If you have been around the photography world for any amount of time, you may have come across the whole "DSLR vs Mirrorless" debate. Whether it's on YouTube, forums or Facebook, the debate has raged for some time over which type of camera system is the best. Well, I am here to tell you that debate has been settled and there is a clear winner: Mirrorless. Mirrorless camera systems are on the come up and DSLR is dead. Sure, DSLR has some advantages over Mirrorless, but they pale in comparison to the advantages of Mirrorless. Here are some reasons why you should invest in Mirrorless cameras over DSLR.
Because Camera Manufacturers Told You To
So maybe not the reason you want to hear, but camera manufacturers set the tone for what types of products will be produced and which types will be discontinued. As of writing this article, it is clear which system they want to push out to the general public: Mirrorless. The 3 main manufacturers, Sony, Canon and Nikon, all have gone the way of Mirrorless. In fact, out of the three, Canon was the last manufacturer to release a DSLR back in 2020. Since then, all three manufacturers have concentrated on producing Mirrorless cameras. For DSLR owners, this is not a good sign. Support for DSLRs will slowly start to fade away as the years go by. This means no more firmware updates, spare parts or servicing.
Auto Focus
Auto Focus seems to be the only thing people care about anymore when it comes to cameras. Back in 2018, the used photo market was flooded with cameras as everyone starting ditching their DSLRs for the Sony A7III. The main driving force in the mass migration was Sony's new autofocus system, which allowed for eye AF. This revolution in camera technology gave photographers more confidence in their ability to capture an image correctly and with ease. Since then, all camera manufacturers have followed suit and put a lot of time, energy and cost into developing auto focus systems for their mirrorless cameras.
Image Preview
This feature of mirrorless cameras is one of my favorites, and one that I think will greatly benefit beginner photographers. Mirrorless cameras allow you to preview the image before you take the shot. This feature allows the photographer to see how manipulating different settings on the camera will impact the exposure of the image before hitting the shutter button. This is a great tool for beginners as they can see how changing ISO, shutter speed and aperture will impact the photo.
Size and Weight
DSLR's mirror and pentaprism require additional space in the camera body to function properly. This results in camera bodies that can be described as "chunky" when compared to their Mirrorless counterparts. In addition, the extra "stuff" inside the camera contributes to the overall weight of the camera. While size and weight can help with durability, it does not make carrying around a camera and lenses any easier. Mirrorless cameras, on the other hand, are generally smaller and lighter than DSLRs. They do not require a mirror system to operate (hence the name mirrorless). Instead, they use an Electronic View Finder (EVF) to preview the image. This image is a real time, digital copy of the image produced by the sensor. Some mirrorless cameras even take weight and size reduction a step further and remove the EVF completely. Instead, they rely on just the back LCD screen for composing and previewing an image.
In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS)
DSLR's relied on the lenses they used to provide some form of vibration reduction or image stabilization. However, the cost and size of the mechanics required prevented some lenses from having these features. With the removal of the mirror and pentaprism, mirrorless camera bodies have more space to allow for features such as IBIS. This means mirrorless lenses no longer require vibration reduction or image stabilization features, and older, adapted DSLR lenses, automatically gain stabilization through the camera body.
Silent Shooting
As a professional photographer, it is important to let a scene play out in front of you so that you can capture the "pureness" of the subject. Nothing can ruin that faster than the loud slapping sound of a DSLR's shutter curtain firing off in rapid succession. Thankfully, mirrorless cameras give you not only a mechanical shutter, but an electronic shutter. An electronic shutter uses the camera's sensor to capture light electronically. When the shutter button is pressed, the sensor is activated and begins recording data. The exposure time is controlled by electronically turning the sensor on and off, rather than by physically opening and closing a set of curtains. Advantages of electronic shutters include their ability to operate completely silently, which can be beneficial for photographers who need to work quietly or who are shooting in a quiet environment. They can also allow for faster shutter speeds, since they don't have the same physical limitations as mechanical shutters.
The Cons
I should note that shooting with a Mirrorless camera is not all sunshine and rainbows. Yes, there are some downsides to mirrorless cameras. But, I believe the advantages greatly outweigh the cons. Here are a few to know:
Battery life - Mirrorless cameras eat batteries. They require more power to operate the EVF and other electronic features.
Cost - The increased reliance on electronics and features like IBIS, increase production costs, resulting in more expensive cameras. Mirrorless lenses, despite not needing features like vibration reduction, are still expensive. Their advanced design and image quality result in higher selling prices as well.
Heat Issues - Mirrorless camera's small, compact design prevent them from having good thermal management. This is evident when using higher end video features, like filming in 4K or higher at a fast frame rate, like 60fps. The amount of heat generated from the process is sometimes enough to over heat a camera.
Ergonomics - Mirrorless cameras tend to be smaller and lighter than DSLRs, which can be an advantage in terms of portability, but can also make them less comfortable to hold for extended periods of time, especially if you have larger hands.
Conclusion
Whether or not you should ditch your old DSLR and invest in Mirrorless cameras is up to you. The camera industry is pushing mirrorless technology, with major manufacturers like Sony, Canon, and Nikon all shifting their focus towards mirrorless cameras. Features like auto-focus, image preview, size and weight reduction, in-body image stabilization, and silent shooting make mirrorless cameras a compelling choice for both professional and amateur photographers. While there are some downsides to mirrorless cameras, the advantages far outweigh the cons. So, if you're looking to invest in a new camera system, it's time to consider mirrorless.
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