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This was previously titled “and then there was three” but apparantly, I cannot count. I completely forgot about the medium format digital camera (which many of us aren’t considering). So we could ignore those and consider only these three popular sizes.
On Tuesday night when the club meets to tour the photo lab facilities at London Drugs, many of you will be participating in the “Cheryl Pady Adventure”. The adventure is a point-n-shoot only night. No big dSLRs allowed.
Right now, the majority of digital camera users are using one of the two major digital formats. That is, point-n-shoot (including camera phones) and the bulky and ever-favorite SLR form factor.
Coming along in the market is a new player though. These have been marketed as the micro 4/3 sensor or mirrorless cameras. They are blending the best of both world into a small package full of quality.
Currently, Olympus and Panasonic have been the big market leaders in this field but they have new competition this year.
Pentax and Nikon have recently introduced two new mirrorless cameras this year. Sony is beginning to introduce their next generation NEX mirrorless cameras as well.
At this time, these high quality mirrorless cameras certainly out perform their little point-n-shoot brethren but at a significant cost. Many of these micro four thirds system start near the $700 mark. The quality of these smaller interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras are beginning to equal or rival the performance expected in a full sized digital SLR. Many of these new additions have prices equalling or even exceeding the cost of an entry level digital SLR. Many have simply favoured the SLR format for the larger selection of lenses and accessories when comparing to the dollar equivalent in this smaller package. However, the size and convenience of this system is beginning to convince many new photographers to dig deep in the piggy bank.
For some, the lack of lens selection has been a barrier to jumping into the format. As product lines mature and grow, so has the quality and selection. It has been a few years since the first introduction of the micro 4/3 sensor. Currently, the number of available lenses and adapters for the micro 4/3 mount are beginning to grow.
Now, the biggest selling point for many has been this system’s diminuative size. Usually half the size of an equivalent SLR system, the micro 4/3 or mirrorless systems makes it the ideal camera system for the photography-minded traveller.
There are times when I’m hefting my big bag of lenses and camera bodies (yes, I still carry my film SLR body) - I think that 35 pounds of glass could be reduced in weight and size with very little loss of quality. However, I’m not independantly wealthy nor do I have good numbers for the lottery.
Still, for those of you with the need and the means – don’t discount this third category of cameras form factors.
The market is showing demands for these smaller and higher-quality cameras. This trend is driving camera companies to design and support this format. Like many new technologies, the initial costs will be fairly steep but given time, they will become significantly affordable. As time marches on and technologies advance, it is easy to see that this form factor is going to make as significant impact on the way we look at our camera gear.
Models that I have looked at are: [NOT Ranked in any way]
- Olympus PEN series (E-PL2) http://www.olympus-global.com/en/visions/pen.html
- Panasonic Lumix G Series https://panasonic.ca/english/audiovideo/camerascamcorders/digitalstill/DMCG3.asp (there are others too)
- Pentax Q http://pentax.ca/en/digital_slr/Q
- Sony NEX series http://store.sony.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCatalog?keyword=%CE%B1+NEX+Cameras&storeId=20153&langId=200&catalogId=100803&in_dim_search=%26alpha%3B+NEX+Cameras
- Nikon 1 http://en.nikon.ca/Nikon-Products/Nikon-1-Cameras/index.page
There are probably others out there and many that may require a closer examination and review but as you can see – this particular form factor doesn’t appear to be going away.
I suppose that I could have lumped the medium format digital with the SLRs and kept this page titled (then there were three). After all, I did lump camera phones along with the point-n-shoot category of cameras.
This is one of those meetings where the club goes somewhere other than our regular home.
London Drugs in the east end of the city is going to have to put up with a gaggle of photographers wandering about their aisles and parking lot. Our meeting brings us to this store on this evening to tour their photo printing facilities.
Other than the photo printing – which includes a print (free). The club is hosting what we are calling “The Cheryl Pady Adventure”. This particular adventure requires you to use your point-n-shoot digital camera and wander about in the store and parking lot getting photos. No cheating allowed (strictly no dSLRs allowed!!!)
Dwayne and the other executives will have more details when you are at London Drugs…
You guys and gals have fun!
