Last Updated on May 14, 2023 by cameraconsumer
Should I take advantage of the bargains available on DSLR cameras? Or should I embrace new technology, and go mirrorless?
It’s the question most commonly asked among camera newbies – looking at the state of camera technology today, should a beginner be shopping for a DSLR? Maybe a Nikon D3500 or something similar?
But then again, DSLR cameras have largely been discontinued. Mirrorless cameras are the new platform moving forward.
Should you move forward with the newest technology? Should you maybe purchase something along the lines of a Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless digital camera?
Well, in this article, let’s take a look at these two types of cameras. One mirrorless, and one equipped with a pivoting mirror. Each has its pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages, etc.
It’s just a matter of which suits you better.
Just looking at each type of camera, there are several immediate differences. The mirrorless camera is thinner, more compact, and it’s lighter. The DSLR camera is chunkier and heavier.
Inside each actual camera, however, is where the viewpoint comes into focus.
The technical differences between Mirrorless and DSLR
The DSLR model (Digital Single Lens Reflex) uses an optical viewfinder. What the lens sees, the image-capturing sensor, and the viewfinder both see. The light enters the mirror chamber, is reflected upward to a prism, and it’s projected through the optical viewfinder.
When a photograph is taken, that mirror mechanically snaps flat. And then the shutter opens for a fraction of a second so that the electronic sensor can capture the snapshot.
Interestingly, if you were to look inside the mirrorless model, that flipping light redirection mechanism is missing.
So, what does that mean for the camera industry?
Large-sensor cameras, the ones that take incredibly detailed photographs, can be made thinner and lighter. That’s a benefit that a photography beginner can get behind. The photographs shot by this camera type are bound to be at least as good as a single-lens reflex model.
But there’s no bulk, no heft to cope with when the photography equipment is packed away.
In light of this design advantage, beginner mirrorless models can be stowed in a spare pocket or a purse. There’s no way a bulky DSLR will ever fit inside a pocket. Not unless it’s been massively expanded by a genius tailor.
However, a camera equipped with a mirror does still incorporate a single obvious advantage. Straight to the point, professional photographers do like being able to see what their cameras are framing. And that’s the role of the mirror, to send light to an optical viewfinder.
The latest beginner cameras, freed of space-consuming mirrors, are catching up with DSLR technology fairly quickly. Instead of the optical viewfinder, they feature high-definition electronic viewfinders. That artificially rendered image can be projected on the rear of the camera’s body or projected through a thumbnail-sized window, straight to the critical eye of the photographer.
But wait, from a technical standpoint, DSLR camera technology has been around for decades. They used film before evolving toward their digitally capable builds. Mirrorless photography equipment is the new kid on the block. It’s still developing, while mirror-engineered cameras have perhaps plateaued.
Continuing to develop, thinner, more compact cameras now incorporate improved auto-focus systems. They’re better at manually sharpening images, and that’s thanks to a feature known as focus peaking. Agreed, DSLR tech uses an additional mirror, a sub-assembly that sends light down to a dedicated AF module, but that mechano-optical design doesn’t win out quite as clearly as one would expect.
Dedicated autofocus systems, as used in single lens reflex technology, provide what’s called phase detection speed. In high-end cameras, in scenes that involve action and fast-paced movement, it’s hard to beat this technology. Therefore, professional DSLRs are fast focus champs.
For beginners, though, through sensor focusing employs image contrast as a sharpening aid. There’s no mirror in the way, so the interchangeable lens can send light directly to a sensor, where its contrast levels are converted into focusing values. On beginner cameras, this technology is faster and much more accurate.
Because electronic rendering, not optics, is utilized here, mirrorless equipment can call upon a whole series of advanced image manipulating tricks. They can highlight sections of “live view” images, then add on-the-fly changes, as made to the aperture or shutter controls. Optical viewfinders do offer a truer image of the framed shot, but there’s no way they can duplicate this live view mode.
So both camera types use toughened bodies and interchangeable lenses. A mirrorless camera tends to be thinner and lighter, though. They also feature that live view mode, which quickly shows a beginner the results of his every setting adjustment.
If the aperture F-stop is altered, the image will brighten or darken on the electronic viewfinder. A keen photographer’s first mirrorless also shoots better video footage, again because there’s no mirror to lift. However, and there’s always a catch, a DSLR camera can last all day on a single battery charge, probably because it uses optics instead of an electronic viewfinder. If you, a photography beginner, opt for mirrorless technology, consider purchasing an extra battery.
Which style is the better choice?
Ultimately, which is the better choice for a beginner? It really depends on how far you intend to go in your journey through photography. Some beginners plateau with their first camera, while others discover an exciting new hobby.
In our opinion, the answer to this question revolves around how far you will immerse yourself into the field of photography.
Is this camera for occasional snapshots on vacation, or for special events?
Will the camera (and a lens that you purchase for it) likely be your sole photography purchase for the foreseeable future? If so, a mirrorless camera will probably be much more convenient, and easier to enjoy.
On the other hand, if you feel like there’s a whole world out there for you to photographically record, and if you intend to purchase more lenses, and other pieces of camera gear, you’re more likely to use a DSLR camera to its fullest potential. In this case, a DSLR camera might be the better option.
Which format do you prefer? Leave a comment below and let us know!
