Just curious what the Azine Photographers club thinks of the mirrorless camera systems? I searched and did not see a thread specifically about this topic so I figured I'd start a new one.

I've only just started researching this so please point me in any direction you think would be useful. The one that I've read about with decent reviews (DP Review) is the Lumix DMC-GX1.

Any suggestions based on experience or otherwise?




The only experience I have is that my wife has an Olympus PEN. The size of it and the picture quality is what I am looking for, but the extra photo styles etc.. are not not needed, I'm more looking for something with closer to traditional SLR controls.

I've been contemplating a switch to this smaller platform, maybe even a P&S (i.e. Canon G12), for a while now.

This came about late last year after a LOT of traveling. It got to where I didn't want to lug the DSLR around anymore due to it's size and weight.

 

Oh but there is a thread about this very subject as I drove myself nuts about this last year

I have a panasonic GF1...which the OG model to your GX1 and I love it. If I had the money to upgrade to GX body I definitely would.

In the arena of the more SLR like mirror less cameras there are several choices right now...some are hard to find due to their popularity.

Panasonic GX1
Sony NEX 7
Olympus OMD-5 (i think thats right)
Fuji X-Pro 1

There is also the Olympus EP-3 but its becoming an outdated model very quickly.

There might a couple I missing...but as far as mirrorless cameras with SLR like manual features these are a good start.

 

I'll add the Nikon 1 (V and J) Series, I've seen very good things with this body in front on my eyes.

 

The problem with those cameras is they aren't geared towards the SLR user. They manual controls are buried in menus and not quick to use.

It was a real bummer to find that out.

 

Isn't that the same with the Sony NEX line?




OP I would take a look at Steve Huffs website, he's pretty good at putting it of the line for these bodies.

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2012/0...nt-black-lens/

 

Yes except for the NEX 7 which is more for the experienced user/pro and has easy and quick manual access.

 

love my GF1 - and I would get a GX1 in a heartbeat, if I had extra cash laying around.

I almost did a few weeks back, just on a whim because I found a seller on CL, but then I backed out and decided I was crazy.

 

I would have flown to chicago...punched you and run off with it....

 

I messed that up, what I meant to say was, "I decided I was crazy and THEN I backed out...."

It'll stay on my mind, I'd say I'll have one at some point...

 

Isn't Canon supposed to come out with a mirrorless soon?
I read somewhere it would be in the next month or two... a consumer level first then a more prosumer level mirrorless rangefinder type.

 

Leaning heavily towards the GX1 both due to reviews I've read and your recommendations.

I'd love to have the pancake 14-42 lens, but the price ($150 - 200 more than non-pancake lens) and the fact that it's electronic zoom has me leaning towards the standand 14-42.

What other lenses would you guys recommend? zoom, prime...

I'm thinking I'll get the electronic viewfinder not long after I purchase the camera. Is it worth it?

 

This was taken with a V1, 300mm 2.8 with a Nikon 1.7TC =1377mm.

Photo shows shooting location and subject shot.

 

holy crap!

I've never tried actually shooting with the GF1 and 200mm 2.8 - now I want to try!

oh and, that's a helluva TC!

 

That should be =1377mm

 

I have the EVF with the GF1 and for shooting outside on bright sunny days, is when I need/use it. Its a very nice accessory to have.

lenses...hard to say, I ONLY have and use the pancake 20mm and it does me just fine for 95% of what I use the camera for.

 

Yeah, Ive seen that...crazy.

 

the 20mm f/1.7 is great to start off with, you will fall in love with the DOF wide open. I used the 14mm 2.5 briefly, it was pretty nice. But to start out I'd recommend the 20mm 1.7.

 

Telescope much? That's pretty cool.

 

GX1 (w/ 14-42 non-pancake) ordered. Should be here by the 4th!

Gonna ask the wifey for the 20 f/1.7 as an anniversary gift.

 

 

how pocketable is the G1X?

i guess if i got a pancake lens with it it would be better?

 

Sweet, Im jealous

Its not.

 

Agreed. They are great cameras for what they set out to do, but from the standpoint of most professionals, it's not a beneficial alternative to a true SLR. I think they are great for taking on weekend trips or to places where SLR cameras would be to bulky, but for someone who is mastering manual techniques, it's just not practical. With that said, I would definitely recommend one of these 'mirrorless' cameras as a great alternative to a high-end point and shoot like the Canon G12.

 

Just to make you're not taking what I said out of context I am only referring to certain makes/models.

There are several mirrorless bodies they do cater towards professionals with full manual control and are quite beneficial.

 

I picked these up last month. Still getting used to them.

Panasonic GF3 with 14 mm pancake lens


Panasonic 45-200

 

I've read good things about the 45-200. May be a purchase in the future.

For now the GX1 (here tomorrow!) and the 20mm f/1.7 (here Thursday) will be enough

 

There is most definitely a GX1 in my future. The GF1 is just so damn good, I would love to have the upgraded version.



some details:

I shot a beachfront event all weekend (music festival, 17 hours Saturday and 11 hours Sunday - I am EXHAUSTED), and did most of the people photos with the GF1, in Aperture priority, JPG. It is so effortless to shoot, especially in that kind of changing conditions (cloudy/sunny, sunset) - only thing I didn't use it for is at night - that's when I relied on the 5D. 7D did well during the day with the 24-70 and 200. I only brought one flash so used it with the 5D at night.

 

Not much time to play with it yet.
GX1 w/ 20mm and 14-42mm kit lens. Using my Crumpler strap.


Pic taken with iPhone.

 

my wife had been after me to get her a camera for a while, so I bought her the v1. the ft1 adapter was the key for us. we have both been just using my f-mount lenses, the 10/2.8 1series len doesn't get much time.

even in it's restricted use when using the ft1, it is a strong little camera and has suprised me. the quality of shots when using a tripod and a remote can be impressive.

as Jupitersolo has shown above the 2.7 crop is pretty fun to play with, I only have a lowly 70-300 vr, and at 300 it is still pretty good. and the deep dof is a bonus in macro shooting, allowing bigger aperatures to improve ss.

both are handheld with VR on. not a trophy winners, but better than I had expected.

@ 300mm
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40907779@N04/7366078736/" title="Nikon V1 70-300@300 handheld by Izithombe, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7090/7366078736_2faa8bff95_b.jpg" width="1024" height="685" alt="Nikon V1 70-300@300 handheld"></a>

@ 220
http://www.flickr.com/photos/40907779@N04/7458579248/http://www.flickr.com/photos/40907779@N04/7458579248/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/40907779@N04/, on Flickr

sigma 150/2.8 with a tripod and remote.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/40907779@N04/7171208153/http://www.flickr.com/photos/40907779@N04/7171208153/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/40907779@N04/, on Flickr

 

Taken in your favorite city

 

Just thought I'd point out this deal. Today's Amazon Gold Box deal is the Panasonic Lumix DSC-GX1 for $395.00 (body only). I don't know how much of a deal that is, but their S95 deal a while ago was great.

 

$140 off..pretty damn good.

 

I think I want it

 

Wish I could afford it right now.

 

Canon has finally entered the game, shipping in october

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-came...-35401433.html

 

Just recently picked up a Sony NEX-F3 (updated NEX-C3), that works great for my purposes - point and shoot type camera with a few extras.

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/sony-nex-f3

Some shots:

 

So ive been toying the idea of also getting a mirrorless camera as well. Always wanted a lighter setup for roaming around.

Right now im looking at

Fuji XT-1
Olympus OM-D EM1
and possibly Sony A7S since i have a hookup at sony. (Yes big price difference but like i said toying with the idea)

Thoughts?

 

I've been shooting Fuji's since Feb 2013, love them! It was the first mirrorless with CMOS sensor. Wouldn't buy a mirrorless without big sensor.

As for Sony, they're great for putting out bodies, still waiting to see if they commit with lenses. Not a fan of adapters to have to use lenses on these smaller bodies, defeats the purpose, making them bigger.

 

I'd go a7s specially with your hook up. The body size isn't all that much bigger than my NEX-6 if you rememebr how big that was.

Plus it's full frame.

And their latest glass has been reviewing good.

 

Too many stuck on "it's full frame". That's not the end all, be all. Camera makers have been really good at selling that. As they have done for the "more megapixel" as well.