Why DSLR cameras will soon zoom out

What do you need to capture good photos? Depending on who you ask, you will either get to hear about how clicking good photos is all about the photographer's perspective or get a list of cool gear, including expensive cameras and lenses, that you may require. But irrespective of what they say, almost all experienced photographers would agree that a DSLR camera is an incredible photo-making machine.

It is powerful, versatile and capable of capturing the scenes in a way that show what you see with your eyes. A smartphone can't click the kind of photos that a Nikon D5500 or Canon 750D can and neither can a Rs 15,000 point-and-shoot camera.

At the same time, however, a change is coming. The march of technology is relentless and as it happens every decade or so in the space of personal technology, there are new kinds of cameras that have started stealing the thunder of DSLRs. Just the way in the early 2000, DSLR cameras made the film cameras outdated, the mirrorless cameras are now threatening DSLRs.

Mirrorless cameras aren't exactly new. They appeared on the scene a few years ago. The technology inside these cameras is similar to that in the DSLRs. But they lack the mirror reflex optical viewfinder. It has some disadvantages but the big advantage is that lack of mirror allows companies to reduce the size of cameras.

When mirrorless cameras started coming into the market a few years ago, the technology in them was relatively new. Camera companies were trying to figure out the best way to put together a mirrorless camera and the lenses, which could be used with these cameras, were missing. This helped the DSLR cameras stay ahead of the game.

But now the technology is mature and lenses for mirrorless cameras are more widely available. It has finally reached a stage where, for most of the people, picking up a DSLR camera doesn't make sense anymore. There are several reasons to buy a DSLR camera but the most primary is the image quality they offer. But at the same time, this image quality comes with its own set of limitations. A DSLR camera is big and bulky. You have to carry it in a bag. It is also complex to use.

Nowadays, a decent mirrorless camera is as good as a DSLR for most of the shooting conditions. Companies like Panasonic, FujiFilm and Sony have fixed almost all the major problem s that mirrorless cameras faced earlier and have created many lenses that are better than even the ones made by Canon and Nikon. Basically, it is the good enough factor at work. Over two decades after the digital cameras hit the market, the imaging technology has become so good that even small image sensors can capture wonderful photos.

Fujifilm's X series cameras are so good at rendering beautiful colours that many professionals photographers have ditched their DSLR cameras for them.

Similarly, some of the Sony's A series cameras are so adapt at clicking good photos in low light that they rival big and bulky DSLR cameras. Even cameras like Sony RX 100 III, which has a relatively tiny sensor size, can shoot fantastic images. Yes, there are certain circumstances when DSLR cameras still win. Shooting wildlife photos, birds or action such as kids playing football can still be a little difficult with mirrorless cameras. Similarly, there can be a case when a photographer requires a special lens that is only available with Nikon or Canon and the only way to use that lens is by buying a DSLR camera. But for most of the general photography, mirrorless cameras make a lot of sense. They are more fun to use, easier to carry and unlike DSLR cameras actually let the photographers enjoy the photography.