Mirrorless or SLR? Here is a guide that will allow you to choose the best camera to take your first steps in the world of photography
So you have decided to indulge your passion for photography by buying a camera. However, the question that is blocking you is: should I buy an SLR or a mirror? In order to answer any doubt, let’s try to make a list of the main differences between these two different types of cameras.
Let’s start from a first fundamental but illustrative point. Mirrorless cameras, just like SLR cameras, allow you to change the lenses, but as you can guess from the name of the former, mirrorless cameras do not have the complex and quality lens system that SLR cameras have. This aspect, however, allows mirrorless cameras to be generally smaller, lighter and, to some extent, easier to use. They have often received criticism for the quality of the images they take, but the latest generation of mirrorless cameras take great pictures. Here’s a guide that explains the differences between mirrorless and an SLR camera.
Size and Weight
When we talk about cameras, size matters. SLRs, also referred to as DSLRs, are often large and quite heavy machines. That’s the weight you have to pay for great lenses of absolute quality. In contrast, mirrorless cameras, or CSCs, are small and lightweight machines. If it’s portability we’re after it’s preferable to buy the latter. The problem with mirrorless however comes with the lenses: they are almost always large and bulky and uncomfortable to carry. Although some mirrorless cameras come with retractable lenses. Although in this case you pay in terms of shot quality.
Lenses
Lenses are the real strength of SLRs. Mirrorless cameras also hold their own with great lenses. When buying mirrorless lenses, don’t just look at the price to see which is the best product. We must get advice from a photography expert after having clearly expressed our needs. If lenses are our main point of interest a Canon or Nikon SLR is the recommended choice.
Optical Viewfinder
Do we prefer an optical viewfinder before shooting because we are photography purists or is it better for us to have a digital viewfinder to understand before shooting what the final result will be? This question will make the difference in the purchase. In case we are in the first option we have to bet on an SLR otherwise better a CSC. Be careful though, shooting without a viewfinder with a mirrorless in full light can alter our conception of the shot and therefore disappoint our expectations. To remedy this problem, lately electronic viewfinders are making great strides. Although lag can still occur.
Autofocus
This is also a key aspect. In most SLRs the use of autofocus is weak in Live View mode, that is, the function that allows you to see in the LCD screen what you are framing, instead of using the optical viewfinder. Which is after all what all digital compacts, or mirrorless cameras do. Some SLRs to bridge the gap in this sense with the compacts use hybrid autofocus, as happens on some Canon models, but it is an exception rather than the rule. This is perhaps the one area where CSCs have a serious advantage over SLRs.
Continuous Shooting
Also with high-speed shooting and continuous shooting, digital compacts have the edge over SLRs. This feature is especially useful for capturing action or sports scenes without losing quality. For example, the Canon EOS-1D X Mk II can reach 14 frames per second, but a mirrorless camera like the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II can reach 60fps.
Video
SLR cameras are widely used for video, partly because they have a long history. Mirrorless cameras are used less, but they almost always allow you to record 4K video and are considered by many to be the future of the industry. SLRs have long supported HD and Full HD and have a whole range of accessories that are very useful for shooting. 4K is a more common technology on mirrorless cameras, though. Panasonic has carved out a niche for itself in this sector and even for mirrorless cameras there are now a number of accessories that can be used to improve quality and simplicity when shooting video.
Entry-level
If we are looking for an entry-level device because we don’t have much knowledge of photography and its techniques, there is no problem. Both DSLRs and compacts are easy to use. Both have exposure and autofocus. In both machines the manual controls can be turned off to shoot by letting the camera choose the various settings. Watch out for the viewfinders though, not all the cheaper CSCs have them.
Image quality
In this field the SLR comes out on top but a lot depends on our needs. If we are looking for a camera to start cultivating our passion we probably won’t spend much but we will try to limit the initial cost. For this reason, even compact digital cameras offer good solutions in terms of image quality. This will be an aspect that you might want to take into consideration after practicing to move to the next level and to take better and better photos.
Battery life
A mid-range SLR takes between 600 and 800 shots on a charge, although some high-end models can take up to 1000 shots. Mirrorless cameras, on the other hand, average 300 to 400 shots before they run out of power. And that’s why spare batteries in this case are always recommended.
Price
Differently from what you might believe, CSCs are not cheaper than SLRs. The gap between the two categories is narrowing, but the cheapest mirrorless cameras still lack a whole host of features (viewfinder above all) that make people prefer SLRs. There are many inexpensive SLRs that are just fine for those who are taking their first steps into the world of photography.