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Does your E-mount replace a DSLR?

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Not me - I bought e-mount as second bodies to my DSLRs, starting with the NEX3 which I used about 30% of the time, and the DSLR 70%...maybe a little more. The NEX3 was good for carrying alongside the DSLR, replacing it in indoor situations where a more covert camera was desirable, and taking its place when lightweight or portable was paramount. The NEX-5N with EVF won me over more, nearly splitting time with the DSLR at about 50/50% each. The EVF and better controls were keys to increasing the number of situations where the e-mount could actually go in the stead of the DSLR.

Now the A6000 - which I can't say I know the balance of usage time yet, because I'm in an unfair time of year. The A6000 so far has been used about 95% of the time, and the DSLR 5%...but that's mostly because in the summer the e-mount cameras ALWAYS get more use as when I go birding or traveling to hot humid places, I often just want the lighter kit. The DSLR will certainly be coming out as fall and winter come, not that it's any cooler down here where I live, but because I don't mind the weight and bulk and have much better, longer lenses for the DSLR for birding and wildlife duties. But I do suspect that overall the A6000 will have stolen a little more time away from DSLRs, maybe on the order of 60/40%, due to the A6000's focus and continuous tracking abilities which are a huge step up from the NEX-5N, and make it even more viable as a replacement in more shooting situations.
 
You use yours in the same way as I use mine but I'm sure you'd agree with its limitations whether they're applicable to you or not. I don't currently own a DSLR, nor do I want one as it'd be too heavy and too bulky to fit in a pocket while climbing or skiing. However, I am still sure that there are some shots that it'd be easier to catch with a mirrored than with my particular mirrorless and by extension, those shots would also be better ones if the NEX 7 couldn't catch them. If I did own one, I guess I might take more photographs of birds.
 
Mine did, I'm a prosumer/amateur though or whatever they call it. I had been using a D3100 then on to a D7000 for a few years.

Decided to jump head first into the Sony a7 and sold all my Nikon gear shortly after. It's taken a little getting used to, especially since this is the first mirrorless camera I've ever used. I think after 1-2 months now I'm totally comfortable and don't really miss the D7000 at all.
 
E-mount doesn't have the tele lenses to replace my DSLR system, and as much as continuous focus and tracking have improved, my K-3 is still better for action, especially in tough conditions. The K-3 has -3EV auto-focus & metering with three central points that are f2.8 sensitive, for superior low light performance. Handling is much faster with front and rear dials, there are more and better controls, and DSLR balance is much more ergonomic with a large lens.

I was looking at compacts, but decided to stay with APS-C. The a6000 with kit zoom is sufficiently small to fill the compact role, and beats any small-sensored camera. With a Touit mounted, it is a match for my Pentax system for most uses, and it is better for street than a DSLR. Friends and family act more naturally when I use the little a6000 for candids. I like the tilt screen. Mostly I like the size. I can carry a small, less intrusive bag for times when photography is secondary. I often carry two bodies, and a second DSLR is a load. I can tuck the a6000 and kit zoom in a slot where I normally carry a spare lens.
 
The only limitation for me is that the autofocus is slower but I have got used to that and found good workarounds: DMF and focus peaking to see where the focus sits, LA-EA2 adapter for fast focus with a-mount lenses. What I like very much about the mirrorless over the DSLR is that there is no backfocussing or frontfocussing, since the AF is always measured on the sensor. That constant need for fine adjustment gave me a big headache with the D7100. Not an issue at all with the A6000 etc.
 
Yes, my a7 can easily replace any DSLR for what I do. I use most of the same lenses on it as I did with my Canons. IQ far exceeds my Canon 60D, and from what I've seen in reviews it would give the Canon 6D a good run for the money. One I learned the workflow the a7 became as easy to operate as the DSLRs. But my type of photography is almost exclusively AP and thus in very low light and with a tripod.
 
I actually don't find its AF overly slow for the kind of shots I take but it just doesn't work at all sometimes (low light, poor contrast etc). Old primes and zooms are a whole lot easier to use in those circumstances not least because they are easier to manually focus using a magnified TTL preview and peaking but also because they let in a lot more light so with a steady hand, a tripod or a prop, they take better low-light pictures.

P.S. I see you have an A3000 ... They're currently on a deal in the UK for £199 and with the included 18-55 kit lens straight to ebay for £50, that'd make it £149. That seems like an absolute steal to me and I'm tempted to give one as a gift to one of my lads with an unused Rokkor prime and a Vivitar Series 1. Any major downsides ?
 
moffatross said:
I'm tempted to give one as a gift to one of my lads with an unused Rokkor prime and a Vivitar Series 1. Any major downsides ?
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Manual focus is a misery without a viewfinder, IME.

--
Dan
 
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It does, but both viewfinder and LCD are so crappy that IMO manual focussing is close to impossible with it. For the rest, if used with the 18-55, a wonderful camera and extremely much bang for the buck!
 
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Thanks for that and that's exactly what I wanted to know (but didn't want to hear). That wouldn't be enough bang for buck over the old Panasonic LX2 he's using just now.
 
I just jumped from Nikon D7000 to A7 and ain't looking back.

Biggest obstacle for Sony's market share is probably the brand mind share. Many first-time buyers of DSLRs are buying Canon or Nikon because of the brand recognition, not because they prefer DSLR over mirrorless. I myself didn't know the full frame mirrorless like A7 existed (at very attractive price!) until I looked closely past few weeks.
 
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moffatross said:
I actually don't find its AF overly slow for the kind of shots I take but it just doesn't work at all sometimes (low light, poor contrast etc). Old primes and zooms are a whole lot easier to use in those circumstances not least because they are easier to manually focus using a magnified TTL preview and peaking but also because they let in a lot more light so with a steady hand, a tripod or a prop, they take better low-light pictures.

P.S. I see you have an A3000 ... They're currently on a deal in the UK for £199 and with the included 18-55 kit lens straight to ebay for £50, that'd make it £149. That seems like an absolute steal to me and I'm tempted to give one as a gift to one of my lads with an unused Rokkor prime and a Vivitar Series 1. Any major downsides ?
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The main downside I hear of is that the eyepiece surround is hard and will scratch spectacles. So the A3000 is not a camera for spectacle wearers.

For an intelligent teenager with good eyesight it seems to be the ideal starter camera.
 
Stopped using my Canon 40d after buying a NEX7. Stopped using my NEX7 after buying an A7.

For me, the NEX7 was the ideal camera. offers everything I need and more. The two key features for me are instantaneous exposure feedback and the ability to easily use legacy glass. All the A7 did was provide a huge increase in image quality while maintaining and improving on the features of the NEX 7.
 
jimmy.walsh said:
I have posted my response to Thom Hogan's recent article 'The Canon/Nikon problem' on my blog:

http://jimmywalsh.com.au/blog

As an A6000 user, I find it interesting to read that Sony hasn't been able to increase it's market share over Canon and Sony.

Are E-mount sales replacing or augmenting DSLR/ DSLT sales? I'm interested to hear your thoughts.
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During a recent road trip, I took only my NEX-6. Also had F828 primarily for infrared photography and an emergency backup. Didn't take my a55.

The E-mount cameras are versatile enough to replace not only DSLR/SLT but also compact cameras. However, I prefer two systems (A-mount and E-mount being complimentary) for my own reasons and conveniences. I use NEX-6 as a backup with bigger lenses (and don't mind occasional use exclusively with bigger lenses via EA2) or as my walkaround camera with (generally) primes only configuration.

For the trip, I did use my travel zoom (Sigma 18-250 HSM OS via EA2) mostly (although, Minolta 50/1.4 via SB also was used, as was E 35 and Rokinon 8/2.8).

So yes it does, but doesn't because on some occasions I prefer two bodies (and Instead of two similar bodies, I prefer different but highly compatible ones).
 
I fixed that with some soft tape around the viewfinder. Ain't pretty but works.
 
I replaced my canon 5d 2 gear with sony a7rs. After testing one , that I bought for travel work, I couldn't see giving clients second best. The sensor is head and shoulders beyond canon.

I use a selection of carefully chosen manual lenses from olympus and nikon - with a 14 mm samyang thrown in - and the sony 35mm f2.8. I couldn't be happier (until next year ....)
 
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