re: #93 wheat-dogghazi-mailgate

Has anyone here tried out the mirrorless cameras, like the Sony A-series? I was toying with buying one last year, but ended up sticking with Nikon so I can still use the Tamron zoom lens I bought in 2011.

But when I was in Target last month, I checked out a Sony A500 (I think that was the model no.) and was impressed by its compact size and minimal weight. I love my Nikon D3300, but sometimes I wish it wasn’t so big (and obvious).

I really like the idea behind the Sony Alpha series but there are a few issues I can’t get over. First, shutter lag. Because the shutter has to close, open and close again none of the mirrorless systems have the immediacy of response that a quality DSLR will attain. Second, because the sensor, display and most of the imaging circuitry are all continually powered on while you’re composing, the number of shots per fully charged battery is massively reduced. Also the lens availability isn’t really there yet, but that will sort out over time. The other issues are intrinsic to the platform.

Basically they’re just as good for many uses such as landscape, editorial and portraiture, and they excel for casual photography, but the limitations become a noticeable hindrance for sports action and nature.