I'm looking to buy a new camera. I've looked at What do I need to consider to choose between dSLR, mirrorless, or a compact as my first "serious" camera? and decided that mirrorless is right for me. But what next?
What should I be looking for when shopping for a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (and what should I not be concerned with)?
A mirrorless is a system camera and you must therefore carefully consider the system. There 2 major differenciators between systems:
While mirrorless cameras enjoy a wide number of adapters to use lenses for other mounts, most of them come with some serious limitations. Sony, Canon and Olympus/Panasonic have preferential compatibility with their own DSLR lenses, meaing that you can use an A-mount lens on an E-mount camera or an EF-S one on a EF-M camera with better integration.
Weight is a huge motivation factor for getting a mirrorless system. Of course, the larger sensor and correspondingly larger lenses needed for better quality have to be balanced out with the desire for a lighter system. Still, if you look at the specifics, the relation is not entirely proportional. There is less difference between equivalent MFT or E lenses than one would expect.
Then you should consider camera specific features. Most mirrorless cameras do offer full manual controls, custom WB, bracketing, metering, etc but coverage of advanced features differs:
Look for particular features which interest you and pay attention to details. Long exposures of 30s are supported by pretty much all but if you want to do longer ones, then you have to read the specification carefully. Some have Bulb modes which stop after 2m while others last an hour which gives you nice star trails. You can approximate this by exposure stacking but it requires more work. A special nod is deserved here to Olympus which implements Live-Bulb so that one can see an exposure form during BULB. No one else has this and is extremely useful for things like fireworks where it is difficult to predict the time needed.
Usual Basics
Just as with dSLRs, you will want to consider the following "main" features of a camera system in addition to any gee-whiz features you find sexy:
See also: How do lens lineups vary across Mirrorless camera systems?
No "Missing" Features
If you come from a dSLR system, particularly if you're a prosumer user, you will also want to make sure that features you're used to having and consider vital to your usage patterns, exist in the mirrorless platform you're looking at. A few possible gotchas, depending on the model/system, can include:
Some of these features you may be willing to trade off for the smaller system or for a lower cost model. Some you may not. Make a list.
See also: Mirrorless camera vs. mid-range DSLR — how to decide?
Body Type
Another criteria that you don't have in the dSLR world is the body type of the camera. There are a few different types in the mirrorless world, that roughly boil down to:
The handling of each of these types of cameras is distinctly different from the others, and this is where your personal preferences are most likely to come into play. Do you prefer not smashing your nose into the back of your camera? Are you a left-eyed shooter? How much does a deep grip make a difference to you? Are you using long lenses? How small a camera system do you want? Did you want to pocket your camera?
Viewfinder
The viewfinder (if there is one) is another consideration. Does the eye relief work with glasses? Is it an electronic viewfinder or an optical/hybrid one? How accurate is the framing? How good is the refresh rate? How accurate the colors? Does it tilt?
TL;DR My general overglib and oversimplified advice is go micro four-thirds, if your main concern is smaller gear and a larger array of glass. Go Fuji X if your main concerns are color and haptics, and you like the styling. Go Sony if your main concern is sensor performance or you have to have full frame.
Given the breadth of what's on offer, and how different these cameras can be, you may want to consider renting prior to buying to get a better idea of how these cameras handle for you.
You'd really have to give us a general idea about what sort of photography you wanna do.
I agree about the EVF, but if you were shooting in a studio tethered that might not be a big deal. OTOH if you are outside in the snow on a sunny day you are gonna need it.
Are you interested in video? that's a factor. Wifi? GPS? Many of the same considerations for features apply to mirrorless. Also lens selection, cost, etc.
What should I be looking for when shopping for a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (and what should I not be concerned with)?
This is really too broad and should be closed but since the community wants to leave it open, its the same as all the stuff to look for in a DSLR.
Some examples:
What should you not be concerned with?
Any inability to achieve great photos is not the fault of the camera. People have taken great photos with smart phones and toy cameras. Its only if you need something specific that you need to be concerned with that specific thing.
I'll start with a few comments and perhaps extend them.
I'm a lonnnnng term SLR/DSLR user but had a mirrorless with EVF when they weren't called that (Minolta 7Hi) and of late a Sony NEX5N.
You REALLY want an inbuilt viewfinder. I consider this a major requirement for serious photography. The rear LCD is not a good viewfinder replacement - it will be poor in very bright light and you need to hold the camera at your eye's focusing distance to view it. Ideally you do not want a clip on external viewfinder which is easily dislodged or broken.
Ideally you want an internal flash.
WiFi file transfer is a very good idea. NFC also useful but less so. Ability to be remote controlled over wifi is a useful bonus.
GPS is nice to have Not essential but can be useful.
A control system that suits you. Preferences vary but some are much easier to achieve standard operations with.
