Mirrorless cameras are a bit of a buzzword at the moment. At one time, any serious photographer or hobbyist would get a DSLR – but now mirrorless cameras increasingly offer the same image quality, versatility and features in a smaller, lighter body. The difference between mirrorless cameras (also called ‘compact system cameras – CSCs’) and […]
Lens adaptor
In principle, you can't mix and match different types and brands of lenses with different camera bodies. Each camera maker uses its own bespoke lens mount and different mechanical and electronic connections between the camera body and lens. However, it's often possible to make lenses fit different brands and types of bodies with lens adaptors. These are usually from third-party makers and designed for users who don't mind a few compromises in camera functions. For example, you may lose autofocus functions and have to use manual focus only, and it's likely that you'll have to use manual exposure and lens aperture control rather than the camera's full range of exposure controls.
Lens mounts explained
SLRs and mirrorless cameras take interchangeable lenses, but the fitting, or ‘lens mount’, varies from one brand to another, so can’t usually use one brand of lenses on another brand of camera. Independent third-party lens makers offer their lenses in two, three or more different lens mounts to fit different camera brands, but lenses made […]