Understanding DSLR vs. Mirrorless Cameras: Similarities, Differences, and How to Pick the Right Camera

A mirrorless camera, or compact system camera (CSC), is a high-end digital camera with a removable, interchangeable lens. Mirrorless cameras lack a reflex mirror, which means that light passes through the camera directly to the digital sensor. A mirrorless camera body is slim and lightweight, and features a digital display instead of a traditional optical viewfinder.

The components of a mirrorless camera include:

• The lens
• The shutter
• The image sensor
• The digital display

A DSLR, or Digital Single Lens Reflex camera, is a type of digital camera with a removable lens and a reflex mirror. Light bounces off the reflex mirror to either the sensor or the optical viewfinder (which displays your image). Due to the complex internal mechanics, a DSLR camera body is typically bulkier and heavier.

The components of a DSLR camera include:

• The lens
• The reflex mirror
• The shutter
• The image sensor
• A focusing screen
• The condenser lens
• The pentaprism
• The optical viewfinder

The additional components, like the condenser lens and pentaprism, direct light through the camera and help reflect the image. These components are necessary for DSLRs to capture a complete image.

Mirrorless and DSLR cameras offer image quality and customization options that are superior to smaller point-and-shoot cameras. Both mirrorless and DSLR cameras are interchangeable-lens cameras, which means that their lenses can be removed and changed to suit a photographer’s needs. Mirrorless and DSLR lenses come in a variety of focal lengths that allow a photographer flexibility in capturing shots both near and far.

There are many factors to consider when investing in a high-end camera. Both mirrorless cameras and DSLRs come with their own sets of benefits and drawbacks. Here are the eight most common differences in mirrorless cameras and DSLRs.

• Cost
• Size
• Image quality
• Autofocus
• Shooting speed
• Viewfinder
• Video
• Battery life

DSLR camera technology is well established, with wide support by third-party vendors, resulting in more choices and lower prices. DSLR costs range from as low as $150 for the cheapest models, to well into the thousands for the most expensive.

By contrast, mirrorless cameras are a newer and less common technology, with fewer choices of lenses and accessories. Mirrorless cameras start as low as $300, with high-end models reaching the mid to high thousands of dollars. However, costs for mirrorless cameras are decreasing as the technology rapidly catches up to DSLRs.

Due to their mirror system, DSLRs are quite large and heavy, ranging from about 1 ½ to 2 ½ pounds. Mirrorless cameras, on the other hand, are lighter and more compact cameras, with many weighing under one pound.

DSLR image quality depends on sensor size, with larger sensors offering higher resolution and image quality. The more common formats for DSLR sensor size include:

• Full-frame: This is the standard 35mm film format. Canon EOS and Nikon D-series are full-frame cameras.
• APS-C: A sensor that renders at about 40% of the full frame. Sony, Pentax, and Samsung all offer APS-C sensor cameras.
• Four-thirds system: Created by Olympus and Eastman Kodak, this is a smaller DSLR sensor that displays 26% of the full frame. (Even smaller? Micro four thirds.)

Both full-frame and compact sensors are also available in mirrorless cameras, but full frame mirrorless cameras typically cost more. Opt for a compact sensor with a high crop factor, and you’ll end up sacrificing quality (especially in low light) for cost.

DSLR cameras use a technology called phase detection, which measures the convergence of two light beams, to drive their autofocus systems. Phase detection enables blazing fast autofocus functionality, which is essential for capturing sporting events and other fast-moving subjects.

Mirrorless cameras, meanwhile, tend to rely on slower contrast detection autofocus technology—but they’re beginning to catch up.

While both DSLRs and mirrorless cameras can take photos at very fast shutter speeds, a mirrorless camera’s simpler internal mechanics enable it to take shoot faster than most DSLRs, particularly when it comes to a series or burst of images.

DSLRs have an optical viewfinder, which enables the photographer to literally see through the camera lens in real time. However, this also means that a DSLR camera user must take a photo and then examine it to make sure their exposure is correct.

A mirrorless camera’s electronic viewfinder, or EVF, adds the convenience of seeing what your photo will look like on an LCD screen before you press the shutter button. However, EVF preview quality tends to decrease in low-light situations.

Some DSLRs can mimic a mirrorless camera’s convenience with “live view” mode, which raises the mirror to display a live preview of your photo. However, lower-cost DSLRs are slow to focus in this mode.

Video clarity once made DSLRs a top choice for videography. however, the lack of an LCD screen and real-time display feedback for many DSLRs have led this option to fall out of favor in recent years.

By contrast, a responsive LCD screen with 4K technology, paired with the light camera body, make mirrorless cameras a great option for videographers.

Due to their electronic viewfinders and lighter camera body, mirrorless cameras tend to have shorter battery life than DSLR cameras, which can shoot without an electronic screen or viewfinder.

Today, most major digital camera manufacturers offer mirrorless camera models. Here are four mirrorless options for the novice photographer.

• Panasonic Lumix G9
• Fujifilm X-T3
• Canon EOS R
• Sony A6000

With their customizability and wide availability, DSLRs offer a range of entry-level options for budding photographers. Here are four popular DSLR camera models.

• Nikon D850
• Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
• Canon EOS 80D
• Pentax K-1

Both mirrorless systems and DSLRs provide optimum quality at a cost. Which type of camera you choose will come down to personal preference on a variety of factors, including weight, video, and pricetag, but either type should work well enough to inspire your creativity.

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