Mirrorless Cameras WITH INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES Cameras with Mirrors •Film Single Lens Reflex (SLR) and Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) •DSLRs have full frame or APS-C sensors (APS – ) •Optical Viewfinder allows you to see through the lens via the mirror •Disadvantages of the mirror • Shutter Lag • Vibration • Weight • Size • Coverage of viewfinder may be less than 100% Mirrorless Cameras •Point and Shoot (fixed lens) •New Breed of High Quality Mirrorless with Interchangeable Lenses • Competing for the DSLR market • Explosion of models from many manufacturers • Mirrorless camera technology evolving faster than other types of cameras • Variety of price points • Wide selection of sensor sizes • Image Quality (IQ) can be comparable to DSLR • High Quality Video Sensor Sizes

Illustration courtesy MarcusGR Creative Commons Micro Four Thirds Format (MFT) •Designed specifically for digital •Same sensor used for Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds • Four Thirds cameras have a mirror • Micro Four Thirds cameras are mirrorless (micro refers to the flange distance, not sensor size) • Sensor aspect ratio is 4:3 (Full frame & APS-C are 3:2 as is 35 mm film) • Can record multiple aspects: 3:2, 16:9, 1:1 (jpg vs RAW, preview, PS vs LR) •Currently Kodak, Panasonic and Olympus are the only manufacturers •Panasonic and Olympus make pro lenses Micro Four Thirds continued •Crop factor of 2x for (50 mm MFT = 100 mm full frame) •Crop factor of 2x for (f 8 MFT = f 16 full frame) • Beneficial for landscapes and macro where a large DOF is desired • More difficult to get shallow depth of field even with telephoto lens • Less bokeh • More diffraction at higher f stops •MFT lenses are interchangeable among Panasonic and Olympus • Panasonic lenses will work on Olympus cameras and visa versa Mirrorless Styles •Rangefinder Style • Fuji X-M1, Fuji XE-1 •Scaled – down DSLR Style • Sony, Samsung, Fuji, Canon, , Olympus, Panasonic, Leica, Kodak • Consumer – smaller sensor, may not shoot RAW, no EVF or not built-in (EVF – electronic viewfinder) • Prosumer – EVF • Professional – EVF, fast processor, weather sealed, customization, high IQ Mirrorless Advantages •Smaller size – more discreet, less intimidating & smaller lenses •Less weight - less fatigue, unleashes your creativity & lighter lenses •Fewer moving parts – quieter •Designed to use Live View (LV) •Mirrorless are built with extra cooling to help prevent overheating in LV •Many models have tilt or swivel LCD screens •Ability to zoom in to fine tune focus with Live View •Short Flange Distance – with an adaptor can use many other lenses •Easier Focus Peaking (DSLR with live video capabilities has to raise mirror) • Can use focus peaking to focus a manual focus legacy lens Mirrorless Advantages continued •Image quality comparable to DSLRs •More Wireless Functionality • in camera body (for some models) • Provides stabilization for legacy lenses •Less cost for comparable DSLR quality •Build comparable to DSLRs •Faster shooting speeds and shutter speeds •Strong video features Fuji’s Evolution of the Photographer

Photokina 2014

http://fujifilm-x.com/photokina2014/en/ Mirrorless Disadvantages •Limited lens selection (but this is changing) •May focus slower, more difficult to track moving objects • But this is improving •Power hungry - use a lot of battery power (LCD, EVF) • Smaller batteries have less power – spare batteries are recommended •May struggle to focus in low light •Can’t match extreme ISO capabilities of full frame DSLR (more noise) •Changing lenses may expose sensor to more dust (no mirror to block) •Depth of field – harder to produce bokeh; mitigate with cheaper prime lenses •Poor ergonomics of smaller cameras – difficult to grip Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) •Not on all mirrorless cameras (some have an external EVF, some just have a LCD) •You see what the sensor sees (DSLR you see what your eyes & the lens sees) •Quality has gotten much better •Preview color balance, and depth of field (without darkening) •Ability to zoom the image and apply gain for night shots •Many overlays for different information (Now DSLRs are starting to do this, too, such as the Canon 7D II) • Histogram, Blinkies, Level, Detailed Shooting Data •Can be used while filming videos Live View LCD •Also standard on many DSLRs •Essentially a very big viewfinder •Two types – some cameras have both types • Framing priority display • Exposure priority display – more sophisticated •Drains batteries •Useful for manual focusing •Easier to use on a tripod How to Select a Mirrorless Camera

1. Consider how to use: Only System vs 2nd Camera 2. Consider style: Rangerfinder vs Scaled-down DSLR 3. Sensor Size determines format and (in some cases) manufacturer • Sensor size & number of megapixels determine maximum print size 4. Consider the lens system • Not many 3rd party lenses, but adapters increase options • Are your favorite focal lengths available? (Account for crop factors) 5. Built-in Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) 6. Set your priorities for remaining features & make a list • Don’t assume a feature is included – lots of variability among models/manufacturers Rent before you buy •Try out one or more cameras with a lens before you buy •Rent for 4 – 7 days to really get a feel for what it can and cannot do •http://www.borrowlenses.com/ •http://www.lensrentals.com/ (have a keep & buy option) •https://www.lensprotogo.com/ •Shoot dual JPG/RAW as your software might not recognize newer RAW formats How to shop for a mirrorless camera Online Buying Sites Remember to scroll down http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=itemlist&cat1=Cameras&cat2=Mirrorless%20Cameras Can’t filter by features http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Mirrorless-System-Cameras/ci/16158/N/4288586281 • Can filter by features (built-in EVF, swivel/tilt LCD, built-in flash, GPS, Wi-Fi, Mic Input, etc)

1. Select sensor size (format) 2. Select built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) 3. Select by other parameters as desired (, video capabilities, hot shoe, battery grip) References •Focus Peaking Demo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DzkMXPqkPs •Rob Sheppard Blog http://www.mirrorlessnature.com/ http://www.mirrorlessnature.com/2013/10/mirrorless-cameras-and-nature-photography-introduction.html

http://www.mirrorlessnature.com/2013/10/my-history-with-digital-cameras.htm

http://www.mirrorlessnature.com/2013/10/do-mirrorless-cameras-have-more-fun.html

http://www.mirrorlessnature.com/2013/10/about-that-electronic-viewfinder.html

•Micro Four Thirds User Group http://www.mu-43.com/ •Micro Four Thirds Organization http://www.four-thirds.org/en/index.html Buying Guides & Reviews http://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-mirrorless-cameras,review-2221.html http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-mirrorless-camera/ http://www.dpmag.com/buyers-guide/cameras/mirrorless.html#.VGMHG2eBG70 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/mirrorless-cameras-buying-guide http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guides/enticing-and-popular-mirrorless-cameras http://www.thephoblographer.com/2014/03/29/buying-guide-finding-right-mirrorless-camera/#.VGMJ_meBG70 SLOCC Website This PowerPoint presentation is posted on the SLOCC website:

www.slocc.org Events – scroll down to Mirrorless Cameras http://www.slocameraclub.org/Mirrorless%20Cameras%20PowerPoint%20Web.pdf