Types of Interchangeable Lens Camera

Okay... this is a continuation of my previous notes on What DSLR Camera should I get?

Since I am at it... might as well come up with some terms that newcomers might came across people speaking of and find a bit confused.

Mirrorless and DSLT - this two type of cameras are also being classified under EVIL (Electronic Viewfinder with Interchangeable Lens) category. They are a new format of camera that defer from the traditional interchangeable camera such as the DSLR. The mirrorless camera was without a mirror (obviously) and light from the lens fall directly on the sensor.

The autofocus system used by the mirrorless camera are solely contrast base autofocus system while DSLR normally used phase detect autofocus system. Contrast base AF is normally slower as compared to Phase Detect AF (I will talk about the science later on).

And thus the mirrorless option is usually slower in AF speed when compared to the DSLR option. However recent breakthrough by both Olympus and Panasonic had boasted their AF speed to be the same or faster than traditional DSLR. However the lack of scientific datas had make this claim insufficient.

DSLT (Digital Single Lens Translucent) device is an innovation patented by Sony and so Sony is the only company that make use of this technology on their camera. Anyway, the science behind it is pretty simple. The camera had a mirror... it was stationary in the sense that it don't flip up and down when taking a photo. Light passes through the mirror (70%) and hit on the sensor, while another 30% of the light are channel up to aid in AF - hence it actually act like a normal DSLR and had phase detect AF. This make AF essentially pretty fast.

The only set back was that there are light loss (a good 30%) as compared to 100% of the light that will fall on the sensor of normal DSLR. Imagine taking pictures in bad ambience light... it was already dark... and with the lost of 30% of the light... it will become darker... and sometime with that type of darkness, your lens might not focus at all.

However if all these are fine... then it is actually pretty alright to get a DSLT.

Two years ago, Ricoh had stepped up the game (or making all of us abit more confused) with the introduction of the GXR. This system don't fall in any of the category - mirrorless, DSLT, medium format, rangefinder and DSLR. Instead of simply changing of lenses, this system enable the user to change the entire format in modulus system. Recently they came up with a M module which when attached to the GXR, would enable user to use all the juicy Leica lenses (M-mount lenses).

Major formats and their brands

Mirrorless: Olympus and Panasonic (m4/3 sensor), Nikon (1 series), Pentax (Pentax Q), Sony and Samsung (APS-C sensor)

DSLT: Sony

DSLR: Olympus (4/3 sensor), Canon (APS-C, APS-H, FF), Nikon (APS-C, FF), Sony (APS-C, FF), Pentax (APS-C), Sigma (foveon sensor)

Medium Format: Pentax, Hasabalt, Phase One, etc

Rangefinder: Leica (M series)

Special: Ricoh GXR (this is a special system that don't fall under any of the abovemention. It would be an interchangeable sensor module with lens system rather than a interchangeable lens system.

Alright above mentioned is the major formats that are most often used by hobbyists and professional. Of course there are other formats such as the large format camera which by now was a very niche product for a very very niche market... basically I am not seeing anyone using it here in Singapore.

Latest development to date:

To date, there are not really that much new stuff coming out which was actually a very innovative idea...

Canon - introduction of a new camera - 1DX... it was essentially a beefed up version of 1DsMKIII... although exciting, it was based on age old bayer sensor technology.

Nikon - well it was pretty exciting when they finally introduced and stepped into the mirrorless format camera with 2 models - V1 and J1. These cameras had smaller sensor as even compared to the m4/3. But so far, reviews had been positive.

Sony - I am not seeing Sony releasing any new DSLR in recent years. They seemed to have been focusing mainly on mirrorless and DSLT. Their mirrorless (NEX), if you ask me... is a joke. The design looked so unbalance and the selection of lenses are incredibly low. Although many would have argued that you would not need hundreds of lenses, but I would want to have a range where I can select comfortably. Their DSLT are formiddable though... coupled with Carl Zeiss lenses, they are pretty nifty.

Panasonic - A newcomer into the interchangeable lens market (although they are here for a couple of years already). They main interchangeable lens system are the m4/3 mirrorless system. Pretty nifty and they have the option of using m4/3 mount lenses made by Leica.

Olympus - well... many people thought that Olympus had stepped out of the DSLR market and focus on the m4/3 mirrorless market. And they are only half right though. Although it had been a couple of years since they introduce any new DSLR into the market (the last one being E-5), the chairman of Olympus said that they have not yet exit from the market. I am eagerly waiting for a successor for the E-5... and looking forward to seeing the zuiko lenses being make full used of.

Samsung - this is a newcomer... very very new. I have not play with any of their system before... but from the reviews... I am not eager to try.

Pentax - Pentax is sold to Ricoh... the last camera that it came out is the Pentax Q and the much raved K-5. Anyway, Pentax is a camera company with a rich history... but seriously... I am not too excited. The build quality of their entry level DSLR is a joke... it just don't feel right and sturdy... and that huge selection of colours can only appealed to the noobs. The medium format is the last camera from Pentax that actually rise my eyebrow.

Ricoh - the GXR system... a frankenstein system... the fit to no category system. I don't know what to make of it... it is hideous to behold but is quite alright in term of build quality and IQ. Not much to say here.

Sigma - well... this is essentially a lens making company with some exciting fix lens cameras... and recently releasing the second or third DSLR. What is interesting is that their DSLR sported a different type of sensor - foveon sensor rather than the usual Bayer sensor. And it was noted that the sensor is much better in term of sharpness and colour reproduction (I will touch on the science in later notes). The SD10 is thus a very exciting camera... but the price is a freaking eye pop... it cost as much as any FF camera with much much more functions and features... although I have said it before that it would not be good to look at features alone... but sometime features are still an important factors.

Finally I have completed this section. More will be coming soon. Stay tune.