This Camera Was the Best of Both Worlds

For decades, the professional and prosumer photography market had been dominated by SLR and DSLR cameras.

- By Brent Rose

For decades, the professional and prosumer photography market had been dominated by SLR and DSLR cameras. They were the chunky but reliable workhorses you’d see journalists, artists, and even hobbyists clutching. Then, in 2004, mirrorless digital models began showing up (Epson generally gets credit for making the first); they were far more durable and portable because they lacked a sizable moving part – the mirror. But early versions used a smaller image sensor and lacked the performance of larger SLR models. Then in 2013, Sony introduced the 7 and 7R, digital cameras with full-frame sensors that also accepted standard, interchangeable lenses. They were the first mirrorless cameras with the quality and features that pros required.

Some more history: Single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras have been around since the 1860s. They feature viewfinders and a mirror inside the camera, which allows you to see through the main photographic lens. When you hit the shutter button, the mirror quickly flips up and out of the way, exposing the film to light coming through the lens. In the early 2000s, SLRs largely gave way to DSLRs (D for digital, which meant swapping the film for an electronic image sensor), but the form-factor largely remained the same. The cameras were still large because they needed space for the mirror to flip.

Mirrorless cameras, naturally, eliminated that. Without that component, light constantly reaches the image sensor. And instead of an optical viewfinder, they have an electronic one that displays real-time video of what the sensor sees. Removing the mirror meant that cameras could be much thinner and eliminated a delicate moving part and potential point of failure.