How to Choose a Mirrorless Camera

With their comparatively compact designs and increasingly impressive features, digital mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras have surged in popularity. Though not typically as robust or battery efficient as DSLRs (with a growing number of exceptions), mirrorless cameras often offer distinct advantages—such as silenceable shutters and highly precise subject tracking—beneficial to both photographers and videographers.

Whether you’re contemplating your first interchangeable-lens camera, looking to upgrade, or considering switching from a DSLR, choosing a mirrorless camera that’s right for you and your specific needs is important. But this is often easier said than done, given the vast number of different mirrorless camera makes, models, features and prices on the market. From brands like Sony, Canon, Fujifilm and more, finding the perfect mirrorless camera can be difficult.

To make things a little easier we’ve put together this guide explaining what to look for when buying a mirrorless camera.

(Trying to decide whether to get a mirrorless, DSLR, or other type of camera? Read our Beginner’s Guide to Digital Cameras.)

The overall quality, Lenses are among the most vital considerations when choosing any interchangeable-lens camera. Unless you’re already invested in a particular lens system, it’s best to consider your lens options before buying a camera. Aside from price, there are three main reasons for this: and capabilities of your camera will ultimately come down to your budget.

• Out of all forms of photographic equipment, lenses have the greatest direct impact on image quality.

• While photographers might update their camera every few years, lenses are more of a long-term investment that (with proper care) will outlast multiple camera upgrades.

• If portability is one of your main priorities, you’ll likely want to ensure that the lenses compatible with whatever camera you buy are compact/lightweight.

• Entry-level lenses usually aren’t compatible with certain advanced level cameras, so it’s worth remembering this if you plan to upgrade your gear in the future.

Some of the best value mirrorless camera models (usually entry-level ones) are sold as a kit package including a versatile lens or two. These are ideal options for beginners or those on a budget.

If you’re a more serious shooter (or planning to be), you’re usually better off buying your camera and lens/es separately. This allows you to invest in a (usually higher quality) lens or lenses that (a) are best suited to what and how you shoot, and (b) you’re more likely to use in future – especially if you later upgrade from a cropped to a full-frame sensor camera.

It’s often assumed that, because mirrorless cameras are usually physically smaller than DSLR cameras, mirrorless camera lenses are smaller than DSLR lenses. While this is true in some cases, it’s certainly not a hard-and-fast rule. Most of the time it’s the sensor (in addition to factors such as maximum lens aperture) that determines the size of a lens.

When it comes to mirrorless cameras, the good news is that there are plenty of lens options available. Due to a shorter flange distance (distance from the lens mount to the sensor), mirrorless can usually function with not only native mirrorless lenses but also DSLR lenses and an appropriate adapter.

Full-frame sensors are standard in professional (and some advanced model) digital cameras. Compared to smaller (i.e. cropped) sensors, full-frame sensors accommodate more pixels, which capture more data and thus produce higher picture quality, as well as less noise in low-light images. They also produce comparatively shallower depth of field with any given focal length and aperture, which is worth bearing in mind if you’re after strong background separation for portraiture, product shots or nature photography, for example.

Any sensor that’s smaller than a full frame or 35mm sensor is considered ‘cropped’. The most common examples found in mirrorless cameras are APS-C and micro four-thirds. A cropped sensor allows for a smaller, lighter camera body and (usually) lenses – handy for those who travel, move around a lot (e.g. wedding/event shooters) or want to shoot discreetly (e.g. street photographers).

Compared to larger sensors, cropped sensors don’t offer quite the same level of image quality, low-light performance or background compression (shallow depth of field). However, the differences are subtle and will affect different shooters to different degrees, if at all. (In the case of video, for example, sensor size usually won’t affect footage quality.) Many professionals shoot using APS-C or micro four-thirds systems and create extraordinary work as a result. Depending on personal preference, the difference in image quality offered by a full frame sensor may be negligible compared to the greater portability or the usability and feature set of a particular APS-C or micro-four-thirds system.

Any sensor that’s smaller than a full frame or 35mm sensor is considered ‘cropped’. The most common examples found in mirrorless cameras are APS-C and micro four-thirds. A cropped sensor allows for a smaller, lighter camera body and (usually) lenses – handy for those who travel, move around a lot (e.g. wedding/event shooters) or want to shoot discreetly (e.g. street photographers).

One thing worth noting is that the size of any cropped sensor compared to full frame affects the focal length of any lenses you use. Being 1.5x, 1.6x, or 2x smaller than a full-frame sensor, an APS-C or micro four-thirds sensor offers a narrower—i.e. more zoomed-in—apparent field of view than a full-frame sensor used with the same focal length lens. This apparent increase in crop/zoom is known as ‘crop factor’ and effectively extends (by 1.5x or 1.6x with APS-C or 2x with micro four-thirds) the focal length of any lens when it’s used on a cropped sensor camera—handy for situations in which more zoom is desired.

With most modern digital cameras boasting resolutions around or far exceeding 12MP, resolution (measured in megapixels, or MP) is no longer as crucial to camera choice as a lot of people think. The exception is if you want to significantly crop or print your photos on a very large scale (e.g. for gallery or billboard display); in this case, look for a mirrorless camera with the highest resolution (ideally 40MP+) that you can afford.

Will you be shooting predominantly in one place, like a portrait studio? Will you be photographing or filming on the go as you move from place to place (e.g. for travel, street, event or wedding photography)? Or will you be shooting in a variety of locations (e.g. landscapes, architecture, or on-location shoots for clients) and having to pack up and carry your gear between them?

The size and weight of your camera (and lens/es) is an essential concern if you plan to travel, shoot on the fly, or wish to keep a low profile. However, this needs to be balanced against your need for durability and weather protection.

Camera bodies are usually made from metal, polycarbonate, or a combination of the two. More metal provides greater durability and weather resistance (ideal for shooting near dust, dirt or moisture) but also more weight.

If you intend to use your camera mostly indoors, or if portability is your main priority, then investing in a more robust or weather-sealed camera mightn’t be necessary. Your preferences and shooting style will dictate your needs here.

A good autofocus (AF) system is a huge benefit for any photography or videography, but especially when fast or unpredictably moving subjects (e.g. sports, performers, children, animals, weddings) are involved. The better your camera’s autofocus system, the quicker and more precisely it can focus on your intended subject.

Every camera’s AF system consists of a number of AF points, arranged across the sensor, at which the camera can detect and determine whether an object or detail is in focus. More AF points generally means faster and more accurate AF performance, and more widespread AF points give you near the edges of the frame).

Autofocus speed and accuracy are also influenced by the type of AF method and points that a camera has.

To date, most mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras have used a focusing method called contrast-detection. Contrast-detection works by analysing the amount of contrast between pixels on the camera’s sensor and adjusting focus/backwards until focus is achieved (i.e. once the focusing system detects sufficient contrast between pixels). Though very accurate, contrast-detection can be comparatively slow.

A faster focusing method, used in most DSLRs and many new mirrorless cameras, is phase-detection. In DSLRs, phase-detection involves splitting incoming light using one of the camera’s internal mirrors, comparing whether the separate light beams match, and readjusting focus if they don’t. In mirrorless cameras, this occurs on the sensor via special pixels dedicated to measuring focus. This is normally a split-second process but can be thwarted in certain situations when single (|) AF points are involved.

A more reliable innovation devised by camera manufacturers is cross-type (+) AF points, which samples focus in two dimensions rather than one.

It’s common for different cameras to utilise a different combination of single and cross-type AF points. Higher-end models tend to have more cross-type AF points than lower-end ones.

A growing number of mirrorless camera models employ a fast and accurate system combining both phase- and contrast-detection focusing.

When comparing the electronic viewfinders of different mirrorless cameras, bear in mind these key features:

• Resolution – A higher resolution EVF display (measured in dots) shows greater detail, making it easier to distinguish various elements in your frame. 
• Magnification – The higher an EVF’s magnification, the larger and sharper the image it displays.
• Lag Time – The best mirrorless cameras have EVFs with next to no lag time. The shorter the lag time, the closer to real-time you’ll see the action unfolding. 
• Eye Sensor – Many mirrorless camera models feature an eye sensor. This automatically switches live view from the display monitor to the EVF when it senses an eye near the viewfinder and switches it back when an eye isn’t in range. This is a really useful feature that saves time, power and inconvenience.

Virtually all mirrorless digital cameras come with a rear LCD monitor that lets you shoot in live view (i.e. using the screen instead of the viewfinder), review images, and view settings. The higher the monitor’s resolution (measured in dots per inch, or dpi), the brighter and sharper its display.

Some monitors are fixed while others tilt in two or more directions, making it easier to view the screen in bright conditions (e.g. outdoors in the sun) and shoot from high or low angles for convenience or creativity. Others again are fully articulated—that is, they can be flipped out to one side (handy for recording a vlog, for example) and reversed for protection while not in use.

Touchscreen control is becoming more and more common in camera display monitors and is definitely worth considering when choosing a mirrorless camera. While physical button and dial controls can be operated without you having to look away from the viewfinder, touchscreen control can be faster and more intuitive for adjusting certain functions or settings, e.g. spot focus.

With the ever-growing popularity of and demand for video, mirrorless cameras’ video capabilities are growing ever more sophisticated. Full HD (1920 x 1080) recording and HDMI output is standard in most mirrorless camera models, making it easy to capture and play back high quality footage.

If you’re a serious videographer you’ll want to look for mirrorless cameras that feature 4K/UHD; compatibility with an external microphone, headphones, and video monitor and/or recorder; audio adjustment controls; a variety of different frame rates; and (if filming yourself for a vlog or similar) a flip-out monitor.

While cameras are always changing in terms of features and specs, our Mirrorless Camera Buying Guide should provide a solid starting point for your decision-making. Our advice is to build a shortlist based on your budget, needs and preferences then narrow down the options, taking into account additional features (e.g. Wi-Fi) that you might want and—most importantly—trying out your prospective camera and lens/es in person, if you can.

To explore our mirrorless camera range or speak to one of our experienced staff in person, come visit one of our showrooms. Alternatively, browse our online store or contact us via phone or email for answers to all your mirrorless camera questions.

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