What's the Difference: P/S vs. Mirrorless.

[Vinylly]

Neither has mirrors and neither are dslr or 'bridge cameras'. A Canon s 120 has almost as much manual control as a mirrorless which is bigger.

 

[Serickmetz]

TONS of reasons but to name a few...

you can change lenses on mirrorless

I just named one. other will know why. lol

 

[Mike_PEAT]

nt=No text

 

[yardcoyote]

Consider sensor size, first of all. Then there's the little matter of interchangeable lenses, which offers the potential to completely change the nature of the camera.

And this may seem petty, but the thing I hated worst about my point and shoot was the long shot to shot time. It took forever to focus, particularly in low light, and then it took forever (again) to write the data into storage and get ready for the next shot. This drove me out of my mind and caused me to lose pictures I would otherwise been able to capture.

While I decided on a DSLR (primarily a matter of price and the wonderful optical viewfinder), the mirrorless systems I was considering would also have solved that problem.

 

[justmeMN]

When people say mirrorless, what they mean is "mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera (MILC)".

Point and shoot cameras don't have interchangeable lenses.

Most MILC cameras have bigger sensors than point and shoot cameras.

 

[57LowRider]

All cameras nowadays can be used as P&S, just set everything to auto and snap away.

 

[Leonard Migliore]

Once upon a time, digital cameras either had non-removable lenses or were SLR's. Then cameras with interchangeable lenses and electronic viewfinders started to appear. The logical name for these would have been "Electronic viewfinder, interchangeable lens" but that acronyzes to EVIL and no one wanted to sell EVIL cameras.

For some reason, the most successful descriptive term was "Mirrorless interchangeable lens camera", which can be shortened to the harmless MILC (or, remembering Captain Beefheart, safe as milk). But, of course, this describes the camera in terms of something it doesn't have.

 

[Dennis]

The term mirrorless was used to differentiate new mirrorless alternatives to DSLRs (starting with micro 4/3 and Sony NEX). There have always been mirrorless cameras, but they've had other ways to differentiate themselves from DSLRs. (Rangefinders, point & shoots - or digicams).

At least the term is reasonably current in the sense that it does serve to differentiate mirrorless cameras from other models in the market with mirrors. Wherease DSLRs are Digital (do we really need that any more ?) "single lens reflex" cameras (as opposed to twin lens reflex).

• Dennis
  --
  Gallery at http://kingofthebeasts.smugmug.com

 

[Amamba]

Neither has mirrors and neither are dslr or 'bridge cameras'. A Canon s 120 has almost as much manual control as a mirrorless which is bigger.

Having switched from a successive line of Canon Rebels to a Sony Nex, I'd say the question is backward. The Nex is much closer to a DLSR than a P&S:

- interchangeable lenses

- APS-C sized sensor (the 1.5x sensor in Nex is actually slightly larger than the 1.6x sensor in Canon crop bodies)

- dedicated controls for shooting modes, aperture / shutter speed, ISO and EC

- no shutter lag

the AF speed is getting close, too.

Actually, the biggest difference from my perspective is between Sony colors and lens line up vs Canon colors and lens line up. Not the type of camera.

 

[JoePhoto]

Consider sensor size, first of all. Then there's the little matter of interchangeable lenses, which offers the potential to completely change the nature of the camera.

And this may seem petty, but the thing I hated worst about my point and shoot was the long shot to shot time. It took forever to focus, particularly in low light, and then it took forever (again) to write the data into storage and get ready for the next shot. This drove me out of my mind and caused me to lose pictures I would otherwise been able to capture.

While I decided on a DSLR (primarily a matter of price and the wonderful optical viewfinder), the mirrorless systems I was considering would also have solved that problem.

Absolutely sensor size and interchangeable lenses is the main difference. (both extreme tele and ultra wide-angle)

But except for the lack of true UWA, that can be an advantage because it can allow much longer tele (@ f/stop) than even available on larger sensors. And example is Panasonic FZ-200 w/ 600mm @ f/2.8. The Panny FZ-70 has a 20mm WA and extends to 1200mm (albeit not with 600mm @ f/2.8).

I have been taking photos for 60 years, and even though I did have a 500mm, I seldom used it because it was too much trouble to carry and mount. But I now have the FZ-200 and find it is the most FUN camera I ever owned. The convenience of "super-zoom" is addicting without having to stop and take-time to mount lenses.

And YOU ARE CORRECT in that P&S's used to be very, very slow shot-to-shot time, but I think most of the newer ones do not have that problem. I have had the Minolta-Konica A1, Sony HX-100, Nikon P-500 and now the Panasonic FZ-200 and the shot-to-shot time is equal my DSLR's for most practical purposes. (but surprisingly the NIKON P-500 was the "slowest" of those, but still not a problem)

The Panny FZ-200 can do 12fps, (and 5.5fps full size and w/ tracking focus), only the new Sony a6000 can beat that, albeit at much higher cost.

I have just been asked to do a WEDDING with the FZ-200 and I admit that may be a challenge, but not enough to scare me away from it. (I have done 100's of weddings but this will be my first with this camera.)

And of course I am NOT GOING TO ARGUE the IQ of a small-sensor is equal to a larger-sensor.

And I also won't argue the lack of UWA (Ultra Wide Angle), as most P&S are around 28mm, (w/ some @ 24mm and now the FZ-70 w/ 20mm)

--
Thanks for reading .... JoePhoto
( Do You Ever STOP to THINK --- and FORGET to START Again ??? )

 

[EinsteinsGhost]

Neither has mirrors and neither are dslr or 'bridge cameras'. A Canon s 120 has almost as much manual control as a mirrorless which is bigger.

To me, P&S is about how many use their camera, auto this and auto that, regardless of the design of the camera which could be a fixed lens camera or an ILC, with FF, APSc, m43, 1", 1/1.7"... sensor, an ILC that has flapping mirror(s) or fixed mirror or has no mirror.

 

[nuke12]

Well, many here have shortened "Mirrorless Interchangable Lens Camera" or MILC down to just calling it a "Mirrorless" camera. IMHO that is not correct because point and shoot cameras are also without a mirror. They are all mirrorless, it's just mainly a matter of if the lens can be changed.

Many will point out sensor size but that is also changing. I can see the day when a P&S has a FF sensor.

 

[Lab D]

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camerasize.com

The Canon s120 body is larger than some mirrorless cameras.

As for lenses, that F/5.7 lens on a P&S is nothing to be proud of.

 

[007peter]

Neither has mirrors and neither are dslr or 'bridge cameras'. A Canon s 120 has almost as much manual control as a mirrorless which is bigger.

I know you're being disparaging against mirror-less, and the truth is there isn't much difference other than:

• 1. Big Sensor (not counting the expensive $700+ Sigma DP or Fuji XS)

• 2. Interchangeable lens

That being said, I still prefer a Mirrorless over DSLR in today's DSLR-Hostile environements. I live in LA/OC, and I can no longer walk about in public my canon dSLR + 70-200 f/4 without being assaulted by security guards. People just assume you're a paparazzi unless you have your children/wife with you in a dance recital, or sport events.

I met a fellow DPR members to play test each others lens & camera over cups of coffee. We just hangout trying out each others gears but was approach by 2 security guard asking us to stop what we're doing. Honestly I have enough of these dSLR confrontation that its no longer enjoyable to me.

I know this post is meant to be disparaging, but make my next camera a Point/Shoot like Shining Red or even Girly pink. At least I can walk about enjoying photography without being assaulted.

 

[brianj]

http://camerasize.com/compact/#190,475,491,ha,f

The Canon s120 body is larger than some mirrorless cameras.

Lucky they don't show them with lenses mounted or it would be a different story.

Brian

 

[brianj]

Neither has mirrors and neither are dslr or 'bridge cameras'. A Canon s 120 has almost as much manual control as a mirrorless which is bigger.

Plus there is no additional cost for lenses with the fixed lens camera, and less chance of dust getting in.

Brian

 

[Lab D]

http://camerasize.com/compact/#190,475,491,ha,f

The Canon s120 body is larger than some mirrorless cameras.

Lucky they don't show them with lenses mounted or it would be a different story.

Brian

You cut off where I mentioned, "that F/5.7 lens on a P&S is nothing to be proud of."

 

[KCook]

When people say mirrorless, what they mean is "mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera (MILC)".

Point and shoot cameras don't have interchangeable lenses.

Most MILC cameras have bigger sensors than point and shoot cameras.

Also, a compact with zoom will make you fuss with a tiny lug next to the shutter button to control the zoom. Most zoom lenses for mirrorless cameras (but not all) have you twist a ring on the lens barrel for zoom, the same as a DSLR zoom lens.

Kelly Cook

 

[yardcoyote]

I haven't sampled a new point and shoot (mine was a year old model when I bought it two years ago) and they very well may be quicker to handle. Also, mine was a cheap model and more expensive ones even then would probably have had more buffer.

Since I have very little interest in either ultra wide angle or long telephoto, or in zooms, I can't speak to the other arguments. Although I agree 100% that if you happen want a long zoom with a lot of reach in a compact size, sacrificing sensor size is probably the only way to get it.

 

[jackdan]

http://camerasize.com/compact/#190,475,491,ha,f

The Canon s120 body is larger than some mirrorless cameras.

Lucky they don't show them with lenses mounted or it would be a different story.

Brian

You cut off where I mentioned, "that F/5.7 lens on a P&S is nothing to be proud of."

Possibly because that is incorrect information. according to Camera Labs review, "the S120 may lay claim to being the World's slimmest camera with an f1.8 lens at the time of writing,"