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Everything You Need to Know about Mirrorless System Cameras

By Alvin Soon - 2 Mar 2012

Is a Mirrorless System Camera Really for Me?

Is a Mirrorless System Camera Really for Me?

Is a mirrorless system camera really for you? Let's go through a checkbox.

  • Are you looking for better quality images than what a compact camera can give you?
  • Are you looking for a smaller camera than a DSLR camera with good image quality and handling?
  • Are you intimidated by a DSLR camera's controls and feel it might be overkill for you?
  • Are you okay with paying and carrying more than you would for a digital compact camera?

If you answered yes to these questions, then it's likely that a mirrorless system camera is for you.

While traditionally a users' upgrade path has been from digital compact camera to DSLR camera, the introduction of mirrorless system cameras has changed that. For most casual users, they would be better served by a mirrorless system camera, which would better serve their needs than a larger DSLR camera.

Some users might think that the best option would be to get the best thing, like a mid-range to professional DSLR camera. A top of the line camera will definitely give you great performance, but it will also cost you more, not just in terms of cost, but also in size and complexity – and the end results might be overkill for what you're shooting. In the end, it's not that digital compact or DSLR cameras are better or worse, it's simply a matter of which is more suitable for you, given what you want and what you don't want. The trade-off between pros and cons is one you'll have to decide, and we hope this guide has made it easier for you to choose.

Mirrorless system cameras are a young development in the world of cameras, only around three years old at the time of this writing, and change is not just expected but guaranteed. By the time you read this, the specific cameras in this guide may already have been retired, but the basics to choosing a camera don't change: 1. Which form factor do you prefer? 2. Do you want to buy extra lenses? 3. What is most important to you?

Whatever camera you get, happy shooting!

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