Top 5 Reasons To Consider Buying A Mirrorless Camera

Digital cameras like the Sony a7 perform better than smartphones in low-light conditions.
Mirrorless cameras have come a long way since they first hit the market. From lackluster electronic viewfinders to a limited variety of native lenses, there were plenty of reasons why it wasn’t thought to be viable for professional photographers to use on the job. However, the times have changed and the technology has changed along with it. Mirrorless cameras are increasingly becoming more relevant in the professional arena of photography with better sensors, higher resolution and improved autofocusing. Both Nikon and Canon, the biggest brands in the industry, have added mirrorless cameras to their product lines.
So what does this mean for the professional photographer? It means they have more options and more versatility in the tools they can use to get a great shot. Here are five main reasons why mirrorless cameras are now a viable option for professional photographers to use.
  1. It’s significantly lighter than the average DSLR camera. Traveling photographers will appreciate a slim, compact mirrorless camera body to carry around easily when on-the-go. Who wants to haul a 5 pound bag of gear worth thousands of dollars with them (on top of your usual luggage) through an international airport? Without the need to protect a mirror inside, mirrorless cameras are able to cut down on the bulk. “It’s a versatile and capable option for those who want the flexibility of a DSLR system without the extra weight,” said Michael Reese, an Atlanta-based photographer, of the Nikon 1 mirrorless camera series. “Sometimes having less camera in the way leads me to capture a higher number of better images.”  However, if you appreciate the feel of a DSLR, there are also mirrorless cameras with DSLR-styled bodies like the Sony A7R.
  2. The smaller size of a mirrorless camera maintains a lower profile for street photography. Just about all mirrorless camera brands have a small, vintage rangefinder-styled model. These are ideal for street photographers who want the feel of a rangefinder without the Leica digital rangefinder price. People are less likely to notice a photographer with a smaller camera versus the bulky DSLR that screams, “I’m a professional!” With the inconspicuous Fuji X-E1, a photographer can take high-resolution street photos at 16-megapixels without drawing too much attention to themselves.
  3. Electronic viewfinders (EVF) show the image exactly the way it will be captured. No need to look back at the image in the screen after the shutter snaps like with other cameras. Mirrorless cameras show the exposure as it is being created. Like to shoot in black and white? See the black and white image live in camera and make the right adjustments before pressing the shutter button. It’s easy to see how the EVF feature of mirrorless cameras can save you time in post-production later.
  4. Shoot Full HD quality video with fast and accurate autofocus tracking. Continuous focus tracking is good for taking photos of moving subjects, but essential for shooting video. Take advantage of the video capabilities of a mirrorless camera to shoot Full HD video clips at 60 frames per second with an Olympus OM-D E-M5. There is even an autofocus mode available in video mode that detects faces and prioritizes a specific eye to focus on.
  5. You don’t have to give up your DSLR lenses. With the right lens adapter, continue using your current DSLR lenses ­­– with the added ability to use lenses from all the other brands that exist. Have some older vintage lenses in your collection? Those, too, can be used with mirrorless cameras when you find the right adapter. Finding adapters for your DSLR camera to work with other lenses can be difficult and costly. But with mirrorless, a larger variety of lenses are at your disposal. This is one of the biggest advantages of having a shorter distance between the sensor and the lens.
So not only can a mirrorless be useful to get shots one normally wouldn’t be able to with a DSLR camera, but it can also cut down the amount of work needed in post-production and save time. Photographers of all experience levels should consider adding a mirrorless camera to their collection of camera gear. We have a great selection of used mirrorless cameras for you to shop and if you have any questions, feel free to call us at 1-800-342-5534.

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