Most of you are familiar with the digital camera. Many people own this today and even kids know how to operate it. But surely, not many are knowledgeable about the mirrorless camera. Perhaps, some of you came to know about this only now.
So what really is a mirrorless camera? What is its difference from the standard digital camera?
Known as the compact system camera, this photographic gear was pioneered by Olympus and Panasonic. A look-alike of a mini DSLR, this features a micro four thirds system.
Being smaller in size compared to the standard DSLR, the mirrorless camera is easy to carry around and allows users to snap on their images without scaring them away particularly photographers who are into wildlife photography. The small size also means smaller lenses which translates to lighter baggage for the photography hobbyists when traveling and shooting outdoors.
Literally, a mirrorless camera is a digital single lens reflex or DSLR camera without its mirror box. This box is usually situated behind the lens and angles a mirror to allow users to get a view from a top-mounted eyepiece. With a DSLR unit, the shutter button normally causes a mirror to snap up thereby allowing light to hit the sensor located behind it.
This type of camera was introduced in 2008 and since then, it has gained much attention particularly from the photo enthusiasts. Olympus was the first to create this unit through its PEN E-P1 in the late part of 2008. Other camera manufacturers followed suit and made their own designs.
As of late, Olympus has already released its PEN E-PL2. For this model, the company teamed up with Panasonic to create the micro four-thirds sensor system of mirrorless cameras.
Sony has also come up with its Alpha NEX-7. This 24.3 megapixel camera costs as much as a DSLR and offers the highest resolution of a mirrorless model. It boasts of an magnesium alloy body, a three-inch LCD and a unique tri-navi control interface.
Canon could not be left behind as it is now in the process of creating its own mirrorless camera. No detailed information has been released but a patent application on a Japanese website Egami is said to provide an outline of Canon's non-reflex camera.
Other camera manufacturers that have joined the bandwagon are Samsung with its NX, Pentax with its Q and Nikon with its 1 system. Fujifilm is also being reported to release its own version this 2012.
Around the world today, sales of mirrorless cameras have gone up. Japan accounts for nearly half of these sales at 42 percent. The 2011 report from the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) showed that Japan leads in the use of the so-called non-reflex cameras. In fact, majority of camera sales from October to December 2011 were that of the mirrorless type.
The U.S., however, has not yet fully embraced this camera as shown in the 13 percent sales in the early part of 2011. Surprisingly, the trend improved towards the end of the year as sales rose to 22.1 percent.
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