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Buyer’s Guide 2015: The Best Mirrorless

II. SERIOUS-LEVEL MIRRORLESS

Whenever you develop a desire to learn more about photography, you are ready to step up to a mirrorless that gives you more control over your camera. Aperture-Priority mode allows you to choose an aperture (and hence control depth of field) and let the camera automatically set the other settings; Shutter-Priority mode allows you to set the shutter speed (and hence freeze motion or blur it) and let the camera automatically set the other settings; and, Full Manual Mode hands over total control of the camera to you, when you are ready.


FUJIFILM X-T10

The Fujifilm X-T10 features the tactile direct control dials (shutter speed dial and aperture ring) that make using this camera such a pleasure, especially for those who grew up using film SLRs. Other selling points include the huge, very high (2.36-million-dot) resolution and extremely fast refresh (“real-time”) OLED EVF, a large 920k-dot resolution tilt LCD, its unique Digital Split Image function to assist manual focusing and an electronic shutter that can freeze action at 1/32,000 sec. You can record Full HD 1920 x 1080 movies with stereo sound.

Fujifilm X-T10

Fujifilm X-T10

Built-in Wi-Fi allows you to post images to social sites. The free Camera Remote app lets you remotely control the camera with your smartphone or tablet. Shooting modes include AUTO and PASM modes. Film Simulation and Art Filters allow for creative shooting. A small pop-up flash is cleverly built-in.

Read our review of the Fujifilm X-T10

Full specifications: Manufacturer’s site

Buy from B&H:
Fujifilm X-T10 Mirrorless Digital Camera (Silver, Body Only)
Fujifilm X-T10 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver)
Fujifilm X-T10 Mirrorless Digital Camera (Black, Body Only)
Fujifilm X-T10 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Black)


OLYMPUS OM-D E-M10 MARK II

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II is styled to resemble the classic OM-1 film SLR complete with the large Power Switch on top. It features a large high resolution 2.36M-dot OLED EVF, a large 3.0-in. high resolution (1.04-million-dot) Touch Tilt LCD and 5-axis in-body image stabilization to help reduce or eliminate blurred images due to hand shake. The Micro Four Thirds (M43) lens mount means that it can accept any lenses designed for that mount, e.g., M43 lenses designed for Panasonic mirrorless cameras. You can record Full HD 1920 x 1080 movies with stereo sound.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II

Built-in Wi-Fi allows you to post images to social sites and the free OI.SHARE app lets you remotely control the camera with your smartphone or tablet. Shooting modes include AUTO, Scene Modes, and PASM modes. Art Filters and 4K time-lapse allow for creative shooting. A small pop-up flash is built-in.

Full specifications: Manufacturer’s site

Buy from B&H:
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera (Body Only, Silver)
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera with 14-42mm Lens (Silver)
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera (Body Only, Black)
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera with 14-42mm Lens (Black)


PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-GM5

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 features a Micro Four Thirds (M43) lens mount which means that it can accept any lenses designed for that mount, e.g., M43 lenses designed for Olympus mirrorless cameras. It has a high resolution (1.116-million-dot) EVF and a large 3.0-in. 921k-dot Touch LCD. Though there is no built-in image stabilization, many Panasonic lenses include optical image stabilization to help reduce or eliminate blurred images due to hand shake. You can shoot Full HD video with stereo sound.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5

Built-in Wi-Fi allows you to post images to social sites and the free Panasonic Image app lets you remotely control the camera with your smartphone or tablet. Shooting modes include AUTO, Scene Modes, and PASM modes. Art Filters, time-lapse and stop-motion animation allow for creative shooting. An electronic shutter lets you shoot unobstrusively in total silence. A small external flash is included.

Read our review of the Panasonic GM5

Full specifications: Manufacturer’s site

Buy from B&H:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera with 12-32mm Lens (Red)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera with 12-32mm Lens (Black)

INTRODUCTION
I. ENTRY-LEVEL MIRRORLESS
II. SERIOUS-LEVEL MIRRORLESS
III. ENTHUSIAST-LEVEL MIRRORLESS
IV. PRO-LEVEL MIRRORLESS