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The Jump to Mirrorless Shouldn’t Be So Scary
I feel behind the times, we’ve had Mirrorless cameras now for a while and Sony paved the way to a beautiful sensor and ability to capture so much more without having all those crazy moving parts of a DSLR.
So, why, in 2023, am I sitting here with my old workhorse? My Canon 7d Mk ii, who, since I have obtained her, has been at the forefront of all my photoshoots, art shoots, and fun shoots. It is literally my workhorse that I use for nearly everything. Why do I hold onto it? It’s still a great crop sensor camera, it has over 20k shots on the sensor and has near perfect recreation of what I am shooting.
Seriously, they retired this camera, and it makes me sad as I’ve heard stories of 5d mk iv cameras locking up at 10k shots, which for a body that costs almost 3 times as much as the 7d mk ii. I have to stick by my workhorse, because I love her.
To Retire or Not
Or do I?
What do I do? Do I finally retire the 7d Mk ii?
No, I look at my old Canon T5, it doesn’t collect dust. It’s a camera I use still, I hook it up to my telescope to attempt astrophotography, I use a dummy battery to shoot b-roll video on a tripod at events, it never retired.
So, what should do?
Transition the 7d to my video camera.
But then, I look at my lenses I have gathered over the years, specific to Canon, moreso, specific to a DSLR.
There are adapters, but what if I don’t want to go Canon for this? Let’s layout the pros and cons of each Body/Company and figure out where to go for my Mirrorless jump.
Too Many Choices in Mirrorless
Canon
M50 Mkii
M6 MKii
R10
RP
R
R7
R6
R5
R3
They didn’t make it easy, did they. But what about the other brands out there, first let’s look at the flagship of Mirrorless, Sony. Sony is light years ahead of everyone in the mirrorless game, so let’s see their lineup.
Full Frame: A1, A7C, A9 II, A9, A7R V, A7R IVA, A7R III, A7S III, A7S II, A7s, A7 IV, A7 III, A7 II, A7
APS-C: ZV-E10, A6600, A6500, A6400, A6100, A6000, A5100
Nikon
DX (1.5x Crop Sensor) Cameras
Nikon Z50
Nikon Zfc
Nikon Z30
FX (Full Frame) Cameras
Nikon Z5
Nikon Z6
Nikon Z7
Nikon Z6 II
Nikon Z7 II
Nikon Z9
That’s literally just 3 Brands of cameras. So, what do you do in a situation like this? Why is it so scary to jump from DSLR to Mirrorless when you’ve invested so much time and money into one silo of photography? Let’s really break it down shall we?
Understanding Mirrorless
If you have been using a DSLR camera for years, you might be wondering if it’s time to switch to a mirrorless camera platform. After all, mirrorless cameras are becoming more popular and advanced, and they offer some advantages over DSLRs that are hard to ignore. In this article, we will explain why moving to a mirrorless camera platform is the right thing to do after all these years using a DSLR. We will also show you some points that, hands down, mirrorless is the future of photography. Finally, we will include information on the best entry level, mid range, and professional options available compared to their DSLR counterparts.
One of the main differences between DSLRs and mirrorless cameras is the presence or absence of a mirror inside the camera body. A DSLR has a mirror that reflects the light coming from the lens to an optical viewfinder, where you can see what the lens sees. A mirrorless camera, on the other hand, has no mirror and uses an electronic viewfinder or a rear screen to display the image captured by the sensor. This has several implications for the design and performance of the cameras.
Lighter? Count me in!
First of all, mirrorless cameras are generally smaller and lighter than DSLRs, because they don’t need a mirror mechanism and a pentaprism. This makes them more portable and comfortable to carry around, especially for travel or long shoots. For example, the Sony A7C , a full-frame mirrorless camera, weighs only 509g with battery and memory card, while the Nikon D780 , a full-frame DSLR, weighs 840g with battery and memory card. I know my 7dMK II with a 18-300mm Sigma Macro Lens weighs in at an incredible 12 pounds. Yes, 12 pounds, that you have strapped around your neck or in your hand all the time.
Better tech Equals better Focus
Secondly, mirrorless cameras have faster and more accurate autofocus systems than DSLRs, because they use phase-detection pixels on the sensor instead of a separate autofocus module. This means that they can track moving subjects better, cover more of the frame with focus points, and focus in low-light situations more easily. For example, the Canon EOS R6 , a full-frame mirrorless camera, has 6,072 autofocus points that cover 100% of the frame, while the Canon EOS 6D Mark II , a full-frame DSLR, has only 45 autofocus points that cover 80% of the frame.
Do it LIVE with Mirrorless BETTER.
Thirdly, mirrorless cameras have better live view and video capabilities than DSLRs, because they use the sensor to create an electronic image that can be displayed on the screen or in the viewfinder. This means that they can show you exactly what the final image will look like before you take it, with accurate exposure, white balance, and depth of field preview. They can also record video with higher resolution, frame rate, and dynamic range than most DSLRs. For example, the Panasonic Lumix S5 , a full-frame mirrorless camera, can record 4K video at 60fps with 14 stops of dynamic range, while the Nikon D850 , a full-frame DSLR, can record 4K video at 30fps with 12 stops of dynamic range.
These are just some of the reasons why moving to a mirrorless camera platform is the right thing to do after all these years using a DSLR. Mirrorless cameras offer more features and performance in a smaller and lighter package than DSLRs. They are also more future-proof and compatible with newer technologies and accessories than DSLRs.
So, what to pick in the jump?
If you are ready to make the switch from DSLR to mirrorless, you might be wondering which camera model to choose. There are many options available in different price ranges and specifications. Here are some of our recommendations for the best entry level, mid range, and professional options available compared to their DSLR counterparts.
Entry level: If you are looking for an affordable and easy-to-use mirrorless camera that can still deliver great image quality and performance,
If you’re looking for a new camera, you might be wondering which type of camera is best for you. DSLRs used to be the go-to choice for many photographers, but mirrorless cameras have become increasingly popular in recent years. Mirrorless cameras offer some advantages over DSLRs, such as smaller size, lighter weight, faster autofocus, and more accurate exposure preview. But how do you choose the best mirrorless camera for your needs and budget? In this blog post, we’ll help you create a listing of the best entry level, mid range, and professional mirrorless camera options available.
Choices for every level:
Entry level mirrorless cameras are ideal for beginners who want to learn the basics of photography without spending too much money. They usually have simple controls, user-friendly interfaces, and decent image quality. Some of the best entry level mirrorless cameras are:
- Canon EOS R10: This is Canon’s newest and most affordable mirrorless camera, featuring a 24MP APS-C sensor, a vari-angle touchscreen, and 4K video recording. It also has a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) and a microphone jack for vlogging. It uses Canon’s RF mount, which has a wide range of lenses available.
- Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV: This is a compact and stylish mirrorless camera with a 20MP Micro Four Thirds sensor, a tilting touchscreen, and 4K video recording. It also has in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which helps reduce camera shake in low-light situations. It uses Olympus’ M.Zuiko lenses, which are small and lightweight.
- Fujifilm X-T30 II: This is a retro-looking mirrorless camera with a 26MP APS-C sensor, a tilting touchscreen, and 4K video recording. It also has an EVF and a joystick for quick autofocus selection. It uses Fujifilm’s X-mount lenses, which are known for their high quality and unique character.
Mid range mirrorless cameras are suitable for enthusiasts who want more advanced features and performance than entry level models. They usually have higher resolution sensors, faster burst shooting, better autofocus systems, and more robust build quality. Some of the best mid range mirrorless cameras are:
- Nikon Z50: This is Nikon’s first mirrorless camera with an APS-C sensor, featuring a 21MP sensor, a tilting touchscreen that can flip down for selfies or vlogging, and 4K video recording. It also has an EVF and a deep grip for comfortable handling. It uses Nikon’s Z-mount lenses, which have a large diameter and short flange distance for optimal image quality.
- Fujifilm X-S10: This is a versatile and ergonomic mirrorless camera with a 26MP APS-C sensor, a vari-angle touchscreen, and 4K video recording. It also has IBIS, which is rare for Fujifilm cameras, and a mode dial for easy exposure control. It uses Fujifilm’s X-mount lenses as well.
- Canon EOS R7: This is Canon’s latest mirrorless camera with an APS-C sensor, featuring a 32MP sensor, a vari-angle touchscreen, and 4K video recording. It also has an EVF and dual card slots for backup or overflow storage. It uses Canon’s RF mount lenses as well.
Professional mirrorless cameras are designed for experts who demand the best image quality and performance possible. They usually have full-frame sensors, which offer better dynamic range, low-light performance, and depth of field control than smaller sensors. They also have more durable bodies, longer battery life, and more advanced video features. Some of the best professional mirrorless cameras are:
- Sony A7 IV: This is Sony’s newest flagship mirrorless camera with a full-frame sensor, featuring a 33MP sensor, a vari-angle touchscreen, and 4K video recording up to 60 fps without cropping. It also has IBIS, dual card slots, and an improved autofocus system that can track eyes and faces of humans and animals in stills and video. It uses Sony’s E-mount lenses, which have the widest selection among full-frame mirrorless systems.
- Nikon Z 6II: This is Nikon’s second-generation mirrorless camera with a full-frame sensor, featuring a 25MP sensor, a tilting touchscreen, and 4K video recording up to 60 fps with a slight crop. It also has IBIS, dual card slots (one CFexpress Type B and one SD), and dual processors for faster performance. It uses Nikon’s Z-mount lenses as well.
- Canon EOS R6 Mark II: This is Canon’s second-generation mirrorless camera with a full-frame sensor…
You know what, this is getting incredibly convoluted for me.
I CHOOSE YOU R7-chu!
If you are a Canon user like me, you might be wondering whether to go for the Canon EOS R7 or the Canon 7D Mark II. Both cameras are designed for fast action and wildlife photography, but they have some key differences that might affect your decision. In this blog post, I will talk about the Canon EOS R7 and compare it to the Canon 7D Mark II, and explain why choosing the R7 is the way to go for the jump to mirrorless.
The Canon EOS R7 is the first APS-C camera in the EOS R system, which means it uses a smaller sensor than full-frame cameras, but also has a crop factor of 1.6x that effectively increases the reach of your lenses. For example, a 100mm lens on the R7 will give you a 160mm equivalent field of view, which is great for getting closer to your subjects without losing image quality.
The Canon 7D Mark II is also an APS-C camera, but it uses the older EF mount, which means it can only use EF and EF-S lenses natively. The R7, on the other hand, uses the new RF mount, which offers a wider range of lenses, including some designed specifically for APS-C cameras, such as the RF-S series. The R7 can also use EF and EF-S lenses with an adapter, giving you more flexibility and compatibility.
Big Advantages in a Platform
One of the main advantages of the R7 over the 7D Mark II is its resolution. The R7 has a 32.5-megapixel sensor, which is the highest among APS-C cameras on the market. This means you can capture more details and crop more freely without losing sharpness. The 7D Mark II has a 20.2-megapixel sensor, which is still decent, but not as impressive as the R7.
Another advantage of the R7 is its speed. The R7 can shoot up to 30 frames per second with electronic shutter, or 15 frames per second with mechanical shutter. The 7D Mark II can only shoot up to 10 frames per second with mechanical shutter. The R7 also has a larger buffer capacity, which means it can shoot more images before slowing down. It can shoot up to 250 RAW images or unlimited JPEG images in a burst, while the 7D Mark II can only shoot up to 31 RAW images or 1090 JPEG images in a burst.
The R7 also has a better autofocus system than the 7D Mark II. It uses Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, which covers almost the entire sensor area with 651 focus points. The eye and face detection for both humans and animals, which makes it easier to track and focus on your subjects (perfect for pet photographers). The 7D Mark II uses Dual Pixel CMOS AF as well, but only for live view and video shooting. For viewfinder shooting, it uses a separate phase-detection system with 65 cross-type points, which covers a smaller area of the sensor.
The R7 also has some advantages in video shooting over the 7D Mark II. It can record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second, or Full HD video at up to 120 frames per second. The R7 also uses oversampling from a 7K sensor readout to produce high-quality 4K video with minimal moiré and aliasing. The 7D Mark II can only record Full HD video at up to 60 frames per second, and does not have oversampling or slow-motion capabilities.
Additional R7 Bonus Features
The R7 also has some features that the 7D Mark II lacks, such as in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which can compensate for up to 8 stops of camera shake when used with compatible lenses. It also has an articulating touchscreen LCD, which makes it easier to compose shots from different angles and control settings. The R7 also has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, which enables wireless remote control and image transfer via a smartphone app.
The only areas where the 7D Mark II might have an edge over the R7 are battery life and durability. The 7D Mark II has a larger battery that can last for up to 670 shots per charge, while the R7 has a smaller battery that can last for up to 440 shots per charge. The 7D Mark II also has a more robust magnesium alloy body that is weather-sealed against dust and moisture, while the R7 has a lighter polycarbonate body that is not as rugged.
However, these differences are not enough to outweigh the benefits of the R7 over the 7D Mark II. The R7 offers superior performance, image quality, versatility and features than the 7D Mark II, making it a much better choice for anyone who wants to jump to mirrorless and enjoy the advantages of the EOS R system.
Let’s GO Already
I am ready to make the jump, just have to bide my time a little. Unless you click the links for the R7 or 7d mk ii in this blog and buy the cameras. Because, then, you are helping me get there.
If you like this type of rambling about gear that goes on in my head, be sure to check out this post about my love of a favorite lens of mine from Canon.
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