DSLR vs Mirrorless Camera: The Differences Between

Jeff Picoult

By Jeff Picoult

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For most people, a camera is just a camera. But if you’re even the slightest bit into photography, you will know that the type of camera you choose can make all the difference. 

DSLR vs Mirrorless Camera

Take mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras vs DSLRs, for example — both offer unique capabilities due to the differences in their designs. Want to find out how? Keep reading!

What Is A DSLR Camera?

DSLR Camera

Overall, a DSLR camera (short for Digital Single-Lens Reflex) is basically what most people think of when they picture a traditional professional camera. 

It has a mirror inside that reflects light coming through the lens up into a prism, which allows you to see exactly what the lens sees through the optical viewfinder. Specifically, when you press the shutter button, that mirror will quickly flip up, letting the light hit the image sensor to capture the photo. 

One of the main reasons DSLRs have become popular is their versatility. You can swap out different lenses (depending on what you’re shooting), and they also give you a ton of control with manual settings to get creative with your photography. 

Furthermore, DSLRs are well recognized for their great image quality, long battery life, and reliable optical viewfinders that perform well in most lighting.

What Is A Mirrorless Camera?

Mirrorless Cameras

A mirrorless camera, on the other hand, does away with the whole mirror system. Instead, the light goes straight to the image sensor, and you see the live image on a digital screen or an electronic viewfinder. This setup makes mirrorless cameras more compact and lightweight, which is a huge plus if you don’t want to carry a bulky camera around. 

Just like DSLRs, mirrorless cameras let you switch out lenses, and they deliver excellent image quality, too. Nevertheless, since there’s no mirror to flip up and down this time, mirrorless cameras are generally fast at focusing (especially when it comes to shooting videos) and much quieter when snapping photos. 

As a result, they’re becoming more popular, especially for photographers and videographers who want a modern, portable camera with all the latest features.

Mirrorless vs DSLR Camera: Break Down The Differences

Overall, since mirrorless cameras don’t have the bulky mirror and prism setup that DSLRs use, they’re generally smaller, lighter, and more portable. We highly recommend them if you’re always on the move or need something that’s easy to carry. 

Nevertheless, since mirrorless cameras rely on electronic viewfinders and LCD screens, they burn through battery power much more quickly. That gives the DSLRs quite an edge for those planning a long day of shooting without easy access to charging. 

Let’s break down further the difference between DSLR and mirrorless cameras!

FeatureMirrorless CamerasDSLR Cameras
Size and WeightCompact and lightweightLarger and heavier due to the mirror mechanism
ViewfinderElectronic Viewfinder (EVF) or LCD screen: What you see is a digital preview of the imageOptical Viewfinder (OVF): What you see is a direct optical view through the lens
AutofocusFast and accurate autofocus, especially in low lightGenerally slower autofocus in live view mode, but fast with phase detection through the optical viewfinder
Battery LifeShorter battery life due to the electronic viewfinderLonger battery life as the optical viewfinder uses less power
Lens CompatibilityGrowing range of native lenses; can use adapters for DSLR lensesWide range of native lenses available; some limitations with older lenses on newer bodies
Shooting SpeedHigher continuous shooting speeds due to fewer moving partsGenerally slower continuous shooting speeds due to mirror movement
Image QualityExcellent image quality with advanced sensorsExcellent image quality, especially with full-frame sensors
StabilityNo mirror mechanism, so quieter operation and less camera shakeMirror movement can cause slight vibrations and camera shake
DurabilityLess rugged. Weather sealing is increasingly common in higher-end models, though not universalWeather sealing common in higher-end models, suitable for rugged outdoor conditions

Size and Weight

DSLR vs Mirrorless Camera size and weight

One of the first differences you’ll notice between mirrorless and DSLR cameras is their size and weight.

Overall, due to the mirror and prism system they have inside, DSLRs are generally bigger and bulkier. As mentioned earlier, that mirror reflects light up into the viewfinder, which means the camera body has to be large enough to house all that extra hardware. 

For some photographers, that added bulk actually feels good in the hand, especially when paired with heavier lenses for things like wildlife or sports photography.

On the flip side, mirrorless cameras, as the name suggests, don’t have a mirror mechanism at all. As a result, they are significantly smaller and lighter, which is a huge plus if you’re constantly on the go or just prefer something more portable. 

For instance, for street photography artists, travelers, or vloggers, a mirrorless camera might be much easier to carry around all day without feeling like you’re lugging around a brick.

On the other hand, remember that while the camera body is lighter, some high-end mirrorless lenses can still be quite heavy. In such cases, the overall weight savings might not be as much as you’d expect.

Viewfinder

DSLR vs Microless viewfinder

Now, let’s talk about how you actually see what you’re shooting!

From our research, DSLR cameras use an optical viewfinder, which means when you look through it, you’re seeing exactly what the lens sees — real life, in real time, thanks to the mirror system. 

Since there’s no lag, you can see your scene clearly in all lighting types, whether it’s bright sunlight or low-light conditions. For some professional photographers, this direct view feels more natural and intuitive!

Full-frame mirrorless cameras, on the other hand, use an electronic viewfinder (EVF) or just display the digital image on the rear LCD screen. 

Simply put, instead of seeing the scene as it is, you’re seeing a digital preview of it. Also, the EVF will show exactly how your final image will look, including factors like exposure, white balance, and any filters or effects you’ve applied. This design can be hugely beneficial, especially for beginners, because you will get immediate and precise feedback on all your settings.

Autofocus System

Here comes another focus where mirrorless cameras tend to shine.

Specifically, mirrorless systems use on-sensor phase detection autofocus, meaning the autofocus points are right on the image sensor. Therefore, it allows for faster and more accurate focusing, especially when tracking moving subjects or shooting video.

As discussed, since there’s no mirror to deal with, mirrorless cameras can focus quickly and precisely across the entire frame, which gives you a lot of flexibility in how you compose your shots. Photographers like to use them for action shots, sports, or fast-paced environments.

In contrast, full-frame DSLRs use a dedicated autofocus sensor that works with the mirror to focus. While they still offer powerful autofocus systems (particularly in higher-end models), they can be slower or less accurate when shooting in live-view mode or video. Not to mention, DSLRs usually have fewer autofocus points and more limited coverage, which means you’re often focusing in the middle of the frame.

All in all, DSLRs can still work great for photography. However, for fast-moving subjects, mirrorless cameras are generally the better option.

Lens Options

Are you someone who loves experimenting with different lenses? Then, you might lean toward DSLRs. Since DSLRs have been around longer, they offer a wider range of lenses. 

Canon, Nikon, and other big names have built extensive libraries of lenses over the years; they give you everything from budget-friendly kit lenses to high-end glass for professional photography!

On the other hand, mirrorless cameras are relatively new, so they don’t have as many native lenses to choose from — at least not yet.

That said, brands like Sony, Canon, and Nikon are catching up fast and have been developing more lenses specifically for their mirrorless systems.

So, if you already have DSLR lenses and are thinking of switching to mirrorless, many digital cameras offer adapters that let you use your old lenses. Just be aware that using an adapter might slow down your autofocus a bit and add extra bulk to your setup.

Battery Life

Overall, DSLRs generally last longer on a single charge because they don’t have to power an electronic viewfinder or a constantly active LCD screen. The optical viewfinder doesn’t use any power, so the camera’s battery is mostly used for metering, autofocus, and image processing. 

As a result, DSLRs can often take hundreds, if not thousands, of shots on a single charge, which is great for long shoots, events, or trips where you might not have easy access to charging.

Mirrorless cameras, on the other hand, need to keep their electronic viewfinder or rear screen on the whole time you’re shooting, which drains the battery faster. You might only get a few hundred shots before needing to swap batteries. Sure, a wide range of mirrorless cameras are improving in this area, but they still don’t quite match the endurance of DSLRs. 

Shooting Speed

Last but not least, regarding shooting speed, mirrorless cameras clearly have the edge. Without a mirror to physically move up and down, they can shoot continuously at much faster rates! 

In fact, many mirrorless models can shoot at 10 frames per second (FPS) or even higher – an ideal choice for photographers who need to capture multiple shots in quick succession.

DSLRs, while capable of fast shooting, are limited by the mirror mechanism, which takes time to flip up and down with each shot and, as a result, slows down continuous shooting rates.

Of course, some high-end DSLRs can perform well in terms of burst shooting. Nevertheless, mirrorless cameras are still quicker when it comes to taking multiple frames rapidly and reducing shutter lag. 

Extra Tips When Using DSLR or Mirrorless Camera

Want to nail your projects with either a digital DSLR or mirrorless camera? Let us give you some extra tips:

For DSLR Cameras

  • Calibrate your lenses: Over time or with certain lenses, you may notice that your autofocus is slightly off (front or back focusing). Fortunately, most DSLR cameras have a built-in “AF Microadjustment” feature, allowing you to fine-tune the focus of each lens individually to ensure pinpoint accuracy.
  • Use real button focus: This technique helps you separate focus from the shutter button. Instead of half-pressing the shutter button to focus, you use a dedicated button (usually labeled AF-ON) on the back of the camera to recompose without refocusing each time you press the shutter.
  • Enable highlight alerts (Blinkies): Do you know that DSLRs often have a feature that shows you which parts of your image are overexposed? It’s a great way to avoid blown-out highlights that are unrecoverable in post-processing.

For Mirrorless Cameras

  • Customize your function buttons: Spend some time setting up these buttons to access key features like ISO, white balance, focus peaking, or eye autofocus with a single press. Trust us; you will be able to shoot more efficiently and avoid getting lost in the menus during crucial moments.
  • Leverage focus peaking: If you’re shooting with manual focus or using older, manual lenses, why not take advantage of your camera’s focus peaking feature? It highlights the edges of your in-focus areas with colored outlines, which lets you achieve precise manual focus without guessing.
  • Activate zebra patterns: For your information, zebra patterns are an advanced tool that marks overexposed areas with a striped pattern on your electronic viewfinder or LCD screen. This is a more precise method than using a histogram for judging exposure. To avoid blown-out areas, simply adjust your exposure settings until the zebras disappear from key highlights! 

Conclusion

Now that you’ve gotten the insights into DSLR vs. mirrorless cameras, you’re probably feeling more confident about which one is the best personal choice for your next project. Still feeling a little unsure? No worries; reach out to us, and we’ll clear up anything you’re still wondering about!


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Jeff Picoult

Jeff Picoult

Photographer

Jeff Picoult is a seasoned photographer, who blends artistry and innovation. With a humble approach, he captures moments resonating with depth and emotion, from nature's beauty to the energy of sports.

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