Mirror mirror on the wall — because it is no longer in my camera— who’s the fairest of them all?
2018, what a year for mirrorless cameras. Canon and Nikon, the twin pillars of photography have finally decided to get serious about mirrorless, both announcing full-frame cameras within weeks of each other. Mirrorless stalwarts Sony, Fuji and Panasonic also released new and improved models.
If you want detailed technical specs and information, this isn’t the place for you. I’m sure DP review or something has that info. I don’t know which one will take the best pictures, and honestly I don’t care, at the end of the day the photographer is what matters and I will take trash photos no matter what.
This write up is for the stylish and aesthetics concerned. A person who values beauty and looking cool. Looking cool is very important.
We’ll evaluate the latest big mirrorless entries from Nikon, Cannon, Panasonic, Fujifilm, and Sony — sorry Olympus but you’re not relevant — and rank them starting at the bottom (just like Drake)
5. Canon EOS R
Canon EOS R
Price: about $3000 CAD for just the body, $4400 with a lens
Look, I’m happy that Canon is making this, the big two have been really half hearted in their mirrorless efforts. Canon put out a well reviewed mirrorless joint last year — the EOS M5 — it feature an APS-C censor and somehow better design than the EOS R.
What will you look like carrying this? The good news is that you will look like a photographer, you might even look like a pro. The EOS R’s giant big boy body will look at home anywhere you’ll find big ugly DSLRs. This is not a camera for the aesthetically minded. Too many curves, not enough angles. I guess it’s good for people that like to pretend their hands are too big for other camera’s grips. Sure dude, your hands are SOOOOOO big.
4. Panasonic Lumix GH5
Lumix GH5
Price: Something like $1700 for just the body
I’m sure this is a very good camera. I think Casey Neistat uses these, and you kids like Casey Neistat right? Apparently very good at video, I dunno about pictures, I bet there’s a website or something that will tell you more about that. This aint that.
So yeah, you’re gonna look like a vlogger if you have one of these, not that there’s anything wrong with that.
JK it’s a very uncool profession, and I know that size isn’t everything, and in fact I like a smaller camera, but just look at how puny that sensor is. You won’t look cool walking around with this lil round brick.
3. Nikon Z6/7
Nikon Z7
Price: Something like $2600 for the Z6, and $4400 for the Z7, and why wouldn’t you get the more expensive one?
Is this going to be a better camera than the Canon? Don’t care.
It’s a better looking camera though.
Nikon’s first mirrorless camera since the Nikon 1 J5, which was a nice little camera, but one that suffered from having to live up to the gimmick sized sensor that Nikon slapped in it. You see they called the line Nikon 1 because they had a little one inch sensor in them, which is sub-optimal. Yeah.
If I have a complaint is the little prism on top that houses the electronic view finder is too narrow and looks out of proportion with the rest of the body. The lil display on the top is kinda cool, I dunno.
2. Fuji X-T3
Fuji X-T3
Price: Like, around $2000 CAD for the body
If you’re thinking “why the X-T3 and not the GFX 50S?” then obviously you are not ready for this lifestyle. The goal is appearances and nothing else.
Most of these cameras come in a very sober all black colourway, Fuji mixes it up and offers a grey model which looks tight as hell.
Fuji’s whole lineup is blessed with a lot of lookers, especially the X series, which includes the X-T100 which comes in a very jazzy gold. But that’s a bit too jazzy. If you walk around with a gold camera nobody will take you seriously as a person of style.
Sony A7 III
Sony A7 III
Price: $2600ish CAD
Am I biased because I have an A7? Yes.
But also, this is a beautiful camera. Sony was first to market with a full-frame mirrorless camera, and they got the design pretty much down on the first go. The proportions are right, and little details like the orange/red ring around the mount make Sony the champ.
I am a very vain and self-conscious man, so I wouldn’t own a camera unless I was very sure I would look good with it.
Like Fuji, Sony is employing a very timeless design to their camera. No bulbous forms like the Canon or Lumix that could make it look like a cheap toy and not what it is: an expensive toy.
OK, but actually
No matter what you get it is an expensive purchase, so buy something that is right for you, suits your needs and fits in your budget. Do your research, but probably don’t do it here.
If you want to save some money, look to buy last years model. You maybe don’t need an A7III, an A7 or A7II will do just fine unless you’re a pro, and honestly, nobody will know the difference, or care.