Compact System Cameras vs. DSLRs

[Matt Bennett]

With lots of lovely (and often beautifully retro styled) Compact System Cameras being issued lately, some believe that CSCs will, not too far in the future, be more popular than DSLRs.

What do you think?!

[simon3116]

They may be more popular with consumers but I can't see them taking over the professional market anytime soon. I did try a Nikon J1 recently and it felt quite balanced in my hands but it only had the 10-30mm lens on it so I'm not sure what it's like with a longer lens. The other thing to consider is that CSC cameras don't fit into a pocket like a compact so you still need to have a camera bag to carry it around.

[Troy]

Simon - the longer lenses, such as the 30-110mm on the Nikon 1 is still very compact, so it doesn't feel unbalanced at all.

I have to agree though, kind of. They are great for consumers and people wanting slightly more control/quality compared to a compact. But they aren't compact really. They don't fit into a pocket, and when they are coupled with a selection of lenses and accessories, you may as well be carrying a DSLR. They are also quite expensive for what you get, and the lens selection is small and also rather pricey.

I can definitely see them growing and beginning to take a larger chunk of the market, but i don't think they'll ever replace DSLRs in both the professional and serious amateur categories.