p.4 #1 · The Best Mirrorless Cameras According to 30 Experts
najibs wrote:
I like how "expert" Ken Rockwell rated the iPhone 6 the 3d best mirrorless camera *shakes head*
He obviously didn't even hear about Nokia 1020 yet. iPhone 6 users keep asking me if I used my DSLR when I show them some of my photos taken by 1020.
p.4 #2 · The Best Mirrorless Cameras According to 30 Experts
Jordan, don't take much offense at what people are saying. I think the list smacks of preference and not "the best". It's really hard to pick the best 3 right now because every camera out there is pretty good, but each one have one or two particular strengths and loads of weaknesses. It's not like DSLRs where Canon and Nikon are so good and comparable. For mirrorless, the "top" list has more caveats and the original poller did not seem to understand that.
Top for video?
Top for IQ?
Top for lenses?
Top for resolution?
Top for weight?
Top for handling?
The fact that so many makers can survive in this market indicates there is a great deal of specialization in the mirrorless market and each model appeals to different people. I think everyone knows this deep down, yet this list tries to pick the top 3 overall. Since there is so much specialization, there are more camps in this debate and more opportunity for annoyance at this list. Coke or Pepsi? Ford or Chevy? etc.
The fact that the X-T1 is so overhyped by a very small vocal minority smacks of preference, and likely attributable to the retro styling. The camera is neither top 3 in any category other than lens selection and retro styling. This tells me this list should be renamed "camera reviewer's top 3 FAVORITE cameras".
p.4 #3 · The Best Mirrorless Cameras According to 30 Experts
I have no problem with picking apart the choices. Go wild. I had a problem with the fell swoop generalizations that were being thrown around about the people themselves.
The X-T1 is tops in my opinion in several things. It has the best EVF and the best controls. (I picked the A7II as my best though).
It's also got competitive image quality a great build, and outstanding lens selection, outstanding JPEG output, excellent WiFi implementation and in camera RAW conversion, etc. a lot of these things it does better than the competition. Some of them it doesn't.
But of course a lot is preference. I just don't see how that makes it bad. Today's cameras are all excellent. While some certainly have better image quality and faster AF than others, almost anything today can be used to create great images. One of the things that has come out of using so many different cameras is that the ones that rise to the top are full featured AND get out of the way and handle better. It's one of the big reasons I prefer the A7II so much more than the original A7. The IBIS is great, but the improved ergonomics are far more important to me. But a list like this will be a lot of opinion....there's no real objective way to evaluate 'best' in a full camera. The fact that the X-T1 was on so many people's list (well over half named it) is because it's a really good camera that ticks a lot of boxes for a lot of people.
p.4 #4 · The Best Mirrorless Cameras According to 30 Experts
najibs wrote:
I like how "expert" Ken Rockwell rated the iPhone 6 the 3d best mirrorless camera *shakes head*
well thats the thing, it goes back to the vagueness of the question and the definition of "best".
I'd argue that an iphone is in fact the best mirrorless camera, because most people will end up taking more photos with an iphone than they would with a dedicated camera. And in terms of end result, nothing beats practice, volume and availability of a camera when photos decide to happen. Which makes the iphone the best mirrorless camera, because it is the camera that has addressed better than anyone else the key requirements of size, ease of use and availability, even if it is technically the worst camera for you, me and the average photography forum member.
p.4 #5 · The Best Mirrorless Cameras According to 30 Experts
Jman13 wrote:
It takes a lot of work to review equipment well.
Nobody is saying anything against the effort it takes to make a good review. The point being made above is that reviews are heavily biased due to outside influences. People are flown off to wonderful locations and then return home to crank out gushing reviews. Not even remotely objective. Others clearly are gushing about cameras from companies that are paying them, sort of like a walking commercial.
No one here, including myself, are saying that you are one of these bloggers/experts/fan boys. You or anyone else with integrity are instantly recognizable and rise to the top. Fan boys are easily, easily spotted.
p.4 #6 · The Best Mirrorless Cameras According to 30 Experts
I agree that it's hard to remain objective when you're flown out somewhere, but it can be done. There were some pointed remarks earlier about doing 'real work'. Anyway, we've beaten this horse.
p.4 #7 · The Best Mirrorless Cameras According to 30 Experts
First of all, it is nice to have some reviews, that we all read before even our local store gets first sample of the product we are waiting for. But, we need to understand that reviews could be influenced by so many factors like, reviewer's preferred gear, style, commercial forces and so on. That's why we take them all with some reserve, until we touch the gear and figure out what fits best for us.
Do these reviews help...certainly yes, I do appreciate the work these guys put in, and they don't need to be the best photographers, as some here expecting them to be. To be a good photographer and a good reviewer, are different skill sets, at least how I get it. You may have both in one person, but not necessary.
During the time, I learned what points I really need to pay attention to from each of the reviewers I usually read. They all have some strengths and weaknesses.
Mar 23, 2015 at 06:31 AM
savingspaces Offline • • • • [X]
p.4 #8 · The Best Mirrorless Cameras According to 30 Experts
Jman13 wrote:
I agree that it's hard to remain objective when you're flown out somewhere, but it can be done. There were some pointed remarks earlier about doing 'real work'. Anyway, we've beaten this horse.
I think it is impossible to remain objective doing reviews the way they are done. Just as it is for the reader.
Best thing to do is to go to the store and handle the camera yourself. After all the same camera will produce very different results for different individuals.
As one (positive) article recently said, that today, every camera is excellent. We are the weak link, not the machines.
PS: What I have noticed is that "gearheads" don't really post pictures. When they do, those pictures are not that great. They are clearly the weak link. Just saying.
p.4 #9 · The Best Mirrorless Cameras According to 30 Experts
It's entirely OK for people to be in the game for whatever reason, and the world benefits from the diversity. The folks included here cover a lot of ground, with very different takes on photography.
So you have a set of data points, essentially. Readers could always do with more disclosure, and here I must say KR does well, he actually tells you what he likes and why. I feel reviewers could do more of that, such as: 'I much prefer small cameras with EVFs...', 'most users will love the new XYZ because...', 'this ABC works much better than its competitors because...'.
Less gushing with concealed background prejudices, and more explanation and bias disclosure, more 'this camera works best for people who place a premium on finely made dials..' and ' the kind of user who will enjoy this camera are..'. Fact-based and image-based reviews work best, the guy I like is the 3D Kraft character, here is an example:
Don't even know his name, and there is a message in that too.
Overall there is too much personality in reviews such as the set linked to, not much you can do about that, it's core to the business model of being a 'name'. All involved sure need a thick skin, lol. The shortcomings in reviews are why forums exist and are avidly read, despite the occasional argy bargy.
