What is wrong with mirrorless system to me
Don’t get me wrong, I love mirrorless, or better, some mirrrorless cameras, but I want to share here what I dislike.
As you know recently I purchased another DSLR camera, in open contrast to the market trend, the Canon 5D M2. A choice that certainly says enough. Why in 2024 I consider a camera released in 2008? Well, in 2010 I was one of the first professional photographers to switch to a mirrorless system with the first Olympus Pen E-P1.
I think mirrorless are great, especially for a street photographer like me, but as long as they don't betray the reason why they were created: to offer a compact, light and discreet solution that you can carry around all day. Can you explain to me what I do with a camera as big and heavy as a DSLR but without an optical viewfinder, for example? OK, let’s say that the camera body is smaller, but if you then propose huge and heavy lenses, again, what's the point? So, here I listed the things that in my opinion are clear disadvantages of some mirrorless systems. While I am happy with my Olympus Pen, the cons of some mirrorless are:
Battery Life: Mirrorless cameras typically have shorter battery life compared to DSLRs due to the continuous use of the electronic viewfinder (EVF) or LCD screen, which consumes more power.
Sensor Wear: Since the sensor is constantly exposed to light in mirrorless systems, there's potential for increased wear and tear over time, especially when frequently using the camera for extended periods.
Overprocessing: Mirrorless cameras often rely on extensive digital processing to deliver images, which can sometimes result in overprocessed photos that lack a natural look. Anyway this is not a real problem if you know how to turn off any of camera manufaturers impose by default or you shoot raw.
Sensor Protection: The lack of a mirror means the sensor is more exposed to dust and debris when changing lenses, increasing the risk of sensor contamination.
Size and Weight Paradox: Even if the camera body is smaller, using large and heavy lenses can negate the advantage of having a more compact system. This creates a paradox where you might end up with a camera as big and heavy as a DSLR but without the benefits of an optical viewfinder.
Electronic Viewfinder (EVF): While EVFs offer certain advantages, they also have downsides, such as lag, lower resolution compared to optical viewfinders, and potential discomfort during prolonged use. I am sorry but I prefer to have the experience as natural as possible. That is where I see still the reflex cameras offering a more close to film camera experience.
Tendency to Overheat: Mirrorless cameras, especially those with higher resolutions and faster continuous shooting speeds, are more prone to overheating, particularly during extended video recording sessions or in warm environments.
Conclusion
While I appreciate and love mirrorless cameras when they are made like the micro four-thirds system, which offers a perfect balance of size, weight, and performance, I find myself puzzled by many of the new solutions. The trend towards larger and heavier lenses seems to defeat the purpose of having a more compact system, and without the advantages of an optical viewfinder, some of these newer mirrorless cameras leave me questioning their practicality.
