Lightweight SLR Cameras?

January 19th, 2020
I have recently developed issues with my right hand and need to work out ways to manage it the best I can.

My current SLR is a Nikon D3400 that I use with a Tamron 16-300 zoom. Love the versatility of that set up, but it is heavy and the main camera body has that modern characteristic of a big chunky bit that also contains the battery on the right hand side at the front. This is becoming increasingly difficult to hold. I note the same design in many DSLRs.

I do have a pocket compact camera (Olympus SZ-MR) but with no manual functions and a limited zoom.

Anybody have any thoughts on a good lightweight SLR with the capacity for interchangeable lenses? Or any other thoughts for something that is good quality, versatile, manual capacity but less chunky, lighter in weight and even reminiscent of "the old days" when I held what now seems a teeny tiny OM10 in my hand?

So many cameras out there but my research has been confusing and search engines don't always answer the question you actually asked, if you see what I mean! There is a camera on my phone but I find that most unsatisfactory in comparison to what I can do with my SLR.

Your thoughts would be most appreciated. I love photography, but after conversations with my specialist, I have to change the way I do it if I am going to keep the long term use of my hand for many years to come. Any help welcome. Thank you.
January 19th, 2020
How frustrating for you! Have you looked into the mirrorless micro 4/3 cameras? Overall much smaller and lighter - although you’d have to take care with lens selection as good quality lens can be a bit weighty. I’ve been using an Olympus micro 4/3 as my walk about camera for some years now - it makes a huge difference. With a pancake lens it’s practically pocketable but really has all the versatility and quality of a DSLR.
January 19th, 2020
Not an SLR, but a mirrorless camera would meet your requirements for interchangeable lenses. I happen to have an Olympus OMD-EM10 (mark 1) which is light and small, as are the lenses. Take a look at the latest Mark 3 here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otc8ig3SCX0

Other manufacturers do mirrorless, Sony, Fuji, Panasonic, others, I don't know if they are as small.
January 19th, 2020
I've just bought an Olympus mirrorless OMD-EM1 Mk2. I love my Nikon gear but it's too heavy to travel with.
January 19th, 2020
Casablanca, I have a Canon EOS Rebel SL1 camera which is fairly light weight. A nifty 50 mm lens would probably be light, tool.
January 19th, 2020
I think that mirrorless is the way forward for you. Good luck
January 19th, 2020
Just took a look at weights - OMD-EM10 camera 396g, Tamron 16-300mm lens 540g ! Amazing.
January 19th, 2020
@northy @laroque @merrelyn @mittens @padlock

Thanks for your responses, much appreciated. I shall have a good look at these suggestions and try them out in the shop.

And @laroque you are quite right! I went and weighed my Nikon with Tamron lens and it weighed in at a mighty 2 lbs 5 oz!! That's more than a standard UK bag of sugar......
January 19th, 2020
I also recommend a mirrorless camera. I use an Olympus OMD-E M10 Mark 2. The mark 3 is already in the market, so you can get good deals in the mark 2 (I did). The main difference between the models is the mark3 has some improvements in video, not in photos.
January 19th, 2020
I can also suggest the Fuji mirrorless range. I have an X-E3 which is considerably lighter than my Nikon DSLR, but has the same size sensor. The XT-20 and XT-30 have a lovely retro feel, and secondhand lenses are reasonably priced.
January 19th, 2020
@taffy has a mirrorless nikon that she takes fabulous shots with
January 19th, 2020
I have a Sony RX10 "bridge" camera for work travel (that's not primarily about photography) because it has a fixed lens and goes from 24 - 600. If you start at these two links and go backwards in my album, all the photos from Nov 13 - 24, 2019 and February were taken with it.
http://365project.org/jyokota/365/2019-11-24
http://365project.org/jyokota/365/2019-02-24
(all photos taken in Brazil in February 19 - 24, 2019

It isn't good in low light (very grainy) because the sensor is so small and you also can't crop much because of the same issue. But with a reach to 600 you really don't need to crop. And with only one lens fixed, you don't have to carry anything but this camera across your body so the weight is distributed well.

I find this camera to do better than my lightweight Canon SLR I used to have. I've gotten great wildlife (moving but not too fast like chipmunks eating or birds relatively still) with it but @jgpittenger also has the camera and she says it's not good for birds in flight. The other thing you have to deal with is the Sony menu system which is very different from Canon or NIKON.

Good luck and take care -- I also suffer from arthritis in both hands so I'm finding I reach for my Sony or my iPhone more than my Canon these days. But nothing beats the quality I get out of my big and heavy Canon. I'm not giving up that one as my primary camera, so my Sony is my secondary camera.
January 19th, 2020
I bought a Panasonic GX9 for my handbag. I’m finding I’m using it more and more instead of my Nikon D7500, particularly for its weight and size. I wasn’t going to buy any new lenses for it, because it was going to be my 2nd camera. I now have 3. I’m going to Australia for a short trip, and I’m packing the GX9
January 19th, 2020
I have the same problem, my well loved Nikon D90 and lenses were getting too heavy and I have recently bought an Olympus OM5 Mk lll mirrorless camera with the micro 4/3 system and it is weatherproof. It is smaller and lighter and I am delighted with it so far.

My son had recently bought the mirrorless Olympus M10 Mk lll and it reminded me of my old OM1 from forty years ago!

I was concerned about the smaller sensor and am still getting to grips with the micro 4/3 system but it has been all good so far.
My understanding is that you roughly double the size of lens, so my 14 - 150 mm lens zooms to a little less than 300mm, and the 75 - 300mm lens zooms to a little less than 600mm.

One thing to consider is some brands have image stabilisation in the body and some in the lens. You can use mostly any lens on any make of body (apart from Fujifilm I think).

Mirrorless cameras have a quiet/silent shutter.

I chose Olympus because it has image stabilisation in the body which gives me more choices of other makes of lenses.

One criticism is the battery life is much shorter than my Nikon D90 but maybe because of the electronic shutter.




January 19th, 2020
I'm loving my E-M10MarkII - really small and light. Lots of good raves above on similar models :)
January 19th, 2020
i have the same camera as @rosie00 and i love it... i just got the mark iii after having the mark ii for 3+ years... i haven't had a chance to give the mark iii a full work out, but i found the image quality with the mark ii to be fantastic...

i routinely used high iso with the mark ii and was generally impressed... the images in the links below were taken at ISO 10,000 and 20,000... yes they are grainy, but i think still pretty good considering... https://365project.org/northy/365/2018-10-25 https://365project.org/northy/365/2018-10-19 https://365project.org/northy/365/2019-08-10

these were taken at slightly lower ISOs - 8000 down to around 800 i think... https://365project.org/northy/365/2019-11-15 https://365project.org/northy/365/2019-11-10 https://365project.org/northy/365/2019-11-14
January 19th, 2020
btw, i really like this site for comparing cameras and lenses... you can select a bunch and see the specs side by side... including weight... https://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras
January 19th, 2020
@jgpittenger Jane's right. As a Nikon user with similar issues to you, the weight was getting to me. I love the Z6 with the kit lens (24-70). It's not the range you have now, but it's excellent. There's a new 14-30 Z-mount f4 lens that I'm considering adding. Right now, there is nothing comparable to the Tampon 15-600 that I have with my D610, but I bought the adapter and if I need to use a specialized lens from my other setup, I can. The Z6 viewfinder and LED screen make it easy under any lighting circumstances. The image stabilization has been terrific, and it works well in very low light situations. It's a full frame, so no trade-off in that. Even with the smaller pixels than my 610, the image quality is comparable. Given your interest in wildlife, the only downside is that they don't have a full range of telephotos yet. Good luck with your decision!
January 20th, 2020
I have been looking for ages for something lighter than my Csnon 5D mark 111 which is heavy even before I put my 100-400mm lens on!
So many cameras and choices out there. I am reading above comments with interest!
January 20th, 2020
Thanks for starting this thread. I'm in the same boat. My Pentax K-3 has been in the bag for ages because my hands hurt; though I dragged it out this week to say goodbye. I'll be moving to mirrorless soon. We'll see!
January 21st, 2020
I am Olympus user, for all of the reasons described above. I am a big fan of my EM-1 and associated lenses. However, I have enjoyed renting, to help me try out various lenses, etc. I might recommend renting gear, before you purchase. Especially if you are in the US, try https://www.borrowlenses.com or https://www.lensrentals.com

It is a fraction of the buying cost, and you can really test before you commit. Good luck!
January 22nd, 2020
Canon SL1 is extremely light . I have issues too. I have one and love it. I use it for travel or when I just can’t handle carrying my heavy Pentax.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/hands-review/hands-review-canon-eos-rebel-sl1?BI=572&BI=572&gclid=CjwKCAiAgqDxBRBTEiwA59eEN_Y-urAaKs0V3cjw3BCpgAgiRlrJovGppOJcovk20aXJphOAQGboHhoCo8cQAvD_BwE
January 22nd, 2020
Thanks SO much for all the thoughts and advice here. I am researching all the ideas to try to find the right solution. Hugely appreciated that you took the time to respond, so thank you very much. Glad there are other people too on here that this discussion may help who have similar issues to me.
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