming across an amazing scene that would make a fantastic photograph, but hadn’t packed your full SLR camera outfit?
Sure, we can grab a quick shot of the moment with our cell phones, but what if there were a convenient way to be ready to capture the kind of image you might consider framing?
A lighter, more compact mirrorless camera could be the answer, says Brad Morris of Photo Expert in Delta. Manufacturers like Nikon, Canon, Sony and Fuji and others have built complete systems around mirrorless technology, which removes the glass mirror assembly used in single lens reflex (SLR) cameras and replaces it with super-sensitive and user-friendly electronics.
“The beautiful thing about mirrorless cameras is what you don’t give up,” Morris says. “They offer outstanding image quality and a large range of lenses to choose from, plus most of the accessories associated with SLR cameras are also available for mirrorless systems.”
Here’s some more points about mirrorless to consider:
- By removing the mirror box, manufacturers such Canon, Sony, Fuji and Nikon are making smaller, quieter cameras with innovative focusing and video features
- Compared to cellphone cameras, the mirrorless sensor is larger, provides much better low-light performance and the viewfinders offer a better view of the subject in difficult light
- For unobtrusive photography, there’s a silent shooting mode, with the traditional shutter click and mirror flap now just a murmur. If you can’t live without the “click,” sound can be turned on for audible feedback
- The video quality makes it possible to shoot television-quality movies
- Mirrorless camera sales are projected to surpass SLR by 2022
If you’re raising your eyebrows, thinking about the significant investment you’ve made in lenses, Nikon and Canon aren’t leaving behind the traditional SLR shooters. By using an available adapter, a person can continue using their favourite glass lenses with the mirrorless system.
Morris says one of his staff members took a Fuji model X-H1 camera out for a test drive one weekend and was amazed by its focusing speed and image stabilization. “She said the camera blew her away with its performance, which is high praise coming from an SLR user.”
Mirrorless technology, he says, “can allow you to get great images and have more fun, be more spontaneous. If it encourages you to carry the camera a little more, it’s worth investigating.”
To find out more about what’s available, check out Photo Expert in Delta.