Most of you are familiar with the digital camera. Lots of people own this today and even kids know how to operate it. But surely, not many know about the mirrorless camera. Perhaps, some of you found out about this only now.
So what really is a mirrorless camera? What is its difference from the standard digital camera?
Known as the compact system camera, this photographic equipment was developed by Olympus and Panasonic. Similar to a mini DSLR, it features a micro four thirds system.
Being smaller in size compared to the standard DSLR, the mirrorless camera is easy to carry and allows users to capture their images without scaring them, especially photographers who are into wildlife photography. The small size also means smaller lenses, which translates to lighter luggage for photography enthusiasts when traveling and shooting outdoors.
Literally, a mirrorless camera is a digital single-lens reflex camera or DSLR without its mirror box. This box is usually located behind the lens and forms an angled mirror to allow users to get a view from a top-mounted eyepiece. With a DSLR unit, the shutter button typically causes a mirror to flip up, allowing light to reach the sensor located behind it.
This type of camera was introduced in 2008 and has since gained a lot of attention, especially among photography enthusiasts. Olympus was the first to create this unit through its PEN E-P1 in late 2008. Other camera manufacturers followed suit and made their own designs.
Lately, Olympus has already launched its PEN E-PL2. For this model, the company partnered with Panasonic to create the mirrorless camera’s micro four-thirds sensor system.
Sony has also introduced its Alpha NEX-7. This 24.3-megapixel camera costs as much as a DSLR and offers the highest resolution of a mirrorless model. It boasts of a magnesium alloy body, a three-inch LCD screen, and a unique tri-navi control interface.
Canon could not be left behind as it is now in the process of creating its own mirrorless camera. No detailed information has been released, but a patent application on the Japanese website Egami is said to provide a schematic of Canon’s non-SLR camera.
Other camera makers that have jumped on the bandwagon include Samsung with their NX, Pentax with their Q, and Nikon with their System 1. Fujifilm is also reported to release its own version in 2012.
Today, all over the world, mirrorless camera sales have increased. Japan accounts for nearly half of these sales at 42 percent. The 2011 report from the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) showed that Japan is a leader in the use of so-called non-SLR cameras. In fact, the majority of camera sales from October to December 2011 were of the mirrorless type.
However, the US has yet to fully adopt this camera, as shown by 13 percent of sales in early 2011. Surprisingly, the trend improved towards the end of the year, as sales increased to 22.1 percent. percent.