30 Mirrorless Myths Busted

Angela Nicholson takes a look at the most common myths surrounding mirrorless cameras – and lays them to rest.

- Angela Nicholson

1 They have small sensors

Although there have been a few smaller format mirrorless cameras such as the tiny Pentax Q series and the Nikon 1 range, the majority of mirrorless cameras use the same Four Thirds, APS-C and full-frame-sized sensors as are found in most DSLRs. What’s more, the recently launched Hasselblad X1D and Fujifi lm GFX 50S use the same 43.8x32.9mm sensor as the Pentax 645Z, which means they’re medium format mirrorless cameras.

2 They are aimed at beginners

There are mirrorless system cameras that are suitable for use by a wide range of photographers, including professionals. Thanks to its small size and detail resolution, the Sony A7R II, for example, has proved popular with landscape and fashion photographers, while many street, portrait and lifestyle photographers love the Fuji X-T2. The Olympus OM-D E-M1 is also popular.

3 They lack control for video

The trend for shooting video on smaller/stills cameras might have started with SLRs such as the Canon EOS 5D Mark II but compact system cameras such as the Sony A7S, A7S II, and Panasonic GH4 and GH5 have really raised the game. In addition to features such as focus peaking, zebra display and Time Code, they also offer gamma control to extend dynamic range, and gamma display assist so you can see how video could appear after a contrast curve is applied. Many CSCs also offer control over audio, and have both headphone and mic ports so you can record higher quality sound.

4 They have low pixel counts