Sunday, February 2, 2014

Mirror-less Interchangeable Lens Cameras (MILC)

A large quantity of Mirror-less Interchangeable Lens cameras [MILC's] have entered the market in 2013. In fact, to the point where one must wonder why they've become so popular, amongst professionals & enthusiasts alike.  This post will touch base, on some of the advantages a MILC may have, as well as list which models were the most popular last year.

Personally, I'm looking forward to see the unit Canon has in store for us, the EOS M2, that has been rumored to be unveiled early 2014.  :)

There are several advantages (and yes, a few disadvantages) to mirror-less camera systems. Let’s look at some of the great things about this new digital camera technology.

1. Weight - The MILC unit, without a mirror assembly, has a net weight advantage over DSLR cameras, making it more prone to be brought on trips, and having it with you more often.  Let's face it, the best camera will always be the one you have with you, when you need it most!

2. Shhhh - Yes, MILCs are quiet, in fact... silent!  This can be a keen advantage if shooting birds, professional sports, such as golf & tennis, where you are prohibited to take images before the athlete has made contact with the ball, because of the noise.  With an MILC, you could get images others could not.

3. Size - Most MILCs are much smaller in size than the Pro DSLR units, leaving more space in that camera bag for additional lens, filters, flash heads, etc...  But don't let the smaller size fool you.  A good size sensor, with a quality lens will provide you with great images.

4. Less Moving Parts - Finally, because they do not have a hinged fixture inside to move a mirror, MILC’s also have fewer moving parts than traditional SLR-style cameras. That means that they are sturdier and less likely to break over time.

On that note, I think that even though we often have more than one DSLR camera body, having a mirror-less as an additional unit might not be a bad idea!