The unnecessary end of the DSLR.

So it's finally happened. The camera manufacturers, despite having derided them when they first came out are now extolling the virtues of Mirrorless cameras. And consequently have ceased making DSLR's. (so yesterday!!) I believe this is sad and completely unnecessary. So what is my reaction to this? I've sold the majority of my mirrorless cameras, bought myself another Nikon Df (I now have two, black and silver) and purchased a brand new Pentax K1 Mk II. So why have I done this? Well there are several reasons for this.

• I'm fed up with the ridiculous battery life of mirrorless cameras. 
• I like my cameras to be for photography. If I do shoot video I use my iPHONE 16 plus. It's actually way better than most mirrorless cameras I've owned and the fact that people are shooting movies and TV programmes on iPHONES shows just how good they are.
• I'm not a fan of the crap they put in mirrorless cameras these days. Focus points jumping all the screen, basically deciding what to focus on, rather than me. Plus all this nonsense about animal, car, plane etc. recognition. I want to control my camera, not let it control me.
• The prices of mirrorless cameras are ridiculous and it seems camera manufacturers want us to buy a whole new set of lenses as well.
• For example, I recently used a Nikon Zf. I found out very quickly that Nikons Z lenses are no better than Nikon F lenses and in many cases are worse. 
• The sheer complication of mirrorless cameras is very off putting and seems to be getting worse. 
• My experience with DSLR's has resulted in sharper better looking images. The Df's are legendary for image quality and the sensor on the K1 Mk II is mind bogglingly sharp.
• I am, of course, used to the SLR Format. I started on film SLR's and that's what I like using. They are quicker to start up and I don't have to put up with EVF's. I've certainly never found one I like.

Now I'm not the only one to think this. Many other professionals are intent on using their DSLR's and like me are buying the ones that are still available, though when the stock of DSLR's runs out, we won't have that choice any more.

All of this reminds me of when record companies persuaded us to buy CD's rather than vinyl. And now look what's happened, CD's have replaced by streaming and vinyl is making a significant comeback. Now once DSLR's completely disappear. I suspect that they will never come back. But by then smartphones will probably be so good that we won't need mirrorless cameras anyway.

David Taylor Hughes Feb17th. 2025