[RT13]

You could probably split mirrorless into full frame, apsc and micro four thirds.

Actually a lot of the cons of DSLRs listed even on this thread are addressed by many of the mirrorless cameras available now.

Need to go light? Try micro four thirds.

Want a great but fixed option for street? Try a Ricoh GR or even look at the Fuji X100V with its superb leaf shutter and interesting adaptors which give you a range of focal lengths on a fixed lens.

Want a beast of a gizmo and all the bells and whistles? Take a look at Sony, Nikon and Canon’s full frame mirrorless options.

Or if you want something more compact but still with a full suite of options look at Nikon, Canon and Fuji’s mirrorless cams.

Want and intimate, manual shooting experience with very special colour rendition? Try the Fuji X series - a whole bunch of variants with a phenomenal and growing lens lineup. They’ve now opened their platform to third party brands so now the likes of Tamron, Viltrox and Sigma are further building out the options.

Or do you want to go the whole hog and try medium format? Fuji has the most affordable medium format yet with its gorgeous GFX series.

Here’s the trouble - there is arguably an information and option overload these days and if you’re looking for something and have specific needs, even though there may be something just right for you, you just don’t have the time to figure it out.

If only there were the camera equivalent of a team-bhp eh. Oh wait…

As for me, for the last few years I’ve been using a Fuji XT1 with an XT10 as backup. Just picked up the XT4 and it’s a monster by comparison. Both in performance and weight. Rather taken aback to be honest but enjoying figuring it out.

Oh and I got an Insta 360 One X2 which is lovely but now I need to learn how to edit that footage which is a whole different experience.

Now for that drone…

Fun times we live in to be honest!

One last thing though, that old photography adage still holds true - the best camera is the one you have on you. Perhaps more than ever. Which is why phones are amazing. In the end it’s about capturing that moment and if having a phone on you allows you to both be in the moment and capture it for your own posterity, it’s the best tool for you.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by RT13

Here’s the trouble - there is arguably an information and option overload these days and if you’re looking for something and have specific needs, even though there may be something just right for you, you just don’t have the time to figure it out.


One last thing though, that old photography adage still holds true - the best camera is the one you have on you. Perhaps more than ever. Which is why phones are amazing. In the end it’s about capturing that moment and if having a phone on you allows you to both be in the moment and capture it for your own posterity, it’s the best tool for you.

Absolute truisms, both your statements above.
Which is very probably in todays times, why the majority of poll respondents have opted for the phone as the primary.

As an aside, I did a very brief comparo - specifically between the iPhone 12 Pro Max and 14 Pro Max cameras yesterday. And yes, prima facie the evidence clearly points to the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s superiority. iPhone 12 Pro Max will serve well but there are some subtleties around the 14 Pro Max which tip the balance towards it.

[GTO]

Except for diehard photography enthusiasts & professionals, I don't see anyone with a DSLR anymore. As the poll indicates, smartphone cameras do just fine, even for special occasion photography. I keep hearing that the iPhone 14's camera is the new benchmark.

Personal use: Used to carry the Team-BHP mirrorless camera on family vacations, birthdays, anniversaries etc. 5 - 6 years back. No more. Just the smartphone camera. In fact, I don't remember the last time I even saw the mirrorless camera that the review team uses.

Team-BHP use: Except for a handful of Mods (diehard camera enthusiasts) who use DSLRs, most review pictures are shot via a mirrorless that pretty much works like a point-and-shoot in full auto mode. That being said, we do use the services of a photoshop expert to touch up the images before publishing.

[androdev]

I stopped using DSLR long back and switched to high end compact mirror less fixed lens cameras (fuji x100, Sony rx1, Leica q). If I want to take flattering pictures of people (usually during family events, travel, etc.), I carry such a camera.

For casual photography (family, travel, street - 35mm category), iPhone does everything great except when it comes to flattering portraits for which big sensor and quality glass matter!! Thankfully there are compact options like the above totally eliminating the need for bulkier equipment.

[Durango Dude]

I own 3 bodies: 2 DSLR's APSC (D3200) and Full Frame (D610) and one mirrorless Nikon Z 50. I don't rent lenses, I have my own some 13-14 of them lost count. I also love my iPhone 11 Pro Max which does a stellar job. But a DSLR/Mirrorless is the gold standard when it comes to serious photography. I Haven't voted as I straddle both the full frame and APSC spectrum. I shoot on a daily basis whatever that interests me.

[benbsb29]

Such polls will have a result that is easy to predict. It's like asking if you read more books or watch more videos? Answer will be the latter for most folks, as it is more convenient.

I enjoy photography and dabble in the use of both the iPhone for pics, as well as a full frame Canon DSLR for my requirements. Ofcourse, whether i carry the DSLR is dependent on where i am off to, and if travelling light is paramount, like a hike or taking a flight.

Phone cameras take amazing pics with minimal need for post processing, so it just makes the whole process a lot more easier and convenient. More so, for family vacations and trips.





However, for some outings, you definitely need that DSLR with a barrage of lenses.

[Apex1815]

I have a Point and Shoot Camera (Nikon) which I bought around 10~12 years before. I used it for 1~2 years and after that the Mobile Camera took over the photography needs.

I have seen my friends/colleagues who are in the serious hobby of Photography hardly carries their DSLR cameras on Road trips or outings.

Reasons may be the following;
1) Weight of the DSLR Camera & Lens
2) Need to be utmost careful while carrying such an expensive gadget
3) Charging needs of camera (Carry adapter /extra battery/ Wires etc)
4) Transfer Photos from Camera to Laptop

I think the people who are into the Photography profession are the major users of DSLRs nowadays. For a normal joe, Mobile phone photo is as good as a DSLR photo.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by androdev

switched to high end compact mirror less fixed lens cameras (fuji x100, Sony rx1, Leica q). ! Thankfully there are compact options like the above totally eliminating the need for bulkier equipment.

Which compact mirrorless camera would you recommend?

Envisaged Applications would be the following and not in order of priority.

1. nature photography - macro, flowers etc
2. architecture and the play of light
3. landscapes - near and far
4. animals and wildlife - near and far
5. sport (such as horse racing and/ or golf)

For the moment my iPhone and Sony HX point and shoot do the job nicely.

Will the adoption of a compact mirrorless camera fulfill my requirements while also future proofing me?

[Sankar]

Originally Posted by Apex1815

I have seen my friends/colleagues who are in the serious hobby of Photography hardly carries their DSLR cameras on Road trips or outings.

Reasons may be the following;
3) Charging needs of camera (Carry adapter /extra battery/ Wires etc)
4) Transfer Photos from Camera to Laptop

3) I agree, carrying a lot of power bricks and cables for the phone, laptop and a camera was a headache. The solution I found for this is to choose the equipment wisely. Now I carry two USB C chargers - one for the car 12v outlet and another for wall outlet - which can charge my phone, laptop and camera.

4) NFC/Wifi is available in many cameras. Still its not as easy as taking the photo and sharing it on social media using a phone.

[ajay0612]

I still want to use my Full frame DSLR (Canon 6D). The small sensors of mobiles have poor dynamic range and use heavy processing to make photo pop. That doesn't do justice to natural beauty spread around us.
Nevertheless convenience and light weight of mobile make it overwhelming preference over lugging a DSLR along-with lenses. Anyway, mostly photos are now used for sharing (not printing) so finer details don't matter much.
Sony RX series and Panasonic FZ series are best compromise between picture quality and convenience.
Sharing few photos taken with Sony R1 (my previous camera)
Bhagirathi Peaks


Deoria Tal


Mount Shivling (From Tapovan)

[charanreddy]

Voted Mirrorless but also a heavy phone camera user.

I am not an photography enthusiast by any measure and just try to capture moments with out too much knowledge on light , composition etc etc.

I use my iPhone camera a lot (13 pro max), previously 11. I also have a Sony alpha 7000 with kit lenses that I use for family functions. I feel the sony alpha , despite its age churns out some remarkable pics at a good price point.

[2legit2quit]

I own a decade old full frame d700 which I use almost exclusively with a 50mm and 85mm prime lens on special occasions. For most of my regular photography needs, my pixel 5a (now 6a) is what I use.

Mobile photography has come a long way in the past decade but I still believe nothing comes close to a full frame camera. In automotive terms, I would equate it to a V8, it's close to becoming an anachronism but it is an experience that is magical!

Attaching a few pictures to show you what I mean

[sandeepmohan]

Sadly, I have chosen the most voted choice here. Sad because I was always a camera user. Started with a Nikon FM, then an F4 (I still have these cameras) and then onto a D3000 that I still own. Not upgraded since. Lenses have basically extended the life of that DSLR for 12+ years! Thats something you can never get out of any cell phone camera.

I wish I could carry my camera everywhere but I can't. When I am on my motorcycle, its ruled out.

Convenience of a cell phone camera has been put ahead as a priority over outright image quality and for good reason. How many of us really view out photos on a giant 32" color correct display after we shoot them. 99% viewing is done on a 6" display.

Phone cameras have also advanced to such a level that in the right hands, you could fool someone into thinking it was shot on a professional camera. Sensors are bigger and a lot of intelligent software to tidy up that photo. Besides; who has time to jam a usb cable or an SD card into the computer each time you want to download or view a photo. I know modern day cameras have NFC and Wifi.

There are situations and occasions where I do take my DSLR. Family photos, events where I think or have better confidence with the results from my camera, etc. The cell phone camera is essentially a backup device here. If I know I am going to print something, its always going to be my DLSR.

To end, "I use my cellphone Camera for most of my photography now"

[Magnus]

I still use both mobile and DSLR for photography. I have been using DSLR for more than a decade now. Mobile photography has come a long way during this time period and it offers a lot of advantages over DSLR.
For landscapes and group photos, I prefer using my iPhone. For Portraits though, my preference is always the DSLR with 50mm prime lens. For me, the bouquets and blurs on a portrait shot taken on a DSLR gives so much joy. Mobile phone portraits feels a bit artificial or off-putting for my eyes.

Crazy as it may sound, I still carry my DSLR on trips and vacations just for those few portrait clicks.

[androdev]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Which compact mirrorless camera would you recommend?

Envisaged Applications would be the following and not in order of priority.

1. nature photography - macro, flowers etc
2. architecture and the play of light
3. landscapes - near and far
4. animals and wildlife - near and far
5. sport (such as horse racing and/ or golf)

For the moment my iPhone and Sony HX point and shoot do the job nicely.

Will the adoption of a compact mirrorless camera fulfill my requirements while also future proofing me?

I doubt I know enough to make a recommendation. My interest is only limited to family/travel for which either of modern iPhone or a fixed lens mirrorless camera will do. Both phones and point-and-shoot cameras use 28mm/35mm field of view lens which is a very general purpose lens. The difference is only in the quality of the sensor and glass - images takes with full frame sensor and high quality lens look very flattering when people are the subjects. I was using Fuji X100 earlier and currently use Leica Q and even in my novice hands, people look great in the pictures taken with Leica. The colour, tones, exposure, etc. is amazing out of the box. I tried to adjust them in post processing and always found the original to be better. Fuji X100 and Leica Q are considered very enjoyable to use.

Nature, architecture, landscapes can be done nicely with modern phones - unless you want to crop heavily or take large prints. The convenience of easy sharing, avoiding carrying a bulky camera, post processing, etc. make a strong case for mobile phone cameras.

Wild life and Sports, etc. are specialised fields and very different from my 35mm world.

About future proofing:
Just don't fall for the marketing trap that always tries to make you feel like you have an outdated equipment.
1. Compact size (smaller the size, more the usage - mirrorless is the way to go)
2. Full frame sensor (larger the better)
3. High quality lens (hardest thing to decide when it comes to sports and wildlife as the distance to subject is not in your control)

You can buy any mirrorless generation (even used) and you will do just fine. Latest cameras are coming with super crazy file sizes which is a royal pain to process and store.