Picking out the perfect camera is never easy. The system you choose must fit the way you shoot, be it for pleasure or work. It has to be a system that won’t make going out and shooting feel like a chore. It will instead motivate you to continuously train yourself to become a better photographer.
Here at MirrorLessons, we have the chance to use many different cameras, lenses and accessories. Some are loaned to us for a limited time. We also rent and sometimes buy the cameras we want to spend more time with. Certain cameras/lenses serve a purpose for our photography interests. Other cameras are in our bag because we decided to spend more time with them for the sake of the articles on our website. This means that the list below changes every year. Some cameras stay, while other are sold or replaced.
One thing is clear however: each of the cameras listed below are worth owning and we consider them among the best MILCs out there.
Our Mirrorless Cameras
Fujifilm X-Pro2
We bought the X-Pro2 for review purposes mainly but also because it is the Fujifilm camera with the highest resolution currently available thanks to the new X-Trans III 24MP sensor. While we wouldn’t be driven by resolution first, it is useful to have when testing lenses and the X-Pro2 also has a new AF system that makes the camera the most advanced among the X-series. Our long-term review is currently a work in progress.
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Fujifilm X-T1
We bought the Fuji X-T1 just before our short holiday to the Cinque Terre in Italy. Since then, we’ve used the camera on many different occasions. It is a surprising camera and while many improvements are still required, it is currently one of the best MILCs out there. It is not a surprise that it is one of the most popular mirrorless cameras. However now that the X-Pro2 is in the house, it is likely that the X-T1 will be sold soon as we only need one Fuji body to test the lenses and it is always better to have the most recent one.
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Fujifilm X100T
The Fujifilm X100s used to be a valuable part of our kit when Mathieu was a working photographer. Its small size makes it easy to carry around and it is a very discreet camera. Its X-Trans sensor always provides us with excellent image quality we crave in a photo. The X100T is the upgraded version of the X100s, and we mainly bought it for review purposes. It is a nice upgrade but the X100s is still a good choice if you want to save some money.
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Fujifilm X70
We bought the X70 for review purposes only. Despite appreciating the camera, we won’t keep once our articles are finished.
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Olympus OM-D E-M1
Of all the professional mirrorless models out there, the OM-D E-M1 has been by far the best fit for Mathieu’s style of work, most of which revolves around reportage, events and weddings. He originally owned the OM-D E-M5 but decided to upgrade after experiencing the improved ergonomics and more advanced functions and features of the E-M1.
His favorite features are the internal 5-axis stabilisation, the perfect ergonomics and the lens system. We will most likely replace it when its successor comes out.
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Panasonic GX8
Here as well we bought the camera for review purposes mainly. However we decided to keep it because having a Panasonic body can be important when testing certain lenses like the Lumix G lenses that are compatible with its Dual IS system.
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Sony A7r mark II
We initially bought the Sony A7r II purely for review purposes but in the end, we decided to keep it for its high resolution, low light capabilities and stunning dynamic range for both stills and videos. Thanks to its BSI full frame sensor, it is one of the most interesting cameras in terms of image quality.
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Sony a6300
The latest camera to enter our collection, once again for review purposes. We decided to buy it to test in-depth the autofocus capabilities that are supposed to be the best among mirrorless cameras. So far we haven’t been disappointed! The review is in progress.
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Our Lenses
Fujifilm XF 35mm f/1.4
When we were looking for something small and compact for our Fuji X-T1, we saw the 35mm f/1.4 second hand at a local store in Italy. Even though it isn’t one of the quickest lenses, the image quality is excellent and we’ve used it also for events and weddings.
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Lumix 35-100mm f/2.8
Mathieu found this zoom lens essential to his work at the National Cinema Museum of Turin where he regularly has to document events and capture quick shots of presenters and actors from a distance. It has a constant aperture of f/2.8 and it is the most compact and professional telephoto zoom lens you can find.
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Leica Summilux 25mm f/1.4
We wanted to add the Lumix-Leica 25mm to our gear because it is one of the fastest lenses for Micro Four Thirds and the quality is unbeatable. It is a standard lens so it is good for street photography and environmental portraits.
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M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO
The Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 is the first PRO lens from Olympus, and it certainly lives up to its name. The image quality it produces is no less stunning than that produced by a prime, which is why we ended up selling the M.Zuiko 12mm f/2 – it simply wasn’t being used anymore. The lens is completely dust, water and freeze proof and has a constant aperture of f/2.8. We also use it a lot for our product shots because of the short focusing distance.
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M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8
The M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 is the lens we use mainly for portrait photography with the Olympus OM-D E-M1, though it can be applied to other genres as well. The bokeh produced with this lens is very pleasant, and its compact size makes it very easy to carry around. It may not have the external build quality of other M.Zuiko lenses but the rapport between image quality and price is second to none.
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M.Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro
This is Heather’s favorite lens since she loves butterfly photography. It is definitely the most interesting native macro lens for the Micro Four Thirds system. It has an equivalent focal length of 120mm and a very useful focus limiter switch on the lens. Relevant read: M.Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro review
M.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8
The M.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8 is one of the best Micro Four Thirds primes we’ve ever used. Since we own it, Mathieu started to use it often for his work in Turin. We use it for many types of photography, including events, portraits and telephoto landscape shots. It is one of the sharpest lenses for Micro Four Thirds.
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Sony Zeiss FE 55mm f/1.8
The 55mm is the only lens we own right now for the Sony full frame system. It is known as one of the best autofocus prime lenses ever designed and we can only agree with this statement. The focal length might not suit everyone’s taste but from the bokeh to sharpness, this lens is one of the best we’ve ever owned.
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