![\"The](\"http:\/\/admiringlight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/17mm_omd.jpg\")
<\/a>It’s sort of difficult to weed out where things stand in the mirrorless segment of the camera industry at the moment. \u00a0As a whole, mirrorless cameras have taken over in Japan and are highly sought after in Korea as well. \u00a0In Japan, they actually sell better than DSLRs, though this level have penetration has not reached other parts of the world. \u00a0Sales overall in 2013 are down from 2012, but this is the case for the camera industry as a whole too. \u00a0Plus, many people bought in last year with the NEX-7 and Olympus OM-D, and probably aren’t on the continual upgrade cycle. \u00a0Since this segment of the industry is still only 4 years old, it will take a little more time to see the long-term foothold.<\/p>\n
What I have seen colloquially here in the US is that many serious shooters are adding mirrorless systems to their kit, but the average person who is looking to upgrade to a better camera is giving them a pass, opting instead for low-cost DSLRs, since they associate ‘DSLR’ with ‘professional’, even if most of their shooting would actually be much better served with a mirrorless camera. \u00a0I think we’ll see this change over time as more and more advanced shooters and pros begin using mirrorless kits as a supplement or replacement for the big SLRs.<\/p>\n
Mirrorless cameras are also still lagging behind DSLRs when it comes to continuous autofocus, and so are not a great choice for sports and event shooters. \u00a0 Phase detect hybrid autofocus is being incorporated into a lot of cameras, and as this technology improves, it can allow for the very fast and precise AF that many mirrorless systems have in single shot, while also adding great continuous autofocus. \u00a0Let’s hope it’s a prominent feature of upcoming mirrorless cameras.<\/p>\n
Where we stand now:<\/h3>\n
Now, in 2013, all of the major photographic manufacturers have created mirrorless systems. \u00a0Here’s a brief overview of the systems and where they stand. \u00a0I’m going to go in-depth into the three systems that I think have the most promise into the future.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Micro 4\/3 (Olympus and Panasonic):<\/span><\/strong> The original mirrorless system, Micro 4\/3 continues to grow and evolve. \u00a0Depending on which metric you look at, it’s the most popular of the mirrorless systems, and it has by far the deepest lineup. \u00a0A whopping 27 cameras have been made for the Micro 4\/3 system, along with 23 zoom lenses (though many overlap or are revisions of similar designs) and 28 prime lenses. \u00a0Of these lenses, there are at least 16 that I would consider very high-grade lenses, allowing for extremely high image quality. \u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- \n
![\"Sony](\"http:\/\/admiringlight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/nex7_top-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>Sony NEX-7<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Sony NEX<\/strong>: Depending on which metric you look at, the NEX series may be the most popular worldwide, and is the best selling in the United States. \u00a0Sony’s outstanding APS-C sensors have given a lot of popularity to this line, and with great features like focus peaking and very small bodies, the NEX series is popular among people who want to adapt manual focus lenses (though all mirrorless cameras can adapt nearly any manual focus lens). \u00a0The lineup isn’t as deep with Sony. \u00a0They’ve made some excellent bodies and have released 9 cameras and 7 camcorders (including a full frame model!), but the lens lineup from consists of only 7 zooms and 6 primes, of which maybe four are high-grade. \u00a0The good news is that third party lenses bring that number to 24 total lenses (excluding cinema primes, which total 6 from Zeiss). \u00a0A lot of these are very good. \u00a0We’ll get into more in a bit.<\/li>\n
- Fujifilm X-Series:<\/strong>\u00a0A dark horse in the race, but perhaps with the most promise, Fuji’s X-series debuted last year with the X-Pro1 and then was augmented by the smaller and similarly capable X-E1 in the fall. \u00a0The lens lineup is sparse, with 6 native lenses (two zooms and four primes), with four more on the way in the next year, plus two Zeiss lenses officially announced with a third later in the year. \u00a0The good news with Fuji is that ALL of the lenses are high-grade lenses, and they fill a good range. \u00a0Fuji’s cameras have an excellent sensor and great ergonomics and controls, but are a ways behind in autofocus performance and they have a fair bit of polishing to do.<\/li>\n
- Samsung NX:\u00a0<\/strong>Samsung was one of the earlier players in the mirrorless game, but have never really made any noise. \u00a0The early bodies had noisy sensors, and they’ve never made much of a push in advertising, at least in the US. \u00a0They’re the relatively complete system that nobody knows about. \u00a0And, like that sounds, I’ve never even taken a shot with one. \u00a0Samsung has released 11 bodies and 11 lenses, and Samyang has 5 native NX mount lenses as well. \u00a0A handful could be considered serious glass.<\/li>\n
- Nikon 1:\u00a0<\/strong>Nikon’s 1 series is selling surprisingly well. \u00a0I’m sure the high level advertising and the Nikon name are helping, though the system is not really geared towards serious or professional use. \u00a0There are 4 bodies and 10 lenses for Nikon 1, with only the most recent addition, the 32mm f\/1.2, being geared towards enthusiasts. \u00a0The sensor is the smallest of the major mirrorless competitors, but it has by far the best continuous autofocus. \u00a0We’ll see if Nikon starts to add to the system to entice some pro users to the 1.<\/span><\/li>\n
- \n
![\"Pentax](\"http:\/\/admiringlight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/446_1314750849-967917261_qblack_large-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>Pentax Q<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Pentax Q\/K-01:\u00a0<\/strong>Pentax wins my award for most bizarre entries to the mirrorless game. \u00a0The K-01 was a mirrorless camera that used the existing K-mount for their DSLRs. \u00a0I questioned at release the point of such a camera…it featured minimal savings on camera size while offering no size benefit to the lenses, and so really had no point. \u00a0Pentax’ other dedicated mirrorless system, the Q, certainly gets high marks for size, with its ultra tiny camera and lenses, but the sensor is smaller than in most compact cameras, and the lenses are only OK.<\/li>\n
- Canon EOS\u00a0M:\u00a0<\/strong>Canon was late to the mirrorless game, announcing their EOS M camera in October of 2012. Unfortunately, Canon doesn’t seem to be taking this market seriously. \u00a0The EOS M is the only body to date, has horribly slow autofocus and lacks any real high-grade features, and there are only two lenses for the system. \u00a0Canon will point you to the army of EF lenses that can be used with an adapter, but as I did with the Pentax K-01, I say that misses the point of mirrorless. \u00a0If you have to use huge lenses on a tiny camera, there’s no point in having the tiny camera.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
So, there’s the rundown. \u00a0I’m going to take a deeper look at what I view as the top three mirrorless systems for serious amateurs or professionals, and what’s on the horizon. \u00a0Those three:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Micro 4\/3<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Sony NEX<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Fuji X<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Next: Micro 4\/3<\/a>:<\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
Micro Four-Thirds<\/h3>\n
Note: links on gear will bring you to the Admiring Light review for that equipment.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
Micro 4\/3 has been around the longest of the mirrorless system cameras, and the two main manufacturers, Panasonic and Olympus, have continued to churn out more and more cameras and lenses for the system. \u00a0While many of these releases have been rehashes of earlier consumer grade items, the past two years has really seen a huge push towards the high-end of the market.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"http:\/\/admiringlight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/35-100_dark-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>The Panasonic 35-100mm f\/2.8 X OIS on the Olympus OM-D<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n In the past year, Panasonic has released the first two pro-grade zoom lenses for the Micro 4\/3 system, in the Panasonic Lumix 12-35mm f\/2.8 OIS<\/a> and the 35-100mm f\/2.8 OIS<\/a>. \u00a0Both lenses are weathersealed, have optical image stabilization, a constant f\/2.8 aperture and great optics. \u00a0The 35-100mm f\/2.8 has become my absolute favorite lens for Micro 4\/3. \u00a0In fact, looking through my images in 2013, I’ve used that lens for nearly 62% of all photos I’ve taken with Micro 4\/3 cameras so far this year. \u00a0These two constant aperture zoom lenses join the Panasonic 7-14mm f\/4 ultra-wide angle zoom to make for a three zoom collection that is of extremely high image quality and still compact size.<\/p>\n
Olympus, on the other hand, has been concentrating on expanding its excellent array of prime lenses. \u00a0The past year has seen the introduction of perhaps the two strongest performing lenses in the entire system, the Olympus 75mm f\/1.8<\/a> and the Olympus 60mm f\/2.8 Macro<\/a>. \u00a0Both lenses are exceptionally sharp with gorgeous bokeh. \u00a0The 75mm f\/1.8 has an all metal build and is probably the sharpest lens on any format I’ve ever owned. \u00a0The 60mm macro is very nearly as sharp as the 75mm, but features 1:1 magnification and a pretty reasonable cost. \u00a0Olympus then added the new 17mm f\/1.8<\/a> to the arsenal later in the year.<\/p>\n
![\"Voigtl\u00e4nder](\"http:\/\/admiringlight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/nokton_body-225x300.jpg\")
<\/a>Voigtl\u00e4nder Nokton 17.5mm f\/0.95<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Over the next year, the two big players will sort of swap roles, with Olympus slated to potentially release some fast pro grade zooms, and Panasonic slated to release high-end primes with a 42.5mm f\/1.2 and a 150mm f\/2.8. \u00a0The only remaining gap in the Micro 4\/3 lens lineup is top tier long glass. \u00a0The 150mm f\/2.8 will fill some of that gap, but a 200mm f\/2.8 or 300mm f\/4 is really needed to fully flesh out the system. \u00a0Still, the lens lineup of Micro 4\/3 is by far the most complete of all the mirrorless systems. \u00a0Zooms from 7mm to 300mm are available, many high end primes from 8mm fisheye to 75mm telephoto, including great lenses at every major focal length in that range.<\/p>\n
Third party makers have also heavily invested in the system, with Voigtl\u00e4nder creating high end manual focus lenses with super-fast f\/0.95 apertures. \u00a0They’ve created a 17.5mm f\/0.95<\/a>, a 25mm f\/0.95 and now a 42.5mm f\/0.95. \u00a0Sigma has come out with a few lenses for both Micro 4\/3 and Sony NEX and even Tamron is starting to get into the game. \u00a0Expect lots of great things from these manufacturers over the next year.<\/p>\n
Cameras<\/h4>\n
Both Panasonic and Olympus released a host of new cameras. \u00a0Panasonic has released the G5 and G6, with a host of more consumer grade GF cameras, while Olympus added the E-PL5 and E-PM2. \u00a0However the big guns released in the past year were the Olympus OM-D E-M5 and the Panasonic DMC-GH3. \u00a0Both are new flagships for the two companies, and they’ve really elevated the Micro 4\/3 format.<\/p>\n
![\"Panasonic](\"http:\/\/admiringlight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/gh3_front-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>Panasonic GH3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The Olympus OM-D E-M5<\/a> was announced a few weeks after my last article on the industry, and I speculated about the camera<\/a> based on the rumors at the time. \u00a0While most of the rumors were pretty accurate, I was actually happy to see that my concluding prediction came true. \u00a0I said last January: “A truly excellent sensor in a responsive, fast and comfortable weathersealed body, with the size advantage and lens selection of the Micro 4\/3 system could … end up being the camera that catapults Micro 4\/3 into the league of professional use for a lot of people.” \u00a0And the OM-D did just that. \u00a0All of a sudden, I began seeing more and more advanced amateurs and professionals adding Micro 4\/3 to their kits. \u00a0Major photography podcasts like This Week in Photo began talking about Micro 4\/3 regularly, and the body became the banner carrier for the format. \u00a0Olympus put tremendous in-body stabilization, gave the camera great aesthetics, an outstanding sensor with fantastic dynamic range and a solid weathersealed construction that makes the body a truly high-end tool.<\/p>\n
Not to be left out, Panasonic released their new Lumix GH3<\/a> last fall. \u00a0Instead of going small and retro, Panasonic went chunkier and all modern, adding Wi-Fi capabilities, a similar sensor to the OM-D, amazing video capabilities and super-fast and accurate autofocus. \u00a0The GH3 is also a weathersealed body and has pretty much everything but the kitchen sink.<\/p>\n
Just this past Friday, May 10, Olympus also announced its latest Pen, the E-P5. \u00a0The E-P5 is essentially an OM-D E-M5 in the Pen form factor, with a gorgeous retro-styled body and a new external viewfinder. \u00a0 Panasonic is rumored to be releasing the ‘ultimate’ Micro 4\/3 camera this year, with rumors showing a compact body with built-in tilting EVF and in-body IS. \u00a0 With all these great cameras and lenses being developed, prospects for the Micro 4\/3 system remain strong.<\/p>\n
Next: Sony NEX<\/a><\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
Sony NEX<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"http:\/\/admiringlight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/NEX6LB_31-300x217.png\")
<\/a>The Sony NEX-6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The Sony NEX system, which uses the E-Mount, has been a great success. \u00a0Sony waded into the mirrorless pool shortly after Olympus and Panasonic, and made waves with their larger APS-C sensor and smaller body. \u00a0The NEX cameras are all still very small…just a thin plank of camera, with a grip and mount on it. \u00a0They were also the first to integrate an EVF into the corner of such a small body, thereby eliminating the hump seen on many other cameras with built-in viewfinders. \u00a0The NEX-7<\/a>, which was launched in 2011, helped the NEX series surge among serious photographers, providing a great 24 megapixel sensor in a tiny body.<\/p>\n
In 2012 and 2013, Sony released four new NEX bodies: the NEX-F3 (which is already discontinued), NEX-5R, NEX-3N and the NEX-6. \u00a0Of these, the NEX-6 is the bright spot in the lineup. \u00a0It features a lower resolution sensor than the NEX-7, at only 16 megapixels, but is better in low light, features an improved EVF and for the first time, a standard ISO hotshoe to replace Sony’s proprietary one in earlier cameras. \u00a0The NEX-6 has been a rousing success. \u00a0While I am not a huge fan of the NEX bodies from an ergonomic and usage standpoint (the grips are uncomfortable to me, and the controls are very ‘gadget’ like and not very ‘camera’ like), there is no doubt that these are serious cameras with outstanding image quality, great autofocus and a host of wonderful features, many of which are not found on other cameras.<\/p>\n
Lenses<\/h4>\n
![\"The](\"http:\/\/admiringlight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/SEL1018-300x253.png\")
<\/a>The Sony 10-18mm f\/4 OSS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n However, the downside to the NEX system has traditionally been its lens lineup. \u00a0For some reason, Sony has taken a while to realize that a camera system is only as strong as its lens lineup. \u00a0 Sony is in the odd position of having released 9 camera bodies and only 13 lenses. \u00a0Most of the early lenses, with the notable exception of the Zeiss 24mm f\/1.8, were only of slightly above average image quality, and most were also somewhat large. \u00a0Luckily, recently, Sony has started really expanding the lineup with some quality glass. In late 2011, the 50mm f\/1.8 OSS was released, and is a strong portrait lens, while they fleshed out the system by releasing an excellent ultra-wide angle zoom in the 10-18mm f\/4 OSS.<\/p>\n
In addition to Sony’s expanded offerings, Carl Zeiss is releasing two new lenses, a 12mm f\/2.8 ultra-wide and a 32mm f\/1.8 normal prime for both Sony NEX and Fuji X. \u00a0As the lens options for the NEX series grow, so does its potential.<\/p>\n
There have been rumors of a possible full-frame NEX stills camera for some time, as the mount is large enough to\u00a0accommodate\u00a0full-frame lenses. \u00a0These rumors have been fanned with the release of the full-frame NEX-VG900 camcorder from Sony, which uses the E-mount. \u00a0However, I don’t really know if Sony will do a full-frame NEX. \u00a0First of all, most of the NEX lenses don’t cover the image circle of a full-frame sensor, which means you’d have a second set of E-mount lenses for the full-frame NEX, and these would need to be majorly differentiated from their APS-C brethren. \u00a0Secondly, given the relative size of the NEX lenses compared to something like Micro 4\/3, it is conceivable that most of the full-frame lenses would be even larger, which may end up reaching a point of diminishing returns. \u00a0I may be wrong, but I don’t see a full frame mirrorless from Sony coming out in the next year.<\/p>\n
Next: Fuji X<\/a>:<\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
Fujifilm X-Series<\/h3>\n
Of the three systems discussed here, the Fuji X series is the newest.\u00a0 Fujifilm released their X-Pro 1 about a year ago, and added the X-E1<\/a> later last year.\u00a0 Both cameras are meant to be purely still imaging machines (though they can do video), with an emphasis on a pure, simple, tactile control scheme.\u00a0 The Fuji X series uses old-school controls like dedicated aperture rings on all the lenses and dedicated shutter speed dials and exposure compensation dials.\u00a0 As a result, the Fuji X cameras are a joy to shoot with due to their simplicity and simple photographic purity.\u00a0 The image quality is also outstanding out of these cameras.<\/p>\n
![\"Fujifilm](\"http:\/\/admiringlight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/xe1_front-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>Fujifilm X-E1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n On the downside, Fuji has one of the poorer autofocus implementations in the mirrorless realm, and overall camera responsiveness lags behind the likes of Micro 4\/3, Sony NEX and Nikon’s 1 series.\u00a0 Still, for deliberate shooting, it’s a great platform.<\/p>\n
Lenses<\/h4>\n
- Sony NEX<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- \n