Compact System cameras have really revolutionized the photography world over the last few years. When Panasonic brought out their G1 CSC camera in 2008, it was to fill a specific niche rather than to become a market leader. Up until then it had been assumed that photographers followed a standard progression, form the compact point-and-shoot camera, through to the bridge camera, with more functionality and zoom lens, and then finally on to the 'proper' DSLR cameras with much more functionality and an extensive range of lenses, that will fulfill every need and allow the photographer to hone his skills an any chosen field. However, just as in the car industry, where the larger, more expensive models are ever more complicated and costly to maintain, there had developed a niche of phtographers who didn't want a hernia every time they went out to take photos and wanted something small, light and FUN!
CSCs can be as small and light as a compact camera but still have all the functionality of a DSLR. The lenses are interchangeable, there is often a built in flash and there are loads of exciting options that you wouldn't find on you normal DSLR. The main difference is that there is no mirror inside the camera and so no SLR action. This means that there is no viewfinder and that all viewing must be done through the back screen. it also means that the camera's width is not restricted by the mechanics inside and so they can be a lot slimmer.
Indeed, with a small lens (sometimes called a pancake lens) the modern CSC can easily be as slim as a compact. However, they can boast the same, or even better functionality than many DSLRs. They come with their own range of lenses, though in some cases it took manufacturers some time to produce them, as they were taken by surprise by the popularity of their CSC models. You can use standard lenses if you wish - most manufacturers offer an adapter - but you might lose out on some of the functions, like autofocus for example.
Most CSCs come with he standard pancake lens, but other, longer lenses are quickly becoming available. They tend to range be a zoom up to about 40MM and then a longer zoom up to about 110MM. Partly because the industry have been so surprised at the success of these cameras, they have been a bit slow in fulfilling lens requirements, but more are on the way.
The CSC range have certainly enlivened the camera industry - which was in danger of taking itself too seriously. Having removed the now antiquated mirror system, designers have been given a free hand and developed some amazing functions that challenge and excite photographers. Some are designed for the multimedia generation - the ability to make favicons for you social media pages for example, whilst others are just fizzing with potential - like the Nikon V1's 60 FPS burst rate. They have also been able to test some groundbreaking technology before it finds its way into DSLR models.
Like the iPad or Google, CSCs are now so established, we wonder what we did before they arrived. They are clever, small, light and innovative. They can be sleek and modern looking or retro and chic. But most of all they are fun. their popularity has forced camera manufacturers to re-evaluate their idea what the camera buying public want, and they are all now producing their own range of CSCs. Not before time, because t is predicted that they will outsell ordinary DSLRs by 2015.
CSCs can be as small and light as a compact camera but still have all the functionality of a DSLR. The lenses are interchangeable, there is often a built in flash and there are loads of exciting options that you wouldn't find on you normal DSLR. The main difference is that there is no mirror inside the camera and so no SLR action. This means that there is no viewfinder and that all viewing must be done through the back screen. it also means that the camera's width is not restricted by the mechanics inside and so they can be a lot slimmer.
Indeed, with a small lens (sometimes called a pancake lens) the modern CSC can easily be as slim as a compact. However, they can boast the same, or even better functionality than many DSLRs. They come with their own range of lenses, though in some cases it took manufacturers some time to produce them, as they were taken by surprise by the popularity of their CSC models. You can use standard lenses if you wish - most manufacturers offer an adapter - but you might lose out on some of the functions, like autofocus for example.
Most CSCs come with he standard pancake lens, but other, longer lenses are quickly becoming available. They tend to range be a zoom up to about 40MM and then a longer zoom up to about 110MM. Partly because the industry have been so surprised at the success of these cameras, they have been a bit slow in fulfilling lens requirements, but more are on the way.
The CSC range have certainly enlivened the camera industry - which was in danger of taking itself too seriously. Having removed the now antiquated mirror system, designers have been given a free hand and developed some amazing functions that challenge and excite photographers. Some are designed for the multimedia generation - the ability to make favicons for you social media pages for example, whilst others are just fizzing with potential - like the Nikon V1's 60 FPS burst rate. They have also been able to test some groundbreaking technology before it finds its way into DSLR models.
Like the iPad or Google, CSCs are now so established, we wonder what we did before they arrived. They are clever, small, light and innovative. They can be sleek and modern looking or retro and chic. But most of all they are fun. their popularity has forced camera manufacturers to re-evaluate their idea what the camera buying public want, and they are all now producing their own range of CSCs. Not before time, because t is predicted that they will outsell ordinary DSLRs by 2015.
About the Author:
Jason Tandy has worked in the photographic industry for more than twenty years. He has a particular interest in digital photography and good cameras. Learn more about the best digital slr cameras available from his camerawize site. It is regularly updated and can help you take better pictures.
