Choosing a mirrorless camera system - what matters

In this video I discuss what I have actually found to be the difference between mirrorless cameras after testing most of them.

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[kevin_]

For me, Martin’s videos are the best camera and photography videos to watch at the moment. Calm, common sense and he treats you with intelligence. Keep it up Martin and thanks.

[iKIMshuffle]

You are the person people need to listen to, not influencers. This gives hope for new photographers. I always tell people pick a camera that makes you want to shoot and forget about technical features.

[kevinridley]

Hi Martin, you hit the nail on the head, i have tried all kinds of cameras over the years. i enjoyed the film cameras from the early 80s, then work and life got in the way. So 2013 ish i thought i would get back in to photography, being unsure about DSLRs i bought a nikon D5300 was ok but didn't feel right in hand, so listening you tubers, i bought a fuji XT2 then a nikon Z6 then a canon 80D then a Eos R then a R6 then i tried a panasonic G9 the an Olympus om d em 1 mk ii & mk iii also a pentax K1 was about the best feeling in hand but not quite right, the i found what i was looking Great in hand & to use & NO VIDEO the NIKON D700, it does everything i want & at the moment i have a 50mm F1.8D on it & a 70-210 F 4 if i want long reach . Cheers Martin keep up the great info help :)

[dogmike]

This is a refreshing take. Marketing works because it gets people on an emotional level. People see the thing they don’t have and think “That’s it, that’s the thing that will make all the difference!” It takes a lot of maturity and understanding of why one does photography and what their real needs are when making decisions on gear. A number of years ago I “downgraded” my kit to a smaller camera system. That decision was based on the idea that what I had was far in excess of what I needed, was taking up valuable space and weighing me down. So I was happy with the newfound portability of my smaller kit, but I would still lust for new gear every so often. My way of fighting it is to look at reviews and research for a few days, fill my head with all of the competing noise, then shut it all off and take a week or two with a piece of kit that I don’t use often. I make it a point to use that lens, or that flash, or whatever in everything I do for a while. It focuses me on solving creative problems, it tends to make me forget about the actual gear, thus making me realise what I have is perfectly adequate.

[mudgie]

I couldn't agree more. About 12 months ago after going through many cameras and systems I decided to cull my cameras. I've cut it down to 3 camera's. Canon 5d III, Panasonic G80 and Olympus em10 III. All older cameras but they all work for me and I've finally got rid of GAS. I'm not a pro just a hobbyist so the latest and greatest would be lost on me. In fact, the other day I shot a roll of film with my minolta x300 and had a great time. I would also like to add a lot of youtube camera reviewers are great presenters but very mediocre photographers, of course this excludes you as I think you're a very good photographer. I think my whole setup of camera and lenses is under £2000 which is still a lot of money but an acceptable budget for my income and needs. As always, great video mate.

[bassangler]

I agree! I'm a 99% bif shooter and my old D500 still gets the job done. And with good glass like the 500pf their isn't a noticeable difference in AF speed..The new cameras will maybe track your bird but half the fun to me is tracking it with my hands.

[SMGJohn]

This is why I went back to Sony Alpha 900 for photography, even professional shoots, and then just the G9 and G9M2 for video work, more fun that way, full frame modern mirrorless cameras have no character in photography, its all the same with minute colour differences.

[veganstevenmusic]

thanks so much for making these hope your feelingg a little better, keep rocken lad whoop whoop

[gonzphotographymusicchanne]

Thank you again for the real world truth, still loving your channel

[NorthBorneoLights]

Really refreshing point of view. You've earned a sub. I noticed this a while back actually - I tended to gravitate to reviewers who actually took good photos/video with the gear they were reviewing. Over time I realized: these people are taking good photos in spite of the gear - not *because* of it. Great point about Sony and the other big brands too - Sony are nothing if not masters at their marketing game. Completely understandable though - considering just how long they've been in the game.

[patrickmcmahon]

Fantastic video! I’ve been a Nikon shooter for over 30 years, starting with film and now using mirrorless. When people see me with my camera and the pics I take, they ask which Nikon should they get if they’re starting off. I tell them don’t just look at Nikon, look at all of them. Go to a camera store and hold them, see which one feels best in your hands. Look through a view finder, take a few shots and start with a good starter kit with a zoom. The top 3 or 4 camera makers all have great cameras. Each have their own little quirks, strengths and weaknesses. The idea is if you are excited about your camera you’ll be happier and want to take your camera instead of using an iPhone.

[andrewchristie]

Hi Martin, thanks for your honest, practical view.
I’m an amateur, I’ve joined a Camera Club, I enjoy using my old Nikon mid-range crop sensor DSLR with the best few dx lenses I can get for it. All pretty cheap in reality, all second hand.
I generally take landscape, street and a few other things and I’m looking to purchase a mirrorless next year. I want to print my own pics up to A3+ and some of my pics are cropped in. I also live in Scotland, I need a camera I can use in the rain, and yes, decent autofocus would help!
And I’d like to have a go at Astro at some point, so I’m thinking full frame not Fuji or OM, but not one that isn’t too big.
What might you suggest?

[Skipsul]

I agree entirely on camera bodies - they have to "just work" for you so that you don't think about them while you're using them. I do make exceptions, though, for cameras that bring a certain (for lack of a better term) "experience". For instance, I have an old Leica Barnack II, for instance, that is one of my favorite film cameras, and there are others I bring out for inspiration and challenge (like a clunky cheap late 40s TLR).
I do make a slight exception for lenses, though, as there are some that have unique looks, or specialized features, that let you do things otherwise difficult - Tilt/Shift, Macro, long telephoto, or other special rendering strengths or weaknesses. But as you say, you should only buy them if you need them for what they do, and I would add that renting them when needed is a great option and saves a TON of money. And most of the time, a 35mm lives on my main body.

[PJ-omwq]

I had a long play with the Nikon Zf at Grays of Westminster when they had a launch day. I thought it was amazing, but, as a hobbyist I just can't afford a bunch of Z lenses and my old AF-D lenses won't work properly on a Z camera. So I bought a grey market D780 to squeeze as much as possible out of my F mount lenses. If I wait a few years I can probably get a used Zf and then I'll have both for basically the same money.
The D780 is amazing and I love it.

[cryptobyt]

I choose nikon z system: because i also use fm2n fg and f5. I use z50 and plan on ugrade to z6-2 this year.

[allee]

Thank you for sharing your opinions. Do you think systems like Leica and Hasselblad worth the money?

[dje]

I'm graetfull that i found your channel

[DrZeeple]

Yes, which branded Sony sensor did you want sir?

[jaspercaelan]

I tried a few cameras from used camera retailers and the novelty soon wears off. I always ended up sending them back in the end because the image quality and usability gains were marginal and in some cases a step backwards. I probably won't consider upgrading unless they come out with something radically better or my system breaks.

[srv]

Hello Martin, I enjoy your YouTube channel, not fancy presentations but one of the very few channels that you can learn photography stuff that really matters, not driven by trends. I am thinking about purchasing a used (that means cheap..)full frame mirrorless camera for everyday use and above all I am interested in color rendition, mostly skintones, (and some decent AF performance..) what do you suggest ? one of the early Sony A7 series maybe ? thanks in advance