Mirrorless Cameras | FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
When you want to take your photography skills to the next level, but you don't want to carry around a bulky DSLR, a compact system camera is your best bet. Roughly the size and weight of your typical point-and-shoot camera, they come loaded with DSLR functions and lenses that will change the way you create images. Top brands such as Sony, Panasonic, Olympus, Nikon, and Fuji are making it easy to get your hands on one.
What is a mirrorless camera?
A compact system (or mirrorless) camera is a versatile hybrid designed to combine the manual control and superior image quality of a DSLR with the lightweight convenience and automatic functions of a point-and-shoot. To achieve its compact frame and earn its alias, it foregoes the internal components found in a DSLR like a mirror, prism, and optical viewfinder.
What are the main advantages of a mirrorless camera?
Ultra-compact and ultra-portable, a mirrorless camera is easy to take on every adventure and use comfortably for extended photo sessions.
It also houses powerful features like a large sensor, advanced manual modes, and more DSLR-like options that will let you get really creative.
You can choose from a growing selection of interchangeable lenses that are also more compact than their DSLR counterparts.
The electric viewfinder used by mirrorless cameras lets you see what the sensor sees, so you can preview how your settings will affect the photo. You can see, for example, if the exposure is too high. An EVF may also offer convenient features like highlighting areas in peak focus.
Is a mirrorless camera best for me?
If you're a semi-serious photographer, but one who wants an all-day camera, something to capture high-quality photos of your adventures without slowing you down, a compact system camera is ideal. Many, though not all, have quieter shutters, which may be desirable when photographing weddings or other intimate events. And if you plan to shoot lots of video, it's worth considering that some mirrorless cameras feature on-chip focus sensors that use phase detection. This provides quicker, more accurate autofocus that can benefit your videography.
What is a full frame mirrorless camera?
Full frame means a large image sensor, equivalent to 35mm film, the desired size when film was the standard storage medium. This large sensor captures virtually everything the camera lens sees, without cropping or zooming. As a result, it captures a lot of image detail, and with less digital noise, especially in high ISO (low light) photography. A full frame sensor is favoured by many experienced and professional photographers, and as it becomes a more common feature in compact system cameras, mirrorless has become an appealing camera alternative.
Want more info about Mirrorless Cameras? Check out some of our resources:
Should you buy a mirrorless camera, a DSLR or point and shoot camera?
Why a DSLR or mirrorless camera still shoots better than phones
The difference between a DSLR and a mirrorless camera
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How to choose a camera for shooting video
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