Mirrorless Cameras and Their Challenges

Wolfgang Arnold 03.09.2020, 20:13 #1

What problems or drawbacks have you experienced with mirrorless cameras?

I own a Nikon Z6 camera. The image quality and handling of the device are excellent. However, lens changes need to be kept to a minimum because the sensor quickly attracts dust. I find myself cleaning it quite often.

Harald Schottner 27.10.2020, 14:00 #2

Among other cameras, I have a Canon EOS R. I can use all my Canon L lenses with it since my main system is actually the 5 series. What annoys me about the mirrorless R is the electronic viewfinder—it's no comparison to a DSLR. Then there's the screen, which I mostly don’t use. It’s basically unusable in bright sunlight and very sensitive, so it’s easy to accidentally change settings you didn’t intend to. I also find the image quality isn’t as clean as, for example, with the 5D IV.

So for me, there’s no reason to switch to the EOS 5 R.

Andreas Palmen 27.10.2020, 22:34 #3

What bothers me about the R5 is the steep price and the 8K technology. The camera gets too hot and shuts down to cool off. Since I have the 5Ds and am still more than satisfied with the image quality, I’ll keep using it until the bitter end. On the plus side, the R5 is more compact, the autofocus has to be excellent, it has image stabilization, and a vari-angle display. Those are definitely points in its favor. But for now, I’ll wait and see.

Wolfgang Petersen 21.01.2021, 17:41 #4

Hi there, I’ve been using a Nikon Z50 for a year now. Problems or drawbacks? Not really. What surprises me more is the clicking sound when waking it up from sleep mode. Also, switching from viewing a photo in the viewfinder and/or on the display back to normal shooting mode feels a bit slow—definitely not as lightning-fast as I expected. But these aren’t major issues. The big plus is the excellent viewfinder—bright and very clear. You can turn off the touchscreen controls on the display, or enable the automatic switch from display to viewfinder, which prevents accidental touches on the screen.
Overall, I’m quite happy with it.

Eckbert Waldleben 22.04.2021, 12:00 #5

Hello everyone,
I use an Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II and am generally very happy with it. The only thing that bothers me is the display, since it can only be adjusted very limitedly.
I use the camera about 90% of the time for light painting.🙂

Georg Holz 29.04.2021, 09:01 #6

@Wolfgang Arnold You should only change the lens when the camera is turned off to protect the sensor!

Frank Weller 09.12.2021, 20:53 #7

I own an OM System E 10 Mark III and have been very happy with this mirrorless digital camera so far. A clear advantage of mirrorless cameras is that the image you see in the viewfinder or on the display is exactly how it will be recorded on the memory card.
Another benefit is that, without the mirror mechanism, the camera body is slimmer and often more compact.
The lenses, aside from some of the smaller prime lenses, are also somewhat smaller. This suits me well because I often take the camera out into nature, where every bit of weight matters.

A definite downside of mirrorless cameras compared to DSLRs is battery life. Since the display or electronic viewfinder is constantly on, the battery drains faster. So, having an extra battery is a must.

However, the smaller size of the camera body can be a drawback for photographers with larger hands, as the camera doesn’t fit as comfortably. Every silver lining has its cloud.

Personally, I find it frustrating that manufacturers are increasingly emphasizing video features in their cameras. But I guess that’s what the smartphone generation expects from a camera these days—if they even buy one at all.
This focus on video brings thermal issues that can’t be ignored.

Overall, I see mirrorless cameras as a solid solution. Let’s hope photography continues to thrive for a long time to come.
Smartphones are a formidable competitor.

Frank Weller 09.12.2021, 20:54 #8

@Georg Holz Why this one? The EOS R5 is a mirrorless camera. There’s no mirror in front of the sensor anymore.

Peter Meuter 26.12.2021, 16:37 #9

I have a Canon R6, Sony a1, and Sony a9 II, and I mostly use them outdoors in freezing cold, scorching heat for hours, or even in the rain. I've never had any issues with any of the cameras. The a9 II has over 100,000 shutter actuations, the a1 around 50,000, and the R6 about 30,000. The cameras are lightweight and compact, the images are sharp, and the autofocus is very fast. All of them are used without battery grips. The Canon battery drains relatively quickly, but the Sony batteries last for about 2,000–2,500 shots.

Frank Weller 26.12.2021, 17:50 #10

@Peter Meuter
Congratulations! That means the Sony battery lasts about 2-3 times longer than those from competitors Canon and Nikon.
They list the average battery life at around 800 shots. Maybe there’s some magic potion involved?

Peter Meuter 26.12.2021, 18:02 #11

@Frank Weller no magic potion here... the description actually lists the Sony battery with a much lower number of shots... But my experience has been different, for over 3 years now. Keep in mind, for example, a 3-hour soccer match or during marathon shooting sessions with series blocks.

Andreas Schäfer 27.12.2021, 13:57 #12

Apart from the less-than-ideal viewfinder (it works, and I’m more of a finder fan anyway) and the fact that the fantastic viewfinder resolution drops at higher refresh rates (which I rarely use), there’s not much to complain about with my A1. It’s compact, fast, has a great viewfinder, and excellent usability—I’ve never been this happy with a camera before (though I’ve been very, very satisfied with many others!).

The perfect camera has never existed for me. I always do thorough research before switching to something new, so I’m well aware of the “downsides.” I switched to mirrorless very early on (starting with the Sony Nex-6) and have always appreciated the more compact size and especially the ability to instantly evaluate the image through the viewfinder or display—a huge advantage over my old DSLRs. Like with any technical tool, you learn to handle it well, and then a few drawbacks don’t matter much (after all, it’s still the photographer who makes the image, although I do recognize that when it comes to speed and autofocus, I can now capture shots I couldn’t have before, that’s for sure).

Andreas Schäfer 27.12.2021, 14:01 #13

@Frank Weller With some Canon, Nikon, and now also Sony cameras, the shutter closes in front of the sensor when the camera is turned off (or, as with my Sony, you can set it up this way). This significantly reduces spots on the sensor!

Andreas Schäfer 27.12.2021, 14:06 #14

@Peter Meuter At 20 FPS, you can definitely shoot 2000 frames, but that's not really a typical way to take photos. Since the viewfinder and the display, along with other functions, continue to draw quite a bit of power even in standby mode, I usually can't get a full day of use unless I keep turning the camera off, even if I've only taken around 100-200 shots.

Frank Weller 27.12.2021, 16:07 #15

@Andreas Schäfer We were talking about the noise when the lens is removed, not about sensor contamination, right? Did I miss something?

Andreas Schäfer 27.12.2021, 16:39 #16

@Frank Weller I understood that the issue was about dust on the sensor when changing lenses. Since this forum is for mirrorless cameras, the mirror slap wouldn’t be our concern here😉

Norbert Potensky 20.09.2022, 11:47 #17

After 18 years of using Nikon Pro DSLRs, I’ve now made the Nikon Z9 (without a mechanical shutter curtain) my main camera. Maximum shots per battery charge: 7,500 (great for birds in flight!), with an average around 3,500. Changing lenses and powering off engage a reliable sensor protection. This effectively eliminates most of the issues discussed here!

Ralph Schwerdtfeger 25.09.2022, 13:51 #18

Wow, I rarely take this many photos—usually only when doing astrophotography, and then I might use a dummy battery and a USB power source. Otherwise, I see a lot of disadvantages when working with a DSLR. For example, using filters is easier, and I don’t need a lambda-quarter plate behind the polarizer. Plus, I can look through ND filters almost directly. I also really like the smaller, lighter, and more compact camera bodies. The best camera is the one I have with me, and the smaller it is, the more likely I am to bring it along. That’s why I chose Micro Four Thirds (MFT).

asterix o 02.10.2022, 08:16 #19

Ralph described it very well, and as Norbert pointed out, the core technical issues with mirrorless cameras have now been resolved. With all these advantages, the only remaining consideration is the financial aspect of making the switch. My personal conclusion is that it’s about time to start thinking seriously about how to finance the transition.

Norbert Potensky 06.10.2022, 21:14 #20

@Alfred Rosner Before making the costly switch, I recommend carefully checking the features of the camera you're considering. Handling should also be taken into account. Mirrorless cameras are often designed to be extra lightweight, and their relatively small bodies can be awkward to use with large telephoto lenses. Another important factor is whether you can continue using your expensive memory cards. Fast mirrorless cameras capable of up to 120 fps are useless if your memory card is a "slowpoke"!

asterix o 06.10.2022, 21:39 #21

@Norbert Potensky thanks, but before I get involved, I’d like to make sure I’m drawing on your experience! The tip about the small cases is really important—my hands might not fit those very well…

Ulf Simon 06.10.2023, 10:15 #22

When I switched from an analog SLR to digital, I initially chose an SLR—partly so I could keep using my lenses (Minolta, then Sony A-Mount, which works pretty well with the older MD lenses). My full-frame rig (A99-II) is still in use and remains top-notch in terms of quality. As my fitness declined for trekking and mountain tours, I started looking for lighter gear and ended up with an Olympus MFT. At first, I was surprised by the excellent quality despite the smaller sensor. They also offer some great features, especially useful for macro photography: automatic bracketing and very fast continuous shooting. Durability isn’t an issue, though you do have to be a bit careful changing lenses in a sandstorm😉 Overall, I’m completely satisfied and don’t miss the mirror at all.

Andreas F 06.10.2023, 13:15 #23

Hello Ulf,

I also have an Olympus MFT. My old Canon FD lenses fit perfectly on it. That way, a 2.8/300 quickly turns into a 2.8/600. The image quality is really impressive. I also have a 1100mm Russian lens that fits the MFT as well, though I haven’t had a chance to try it out yet.
Usually, when I want to shoot digitally—like for digitizing—I use my Canon EOS 5II with a macro lens.
But what I really enjoy is shooting with my Zenza Bronica. The 6x4.5 format mirror is generously sized and has a really cool analog shutter sound—something no digital camera can replicate.
Yes, with digital technology, the mirror has become obsolete. It’s quite a complex component, especially when it comes to calibration, which is no longer necessary. It’s like the transition from VCRs to DVDs back in the day.

Uwe Naumann 05.11.2023, 17:17 #24

I've been shooting completely mirrorless for about three years now and honestly, I have very few complaints. The R6 outperformed the 5D4 in so many ways that I never picked up the 5D4 again. At this point, I can't even imagine going back to an SLR.
Turning off the camera to change lenses is a bit annoying, but adding an extra button just to close the shutter doesn’t really make much sense either. When I need to be quick, I often forget to turn it off. That said, I haven’t had any real dust issues so far. I usually hold the camera with the mount facing downward anyway, partly because I often shoot outdoors in bad weather, and rain isn’t exactly kind to the shutter either...

Eric Dittmann 26.02.2026, 21:14 #25

In 2023, I bought a Canon EOS R, which I upgraded to an EOS R5 at the beginning of 2024. At the same time, I continued using a DSLR for a while. The mirrorless camera really only offers advantages.
If I had to mention one downside, it would be that there are still no "specialty lenses," like tilt/shift lenses, available for Canon’s R system. You still need to use an adapter for those. However, that’s also a strength of the system—these lenses, some dating back to 1991, work perfectly on the mirrorless camera.

Erich Kremer 26.02.2026, 22:45 #26

I was also considering switching from a DSLR to the "R" system. Not so much because of the electronic viewfinder, but more because I could adapt my Minolta Rokkore lenses without any loss. However, I ended up getting a Fujifilm GFX 50S, mainly because of the classic shutter speed dial. I'm old school like that—when shooting in low light, I want to be able to adjust everything manually, and without any fiddling. With the GFX 50S and the XT-1, that’s exactly how it works.

Eric Dittmann 27.02.2026, 08:38 #27

To mention one more downside: mirrorless cameras naturally consume more power. But the days of constantly dead batteries are over. Today's batteries are adequately sized. I was initially skeptical because back in 2003, I had a Minolta Dimage with an electronic viewfinder. That thing was always dead. We affectionately called it the "nuclear power plant" since the batteries had to be swapped out every time it was needed.
Of course, changing the battery in an R camera isn’t comparable to doing so in a 5D or 6D. It feels like a 6D almost never needs a battery swap compared to an R5. But the battery life on an R5 is perfectly acceptable. Still, having a spare battery is recommended.

Best, Didi

Ulf Simon 27.02.2026, 10:55 #28

@Eric Dittmann: The battery issue is definitely a thing of the past. For my nine-day desert trip, I packed five fully charged batteries just to be safe. Despite heavy use of the zoom and even "misusing" the camera’s telephoto zoom as a telescope, half of them were enough. (OM System OM-1)

Erich Kremer 27.02.2026, 15:34 #29

The power consumption of the Fujifilm GFX 50S is indeed quite high by comparison.

Jörg Hartmann 03.08.2026, 14:46 #30

I have been photographing with the Nikon Z series since 2018. I am now on the third generation of the Z6. The first one had a very slow autofocus, which is no longer the case with the latest generation.

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