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A Mirrorless Camera That Will Supplement Your Smartphone

A Mirrorless Camera That Will Supplement Your Smartphone

(Bloomberg Businessweek) -- The technology behind mirrorless cameras has improved so dramatically that they can shoot professional-grade images and high-quality 4K video at a fraction of the size and weight of a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera, which requires a prism to reflect light back into your eye. In the past year, every major brand—including Nikon, Panasonic, and Canon—has jumped on board. The Fujifilm X-T3 ($1,399), released in September, combines an innovative autofocus and top-of-the-line color reproduction with an analog design that harks back to the days of Henri Cartier-Bresson. It even has a “film” setting that’ll apply old-school filters to pictures.

The Competition

• Nikon Corp. has a dedicated fan base and beloved family of camera lenses. In November it rolled out the Z6 ($1,999 for the body only), the first of two digital mirrorless cameras. At just 585 grams (1.3 pounds) it’s the lightest option on this list.

• Sony Corp. has been playing the full-frame mirrorless game for longer than most, and its Alpha7 III ($1,999 for the body only) offers a solid 24.2-megapixel option, a 693-point autofocus system, and one of the longest-lasting batteries available.

• Canon Inc.’s first mirrorless camera, the $2,299 EOS R (body only), has a high megapixel count, 30.3, and also provides superb video quality for those looking for a full-frame camera that doesn’t trade size for strength.

The Case

Even if you’re a regular Fuji customer, it’s easy to start out overwhelmed by all the buttons. But with just a little practice, they become second nature, whether adjusting ISO (light sensitivity), shooting mode (single, rapid-shooting, video), or shutter speed. Its image stabilization function works great with still pictures, helping reduce blur from shaky hands, and it’s phenomenal with video. Tones reproduce well, colors are rich, and the resolution is stunning—proof that mirrorless cameras are the direction to go. A Nikon or Canon is more recognizable, but this is the camera that will make people ask how you got that shot. $1,399

To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Gaddy at jgaddy@bloomberg.net

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