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DSLR or Mirrorless?


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3 replies to this topic

#1
mbageology

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Hi All-

I am buying a camera in the next few days and have been doing a lot of research. Thus far I'm leaning toward the D5600. I heard about mirrorless cameras today at work. Are they better than DSLR? Is there a reason I should go mirrorless? I am relatively new to photography. I will be shooting main,y birds (in flight and perched), other wildlife, landscapes, cityscapes and some portraits. Any thoughts?

Thanks!!

#2
Merco_61

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For that use and budget, the DSLR still reigns supreme. The AF in the affordable mirrorless bodies isn't up to following birds in flight yet. The few bodies that can give a DSLR a match are still *very* expensive.



#3
dcbear78

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I agree with Peter here. I love mirrorless cameras. They are the future, there is no doubt about that. But the ones that are as good as DSLR's right now are not cheap. The cheapest decent mirrorless cameras are the Sony A6500 and Fuji XT-20. Both will cost about twice the Nikon D5600 and are on par with regards to features.

If you didn't shoot birds I would say they would be worth it, especially that Fuji.



#4
ScottinPollock

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Is there a reason I should go mirrorless?


With all due respect... you said you did "a lot of research" but just heard about mirrorless yesterday? I really think more research is called for... perhaps that is why you're here.

Some of the advantages of mirrorless are an ElectronicViewFinder that is truly WYSIWYG with manual focus aids, silent shutters, and the ability to cheaply adapt other (including cheap, great old) lenses. The focus aids (Focus Peaking) is a big deal for manual focusing as we lost the split/micro prism aid we had in SLRs when they went digital.

Advantages of DSLR is battery life, better autofocus in less expensive models, and generally just more bang for the buck, especially in entry level models.

The D5600 is a great value, however you could spend more on glass over time as it requires lenses with built in focus motors that are more expensive than their motorless counterparts. If you plan to build a collection with Nikon, I would advocate getting a more competent body (D7200, D7100, or maybe even a D300 to start out if money is tight).

There is an old saying that you date the camera and marry the glass, so if you plan on a collection of lenses over the years, carefully consider the system you are marrying into. I honestly think Fuji is the way to go on DX these days.

However, if your plan is to get a camera with a couple/few lenses and be done with it, the D5600 is an excellent (perhaps the best) way to go.
 


The cheapest decent mirrorless cameras are the Sony A6500 and Fuji XT-20. Both will cost about twice the Nikon D5600 and are on par with regards to features.


I am not sure I would view the D5600 as being on par (feature wise) with those other two models. But when considering price, Sony is expensive because Sony has always been expensive (for what you get and how long it lasts before it doesn't work anymore), plus glass is really pricey, or really poor. Fuji is expensive because of build quality (Japan, All mag body, lenses that don't feel like cheap plastic junk), and a level of after sale support no other OEM offers.

I think Fuji is smarter and more nimble than Nikon, and much higher quality than Sony. It would be my choice today for building a system.