DSLR cameras are pronounced dead more times than Rasputin. And this week, thanks to a report from the Japanese newspaper Nikkei, the bell of death rang again. (Opens in a new tab)Nikon claimed that it plans to “stop manufacturing” SLR models in order to “focus on mirrorless models.” Canon said it was planning to do the same “within a few years.”
This wasn’t really amazing news, and probably not news at all. Last month, Nikon announced that it would discontinue production of two of the best DSLR cameras for beginners, the D3500 and D5600. Still, the idea that Nikon could soon stop production of its entire DSLR lineup was a new development, if not entirely true, according to Nikon.
In the statement (Opens in a new tab), Nikon named the article “speculation” and said it “has not announced this point.” Somewhat vaguely, he added, “Nikon continues to produce, sell and service DSLRs,” and makes no mention of any particular model or development.
But you don’t have to wait for a statement from Nikon or Canon to know that your DSLR is in legacy format.
Nikon’s last new DSLR, the Nikon D780, was announced in January 2020. This is also the case with the Canon EOS 1DX Mark III, which arrived in the same month and was later confirmed. (Opens in a new tab) Becoming the last flagship DSLR of the camera giant.
The transition to mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras, which was accelerated by the influence of the pandemic, began at that time. That’s sad for fans of the DSLR format, but I think it’s good in the end.
Sacrifice cam
Why is it good for camera buyers to have few choices? In an ideal world, Nikon and Canon are classic DSLRs such as the Nikon D750 and Canon EOS 5D Mark IV for photographers who prefer the optical viewfinder, which is the main difference between optical SLR and mirrorless cameras. You can keep updating.
But today, camera makers are far from the ideal world. They were closest to each other in 2010, when worldwide digital camera sales reached 120 million units. (Opens in a new tab).. Over the next decade, its sales graph has plummeted over Bitcoin on skydiving trips, reflecting a 93% drop in global shipments.
For Nikon and Canon, the only response to this situation is to bring a sickle to their product range. Apple reached a similar turning point in the late 90’s, with Steve Jobs returning and quickly reducing its vast product lineup by about 70%. Interestingly, one of those products was the Apple QuickTake, one of the world’s first digital cameras.
Therefore, the slow demise of DSLRs is ultimately good for camera buyers. If anything, it needs to happen sooner. The need to manufacture and support F-mount and EF-mount cameras and lenses remains a major brake on the development of Nikon and Canon mirrorless cameras. However, discontinuing the development and production of DSLRs like the Nikon D3500 should certainly help speed up the development of mirrorless systems like the Z-series.
This is a necessary evil, as mirrorless cameras and lenses are more complex than their predecessor DSLRs. Both the Nikon Z mount and the Canon RF mount have a larger diameter and a shorter flange back (the space between the sensor and the mount) than those found on DSLR cameras. This means that lens designers can create better optics, but the technical complexity also requires more resources.
This is part of the reason why mirrorless lenses cost 10-50% more than digital interchangeable-lens reflex lenses. There’s also a reason why DSLR cameras are still a good choice for people with limited budgets, especially when buying second-hand goods, despite their slow-moving death.
Cult classic
Not everyone agrees that DSLRs are being left behind by the evolution of cameras. The reason these cameras are inspiring subjects for photographers is that USP (which has an optical viewfinder instead of an electronic one) provides a unique shooting experience for DSLRs.
A satisfying chunk of their mirrors, the feel of a tool with moving parts – these are more appealing and rewarding than the ruthless digital efficiency of mirrorless cameras.Not many people claim that electric cars are objective Better Unlike the classics of manual gearboxes, they are just different.
Mirrorless cameras have technological advantages in areas such as autofocus and video. However, DSLR cameras, like turntables and vinyl, have always been enthusiastic for the same reasons that film and instant cameras have made a small but significant resurgence in recent years.
Sadly, in the worst of today’s incredible smartphone cameras, supply chain problems, and cost-of-living crises, it justifies continuing to develop DSLRs and their lenses at the expense of mirrorless advances. Not enough to do. The stunning Nikon Z9 and Canon EOS R3 show what the camera giant can do when mirrorless all-in. And now, some benefits are beginning to permeate more affordable cameras like the Canon EOS R7.
Twilight Years
This does not mean that a minority of DSLR fans will not be able to continue to enjoy their favorite formats. Today, the second hand market is incredibly valuable. For example, on eBay you can find the Nikon D500 (original price: $ 2,000 / £ 1,729) for only $ 900 / £ 799.
Also, it’s only been a few years since the new DSLR cameras were completely phased out.According to the latest CIPA figures (Opens in a new tab)In the first five months of this year, about twice as many new mirrorless cameras as DSLRs were shipped (1.3 million compared to 747,000 DSLRs). Even if those numbers are affected by the stock shortage of mirrorless models, it’s not completely whitewashed.
Still, there is no doubt that the gap will continue to widen, especially with Nikon and Canon fully focused on defeating each other with a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera. And if the camera giant intends to continue making photographic tools that appeal more than a professional super niche, that needs to happen.
The pace of this technological change may even make today’s mirrorless cameras look like old hats. As the Nikon Z9 shows, the next big trend is “shutterless” cameras, which offer a completely electronic shooting experience without even a mechanical shutter. For traditionalists who like moving parts, DSLRs suddenly sound even more appealing.
