Mirrorless vs. DSLR Cameras: What to Know

A digital camera buying guide for beginners

Cameras were once in high demand for taking family photos and capturing memories from trips. But advances in technology have put a damper on camera ownership. Most people find the pictures they take with their smartphones meet their needs. However, serious photography requires an upgrade in equipment. Certain features and accessories, such as interchangeable camera lenses, provide digital cameras with capabilities far beyond those of a phone. If you’re ready to go from basic picture taking to serious photography, this guide is for you. Read on to learn the differences between mirrorless and digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras.

Digital camera basics

All digital cameras, whether within cell phones or as standalone devices, capture images with a digital sensor. The sensor, also called the photosite, is packed with light-sensitive pixels. The sensor captures light then converts the minute visual elements into electronic signals, which are ultimately displayed as the final image.

There are two basic types of digital camera ― DSLR and mirrorless ― and each offers several advantages over a phone’s camera. Interchangeable lenses allow for extraordinary image capture, from close-ups to wide angles and more. Digital cameras recreate many of the professional features of traditional film cameras but provide high-tech improvements like video recording capabilities and connectivity to a Wi-Fi network.

Why is a digital camera superior to your cell phone?

In short, digital cameras have bigger photo sensors than cell phones. These larger sensors allow digital cameras to capture more light, which results in higher-quality images. The difference becomes even more apparent on a large monitor or with hard copies from your photo printer. Digital cameras present a host of advantages, including:

Crisper pictures
Nighttime shooting
More customized imaging
Greater range

Think of your cell phone as a fantastic multi-tool, whereas your digital camera is a powerful specialized tool. Your phone, always at the ready, gets the job done when called upon. But the serious projects need specialized tech that a camera offers.

What is a digital SLR camera?

A digital single lens frame (SLR) focuses before takings the picture. Reflex describes the action of an internal mirror. This reflects the image toward an optical viewfinder. You see what the camera lens sees. The mirror pivots when you press the shutter button, allowing light from the image to hit the sensor. Long the favorite of professional photographers, but today DSLR cameras face serious competition from mirrorless cameras.

What is a mirrorless camera?

Just as the name implies, these cameras do not have a rotating internal mirror. The same sensors that capture the photograph produce the optical image in mirrorless cameras. An LCD display or an electronic viewfinder (EVF) generates the preview image, just like your phone’s screen displays the image you are photographing. Without the mirror component, these cameras have a slimmer, lighter body. Mirrorless cameras’ compact size offers more ease of use and, more frequently, a greater range of options.

Mirrorless vs. DSLR: pros and cons

Are mirrorless cameras better than DSLRs? Absolutely not. Both mirrorless and DSLR cameras have advantages in different respects.

Where DSLR is better than mirrorless

The camera battery life in the best DSLR cameras is superior to their mirrorless counterparts. The optical viewfinder allows the light sensors to rest, unlike that of an always-on mirrorless camera. DSLRs take thousands of images on a single charge while mirrorless cameras take only hundreds. Plus, DSLR cameras often provide a more affordable option than equivalent mirrorless cameras. Having been on the market longer, DSLRs also have a wider variety of DSLR camera lenses and other accessories.

The traditional viewfinder on a DSLR lets you see the image with the naked eye, rather than looking at a screen. Many photographers appreciate the connection between the camera and the image. More practically, the optical viewfinder on a DSLR works in bright sunlight while some mirrorless display screens struggle in the sun and in low-light conditions.

Where mirrorless is better than DSLR

Besides the slim design, the best mirrorless cameras feature superior video quality. Their ability to multitask gives them similar capabilities to high-tech camcorders. An EVF gives mirrorless cameras an advantage over a DSLR because it has a preview screen that creates a replica of the image you want to capture.

Additionally, lens adapters allow mirrorless cameras to use DSLR lenses, but not vice versa. Mirrorless cameras provide quicker autofocus, since the photosite reacts faster than the photographer could. Mirrorless cameras also offer more selection when it comes to water-resistant models.

Mirrorless vs. DSLR: image quality

Both DSLR and mirrorless cameras produce exceptional, high-resolution images. When it comes down to it, the sensor size remains the critical element of digital photography. Ultimately, the desired picture quality depends on your needs. Are you going to take pictures in variable lighting conditions? Then the optical viewfinder in a DSLR camera ensures a properly framed picture. Do you need lightning-quick focus? Then a mirrorless camera is your answer. While technological advances are trending toward mirrorless cameras, DSLRs still have the edge in battery life and available camera accessories.

Should you buy a mirrorless or DSLR camera?

Standardized image sensors help you compare cameras based on their features and price. Look through the options each offers to help narrow down your search. If battery life matters more than video capacity, get a DSLR. If you’re headed out into all-weather conditions, check out a water-resistant mirrorless camera. Explore the benefits that both mirrorless and DSLR provide and find the digital camera that is right for you.