Buying a new mirrorless camera is an exciting experience, but it can be daunting when figuring out what lens to buy. To choose the right features and options, how do you prefer? In this article, we’ll explore the different types of mirrorless camera lenses and explain how to pick the right one for you.
This blog post highlights a few aspects to consider when choosing a lens for your mirrorless camera, including focal length, aperture size and image stabilization. Here are some guidelines to help you select the right lens.
What to consider when choosing a mirrorless camera lens
When choosing lenses for a mirrorless camera, there are a few things to consider.
- Camera Sensor Size:
First and foremost, the camera’s sensor size will affect the lens you need to use. A full-frame camera uses a large sensor that requires a large lens to capture an image, while a compact or micro-four-thirds camera uses a smaller sensor and requires a lens with a shorter focal length to capture the same idea.
- Focal Length:
The second factor is Focal length. A standard lens for a full-frame camera will have a focal length of 50mm. Micro four-thirds cameras have only 28mm or 35mm lenses. If you are primarily shooting stills, you may consider using a wide-angle lens. However, if you plan on capturing video or photos with movement, you may consider using a short focal length lens.
- Image Stabilization:
Several modern mirrorless cameras come with image stabilization to minimize camera shake. Image stabilization helps correct camera movement so that your photos and videos are free from blur. Some lenses also feature optical image stabilization, which uses gyroscopes to stabilize the lens in all directions.
- Field Of View:
Compared to a standard lens, a wide-angle lens provides a wider field of view. When you need more information about the scene before you, you can use this feature. A short focal length lens captures a narrower field of view than a standard lens, making it helpful in separating specific objects from the background.
- Aperture:
In photography, the aperture on a lens determines the amount of light captured by the camera. An aperture with a broader gap allows more light in, while one with a narrower aperture allows less. It’s essential if you want your images to have a shallow depth of field or if you’re shooting in low light.
- Cost:
Finally, you will want to consider the cost of lenses and the size of the lens mount on your camera. As the quality of the lens varies, you can expect to pay anywhere from very affordable to quite expensive lenses. Additionally, camera mounts vary in size, so some lenses will not fit onto all camera mounts.
Keeping these factors in mind will help you decide whether or not to buy a lens. You can find a variety of lenses online to fit your needs.
Types Of Lenses For Mirrorless Cameras:
There are mainly 3 types of Lenses for mirrorless cameras:
- Wide-Angle Lenses
- Telephoto Lenses
- Zoom Lenses
Wide-Angle Lenses:
Lenses with a wide field of view are great for capturing scenes. By allowing you to get closer to the subject, you can take more intimate pictures. A vista or landscape can also be captured using these filters.
If you are considering purchasing a wide-angle lens for your mirrorless camera, there are a few things you should know.
Focal Length :
You can cover more ground with a longer focal length, while a shorter one allows you to focus closer.
Aperture:
The wider the aperture, the less blurry the background and the brighter the photos.
Distortion:
Wide-angle lenses tend to have more distortion than other lenses, so be prepared for that when shooting. If you’re looking for an all-around versatile lens for your mirrorless camera, a wide-angle might be the perfect option.
Telephoto Lenses:
When choosing a telephoto lens for a mirrorless camera, keep in mind the size of the sensor. Long focal length lenses are generally bulkier and bigger than short focal length lenses. The larger sensor will result in larger file sizes, so ensure you have enough storage space on your camera body or card.
Photography style is another factor when choosing a telephoto lens. A telephoto lens can create stunning images of distant objects or people, but it can also be challenging to compose a photo with one due to the shallow depth of field. You might prefer more intimate shots if you prefer a shorter focal length.
Once you’ve determined your photography goals and style, consider the lens’ specifications. Telephoto lenses come at many different types and prices, so it’s essential to find the right one for your needs. In addition to magnification, aperture range (f-stop), and bokeh, choose a prime lens with only one focal length and no zoom, so you can achieve the best results when shooting stills and videos at their native focal length.
Among the best prime lenses for mirrorless cameras, here are a few:
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 offers excellent performance with its 16-megapixel sensor and 3″ LCD screen. It comes with various lenses, including a prime lens that gives excellent results. The Panasonic Lumix GH4’s prime lens is the 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS II lens, offering excellent imaging performance and versatility.
The Sony A7 Series cameras are a great option if your portability is essential. They have excellent sensors that capture incredible detail and colour and fast autofocus systems. One of the camera’s most popular lenses is the 24-70mm f/2.8 E SSM GM OSS lens, which offers excellent image quality and versatile capabilities for all types of photography.
Zoom lenses:
Zoom lenses are an excellent option for mirrorless cameras because they let you get close to the subject without moving your camera. Zoom lenses can be a bit more expensive than other lenses, but they’re worth it if you plan on shooting many close-up photos.
Think about your needs before buying a zoom lens. A wide-angle zoom might be best if you mainly shoot landscapes or wildlife. In contrast, if you’re primarily interested in taking close-ups and portraits, you may want to consider a telephoto zoom.
If you don’t know which type of zoom lens is right for you, ask yourself these questions: do I want to be able to get close to my subjects? Do I want a wide-angle or a telephoto lens? What kind of photography do I plan on doing most often? Once you’ve answered these questions, you can start narrowing down your choices.
Whatever lens you choose, remember always to use caution when photographing people or animals. how to choose a lens for a mirrorless camera
Conclusion:
There are many lens options for mirrorless cameras, and deciding which is right for you can be tricky. When choosing a lens for a mirrorless camera, consider the camera’s sensor size, field of view, and photography goals. Then, select a lens that fits your needs and meets your specifications.