DSLR vs Mirrorless Cameras – Which is the best for you?

Are you an avid photographer? Do you think in terms of visual settings, layout, and natural light? Do you love clicking friends and family? Whether you are an amateur, hobbyist or new professional, there is a particular type of camera for you. Different things work for different people depending on the style and kind of work they have in mind. There is no wrong or poor choice here. Let’s have a look at the differences between DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras. Then you can decide which one is the best for you personally and professionally.

DSLR stands for Digital Single Lens Reflex. It means that once the light has passed through the lens, it hits a mirror angled at about 45 degrees. The light shoots it up your viewfinder, which can let you see the exact image in the moment. There is no digital processing involved here. DSLRs are sturdy, have a great battery life, and provide you an excellent picture quality. They are also a cheaper way to enter into the professional photography arena. Some of the key features of DSLR are-

• Bigger Bodies- The size of the DSLR is chunky but photographers say it makes them easier to grip and handle. The design is also very sleek and light. The size also makes it easy to work with different sizes and types of lenses.
• User friendly- Hobbyists and amateurs start their journey into photography with a DSLR. It is super simple to use and handle.
• Wide Variety of Lenses- Canon and Nikon offer you every single type of lens for the DSLR. Third-party support has also made it possible for photographers to access different lenses for DSLRs.
• Viewfinders- Even the basic DSLR comes equipped with an optical viewfinder because its a crucial part of the design. This allows photographers to receive a natural look, free of lag and provides immense picture clarity.
• Autofocus- DSLRs use fast and efficient ‘phase-detection’ autofocus modules situated below the mirror in the body. These allow the cameras to be incredibly fast while tracking and focusing on subjects. But this only works when the mirror is down. Basically, the autofocus can be really weak in live view mode.

Mirrorless Cameras, as their name suggests don’t have a mirror. Light goes through the lens, straight onto the sensor, where it is processed and, almost simultaneously, displayed either on the monitor on the back of the camera or on a very small monitor- an Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) on the top. When you push the shutter button, the camera records what’s on the sensor at the moment. Here are some interesting features of a Mirrorless Camera.

• Small in Size- The compact size of the Mirrorless Camera has long been its selling point. Some photographers complain that it makes it difficult to work with bigger lenses. But nowadays, companies are increasing the size to match the grips required by photographers.
• Limited Lenses- Nikon and Canon have a very limited range of lenses for the Mirrorless Camera. They have adapters that can allow you to use DSLR lenses for the Mirrorless Camera. Newer lenses are being developed by other companies that can be used across various types of cameras.
• Viewfinders- Entry-level Mirrorless Cameras don’t have viewfinders included. For the electronic viewfinder, you have to spend a bit more but it’s definitely worth it. The resolution, quality, and optics are flawless with an electronic viewfinder.
• Hybrid Autofocus- The hybrid autofocus systems on Mirrorless Cameras work perfectly. Most newer systems combine contrast-detect with phase-detect autofocus from the sensor. This results in an improvement in speed and accuracy with which photographers can lock and follow a moving subject.
• High-Speed Shooting- Mirrorless design in the camera makes it ideal for shooting at a high speed or shooting video.

Now that we have seen the features of both the cameras, which one is the best? The differences between Mirrorless and DSLR indicate the styles and kinds of photographers they would suit. If you are a blogger, Instagrammer, Influencer, or semi-professional, then a Mirrorless Camera like the Panasonic Lumix G9, Sony Alpha 7 III, or Canon EOS M50 is ideal for you. Their size makes these mirrorless cameras very easy to carry around. They are also excellent for video and photo stills. For videographers that dabble in photography, the mirrorless camera is still the better option. Try the Fujifilm X-T4 or the Nikon Z 6 for your professional needs.

DSLRs are still a popular choice among professional photographers. They are decently priced and make excellent entry-level cameras for budding photographers or hobbyists. The Nikon D3500 remains the most price-effective DSLR for beginners. You can try the Canon EOS 6D Mark II if you are looking for a professional camera that costs a little more. The battery life on DSLRs is endless which makes it the perfect camera for photographers and professionals.