In the camera world, there is a great debate that has been rumbling for years: which is better DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) or Mirrorless cameras? With the likes of Nikon and Canon shifting their focus from the DSLR to the mirrorless market to compete with Sony, DSLRs have been the main staple for photographers for years. The advancement of mirrorless camera technology has seen the gap between the two decreases. Here are the differences between the two:

The Mirror

The main difference between the two is the mirror inside the camera. DSLR cameras use a mirror angled at a 45-degree angle to reflect an optical image to the viewfinder. When you take a picture, the mirror flips up exposing the sensor at the back of the camera.  

Mirrorless cameras take a different approach and use the “live view” from the sensor to create an electronic image that is displayed on the electronic viewfinder and rear screen. There is no mirror in a mirrorless camera system.

Size

There is a huge size difference between the two with the mirrorless system gaining an advantage in this department, as they do not have a mechanical mirror. When making a product more compact there is always a trade-off for the mirrorless camera body battery life, how the camera handles with larger lenses, and how much space is there for external dials and buttons. Having a more compact camera body enables you to carry more in your bag as it requires less space for storage.

DSLRs are much larger and offer a larger battery life, better handling, and more for buttons to change settings quickly.

Lenses

DSLRs have been around for years and therefore have plenty of lens choices whether native or third-party lenses. In the past few years, the production of DSLR lenses has slowed dramatically as the mirrorless bodies use a different camera mounting system. It takes a lot of time and money for manufacturers to support different camera lens mounts. With many manufacturers refocusing their efforts on the mirrorless ecosystem we will find more lenses will be available. Sony being the leading manufacturer in the mirrorless ecosystem has already got a huge lineup of lenses for photographers to mount on their Sony mirrorless cameras. The likes of Nikon and Canon have a small pool of lenses to choose from as they entered the mirrorless market recently.

Battery Life

As pointed out earlier, the battery life of a mirrorless camera is significantly less than a DSLR as they are more compact and have a digital viewfinder that draws power from the battery. An entry DSLR camera can capture around 1,000 shots on a single charge. On the other hand, a professional mirrorless camera can capture up to 650 shots on a single charge. Although the capacity on a single charge is improving as the technology becomes more advanced. Battery capacity for mirrorless cameras has improved over the years and can charge via USB giving mirrorless cameras more flexibility when travelling.

Summary

The debate about whether DSLR or Mirrorless cameras are better will continue to spark debate. Manufacturers such as Nikon and Canon that have dominated the DSLR market focusing on the mirrorless market have shown the appetite of the consumer market for smaller and compact cameras. DSLRs will always have a place in the photography world with the variety of lenses and bodies available. The exit of many manufacturers away from the DSLR market will see a huge shift towards the mirrorless market and see the DSLR slowly fade away. Consumers will see that DSLR camera prices decreasing making it more affordable for anyone to get into photography. Mirrorless cameras will be the future and we will see more camera bodies and lenses flooding the market which will decrease the price of camera bodies and lenses that are already on the market.