bfitzgerald wrote:I don't really see where mirrorless is more appealing for most users. Unless you are a travel photographer, then maybe
Not dismissing the offerings as there are some decent ones out there.
But it really boils down to
1: Want a smaller body (only really micro 4/3 has smaller lenses)
As I pointed out in another thread, m43 lenses aren't necessarily much smaller, at least at wider angles, and particularly if you compare the entire system, including the camera. For tele lengths, sure, you can get much longer reach in a smaller package, although I'm not sure that it matters as much there to most people. For birding, m43 has a distinct advantage.
For bodies, Sony has really been able to keep the size down. The original Nex-5 really is a nice compact camera. It probably would have been a better travel camera with the 16-50 instead of the 18-55, but Sony got there eventually.
When you start comparing to A-mount, the E-mount cameras are much smaller and lighter. This is nice when lugging it around all day.
If you don't mind the larger cameras and lenses, then sure, stick with A-mount. I have long thought that the main advantage to mirrorless cameras was the size factor. Cost, in theory, should be less, although it seems to be priced about the same as DSLRs. Then again, what FF DSLR is priced as low as the A7? Perhaps the difference is that Canikon are willing to take less profit on entry-level DSLRs in order to get people into their system.
2: Might want to play with MF lenses off ebay for budget minded lens buyers
Before the SLT models, getting video from DSLRs was a problem, also solved by the Nex.
Outside of that (and A mount have quite a lot of s/h AF legacy lenses at good prices) I'm not sold on switching from DSLR to ILC
Maybe if ILC makers actually started to price their products at DSLR beating levels I could give them a thumbs up on that front.
Have you priced the A3000 lately?
Given all of the legacy glass, you can often find better deals with DSLRs, at least for Sony's models. I never bought one Sony-branded lens for A-mount. I'm not sure how that worked out well for Sony.
I bought Tamron and some used lenses, etc.
Looking at new-lens prices for DSLR lenses, except for very limited models (like 50mm), things seem pretty expensive. For other brands, you might be forced into buying new lenses as the screw-drive might not be supported.
So, I'm not sure that it's as simple as insisting that prices be lowered. It's unrealistic to expect Sony to price new E-mount lenses to compete with used A-mount lenses. And yet, they did provide adapters so you can buy and use those if you wish.