LENSES - Mirrorless VS DSLR - Is there any difference?

In theory, one big advantage of a mirrorless system is by reducing the distance between the sensor and the mount, lenses can be made smaller .... is this really the case though?

[Nayson]

The invisible man nicked one of your lenses on the top shelf at 3:25

[michellemccartney]

I'm renting the Panasonic G9. Awesome camera, and I've been amazed at the small, compact size of the lenses. The Panasonic Leica 12-60mm f/2.8-4 is wonderful.

It weighs just 11.29 ounces (320 grams) and is weather proof but still manages to be light weight and compact (at least to what I am used to–maybe in the M43 world of lenses that is big and large.)

My old Nikon 85mm f/1.8G weighs more than this zoom and it has no image stabilization like the 12-60 does.

So yes, I do believe that smaller, lighter lenses tend to be the norm within the overall umbrella of the mirrorless category. Obviously not in terms of Sony's FF G-Master lenses, but look at Fuji, Olympus, Panasonic, Sigma's mirrorless ASP-C and MF3 lenses.

Most are smaller, lighter and, dare I say, sharper than their DSLR FF and ASP-C lens equivelents.

[alanlin]

Oh my goodness thank you so much!!! Finally someone who does the comparison between DSLR lens and mirrorless lens with same specs!!! :)

You are right Dave about performance vs price.But there are always a trade off between those two parameters.

[DavidKreuzinger]

Perfect description for quality vs. size/weight ... I use the 6300 with smaller/lighter glass and the A7III with optical „perfect“ lenses (Zeiss 35/1.4, Zeiss 55/1.8 and Sony 85/1.4 G-Master) ... so I have a light travel set & a perfect quality set.

[chrisplunkett]

The biggest difference I see is that mirrorless lenses are anything up to twice the price of DSLR lenses that are made on the same production line as far as I'm aware?

[johnsg]

Good video but I think you forgot about IBIS. When making a lens, you need to consider sensor size for image circle projection. But what if the lens moves? You need to have a larger circle of light to ensure that you don't have vignetting on the sensor. One reason the G master lenses are larger is to account for this projection area difference.

[toxictabasco]

Great information on lens design. I guess, if the public knows the limitations of the DSLR's mirror box, they will see the reasons why the DSLR has peaked in what it is capable of, and how mirrorless has less limitations on camera design, and lens design.

[frankcastle]

Excellent, common sense, explanation with great detail! Very enlightening! Thans for sharing your knowledge

[EmoEmu]

For tele lenses, Sony has chosen to keep the empty barrel space to allow for the use of their extenders. Due to the design, they go into the barrel of the lens and the camera body and would collide with the back element of the lens, if they didn't keep some empty space.

[hadjsumagang]

Man I love the content of your videos. Keep it up!

[theapertureman]

another reason that Leowa can be made smaller is that it is manual focus only, just look at the Zeiss Loxia range. I dont think the Leowa lenses have any way of transmitting Exif data either like the aperture. All these electronics take up space

[RickMentore]

Nice talk! Wouldn't it be great if all manufactures would develop a universal mount, well two mount, one for mirrorless and the other for DSLR. I would love to see a post about how manufacturers price their lenses. In other words what material and manufacturing processing drives lens prices?

[matthewtsang]

What a great piece of work! And you're just so thorough and 100% well done! I just have to subscribe to this channel to support you! Keep up if the good work, Dave!!!

[gwilliams]

Thanks for a very fair and honest look at this. Cheers

[MichaelLaing]

I love big heavy DSLR lenses, right up until I have to use them and then I want to carry around small light lenses. Debating what lens I want to use tomorrow. My brain says, Nikkor 105mm f.1.4 with my D800 but my body is saying 90mm f/2 with X-H1. Will probably split, with the 105mm in the studio and the 90mm in the woods.

[samscement]

Spot on, you hit the nail perfectly !

[AKRON-Productions]

But some people don't care about size - I have a 7D with a Battery grip and I really like big lenses on the camera - and also a big camera. I would go to mirrorless solely cause of the size.

[taygorokudo]

how about mirror on DSLR can protect your sensor.

I always consider if I'll have to face dust/sand when choosing one of my cameras for travel.

changing lenses on rough envirolment is quite challenging.

[davidmarquez]

How about the mount diameter? Canon and Nikon new mounts are 54 and 55mm respectively. Sony diameter is only 46mm and barely fits the full frame sensor. Canon and Nikon are both bragging about that diameter as if it makes a significant difference towards better lens design. Is it true and could someone please explain why?