2020 Was the Mirrorless Inflection Point: Pro Bodies Matured, Lens Lines Got Serious

If 2019 was the prelude, 2020 made mirrorless the default. Canon’s EOS R5/R6 pushed the RF system into true flagship territory with IBIS, deep-learning subject detection, and-yes-headline-grabbing 8K RAW (with thermal constraints clearly in play). Sony finally delivered the video workhorse creators wanted in the A7S III: 4K/120, 10‑bit 4:2:2, excellent rolling‑shutter control, and robust thermals. Nikon’s Z6 II/Z7 II shored up early gaps with dual processors and card slots, while Fujifilm’s X‑T4 brought IBIS and stronger battery life to a proven APS‑C platform. Under the hood, faster pipelines, wider AF coverage, and more reliable subject tracking turned “hybrid” into table stakes rather than a marketing line.

What’s notable here is how quickly lens ecosystems caught up. Canon accelerated RF with the RF 100–500mm, fast L primes, and unusually compact 600mm/800mm f/11 DO teles. Sony rounded out E‑mount with the 12–24mm f/2.8 GM and practical primes, while Sigma and Tamron leaned hard into native E‑mount designs (see the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN and Tamron 70–180mm f/2.8). The bigger picture: shorter flange distances and wider mounts are paying optical dividends-better corner performance, closer focus, and lighter telephotos-while third‑party support consolidated around E‑mount as RF stayed mostly first‑party. Worth noting: amidst COVID supply strain, the real gains weren’t 8K bragging rights; it was dependable AF, stabilized sensors, and 10‑bit workflows that let shooters roll longer and rig less.