Mirrorless cameras are only ‘better’ if you load the argument in favor of what they can do well and ignore the things they can’t.
Opinion
This is where I offer thoughts on developments in photography and video, some of the context behind news stories and industry events, and how these might impact photographers.
I finally traded in my Olympus MFT… for a bigger one
Yes, the 12-40mm was a bit big on the E-M5 body, but I would get used to that. I thought. Well I didn’t. So I got the screw-on grip for the E-M5 III which made it better to hold with bigger lenses. It helped, but then it felt like a small camera made artificially big.
Does anyone mind if I ask a question about the Panasonic Lumix S5 II?
Yes it looks marvellous. Yes, everything is better. Yes, it does everything we wished the original Lumix S5 did, notably phase-detect autofocus. But how come it can still only record 4K 60p in a Super35 crop? Why are we still putting up with this in 2023 in an apparently semi-pro video camera?
It’s like the Fujifilm X100V is a cult camera now, so why did I sell mine?
I bought the X100V as a ‘street’ camera and then found it wasn’t especially good at it – or at least in the way I like to shoot.
The whole camera news cycle is broken: here’s why
Once upon a time (as all the best folk tales begin), camera launches were simple. A maker announced a camera, the secret was out, you could buy it straight away – or at least order it. Now, after years of reporting on camera launches and reviewing cameras, I do think that the whole camera product cycle has slowly but inexorably descended into chaos.
I’m waiting to review the Canon EOS R6 II, but why am I not more excited?
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is an interesting camera for a number of reasons, but it’s not really lighting my fuse. I’m waiting for a loan sample from Canon, I’ve been told it’s not far off and for the sake of politeness I’m keen to see it. But I’m not too worked up.
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | C now comes in Fujifilm X-mount
The Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary is already available in a Sony E-mount version, where it makes a portable and affordable constant aperture standard zoom for Sony’s APS-C cameras. Well now Sigma has launched an X-mount version of this lens, which could be a great option for Fujifilm owners who want to step up to a constant aperture f/2.8 pro-spec lens without the weight and expense of the Fujifilm XF16-55mm.
Pentax KF is launched… but why?
Pentax has a launched yet another 24MP APS-C DSLR. Normally I’d be celebrating a new DSLR, but with Pentax it’s a different story. For years now, it’s been recyling the same basic 24MP sensor in countless different guises, and even as Pentax fan I have to admit my remaining interest in this brand is waning.
The Zhiyun Smooth 5S smartphone gimbal has a really basic problem
My problem with the Smooth 5S is simple. To balance the phone, you push the phone’s right edge right up against the tilt motor – and this blocks the phone’s mic input. WTF?
Why is Fujifilm torturing us? Do I want the X-H2 or the X-T5? It’s impossible!
Obviously it’s not impossible, but it is quite a difficult choice. Both cameras have Fujifilm’s new 40MP sensor, both cameras have similar technologies and both cameras even cost a similar amount of money.