Top mirrorless camera brands available in SA

[newby_investor]

That isn't by design.

Well, compromises are also "by design". A smartphone also needs to be a smartphone, it can't just go balls-to-the-wall camera. (Such attempts have been made: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s4_zoom-5447.php but they didn't sell well.)

Phone cameras would be everything if they could and likewise would bridge and interchangeable lens.

Again, "everything" is a subjective thing here. You can't have a single device that's electric mountain bike and superlight road bike.

But you can't put the same sensor in a phone as you'd need a proper lens. You can't easily achieve the same zoom with a mirrorless or DSLR as with a bridge as it's partly because of he sensor size.

Which was exactly my point.

Yes skill is a part of it but you're only as good as what you're using.

If you're good you can go pretty far. A pro with a shitty camera can probably produce better pictures than I could with a high-end one. (Note here I'm talking about artistic skill as well as simple technical skill in taking the pictures with the right settings.

At the end of the day, average Joe will probably be better suited with a smartphone camera, and a pro will always want a dedicated device.

 

[aleksandar]

I'm still happy with my trusty old Lumix LX100M2.

Always wanted to get one when they first showed up but price was always high, managed to buy original one two years ago for ridiculously low price.
Believe it or not but it is my favourite of all the cameras that I got (even my x100f).

 

[aleksandar]

If you're good you can go pretty far. A pro with a shitty camera can probably produce better pictures than I could with a high-end one. (Note here I'm talking about artistic skill as well as simple technical skill in taking the pictures with the right settings.

Probably 15 years ago we had club competition 20 shots, no editing.
You get 20 subject that you need to shoot in 3 hours (it was done in stone processing factory).
At the end you hand in card with 20 shots to be judged.

Assortment of cameras was amazing from cheapest point and shoot, crop, full frame to Hasselblad.

First place pro with point and shoot, second place one of those long range point and shoot then everybody else.