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Is it time to say goodbye to your DSLR?
Are mirrorless cameras really the future of dental photography?
If your DSLR is still working perfectly, should you upgrade now or wait for the right time?
Jaz is joined by Dr. Ashish Soneji in this game-changing episode to discuss the death of the DSLR and why the shift to mirrorless cameras is inevitable.
They break down whether you should proactively switch or strategically hold off, plus what this means for your existing lenses.
You’ll also learn the rules of mix and match—can you use your current DSLR lens on a mirrorless body? And most importantly, which mirrorless lenses are worth buying and which ones to avoid (hint: if they don’t have markings, you might be in trouble!).
If you care about consistent, high-quality dental photography, this episode is a must-listen!
Protrusive Dental Pearl: Jaz introduces the 21-Day Photography Challenge for beginners, featuring 21 short videos to help dentists take clear, well-framed photos. In just three weeks, participants will master essential shots, including tricky occlusal views, at their own pace.
Need to Read it? Check out the Full Episode Transcript below!
Key Takeaways:
- Investing in quality equipment pays off in the long run.
- Mirrorless cameras offer significant advantages over DSLRs.
- Lighting is crucial for capturing quality images.
- Standardized images require barrel markings on lenses.
- Second-hand DSLRs can be a cost-effective option for beginners.
- The evolution of camera technology impacts photography practices.
- Choosing the right lens is essential for dental photography.
- Flash consistency is vital for accurate representation in images.
- Upgrading to mirrorless is a smart move for future-proofing photography. Upgrading your camera setup should align with your clinical progression.
- Mirrorless cameras are lighter and offer better image quality.
- Consider the size and transportability of your camera kit.
- Timing for upgrades can be linked to job changes or equipment failures.
- Image quality is influenced by megapixels, especially for presentations and printing.
- Using the right tools, like smaller mirrors and retractors, can improve photography outcomes.
- Testing second-hand cameras before purchase is crucial to avoid issues.
- Mobile photography is improving, but may not match the quality of dedicated cameras.
- Investing in good photographic equipment is essential for quality results.
Highlights of this episode:
- 00:00 Teaser
- 00:47 Intro
- 01:41 Protrusive Dental Pearl
- 03:30 Ashish’s Journey into Photography
- 09:06 The Shift from DSLR to Mirrorless Cameras
- 13:33 Choosing the Right Camera Setup
- 15:32 Upgrading to Mirrorless Cameras
- 19:22 Camera Recommendations for Beginners
- 27:23 Investing in Reliable Flash Equipment
- 32:20 Investing in Reliable Flash Equipment
- 33:48 When to Upgrade Your Camera Setup
- 38:08 Getting HQ Images: Mirrorless vs DSLR
- 42:03 Avoiding Newer Lenses
- 43:23 Posterior Quadrant Photography
- 47:50 Tips for Buying Second-Hand Cameras
- 49:54 Mobile Dental Photography: Are We There Yet?
- 53:20 Getting Your First Mirrorless Camera
- 55:40 Course Information
- 57:53 Outro
💡Catch Dr. Ashish Soneji’s upcoming course The Magic of Dental Photography this November 2025!
📅 Friday 14th November 2025 – Exclusively for BUPA dental care professionals at Bupa Head Office in Staines
📅 Saturday 15th November 2025 – Open to all dental care professionals at the A-dec Showroom in Bracknell
You can head over to https://www.magicofdentistry.com/ and add yourself to the waitlist. Further details on how to book will be sent directly to your email.
Course overview:
- Understanding an SLR camera it’s features
- Understanding a mirrorless camera and its features
- Discussing the process of recording an image
- Overview of SLR equipment available and custom set-up for dental photographs
- Overview of mirrorless equipment available and custom set-up for dental photographs
- Understanding how to record a standardised set of clinical photographic views and posterior quadrant photographs
- Logistics of effective clinical photography workflow
- Introduction into more advanced techniques
- Introduction into recording portrait views
- Case presentations
- Hands-on implementation of the concepts discussed
If you liked this episode, you will also love Basics of Dental Photography [B2B] – PDP087
#PDPMainEpisodes #PDPMainEpisodes
This episode is eligible for 1 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.
This episode meets GDC Outcomes B and C.
AGD Subject Code: 130 ELECTIVES (138 Dental photography)
Aim: To explore the transition from DSLR to mirrorless cameras in dental photography and highlight the advantages, optimal setups, and key considerations for upgrading.
Dentists will be able to:
1. Recognize the benefits of mirrorless cameras, including focus peaking, real-time adjustments, image stabilization, and high ISO performance.
2. Choose appropriate mirrorless cameras, lenses, and flash setups based on their clinical photography needs.
3. Assess whether transitioning from a DSLR to a mirrorless system is the right choice based on their current equipment and practice requirements.
