Mirrorless

Mirrorless Cameras

Often smaller and lighter than Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras because of their streamlined construction and no built-in mirror, mirrorless cameras allow you to take faster, quieter photos with sharper image quality. Some mirrorless systems use an LCD screen to frame a shot, an electronic viewfinder (EVF), or both. While they can suffer some lag time in showing shot composition, mirrorless cameras offer immediate feedback as you change settings to refine your image.

Epson developed the first mirrorless camera in 2004, at a cost of $3,000 to consumers. Leica followed shortly thereafter with their mirrorless version in 2006, and in 2008 Panasonic released the Lumix G1, the first to use an EVF. A flurry of manufacturers followed in the next couple of years, including Olympus, Samsung, Sony and Fujifilm.

Advancements to mirrorless cameras continue to be made, including larger sensors, faster processors, increased resolution, and advanced autofocus capabilities, Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth connectivity, and the ability to shoot high-quality video—all in a compact, lightweight package.