Mirrorless Camera Recommendations

[BigBigGuy44]

I'm looking for a new camera for everyday and travel use. Just by poking around the web and loitering at my local Best Buy, I've narrowed it down to a Fujifilm X-e5 and XT-50, and OM System OM-3 and OM-5, simply based on style and size. Do any of these stand out as being an exceptionally good or bad choice? I'm a complete noob here and need some serious help.

 

[wjcstp]

I’d try them in your hand before deciding if you can. The camera software will vary wildly, so it’s helpful to see if one clicks for you, or is immediately frustrating.

I have an older OMD that I love, it’s small but easy to shoot one-handed if needed, even with my big mitts. I love the controls and layout, and the current OMs look similar. I really like the retro PEN styling.

I’ve heard great things about the Fuji and their image quality, a friend has one and gets some really nice images with it. I think they have a bigger sensor than the MFT standard, so that alone could be a decider.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

Thanks @wjcstp! Can I ask what model OMD you have? I really like the form factor and feel of the OM5 (rebranded with some upgrades) but with it being 3 years old already and based on older tech, I don't know if it is worth it today. I also did find the menu cumbersome to use but it also appears I can customize the dials to avoid most of this.

 

[wjcstp]

Mine is the E-M5II. I got it used a few years back, so not sure when it was made. It’s plenty of camera for me, and most of the use in recent years has been while traveling. I like that I can bring the camera and a couple of lenses and only need a small bag.

The custom buttons are pretty nice, though I don’t use them extensively. I have one set to turn on/off focus peaking so it’s easier to see focus with a manual lens I use sometimes.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Fuji always seems to get great reviews, so there's that. I haven't seriously looked at a MLC yet as I am fine with my Canon 6D for the moment, but a Fuji will definitely be on the list to investigate.

 

[Sertsa]

I've had a Fuji X-E1 for several years and quite like it. Of course, I think my phone has now surpassed its resolution, but the camera's rangefinder style controls are intuitive (at least for me, having first learned with a film camera), a bit nostalgic, and feel quite good. And the lens is among the best "kit" lenses I've ever had, up there with some of my old more affordable Canon EF primes. Which is good, because Fuji lenses are expensive.

I haven't tried the new Fujis, and looked at but didn't buy the early OMs, which looked pretty cool. And a couple avid photographer friends love their Sony mirrorless cameras, but I've been happy with the Fuji. I haven't taken it out in a while, though, sadly. I'll need to do that soon.

Edit. I am quite certain these photos were taken with it.

 

[hbarcat]

As long as you stick with the big name brands, you really can't go wrong as far as utility and quality. Really the only important differences are a matter of personal taste.

I'd recommend going to a physical store that specializes in cameras and try a bunch of them for yourself to see which ones feel best in your hands.

 

[Michael Jewels]

I have a mirror less camera, and I wouldn’t buy another one.

I’ve had SLRs and DSLRs all my life, so when Pentax came out with the K-01 I jumped on it.

So why would I not buy another one?

Mirrorless cameras have an electronic viewfinder, which means anytime you’re looking at something through the camera, it’s using power.

Not so with a DSLR.

I do a bit of still life shots with the camera on a tripod.

As I’m focusing and adjusting the subjects, I have to turn the camera on to see what the camera sees, and I find this very annoying.

That’s just me.

I know mirrorless cameras for the most part are considerably smaller than their DSLR counterparts, and have higher top shutter speeds, as there is no mirror which has to swing out of the way in order to make an image, but I don’t like them.

Here is my camera.

I’ll post a video on it in a few moments.

Again, this is just my opinion.

Good luck in your search.

Mike

 

[Michael Jewels]

Now, take the video with a grain of salt.

I do not hate this camera, but it is a bit moody to use.

When you go to change some settings, your fingers trip over the buttons, and sometimes change other settings.

I’m not clumsy, but this camera is very demanding to use.

It is best suited as a studio camera, in a situation in which little adjustment has to be done.

It does produce very nice images.

But, I am thinking of getting another DSLR.

Again, this is just my opinion, and I wish you the best of luck in getting a camera you’ll like.

Mike

 

[Michael Jewels]

This is my most recent studio image.

The squirrels I feed in my yard brought me a little Christmas tree.

I thought that was nice of them!

This is a picture of an actual print.

I’m having a problem with my computer, which I’m looking into.

I’ll post some other images later.

 

[Michael Jewels]

From my last model workshop.

More later.

Mike

 

[BigBigGuy44]

@Michael Jewels Thanks for the details and info Mike! Very nice photos. I had a Pentax film camera back in the late 90s and loved it. Bought a cheaper Nikon DSLR about 15 years ago and it was fine but is clunky, heavy, and made for very beginning photographers having nearly everything automatic. It took nice photos but wasn’t fun at all to carry or use.

 

[J Wilson]

Olys are wonderful cameras, but I'm afraid I'm a hopeless Fujifilm fanboy, and I go back far enough to have exposed miles of Velvia and Reala.

Of the two Fuji's you've mentioned, I'd simply go by what feels best in hand, with the understanding that the XE5 will be a bit smaller.

The genius of the Fuji system is they've accomplished something no one else has: One single range of lenses its a range of SLR-style bodies, the rangefinder style bodies of the X-Pros, and the 'digital brick' shape of the XE cameras.

I no longer have any need for interchangeable lens cameras, but I do own an X100S, an X30, and the old superzoom XS-1, with several of their dedicated flashes and could not be happier. Their retro design language of a careful blend of metal bodies, knobs, and switches with the menus all digital cameras run suits me to a T. Especially for a dog old enough to have started out as a kid with one of these:

Agfa Speedex, an ancient folding 120 6x6 rangefinder,

Then and now: Fuijifilm X30.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I have a mirror less camera, and I wouldn’t buy another one.

I’ve had SLRs and DSLRs all my life, so when Pentax came out with the K-01 I jumped on it.

So why would I not buy another one?

Mirrorless cameras have an electronic viewfinder, which means anytime you’re looking at something through the camera, it’s using power.

Not so with a DSLR.

I do a bit of still life shots with the camera on a tripod.

As I’m focusing and adjusting the subjects, I have to turn the camera on to see what the camera sees, and I find this very annoying.

That’s just me.

I know mirrorless cameras for the most part are considerably smaller than their DSLR counterparts, and have higher top shutter speeds, as there is no mirror which has to swing out of the way in order to make an image, but I don’t like them.

Here is my camera.

I’ll post a video on it in a few moments.

Again, this is just my opinion.

Good luck in your search.

Mike

View attachment 7398969

I agree with every point you made. For kicks, last year I went and checked out the Canon R system mirrorless cameras. The R5 (top model at the time, maybe it still is?) was not much smaller or lighter than my 6D, and I hated the electronic viewfinder, along with what you mentioned: you can't compose a shot without turning the camera on. Sometimes I want to find a particular lens (prime lenses) or compose a shot while zooming with one of my zoom lenses (I almost always use a tripod). No need to turn the camera on for such duties (with optical viewfinders, anyway).

Canon is, over time, discontinuing all of the EOS line, making people have to buy into the R system. One good thing though is they had the smarts to make three different types of adapters to allow using EOS lenses with R system bodies.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Here is a photo from when I was first testing the EF 35mm/2 IS/USM that I bought once I learned Canon was discontinuing the EOS line.

This was on my Gitzo 224 tripod with RRS BH-40 head.

 

[mpdd]

I just shot some owl photos in the dark at the raptor training in Pinetop, Arizona with a Nikon Z8. I’ll post one when I get back to LA in a few days. This is my first mirrorless camera and I’m loving it.

 

[Michael Jewels]

@JeffScott and everyone else:

I am a Pentaxian, and as we all know, Pentax cameras can accept all Pentax lenses ever made.

I have about 6 modern Pentax lenses and 4 old screw-mount lenses.

What’s so special about the old Pentax lenses?

As far as I can see, they’re slightly lower in contrast than most other lenses, and the colors are very accurate.

I don’t hate my K-01, but it is not a fast camera to operate.

It seems to want to stay on whatever settings you have it on, hence, it’s a very good studio camera.

As for my computer, an 11 year old Lenovo, I can still upload images from my camera to the computer, but a couple of years ago, it stopped recognizing my phone, so I can’t download images from my computer to my phone or any new flash drives.

I have 3 flash drives that it still recognizes, but they are all about 10 years old.

Someone told me the software in the computer has to be updated, so that’s one of my next projects.

The images of the model above would be of much higher quality, but they are pictures of actual prints taken with my phone.

I’ll post some old pictures direct from the K-01 to the computer in a minute.

Sorry for hijacking the thread.

Mike

 

[Michael Jewels]

 

[Michael Jewels]

 

[Michael Jewels]

The close up might look good to most people, but look at the shadow in the corner of her left eye.

It was a model workshop, and I was rushed.

Oh, well.

Mike