This year at NAB show Sony has announced their new Sony a9 camera that will supposedly change the game of the industry and overshadow DSLR market. Starting from 2010 the mirrorless trend has been developing rapidly and last year the ratio of sales between DSLR and mirrorless was split 50/50. This time Sony attempts to push the boundaries even thurber and conquer sport photography market. Their new A9 will be able to shoot at 20fps with an incredibly accurate autofocus system. Even the top of the line Canon’s 1DX Mark II shoots at 16fps so the future of DSLR becomes questionable with Sony’s ceaseless advancement.
So why choose mirrorless?
First, let’s find out what mirrorless camera is. In every DSLR camera there is a mirror installed to bounce the light from the lens to a pentaprism and then to your viewfinder. If you switch your camera to a monitor mode, you basically turn the camera into mirrorless mode.
Removing the mirror entirely slims the camera down, reduces the weight, and affords camera manufacturers to improve things like shutter speed and autofocus due to the direct interaction between the lens and the sensor.
THE WEIGHT
The weight of the camera plays a crucial role in its application. For many traveling photographers having carrying the equipment around really does make a difference to have a camera weighing a few pounds more.
Currently mirrorless A9 beats its competitors offering both lesser size and weight. With the option of shooting amazing 4K quality video as well, this camera is a godsend for hiking, traveling, off-road photographers.
AUTOFOCUS
Autofocus technology that Sony implemented on their a7r camera called Eye Autofocus has already surpassed any any accomplishments of DSLR cameras.
Not only does Eye AF find the eye to establish focus, but it holds the eye as the camera and subject move and as you shoot at high frame rates. For wedding and portrait photographers, having the ability to lock onto an eye and hold it like this is a game-changer.
Some call Eye AF a hidden mode because it’s programmed as custom function rather than being permanently assigned to a particular button or switch. This flexibility is a great benefit as it enables you to set Eye AF to start only when you want it and you can set it up on a button that makes sense with how you like to shoot.
With the A9 model coming out Eye AF is now even more advanced and incredibly precise.
PIXEL SIZE
Pixel size is constantly increasing like your CPU power. Currently Sony holds the top position with 24.2 megapixels on a A9’s sensor. It results in sharper images, bigger formats. If you shoot for prints, the pixel size definitely matters.
THE PRICE
Last but not least, the price. While with Canon and Nikon you are buying not only a great quality camera, you are buying a legacy. And it will cost you top dollar. Sony brand new a9 will cost you a thousand to a couple less for the specifications that the legacy camera have. Saved money can be used for a great quality lens or another gear.
Going through all key points of why Sony soon will own the market raises the question about the future of DSLRs. Nikon and Canon are well established, do-it-the-old-way companies that are not catching up with today’s market demands. Right now, DSLR cameras provide a reliable equipments that has already proven to operate in all sorts of hectic extreme conditions and remains the choice of photographers for whom missing a crucial shot costs a fortune. With mirrorless cameras gaining more trust over the years, the very last advantage of DSLR market slowly vanishes.