Regarding Mirrorless Cameras as a Passing Fad
Don’t sell them short. Mirrorless cameras may be the way camera engineering is headed—then again, maybe not. Although revolutionary features are currently in place with mirrorless technology, professionals aren’t generally seen using these pint-sized gems in public with clients. Let’s face it, appearance (and size) is important. Small mirrorless cameras don’t give the same impression as meaty, bad-boy, professional gear.
That said, several features available on quality mirrorless cameras are impressive. Most models of mirrorless cameras have live view technology for evaluating the shot through the LCD panel as well as through a viewfinder. Some LCD panels lift up or down, helping you shoot from overhead or low angles without having to sprawl out on the floor (or, worse, the muddy ground). Touch-screen LCD panels also allow the user to finger-skim through photos as on a cell phone or iPad. I like the “what you see is what you get” feature that shows the exposure through the viewfinder (not just after you click the shutter).
Although the new Olympus OM-D EM1 mirrorless camera is small in size, the image above (created by an earlier model) was of high enough quality to be accepted by a leading stock photo company, where reproduction quality is paramount.
The comparative sizes of full frame, crop, and micro 4/3 sensors.
The image quality of the mirrorless camera is suitable to be accepted as stock photography.
Advantages of Mirrorless Technology
The image quality is quite good
A variety of lenses to choose from
Shooting speed equals or can exceed DSLRs
Quieter (no reflex mirror as on DLSRs)
Tilt the back LCD panel up or down
Live view gives exposure display
Shoot nice video and continuously autofocus while recording