Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Compact (MILC) cameras are the fastest-growing digital camera category. They rival compact cameras in size but in many cases have sensors the size of DSLRs and image quality to match. Others have smaller sensors, allowing them to go places, technically, no camera has ever gone before.
The idea behind MILCs is that if you remove the mirror housing from a DSLR, you can reduce the flangeback (the distance between the back of the lens and the sensor) and make the resulting interchangeable-lens cameras much smaller and lighter, without changing the sensor size. These small wonders have been embraced by the camera-buying public, eating into sales of both DSLRs and high-end compact cameras and causing camera makers to totally rethink their approaches to camera design.
MILCs can be divided into three categories: Those that have the same sensors found in DSLRs (such as APS or Four Thirds), those that have much smaller sensors but take advantage of theat miniaturization to do engineer smaller lenses and other features that larger-sensor cameras can't handle, and the Ricoh GXR, which is in a sub-category by itself (go to the end of this article to find out what I mean).
Prices range from almost-within-reach for point-and-shooters looking to kick their image quality up a notch but are intimidated by technology, to enthusiast/pro-level pricing for high-performing cameras that are designed for experienced photographers who like to take total control over their images.
I have been closely following MILCs since their inception not very long ago. Here's what I think are the best cameras each MILC maker has put forward this year. Some are first generation models, while others have benefitted from the experience (or mistakes) of previous models. In any case, this is an exciting category of camera, and it's very possible that one of the cameras described and reviewed below might be your next.
Fujifilm X Pro1
Current Price (Body Only) $1,700
Overview: The Fujifilm X-Pro1 is Fujifilm's newest camera, which seems like the next step in a logical progression that began last year with the Leica-esque, high-resolution X100, followed by the smaller-sensor-based X10, a street-savvy little camera with a similarly retro feel. The X-Pro1 is a new interchangeable-lens compact camera that appears ready to take on that more expensive rangefinder camera.The camera is built around a new 16MP APS-C CMOS sensor that uses a random arrangement of pixels to eliminate moire and provide more realistic colors. The Hybrid Multi-Finder lets users switch between optical and electronic eye-level viewing, and changes magnification depending on the focal length of the lens being used. The X Pro1 has film simulation modes that mimic Velvia, Astia, Provia and many Fuji print films, and is built on a magnesium-alloy chassis and die-cast aluminum baseplate.
The Juicy Details: 16MP APS-C CMOS sensor with random pixel array, Hybrid optical/1,440k dot LCD electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage, 1,230k dot, 3-inch LCD monitor, ISO range 100-25600, focal plane shutter, shutter speeds 1/4-1/4000 sec, 256-zone TTL metering, 10 film simulation modes, TTL hot shoe, motion panorama, color control, auto red-eye removal, histogram, depth of focus preview, electronic level.
The System: The X-Pro1 hits the market with a range of three X-Mount lenses: The Fujinon XF 18mm f/2 (27mm equivalent on a 35mmsensor camera), Fujinon XF 35mm f/1.4 (53mm equivalent), and a Fujinon XF 60mm f/2.4 macro lens (90mm equivalent). Lens diaphragm blades are curved for pleasing bokeh. The company says nine more lenses will be rolled out within the next three years, and that an M-mount adapter is in the works.
Nikon 1 V1
Current price: Approx. $850 with 10-30mm lens
Overview: The Nikon V1, along with with its simpler sibling, the J1, are the fastest-focusing cameras we've seen and represent a major change in thinking. Thanks to a unique hybrid focal plane phase detect and contrast AF and a 73-point AF array, this is the most responsive-focusing camera I've ever had in my hands. The camera is a speed demon, with blazingly fast rapd-sequence burst rates and the ability to simultaneously capture full HD video and full resolution still images. A small but growing portfolio of super-compact interchangeable lenses are available as well as flash and EVF modules. Yeah, I know: it has a small sensor, to the disappointment of Nikon enthusiasts who were hoping for something compatible with existing Nikon lenses and cameras. That said, image quality at lower speeds was excellent but that's besides the point. The Nikon 1 series is about speed and compactness, and in both of those areas, it exceeds expectations.
The Juicy Details: New 10.1MP 13.2x8.8mm CMOS CX sensor has 2.7x 35mm equivalent factor; Electronic viewfinder with 1.44m dot resolution; 3-inch LCD monitor with 921k dot resolution. Mechanical shutter up to 1/4,000 sec, electronic shutter up to 1/16,000 sec. Flash synch 1/60 (electronic) or 1/250 (mechanical). Frame rate 10, 30 or 60 fps at full resolution; Matrix metering, PASM, scene auto selector exposure modes; ISO range 100-3200, hi setting to 6400. HD video in MOV format up to 1080/60i, also 1080/30p, 720/60p.
The System: New 1 Nikkor mount lenses: 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6, 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, 10mm f/2.8, 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6. GPS GP-N100 for V1; ME-1 Stereo Mic for V1, more.
Test Results (Courtesy DxOMark): The Nikon V1 surprised DxO's lab testers by scoring a bit higher than Olympus's high-end E-P3, outshining the larger Four Thirds sensors in color depth and dynamic range. However it fell about a third of a stop short in low-light high-ISO performance; you can probably shoot at up to ISO 400 and get very good results and excellent results at ISO 200 or lower. If you're OK with the compromise in image quality to get a more portable system, or are stepping up from an Advanced Compact camera, you should be happy with either Nikon 1 camera. If you are looking for big sensor results, you should consider the Sony.
Olympus E-P3
Price: approximately $900 (with 14-42mm kit lens). Get current pricing
Overview: Olympus started the Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera revolution with the E-P1, introduced in early 2009, and based on the lessons learned from that camera it quickly came out with the better E-P2 and lower-cost E-PL1. But with the E-P3, Olympus makes a giant technological leap, offering much faster focus acquisition and virtually no lag time. In our field test, the E-P3 focused as fast as a typical DSLR. Like its forebears, the E-P3 takes advantage of the Micro Four Thirds lens mount system. Micro Four Thirds lenses have a shorter flangeback (back of lens to sensor distance), allowing for camera makers to make both lenses and cameras smaller and lighter while using full-sized Four Thirds sensors. The optional VF-2 electronic viewfinder lets you hold the camera up to your eye, rather than at arm’s length, when shooting. The grip is removable and can be replaced with a thicker one that might make the camera easier to grasp. New 12mm and 45mm prime lenses give the E-P3 pro-quality results for street photography, photojournalism, and portraits. 10 Art filters with bracketing of how much to apply each effect and custom settings let you get creative. When it becomes available in August, the E-P3 will only be sold with either the newly redesigned 14-42mm kit lens or the 17mm pancake lens.
The Juicy Details: 12.3 MP Four Thirds sensor, Micro Four Thirds lensmount, RAW and JPEG image capture, live view, 614k dot, 3-inch LCD monitor, built-in pop-up flash, 1080i HD movie recording in AVI format with high-quality stereo audio, multiple exposure, 10 art filters (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Gentle Sepia, Cross Process, Dramatic Tone), mechanical and ISO boost image stabilization, digital leveler, dust reduction, face detection recognizes up to 8 faces, shadow adjustment technology, 4 aspect ratios (4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 6:6), iAuto chooses most appropriate of 22 scene modes. Shutter speeds 60-1/4000 sec, 3-inch LCD, Manual focus, ISO range 100-12,000. White balance bracketing, 3fps burst rate, flash synch speed to 1/180 sec, 3 image stabilization modes. Class 6 SDHC memory cards recommended for video.
The System: 14-48mm zoom kit lens included; 17mm f/2.8 prime lens with matching optical finder available, plus 12mm f/2 and 45mm Zuiko high-end prime lenses; Optical Viewfinder VF-2, mount adapter lets you use any standard Olympus Four Thirds lens. Olympus FL-14 shoe mount flash; compatible with all Olympus wireless flash, such as FL-36R and FL-50R, MAL-1 accessory light, PENPal bluetooth accessory, Sema-1 external microphone adapter.
Test Results: (Courtesy DxOMark) In the lab, the Olympus E-P3 delivered a very good overall performance for a camera its size and good overall image quality for a camera with a Four Thirds sensor. Overall, the image quality was considered average. Color depth was very good at 20.8 while the dynamic range was a respectable 10.1 stops. The big improvement is in low-light ISO, which is considered excellent through ISO 500.
Coming Soon: A tribute to (in fact, a digital dead ringer for) the fabled Olympus OM series of DSLRs, the Olympus OMD EM5 is a mirrorless Micro Four Thirds compact camera that has a built-in electronic viewfinder and will be available for about $1,000 in April. OK so maybe it's not so compact, but it is mirrorless and if it lives up to its features and claims, (top ISO of 25,600, 3D AF Tracking claimed to be the world's fasatedst, ruggedized body) it could be a real contender for serious hobbyists, and even as a second or prime body for those who've already invested in the Micro Four Thirds system.
Panasonic Lumix GX-1
Current price: $700 body only
Overview: The Panasonic Lumix GX1 takes its place as the flagship of its compact Micro Four Thirds line, boasting 0.09 second autofocus acquisition, which Panasonic claims is the world's fastest. The 16MP Live MOS sensor is said to offer good low-light performance, maxing out at ISO 12,800. Touch-screen operation lets you set exposure and focus and even take pictures by touching the LCD monitor, and the camera captures full 1080p HD video at 60i. Unlike the GF2, which is designed for snapshooters, the GX1 is a serious camera with lots of manual control options that will make serious hobbyists and prosumers happy. Another feature to make you happy? Panasonic says battery life as been increased by 11%.
The Juicy Details: 16MP Four Thirds sensor, Micro Four Thirds lens mount, ISO range 100-12,800, 460k dot resolution 3-inch LCD touch screen, 23 AF areas, 1080p HD video at 60i (30p sensor output) with stereo recording. Level Gauge, one-push AD, dust reduction, iA and iA plus modes for automatic operation in still and video.
The System: 14 lenses for Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds. DMW-FL220, FL360 and FL500 flash; DMW-MA1 adapter for Four Thirds lenses; DMW-MA2M adaptor for Leica M-mount lenses. The camera can also take Olympus and independent-brand lenses as well as a myriad other lenses via a variety of adapters. If you want eye-level operation, the DMW-LVF2 Live View Finder has 1,440,000 dot resolution.
Test Results (Courtesy DxOMark): The image quality produced by the Panasonic GX1 were typical of a Micro Four Thirds sensor and a little better than its predecessors. Its uppermost practical ISO is 800, not bad (although image quality drops off after that), while it offered very good color depth (20.8 bits) and a dynamic range of 10.6 stops, which is typical for this class of camera. ISO accuracy was excellent, with the actual ISO measured at within 1/3 of a stop of the indicated speed.
Pentax Q
Current Price: Approximately $800
Overview: The Pentax Q is by far the smallest interchangeable-lens digital camera in the world, thanks to its compact-camera-sized sensor, which is approximately the same size as the sensors found in the Nikon P7100 and Canon G12. You can expect the 12MP CMOS sensor to deliver very good-quality 8x10 and 11x14 prints from ISO 100-200 images, but you need to turn on the noise reduction to get acceptable shots at ISO 400-800. Nevertheless, Pentax has placed manual controls at your fingertips and laid the camera out in such a way that experienced shooter may barely need to consult the manual to figure out how to access its full range of auto and manual controls. It is solidly built and is born complete with five lenses, an optical shoe-mounted finder, lenses and filters, as well as neat little built-in flash that lifts far enough away from the lens to reduce red-eye in people-pictures, thanks to an increased angle of incidence.
The Juicy Details: 1-2/3 inch back lit CMOS sensor with integrated shake dust reduction sensor shift; accepts Pentax Q-mount bayonet lenses TTL contrast detection, 3-inch LCD monitor with 460k dot resolution, retractable popup flash with 7m guide number at ISO 100, covers 28mm equivalent. Hot shoe P-TTL synch speed 1/250 sec, ISO range 125-6400, shutter speeds 30-1/2000 sec mechanical, 1/8000 sec electronic, bulb. Up to 3fps burst rate.
The System: 27.5-83mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.8-4.5 standard zoom lens; 35mm equivalent f/7.1 Toy lens; 17mm equivalent Fisheye lens, 47mm (equivalent) f/1.9 prime lens, 100mm equivalent Toy Telephoto lens; External Viewfinder O-VF1; 100 PL polarizer Filter.
DxOMark Sensor: Coming soon
Pentax's Next Big Thing: If the Q's sensor is too small for your needs, check back in April, when the Pentax K-01 is scheduled to arrive with a $750 pricetag. This playful-looking camera has serious guts, the most impressive of which is its 16MP APS-sized CMOS sensor. With an ISO range that tops out at 25600, fast burst rate and top shutter speed, claimed fast and accurate focus and in-camera HDR, the K-01 borrows heavily from the most valuable features found on its DSLR siblings. Shake and dust reduction come standard, and very importantly for Pentaxians, the camera sports a K-mount, meaning its compatible with more than 25 million Pentax K-mount lenses already in existence and the only MILC that can make such a claim. The only drawback: No electronic finder available yet.
Samsung NX200
Current Price: Approximately $900.
Overview: Samsung caused a stir with its NX100 thanks to Lens Priority Mode, which lets you control aperture, shutter speed as well as focus by turning a ring on the lens itself. That sounds pretty nifty and ergonomically sensible. In our review of the NX200's predecessor, the NX100, we found Lens Priority Mode to be intuitive and easy. The NX200 is a significant upgrade, starting with a body that combines a sturdier body, a pro-level burst rate, wider ISO range, full HD video capture, manual video exposure modes, and, significantly, a higher resolution sensor that out-resolves many current DSLRs.
The Juicy Details: 20.3 APS-C CMOS sensor, magnesium alloy/plastic construction, ISO range 100-12,800, 7fps burst rate (11fps in JPEG), 3-inch, 641k dot resolution 3-inch OLED screen, 10 smart filters and 12 "Magic Frames", 1080p video at 30fps, and PASM exposure modes when shooting video. Lens Priority Mode works with iFunction NX series lenses only.
The System: 16mm f/2.4 Pancake lens, 20mm f/2.8 pancake lens, 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens, 85mm f/1.4 ED iFunction lens. Camera comes with 18-55mm kit lens. Flash: Samsung SEF42A, Samsung SEF15A
Test Results (Courtesy DxOMark): With its APS sensor, which is larger than those on its Micro Four Thirds-based competitors, we expected better low-light performance, and indeed the test results showed about a 1/3 stop advantage, with acceptable low-light performance up to ISO 600. Dynamic range (10.7 stops) and the 22.6-bit color depth are slight improvements. The NX100 scored a 62 out of 100 for overall image quality, a very good performance.
Sony NEX-7
Current price: Approximately $1,200
Overview: While the Sony NEX-5n is an impressive little camera, Sony really pulled out all the stops to create a pro-level photojournalist/street shooter camera in the NEX-7. Let's backtrack: Sony's NEX line is built around some of the most sophisticated APS-sized imaging sensors around, and can deliver image quality identical to some of the highest-rated DSLRs currently on the market. Now comes the NEX-7, which has made a very good first impression for our reviewers. It's a bit larger than its predecessors to accomodate the manual knobs and dials (each of which can be programmed to fit your needs) and the highest-resolution eye-level viewfinder on the market. Even better: you can attach any old Sony or Minolta-mount lens to it via an adaptor, and there is even an adaptor that lets you use Leica M lenses. Now we're talking. Read Nathan Lee Bush's hands-on report.
The Juicy Details: New 24.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor (the same one that's on the A77), ISO 100-16,000, 2.4 MILLION dot OLED EVF with eye sensor, electronic first-curtain shutter, 1080p/60 HD movie with stereo mic, flip-out 3-inch 921k dot screen, tri-dial control, built-in flash, Alpha hot shoe, mic jack. Sweep panorama, 10fps maximum burst mode; 25-point AF, object tracking, intelligent AF, 11 picture effect modes Compatible with any E-Mount lens without adapter.
The System: From the initial two lenses, the Sony E-mount lens system has grown to: 16mm f/2.8 E lens, 30mm f/3.5 E lens, 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 E lens, 18-200mm f/3.5-6.4 OSS E lens, 50mm f/1.8 OSS E lens, Nex-Alpha Mount adapter, VCL-ECF1 Fisheye Conversion Lens; Novoflex adapter for Leica M to Sony NEX. Also compatible with all Alpha flashes.
Test Results (Courtesy DxOMark): Not tested yet.
Unique Modular Compact Camera: The Ricoh GXR
Ricoh GXR
Price: $580 -$915, depending on configuration. Body: $350.
Overview: The Ricoh GXR is, truly, a camera unlike any other—even in this innovative category. Never before has there been a compact digital camera that lets you switch lenses and the sensor. The GXR’s system consists of a main camera body, which is a shell with the shutter release, exposure control dial and the usual control buttons and LCD monitor on back. Slide the interchangeable lens/sensor modules into the shell and behold, you have a complete camera. Each lens is perfectly matched to a sensor that is included in the lens unit. Because it is hermetically sealed, there is no chance for dust to gather on the sensor, an endemic problem for any other interchangeable-lens digital camera. The range of lens/sensor units is expanding. Read my comprehensive review of the entire system.
The Juicy Details: Body: Die-cast magnesium, auto exposure mode controls, 3-inch, 920,000 dot VA LCD monitor, built-in flash, JPG and RAW, SD/SDHC card slot, 10 shooting modes including PASM and customized settings. A12 50mm f/2.5-22 Macro unit: 112MP APS-sized sensor, 1/2x magnification, 720p HD video, ISO 200-3200, shutter speeds 180-1/3200 sec. S10 24-72mm f/2.5-4.4 unit: 10MP, 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor, focus to approx. 1 inch in Macro mode, sensor-shift shake reduction, ISO 200-3200, shutter speeds 180-1/2000 sec. 21mm and 135mm telephoto auxiliary lenses available. (Other specs vary depending on unit)
Modules include:
The A12 28mm f/2.5 (equivalent) wide-angle lens, which is matched to a 12MP APS sensor and which makes the GXR one of the fastest-reacting cameras on the market. Read my Street Photo Stress Test of the GXR and 28mm/APS sensor module;
The A12 50mm (equivalent) Macro lens that delivers stunning image quality thanks to the perfectly-matched 12MP APS-sized sensor but focuses slowly.
The S10 24-72mm f2.5-4.4 lens matched with a smaller 10MP sensor so the camera can work like a high-end point-and-shoot.
The P10 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 equivalent lens, matched with a small 10MP sensor
...and the A12 Mount for Leica M lenses. This has many Street photographers and others drooling because, when matched with the GXR body, gives you an M-mount camera for about $1,000, a fraction of the cost of, say a Leica M9 or M8.
The GXR system also includes the VF-2 External Viewfinder and GF-1 TTL flash.
Note: All DxOMark Sensor test results are courtesy DxOMark.com and are used here with their permission.
