First camera: DSLR or mirrorless

The problem with this kind of question is that everyone will recommend their own favourite cameras.

Fortunately just about every camera on the market above the really cheap point-and-shoot models can take very good photographs. So in a way, it doesn't matter which you buy. Each model has its little problems (even the most costly) but basically they all work well.

One approach is to start with an entry model such as the Canon EOS 1200D, Pentax K-50, Sony A58 or Nikon D3300 and see how you get on. Among mirrorless there are the Sony A3000 or A5000 and similarly priced models from Panasonic or Olympus.

After a year or two you will know more and be able to pick a better camera without losing too much money if you decide to dump the old one. By then you will know which features are most important for your way of working.

Alphoid said:

Most of those downsides, except dynamic range, apply to LCDs, not to EVFs. LCDs do not work well in bright sunlight. However, EVFs, like OVFs do.

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What I said was, "I also find shadow/highlight detail much easier to see with an OVF compared with an EVF; again, this is particularly true on sunny days." This varies with the quality of the EVF, of course, but even highly regarded ones have difficulty retaining highlight and/or shadow detail when compared with an optical DSLR viewfinder. Not only my eyes see this; reviews of cameras with highly regarded EVF's also note that they don't yet match an OVF in this particular attribute.

Alphoid said:

Indeed, one of the major upsides of an EVF, for me, is the ability to review photos in bright sunlight. With a dSLR, I cannot do it until I find shade, or a computer, or similar.

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Yes, there are features and advantages to an EVF that can't be matched by an OVF. For me, those don't offset the better visibility of the scene in front of me that I get with an OVF-equipped DSLR, but everyone's eyes and needs are different.

Alphoid said:

It's a personal preference either way.

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Absolutely. Since it hadn't been mentioned previously in the thread, I just wanted to OP to think about this aspect of the buying decision. I don't know if he has a similar store in his area, but the local shop I visit is happy to let customers take display models outside to see if they like how the viewfinders and screens work for them.

kufuxul said:

Hi,

As someone who doesn't own any DSLR and is not bound to Canon/Nikon lens system, should my first camera be DSLR or mirrorless?

My budget is 600$ and was leaning towards Canon T3i/Nikon D3200 until I found this article: http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2012/01/04/dslrs-are-a-dying-breed-3rd-gen-cameras-are-the-future/ which started me thinking about buying some mirrorless camera, as perhaps they are the future and will offer better options (lenses etc.) in couple years?

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IMO .. Better to go for mirrorless, they are smaller in size that will make it easier to carry around, The image quality is equal if not better than some DSLRs having same sensor size.
The only problem would be your budget, you can get a good mirrorless camera for $500-$600 with a kit lens but in the future you will need more lenses that will cost as much as the camera maybe more.

kufuxul said:

Apart from future perspectives, will mirrorless camera offer same quality as T3i/D3200 in the same price range or will I be trading quality for portability? If so, what model should I take?

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Image quality is equal to DSLRs both use same sensor size, for your budget I suggest that you look for :
Fujifilm X-E1
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony NEX-6
Sony NEX-5T (great deals on this one nowadays)
Sony A5000 (this one will have less control for manual use)
Olympus OMD-EM10 (this one has the smallest sensor compared to the other cameras but it performs as good as them)

kufuxul said:

Also, Canon/Nikon have established lens systems which are more than likely to be compatible with newest models... can the same be said about mirrorless cameras? If so, what system should I buy into?

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I didn't get this one, all camera manifacturers produce lens system to be compatible with all their cameras DSLR or mirrorless.
The only difference between lenses that some of them are for Full frame cameras and some are for cropped sensor (this is not your issue don't worry about it).

Before you go ahead and decide which camera brand to take you should search for lenses to see their prices and variety of lenses available for you camera.
Sony, Fuji and Olympus lenses are great but the problem that you will have as a beginner is what focal length you need ?
To answer this question you should buy a camera with a kit lens and start shooting and learning, by time you will know what is the nest lens you will need.

I hope that was helpful enough for you

ViRuS X said:

I didn't get this one, all camera manifacturers produce lens system to be compatible with all their cameras DSLR or mirrorless.

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Quite true. Maybe worth pointing out that micro 4/3 (currently really means Olympus or Panasonic) is an open lens mount standard, which means all lenses are inter-operable, new or old, from any manufacturer (though be sure to check for in-lens or in-body (IBIS) image stabilisation)

Dave Stott said:

micro 4/3 (currently really means Olympus or Panasonic) is an open lens mount standard, which means all lenses are inter-operable, new or old, from any manufacturer (though be sure to check for in-lens or in-body (IBIS) image stabilisation)

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I didn't know that m4/3s have same mount !
Thanks for letting me know , I'm not interested in that market but everyone likes them for their portability.
I think that Sony A7 killed that choice for me, since I'm investing in Sony A-mount It's much better to go for a FF for almost the same price as the APS-C mirrorless or M4/3 with the advantage of having A-mount lenses that will need an adapter to fit on it with full compatibility.

kufuxul said:

Hi,

As someone who doesn't own any DSLR and is not bound to Canon/Nikon lens system, should my first camera be DSLR or mirrorless?

My budget is 600$ and was leaning towards Canon T3i/Nikon D3200 until I found this article: http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2012/01/04/dslrs-are-a-dying-breed-3rd-gen-cameras-are-the-future/ which started me thinking about buying some mirrorless camera, as perhaps they are the future and will offer better options (lenses etc.) in couple years?

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The EF-M lenses for Canon's EOS M uses the same electronic lens interface as their EF-S and EF lenses. This means that with an EF/EF-S to EF-M adapter everone of the over 10 million EOS lenses Canon has made in the last 25 years will operate with full functionality on any future Canon mirrorless camera.

Due to their current limitations mirrorless camera just aren't selling well in North America and Europe. There biggest advantage small size is seen as a disadvantage in a market where the better more expensive cameras were always bigger.

In my opinion Canon has all the components of a mirrorless camera that could match the functionality of a dSLR, Dual Pixel AF sensor, EF-M mount, and 2.36MP EVF from the G1X II. There just has to be a market for it.

I'm in the minority of those that would like to see Canon put all of those together in a pro level mirrorless 7D Mk II.

kufuxul said:

Apart from future perspectives, will mirrorless camera offer same quality as T3i/D3200 in the same price range or will I be trading quality for portability? If so, what model should I take?

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Mirrorless cameras still lag dSLRs in tracking faster moving subjects moving towards or away from the camera. And some mirrorless viewfinders black out or lag when taking multiple photos. Other than that mirrorless cameras can match the performance of dSLRS. Keep in mind mirrorless lenses tend to be more expensive, so your final kit cost can be much higher with some mirrorless systems (i.e. Fuji)

kufuxul said:

Also, Canon/Nikon have established lens systems which are more than likely to be compatible with newest models... can the same be said about mirrorless cameras? If so, what system should I buy into?

I'd appreciate your help!

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On a trip to New York, january 2011, i have boought a Olympus E-PL1 (mirrorless). Let's just say that i have been disappointed to have it as my main camera and sold it to buy a Canon 70d last october on another trip to New York (love this city).

So, i guess maybe the mirrorless are good as secondary cameras, not as a main one. Just for me, anyway. Why?

1. First opted for it as it's smaller than the full bodies. Well, i've found out that it is not that small, and for me, to carry it is the same as carry a full body. This one were a decisive factor to sell it and buy a Canon 70d.

2. Less lens/accessories options. If you want to buy a camera with what's in the package, you'll be fine. If you intend to buy new stuff, you have many options, but not as far as how many options full bodies have.

3. I found out that i like optical viewfinders and kinda hate electronic ones.

4. That camera hadn't a tilt screen so i could shoot myself (videos) and see what's on the screen. That sucked as well, and discovered it too late.

Well, that's it. I'd go for the full bodies.

TTMartin said:

Due to their current limitations mirrorless camera just aren't selling well in North America and Europe. There biggest advantage small size is seen as a disadvantage in a market where the better more expensive cameras were always bigger

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Interesting observation. Even though I live in Europe, or at least the UK, I don't travel there much.

I have just come back from a vacation in the US and was surprised by the number of dslr's I saw. Don't want to sound sniffy, but many seemed to be being used as p&s, with not too much thought even for composition. Seems to be mirrored (!) by the number of threads I read here that ask "Which dslr should I buy (implied because I aspire to be a serious photographer)" rather than saying what the poster wants to do, and asking" What camera........ "

None of my business, of course, but I do think folks can miss the best way into this hobby.

Dave

Both those cameras listed (T3i, D3200) would be great for you and a great place to start out, both Canon and Nikon make great lenses and there is an abundance of accessories to go with them. I would think about the future and research Nikon vs. Canon lenses and figure out which ones appeal to you more. Then try to find a store that has both (my local Fry's has them both, don't know where you are) and see which camera feels better.

As for DSLR dying, that's something ILC fans will tell you. On one side you have the ILC guys saying DSLR will be dead at ILC's hands, eventually. On the other hand you have DSLR users saying ILC isn't selling as well as their making it sound and camera phones/compacts will ultimately destroy the ILC's market. My point is no one really knows but if I were a betting man I would say DSLR isn't going anywhere anytime soon and certainly DSLR's outlook isn't as bleak as some of the rabid M43 fans on this board make it seem.

Alpha Orionis said:

Both those cameras listed (T3i, D3200) would be great for you and a great place to start out. I would think about the future and research Nikon vs. Canon lenses and figure out which ones appeal to you more. Then try to find a store that has both (my local Fry's has them both, don't know where you are) and see which camera feels better.

As for DSLR dying, that's something ILC fans will tell you. On one side you have the ILC guys saying DSLR will be dead at ILC's hands, eventually. On the other hand you have DSLR users saying ILC isn't selling as well as their making it sound and camera phones/compacts will ultimately destroy the ILC's market. My point is no one really knows but if I were a betting man I would say DSLR isn't going anywhere anytime soon and certainly DSLR's outlook isn't as bleak as some of the rabid M43 fans on this board make it seem.

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I'm primarily a dSLR user. I also use a Canon EOS M.

I recognize that 10 years from now mirrorless cameras will have replace dSLRs.

I also realize that it was just over 10 years ago that dSLRs, replaced film SLRs.

I agree the movement to mirrorless cameras is inevitable. But, it's not going to happen over night.

I also know that my Canon dSLR lenses will work on Canon's future mirrorless cameras, just as they work on my current EOS M.

edit:



Image from Mirrorless and DSLR camera shipments have decreased year-over-year, says a report coming from Japan’s Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA).

TTMartin said:

Alpha Orionis said:

Both those cameras listed (T3i, D3200) would be great for you and a great place to start out. I would think about the future and research Nikon vs. Canon lenses and figure out which ones appeal to you more. Then try to find a store that has both (my local Fry's has them both, don't know where you are) and see which camera feels better.

As for DSLR dying, that's something ILC fans will tell you. On one side you have the ILC guys saying DSLR will be dead at ILC's hands, eventually. On the other hand you have DSLR users saying ILC isn't selling as well as their making it sound and camera phones/compacts will ultimately destroy the ILC's market. My point is no one really knows but if I were a betting man I would say DSLR isn't going anywhere anytime soon and certainly DSLR's outlook isn't as bleak as some of the rabid M43 fans on this board make it seem.

Click to expand...

I'm primarily a dSLR user. I also use a Canon EOS M.

I recognize that 10 years from now mirrorless cameras will have replace dSLRs.

I also realize that it was just over 10 years ago that dSLRs, replaced film SLRs.

I agree the movement to mirrorless cameras is inevitable. But, it's not going to happen over night.

I also know that my Canon dSLR lenses will work on Canon's future mirrorless cameras, just as they work on my current EOS M.

edit:

Image from Mirrorless and DSLR camera shipments have decreased year-over-year, says a report coming from Japan’s Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA).

Click to expand...

I currently own a Fuji X-E1 that I love, it's a very nice camera. But since selling off my DSLR I have been missing it especially since I have large hands and like the feel of a DSLR better in them. I took a trip to my local camera store the other day, it was pretty crowded and noticed almost everyone looking at cameras were looking at DSLR's and not mirrorless. I understand this is a very small sampling size but I think it indicates the mindset is still if you want to get more serious about photography you're going to buy a DSLR...or at least consider one first and if you are a DSLR user you're going to stick with DSLR...for the most part.

But the mirrorless format has to compete with camera phones and compact's, both of which are getting better and better and stealing the ILC thunder for the customer who wants a smaller camera and doesn't want to lug around a heavier DSLR. That's a lot to overcome and I'm not ready to say mirrorless is going to unequivocally replace DSLR in 10, 20, 50 or 100 years. I'm glad you're so sure about it, though.

kufuxul said:

As someone who doesn't own any DSLR and is not bound to Canon/Nikon lens system, should my first camera be DSLR or mirrorless?

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Since this will be your first SLR form factor camera, I recommend mirrorless.

The picture quality issue has been discussed so you should have a good idea regarding that. The conclusion might be that the picture quality of mirrorless cameras will be quite satisfactory if you get one with the size of sensor and lens to suit your low light desires.

But I recommend getting a mirrorless camera if you want to see what you will get "BEFORE" you snap the picture. One big advantage of mirrorless in this regard is that a live histogram can be displayed in the electronic viewfinder. Get a camera that allows assigning exposure compensation to a wheel or knob. The histogram is your camera's light meter. View the scene in the electronic viewfinder, turn the exposure compensation wheel or knob to adjust for optimum exposure based on the histogram display, and snap the picture. Done.

In comparison, using an optical viewfinder, the histogram can only be displayed on the LCD screen "AFTER" taking the picture. So you would have to snap the picture, look at the picture and/or histogram on the LCD screen, make an educated decision on exposure compensation adjustment, snap another picture, look at the LCD screen, and repeat until the correct exposure is obtained. This is called "chimping".

As a beginner, the mirrorless method with an electronic viewfinder will be MUCH easier and faster for you to adjust for optimum exposure. And if the subject(s) are people, they won't have to wait for you to chimp and take multiple shots.

$.02,
Sky