camera systems compared

see also:

• photography and camping main index page
• digital SLR cameras
• professional sports / journalistic dSLRs
• mirrorless camera systems
• Micro Four Thirds vs entry-level dSLRs
• comparison of telephoto zoom lenses
• Lindsay Dobson's blog - why I left full frame for Micro Four Thirds
• Ming Thein - each sensor size system has its strengths and weaknesses - the systems compared

• modern cameras are now primarily electronic commodities designed to last 3-5 years, so when buying a new camera, bear this in mind.
• most modern cameras with reasonable size sensors will take great photos if you know how to use it.
  • forget megapixel counts, image quality is proportional to the sensor size (if using similar technology) and optical lens quality
  • the 2x crop sensor of the Micro Four Thirds system is the smallest sensor size one should consider to get high image quality AND ability to gain shallow depth of field (DOF) to blur the background, and the E-M5 has shown that sensor technology is now so good that most people do not need larger sensors, and larger sensors mean larger cameras, larger lenses and larger tripods and bags, not to mention cost - you really need to consider if large size is really worth it to you.
• the new mirrorless cameras, have a feature set which makes them a better camera for most people than dSLRs as they are smaller, and thus you are more likely to have it with you, they are quieter as there is no noisy mirror, they have smaller lenses (particularly the Micro Four Thirds cameras), are much easier to use than dSLRs and yet provide comparable image quality to dSLRs. Of course, not having a mirror, none have an optical viewfinder and this can be an issue in fast burst as the EVF blacks out between shots.
• buying into a full frame dSLR system instead of a mirrorless system may be reasonable if you want specific lenses not available otherwise, or you really need that extra shallow depth of field (DOF) or very large print quality.
  • buying into it just because one day, several years into the future, you might want to upgrade your camera and still keep your lenses is also a potentially reasonable option BUT be aware that, unlike the manual focus days, current AF lenses, particularly those with IS, are becoming more rapidly redundant as manufacturers are consistently introducing new versions with more effective IS, faster AF, HD video capabilities, and worse, there will come a time soon that Canon and Nikon introduce mirrorless full frame cameras which will make much of their current lens system somewhat redundant as new lenses with fast, accurate linear stepping AF motors will be needed.

• # kit lens zoom depends on camera model if point and shoot, and chosen lens of the others - usually a 3x zoom,a 10x zoom or twin zoom kit with each having a 3x zoom but of different range. In general, the greater the zoom range, the poorer the image quality.
• # the cropped sensor dSLRs generally have a consumer-targetted dedicated AF lens range, the exception being Olympus which has 3 levels of lens quality for its Four Thirds cameras. The other brands generally need to buy the bigger full frame pro lenses if they want better quality as there are few if any pro level lenses built for cropped sensors.
• # a point and shoot may give the best telephoto reach with a 24x zoom, but its small aperture, poor high ISO and small sensor limit image quality severely.
• # a small mirrorless camera becomes unweildy with a large lens, and thus a 200mm focal length may be its reasonable limit, so on an Olympus Pen with handgrip you could mount a Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 and get an image stabilised 400mm f/2.8 in 35mm terms.
• # an Olympus Four Thirds dSLR gives you many hand held telephoto options with full AF and IS such as 150mm f/2.0 with EC20 giving 600mm f/4, or 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 plus EC20 giving 200-800mm f/5.6-7.0.
• # a Canon or Nikon cropped sensor dSLR handheld limit with AF and IS is probably the 300mm f/4 IS L lens with 1.4x converter giving 672mm f/5.6 on a Canon or 630mm f/5.6 on a Sony or Nikon. Note, most cameras will not AF at f/8 and thus a 2x teleconverter may not be possible.

• most of the non-pro lenses are not differentiating to be a factor in camera choice, although you can get a reasonable portrait lens for just over $200 (the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G) if one is budget-minded
• the lenses that are compelling in the Nikon stable are the pro level lenses such as:
  • 14-24mm f/2.8G
  • 24mm f/1.4
  • 85mm f/1.4 II
  • 135mm f/2.0
  • 200mm f/2.0
  • 300mm f/2.8
  • 70-200mm f/2.8
  • tilt-shift lenses
  • VR macro lens

• most of the non-pro lenses are not differentiating to be a factor in camera choice, although you can get a reasonable portrait lens for under $200 (the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II) if one is budget-minded
• the lenses that are compelling in the Canon stable are the pro level lenses such as:
  • 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II sharper than the Nikon vII but bokeh not as good as older Canon
  • 24mm f/1.4L II
  • 50mm f/1.2L
  • 85mm f/1.2L
  • 135mm f/2.0L
  • 200mm f/2.8L
  • 200mm f/2.0L
  • 300mm f/4L IS
  • 300mm f/2.8L
  • other super telephotos
  • tilt-shift
  • MP-E 1-5x macro

• one of the best reasons for this dSLR are the following pro lenses:
  • Olympus ZD 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 SWD - this lens has no peers in the Canon or Nikon stable - see here
  • Olympus ZD 50mm f/2.0 macro - one of the sharpest lenses ever made
  • Olympus ZD 35-100mm f/2.0 - the widest aperture zoom available in any system
  • Olympus ZD 150mm f/2.0 - giving 300mm f/2.0 IS
  • Olympus ZD 300mm f/2.8 - giving a relatively compact 600mm f/2.8 IS
  • Olympus ZD 90-250mm f/2.8 - giving a relatively compact and unique 180-500mm f/2.8 IS
  • Olympus ZD teleconverters work with any lens (unlike the Canon versions) and are superb
• if you want to take shots at your favorite sports event and they have a ban on lenses over 200mm in focal length as many now do, then the E-5 will get you more telephoto reach than any other current dSLR system.

The new compact, HD video optimised, fast CD-AF lenses for Micro Four Thirds make a compelling case for many people:

• Olympus m.ZD 12mm f/2.0 lens with zone manual focus functionality gives a wonderful 24mm f/2.0 effective lens perfect for indoors and street photography as well as a general purpose travel, landscape lens.
• Olympus mZD 17mm f/1.8 lens - great for street photography, parties, etc
• Olympus m.ZD 45mm f/1.8 portrait lens giving 90mm effective focal length
• Olympus m.ZD 75mm f/1.8 lens - one of the best lenses ever made, great for indoor sports, fashion, portraits
• Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS pancake - the most compact 3x zoom yet
• Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm F4.0-5.6 ASPH OIS - the most compact 90-350mm zoom yet.

In addition to the above there are some very nice compact lens options for Micro Four Thirds including:

• Panasonic 7-14mm ultra-wide angle zoom (14-28mm)
• Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 pancake - a brilliant party, candid lens
• Panasonic 25mm f/1.4 high quality standard lens for environmental portraits, indoors and low light photography
• Olympus 60mm f/2.8 weatherproof macro
• Panasonic f/2.8 zooms

If that is not enough and you want more fun on a budget, you can adapt almost any lens ever made to this system and use it in manual focus, or you can use the excellent Four Thirds lenses with slow AF - see lens adapters

Before you buy ANY camera, check out the Olympus E-M5 - you may well be surprised how much this exciting new camera will address your needs. I will be buying one and I am quite a fussy guy when it comes to my cameras and I like to enjoy my photography rather than let it become a burden. Of course, if you insist on the best image quality then buy a large sturdy tripod and go for the much larger, more expensive full frame dSLRs such as a Nikon D800 dSLR or Canon 5D Mark III dSLR.

If high quality HD video is your most important requirement, you may find that the Panasonic GH-3 is your best bet - it can shoot better video than the new Canon 5D Mark III dSLR or the Nikon D800 dSLR at a quarter of the price.

If budget is a prime consideration, consider the Panasonic G5 camera or the Olympus E-PL5.

If you want a swivel LCD screen for self-portraits, then the Panasonic G5 camera or the more expensive Panasonic GH-3 is the way to go here.

If you want the smallest high image quality kit of ALL interchangable lens cameras, get the Olympus E-PL5 and compliment it with a 17mm f/1.8 lens for indoor use, travel, candids, parties, etc, and add the lovely Olympus 45mm f/1.8 portrait lens if portraits are your thing.

• currently there are no really compelling affordable lenses in the Sony NEX system and the lenses are bigger and heavier than the Micro Four Thirds lenses and always will be due to the larger sensor size they have to cover.
• Sony E mount full frame systems are the same size and weight as full frame dSLR kits but the Sony lenses tend to be more expensive.

• there are only a few AF lens available
• the main reason to buy this expensive mirrorless camera is for its unique hybrid viewfinder and high image quality sensor so it really is for a niche market at present rather than as a general purpose camera
• remote TTL flash is often problematic