Which are the quietest DSLRs?

I have the EOS M right now and, after today, can't imagine getting rid of it.

My daughter was in a musical these last few days and I attended the 3pm show today, scoring seats in the front row. It's a small theater but the lighting is good.

Anyway, before the show began I made sure all sound was off (beeps are rude) and dimmed my screen to the darkest setting. Then, throughout the play I took a ton of shots with it sitting in my lap. The shutter's click is so faint and the screen so dim that nobody could tell I was shooting. What a treat. I took hundreds of pics.

The last DSLR I owned was a T2i, but it might as well have been called a T-R2D2 because the shutter made so much noise. Once, while taking pictures of Yale University (stunning architecture inside and out) I took a pic in the library and every head looked up. I loudly whispered "sorry" and slinked out of there with my tail tucked. The shutter went "cha-chink." Very loud. Very electronic sounding.

So, as I prepare to dive back into using a DSLR again (while keeping this mouse-quiet EOS M) are there any DSLRs that are just as quiet? Even if it's only in live mode that's okay, as long as I can shoot in a theater or quiet room without disturbing anyone.

I'm leaning toward the 6D, even though my wallet is protesting loudly. But I'm open to other Canons if they are quiet. I've heard that the SL1 is quiet.

Any advice?

Thank you.

my advice is.... who cares if it is kinda loud????? My t2i is a bit loud but hey... im making memories so a bit of sound is something they have to live with....

i say get a new camera for features... not worrying about others bit I still try and be courteous.

6D, 5D3 are both very quiet in silent mode, borderline EOS-M quiet.

Charlie wrote in post #16636609
6D, 5D3 are both very quiet in silent mode, borderline EOS-M quiet.

I'll 2nd the near silence of the 6D. Very quiet.

I'll 3rd the silence of the 6D.

TeleFragger wrote in post #16636606
my advice is.... who cares if it is kinda loud????? My t2i is a bit loud but hey... im making memories so a bit of sound is something they have to live with....

i say get a new camera for features... not worrying about others bit I still try and be courteous.

1. The people in the audience care. Nobody else should be disturbed by beeps and cha-ching sounds of a shutter.

2. Your second point: is that like hitting someone really hard while trying not to hurt them?


Thanks to everyone else for the advice. Sounds like the 6D is still a strong contender.

One of the things that bother me while watching a news conference on TV is the horrible cacophony of shutters. Too loud.

^^^^point well taken...
my shots are usually where kids are running around or talking it up so my shutter sound isnt a bother....

I have always wondered about quieter shutters....

EOS-Mike wrote in post #16636596
I have the EOS M right now and, after today, can't imagine getting rid of it.

My daughter was in a musical these last few days and I attended the 3pm show today, scoring seats in the front row. It's a small theater but the lighting is good.

Anyway, before the show began I made sure all sound was off (beeps are rude) and dimmed my screen to the darkest setting. Then, throughout the play I took a ton of shots with it sitting in my lap. The shutter's click is so faint and the screen so dim that nobody could tell I was shooting. What a treat. I took hundreds of pics.

The last DSLR I owned was a T2i, but it might as well have been called a T-R2D2 because the shutter made so much noise. Once, while taking pictures of Yale University (stunning architecture inside and out) I took a pic in the library and every head looked up. I loudly whispered "sorry" and slinked out of there with my tail tucked. The shutter went "cha-chink." Very loud. Very electronic sounding.

So, as I prepare to dive back into using a DSLR again (while keeping this mouse-quiet EOS M) are there any DSLRs that are just as quiet? Even if it's only in live mode that's okay, as long as I can shoot in a theater or quiet room without disturbing anyone.

I'm leaning toward the 6D, even though my wallet is protesting loudly. But I'm open to other Canons if they are quiet. I've heard that the SL1 is quiet.

Any advice?

Thank you.

The quietest DSLR's are the units that have been encased in a Jacobson sound blimp. These devices absorb so much mechanical noise from a camera that it can be used unobtrusively in a courtroom.

^^^awesome. That was cool, Telefragger. Thanks.

DC Fan wrote in post #16636687
The quietest DSLR's are the units that have been encased in a Jacobson sound blimp. These devices absorb so much mechanical noise from a camera that it can be used unobtrusively in a courtroom.

Thanks for the link. I was actually aware of those, but they are expensive. I saw one when I worked on the set of Devil's Knot (film coming out in a few weeks). The woman hired to shoot production stills had a 5D3 in one for both sound and humidity. Georgia summer.

Can not imagine any quieter than the 6d. It is pretty impressive.

I'm pretty sure my 6D is quieter than my M, even in normal shutter mode... I'll double check to be sure.