Unless you're Garance Dore or Tamu McPherson, the days of lugging around an enormous DSLR that weighs more than you are dwindling. Over the past few years, companies including Sony and Olympus have put out “mirrorless” cameras that produce photos that can look just as professional as those taken with a DSLR—in some cases better since mirrorless versions can be easier to use. Plus, they're MUCH smaller and lighter, making them perfect for party- and photo-shoot-hopping fashion bloggers.
These new models allow you to change out the lens just like a DSLR, and you can achieve those effects that fashion bloggers love including depth of field, super-sharp focus and true-to-life color. Here are three great options that fashion bloggers will love:
1. Sony a5100
The Wirecutter, which performs many hours of testing before coming up with recommendations, chooses this model its “careful balance of impressive capability and usability.” It has many of the same features as the higher-end model in Sony’s new “Alpha” series but at a lower price point. And I'm not gonna lie, this is my top party pick because it comes in white! Buy on Amazon.
2. Olympus E-PL7
This model is slightly more expensive and may have a slightly steeper learning curve than the Sony, but it offers a larger lens library and boasts many creative shooting modes. And the silver model is pretty sweet. Buy on Amazon.
3. Olympus OM-D EM-10
Olympus recently announced the follow-up to this model (the Mark II), which is why at the moment you can get the original model for a steal. It takes fantastic pictures, has a wide range of lenses to choose from, and it comes in silver! It also features 3-axis optical image stabilization and excellent manual control dials. Buy on Amazon.
I seriously need a real camera. I have been making my boyfriend shoot with our iPhone 6+. The quality is good but I really would love the effects of real camera.
http://beyondbasicblog.com/
I shoot with a Nikon D3300 these days, but I wish I would have known about these cameras back when I was still taking pictures with my phone!
I’ve been looking around for a mirrorless camera because of, indeed, the weight of a DSLR. So, good article! Right on time.
I use a mirrorless camera as well, and we love it (by “we” I’m including my husband since he takes my pictures). We got the Fujifilm X-t1 camera with a 56mm f/1.2 lens for the blog pictures. It’s a bit more pricey than these, but well worth it. While it’s still a larger camera, it’s still smaller than DSLRs. I highly recommend it!
www.betweentheracks.com
Is that what you use for the photos on your blog? They look great!
Yes, it is! Thanks! Sorry for the late reply…I just now saw this!
I am currently researching which camera to get as I finally want to start using a professional one as well, so therefore this post was super helpful, especially as I did not think about buying a “mirrorless” camera. Now I am seriously rethinking my decision to buy a DSLR.
Lisa – http://lisasmirror.com
I use Olympus OMD EM10, and it has changed my life! So light, easy to use and the results match DSLR quality
Great options, the hasselblad stellar which I use is also mind blowing.
These are great options for those who wish not to over spend on something that will not really make your photos that amazing. Cheaper options are always a good thing! Loved this so much thanks for sharing. xx http://www.bauchlefashion.com
These are great options. I use a Nikon D5300 for photos at home, but have found that I never feel like lugging it around when I’m out and about. In those instances I’ve used my iPhone 6 which can produce decent quality photos in the right lighting, but I think having a lightweight camera like these for on-the-go is a great idea.
I’ve been using a Sony mirrorless camera for about a year now, and I love it! I tried using my husband’s DSLR at first, but it was too heavy to haul around!
I bought mine on Amazon as a kit, which came with lens adapters, a remote, carrying case, and tripod. Together, it all cost WAY less than just a DSLR alone!
Ive got Olympus Pen and seriously there is nothing better than that little camera! I still have my Nikon but hardly get any use out of it now!
Olia
I know this is an older post, but found it while doing some research about getting a camera for my new blog, and referred back to it when I was making a decision. I went with Olympus OM-D EM-10, and I’m extremely happy with it! I have no photography background and still trying to learn the ins and outs of this area. I decided getting couple more lenses and it makes a huge difference to the quality of the photos (haven’t published any just yet, still working on it!). Thanks for a great, informative post!
Sabina
I really want one of these. Im tired of borrowing my best guy friends camera (he’s a professional photographer) I already know how to use these now all I need is to get one so I can shoot on my time.
Thanks for that bit of information, the space factor is a struggle so really geting one of these would be so ideal for me
Great article!
We use the a5100 for our vlogs and we absolutely love it and is making me want to switch my Nikon DSLR to the sony a7 series, if anyone has used the a7 series, I would love to hear your feedback on it.
I really want to purchase one of above camera. Sony is among my personal favorites.
How much heavier are the dslr’s? I’m still shopping around…I want a good camera, and I have average strength where I don’t think weight would be a problem. Are there any other benefits besides being lightweight? Thanks in advance!