New kids on the block
Until a couple of years ago, there were certain companies that dominated the mirrorless landscape. Sony had enjoyed almost a complete monopoly on the full-frame segment of the market; Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic and Canon were fighting it out among the smaller-sensor (APS-C or Four Thirds) format audience.
A big turning point came in 2018, when not one, not two, but three new systems were unveiled within a few months of each other. After previously dipping its toes into mirrorless with the now-discontinued Nikon 1 system, Nikon was first with its new Z system, followed by the Canon EOS R a week or so later. The L-Mount Alliance was announced at the Photokina 2018 show a couple more weeks later. This used Leica’s existing L mount as the basis for a new alliance between Leica, Sigma and Panasonic. At the show, Panasonic unveiled its full-frame models the Lumix S1 and S1R.
Since then, all three systems have grown. Nikon has introduced an APS-C model using the Z mount, while Canon continues to launch new models with the RF mount. Since 2018 we’ve seen the Panasonic S1H and S5, the Sigma fp and the Leica SL2.
But who’s using all this new technology? We spoke to nine photographers who are all keen exponents of each of these systems.
Nikon Z System
NIKON’S initial foray into mirrorless took the shape of the Nikon 1 system in 2011. Keen not to take attention away from its DSLRs, it used a one-inch sensor
