DSLR v Mirrorless cameras is a question many photographers are asking. Over the last few years mirrorless cameras have flooded the market with smaller, lighter cameras and many people have made the switch from DSLRs for the convenience of having lighter gear. But, are they the best option for today’s photographers?
When the mirrorless movement began, DSLR cameras were still the choice of professionals, but as technology has advanced, many pro shooters have also opted for the mirrorless cameras, which are now far more capable than the DSLR cameras that we were all so familiar with.
How to choose your next camera here
If you’re wondering if it’s time you moved over to mirrorless, here’s a helpful look into what makes them so different.
You may be familiar with the more traditional DSLR camera. A DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera is a type of camera that uses a mirror and pentaprism system to capture and display images. Here’s how it works:
Light enters the camera through the lens and is focused onto the image sensor.
The image sensor, which is made up of millions of tiny light-sensitive pixels, captures the light and converts it into digital data.
The digital data is then processed by the camera’s image processor, which converts it into a usable image file.
When the photographer looks through the viewfinder, they are actually looking through a small mirror located inside the camera body. This mirror reflects the light coming through the lens up into the pentaprism, which is a five-sided prism that sits above the mirror.
Contrast detection vs phase detection here
The pentaprism reflects and refracts the light, bending it so that it is directed down into the viewfinder, where the photographer can see a preview of the image.
When the photographer is ready to take the photo, they press the shutter button, which activates the camera’s mechanical shutter. The mechanical shutter opens and closes, allowing the light from the lens to reach the image sensor for a brief moment.
The image sensor captures the light and converts it into a digital image, which is then saved to the camera’s memory card.
Download new presets here
Overall, a DSLR camera is a more complex and traditional way of capturing and previewing images compared to a mirrorless camera, as it uses a mirror and pentaprism system to reflect and refract the light coming through the lens.
A mirrorless camera is a type of digital camera that does not have a mirror and pentaprism system like a traditional DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera. Instead, it uses a digital sensor to capture the image and an electronic viewfinder (EVF) or LCD screen to display the image to the photographer.
Here’s how a mirrorless camera works:
Light enters the camera through the lens and is focused onto the image sensor.
The image sensor, which is made up of millions of tiny light-sensitive pixels, captures the light and converts it into digital data.
The digital data is then processed by the camera’s image processor, which converts it into a usable image file.
The image file is then displayed on the camera’s EVF or LCD screen, allowing the photographer to preview the image and make any necessary adjustments before taking the final photo.
When the photographer is ready to take the photo, they press the shutter button, which activates the camera’s mechanical shutter. The mechanical shutter opens and closes, allowing the light from the lens to reach the image sensor for a brief moment.
The image sensor captures the light and converts it into a digital image, which is then saved to the camera’s memory card.
Overall, a mirrorless camera is a more streamlined and efficient way of capturing and previewing images compared to a traditional DSLR camera, as it does not have the added weight and complexity of a mirror and pentaprism system. This makes mirrorless cameras a popular choice for photographers who want a more portable and lightweight camera that is still capable of producing high-quality images.
Over the coming years we will see the end of DSLR cameras, as the market for them will continue to reduce dramatically as more people opt for the mirrorless options available in the camera market.
If budget is an indues for you, this short video gives you an example of the kind of options available to you in the mirrorless market, without breaking the bank.