Which Camera Should You Choose? A Mirrorless or DSLR?
The Mirrorless versus DSLR debate rages on with every launch of a new camera system. While the market is decidedly moving towards mirrorless, the impending death of the DSLR is very much exaggerated. In fact, many photographers still prefer DSLRs for a lot of reasons.
Both Mirrorless and DSLR camera systems have their advantages and drawbacks. The main differences are on the outside in terms of body design and inside in terms of processing power. Despite all of their differences, one thing is for sure – both types of cameras are capable of capturing fantastic images.
But a huge factor in deciding which system to purchase, and one that shouldn't be forgotten, is a personal preference. Ultimately, that personal preference decision will be based on affordability, functions, or accessibility. So, let’s dig into the differences between the two camera systems and see what makes sense for you.
Autofocus
Both camera technologies can shoot at very fast shutter speeds and capture a burst of images quickly. Mirrorless cameras have an edge because the lack of a mirror makes it easier to take image after image. Mirrorless cameras use a mechanical shutter that lifts to expose the image, as it produces better results. They also have the option of using an electronic shutter (just setting how long the sensor reads the light), which means they can shoot more quickly and silently than the DSLR cameras.
All consumer and Pro level Mirrorless also employs focus peaking. If you have a high-end DSLR this may be called focus-assist. Focus peaking is a camera technology that helps you focus during manual focusing. It shows a false-color overlay on the sharp areas of your image in real-time. Until recently, it was a tool of videographers, as not many consumer cameras had it. Nowadays it’s built into most new cameras, and there are ways to enable it on older camera models as well. (see your manual)
How Does Focus Peaking Work? – The algorithm analyses the live image feed in almost little to no lag. When something is in focus, the sharp edges create a strong exposure difference in that particular area of the image. So, focus peaking is looking for areas with high contrast, especially micro-contrast. Then, it covers those areas with a false-color layer. In most cameras, you can set the color of the overlay, and change the sensitivity of the detection.
The mirrorless EVF technology also offers face/eye-tracking. Because the EVF shows what actually happens on the sensor, additional technologies for data analysis can be utilized to do some very cool things, like face and even eye-tracking on humans and animals! I am sure you have seen face tracking on smartphones and point-and-shoot cameras, but if you take it a step further, you could have the camera automatically focus on the nearest eye of the person that you are photographing. Nikon has also recently launched a focus tracking for vehicles for sports photographers.
Advantage: Mirrorless
Speed of Photo Capture Rate
While both DSLRs and mirrorless cameras can take photos at very fast shutter speeds, a mirrorless camera’s simpler internal mechanics enable it to take shoot faster than most DSLRs, particularly when it comes to a series or burst of images. The frame rate on the recent mirrorless cameras is mind-blowing. With a focus on speed and performance, my new Nikon mirrorless Z9 shoots full-size RAW files at up to 20 frames per second with a buffer of more than 1,000 images. If you need more speed, the camera can shoot full-size JPEG images at 30 fps and 11-megapixel JPEG images at 120 fps. Autofocus calculations are performed at 120 fps, so full AF/AE is available across all shooting speeds.
Advantage: Mirrorless
Size and Weight
When Mirrorless first started coming out, the number one reason photographers gave as a reason they switched, size and weight. That argument really doesn’t hold up anymore. While the consumer mirrorless camera bodies are still generally smaller and lighter, the newer PRO-level mirrorless bodies and lenses that are coming out are starting to lean on the heavy side.
DSLR camera bodies are, for the most part, comparatively larger, as they need to fit in a mirror and optical viewfinder mechanism. The body of the Nikon D850, for example, is a rather bulky 2.8 inches deep before you put the lens on the front. With 24-70mm f2.8, the camera and lens weigh about 3.4 pounds.
Now put one of the latest mirrorless cameras, a Nikon Z9, and a 24-70mm f2.8 together. The camera is currently the industry’s largest mirrorless camera at 3.6 inches from front to back, then adding the 24-70mm f2.8 lens on the camera it weighs a hefty 4 pounds.
Advantage: I will still give the edge to mirrorless because their entry-level bodies and the bodies targeting casual photographers are still overall less weight, and smaller.
Battery Life
Many mirrorless cameras simply have more technology to power than DSLRs – the LCD screen and EVF vastly increase battery consumption & battery life, particularly when used at full brightness. Recent Fuji camera models still struggle with battery life, with one charge offering a very low 3-400 shots per charge, compared to the equivalent DSLR that can usually offer twice this per charge. Sony, who early on in their mirrorless cameras would have the rest of us quietly laugh at their first generation of batteries that had lousy photos per charge ratio. The latest Sony batteries now offer an admirable 800+ shots per charge. Canon is still playing catch-up at this period of time. In a recent comparison between the EOS R and the 5D Mk2, the 5D battery lasted almost twice as much as the EOS R. Then there is Nikon’s new Z9 battery, the EN-EL18d… this new battery produces 2,000 to 3,000 images per charge.
Once a knock on mirrorless, the battery lives in the newer mirrorless camera models are now starting to rival, or far surpass DSLR battery life.
Advantage: It’s a tie, by my calculations. But I will give a slight advantage to DSLR batteries overall. The DSLR batteries used in the consumer cameras are far superior for the average shooter. But I don’t think that will last mich longer.
Image Quality
Both a DSLR and mirrorless camera can take high-quality pictures, with similar resolutions and amounts of graininess, known as noise. Mirrorless cameras traditionally had smaller image sensors, which used to mean lower quality, but that is not the case anymore. Camera manufacturers have learned to produce more sensitive chips and to better suppress noise from small sensors.
Furthermore, several mirrorless camera makers now use larger image sensors that are also found in full-frame DSLR’s. There are also a number of full-frame mirrorless cameras that have the same size sensor (35mm) that's found in premium DSLR cameras. Sony's A7 line pioneered this, but now Canon and Nikon also have full-frame mirrorless models.
Advantage: Draw – With equivalent sensors and image processors, both camera types can take great photos.
Lenses and Accessories
This topic can be updated every few months. DSLR systems just simply have many more lenses and accessories than their mirrorless cousins. That’s a result of time. Every DSLR manufacturer and third-party companies have been announcing lenses long before mirrorless even existed. BUT, that is changing. As mirrorless grabs more footprint in the camera market, everyone is announcing more mirrorless lenses. AND, so are the third-party companies. Manufacturers are also offering adaptors to allow your recent DSLR lens purchases on your mirrorless cameras.
I still use many of my DSLR lenses on my mirrorless cameras without losing image quality.
Advantage: Mirrorless. Since I first wrote this post, there have been some fantastic advances in Mirrorless technology and lenses. It is my opinion that the choices in Mirrorless lenses now surpasses DSLR lenses in quality.
Liveview Capabilities
With an EVF in a mirrorless camera, what you see is what you get, unlike when using an optical viewfinder in a DSLR. For beginning photographers, the ability to see your exposure while composing your shot is a significant advantage of mirrorless cameras. You’ll see in real-time how your settings change your exposure, and depth of field. In some models, you will even see the live histogram to ensure proper exposure.
Advantage: Mirrorless
Conclusion
After reading this it should be clear to you that mirrorless cameras are starting to offer a lot more for your money in 2022. When choosing a camera, it’s important to consider the brand – Fuji and Sony are heavily invested in the mirrorless format, whereas Nikon and Canon have many years of experience in the DSLR realm and offer many more lenses. More recently, however Canon and Nikon have started to produce some excellent full-frame and APS-C mirrorless camera bodies, lenses, and batteries that are drawing praise in the photography community.
At the end of the day, both DSLR and mirrorless cameras can produce excellent images. Many amateurs and professionals still use and purchase DSLRs, and have no intention of switching to the mirrorless format. Similarly, many have ditched their DSLRs, and invested in the mirrorless system without looking back. (put me in the second category)
REAL-WORLD Results
Reading a post like this is one thing, but what you probably really want to know is how the cameras and lenses hold up in real-world situations. Here is what comprises my cameras and lenses:
Cameras: Nikon z7ii, Nikon Z9
Nikkor Lenses: Nikkor Z 20mm f/1.8 S, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8, Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S, AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR, and the Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4x
While Mirrorless is what is always in my bag, there is a mix of DSLR and mirrorless cameras in my cabinet, and my lenses are both mirrorless and non-mirrorless. I still use my Nikkor 500mm PF lens on both my DSLR and my mirrorless cameras. It works flawlessly on my mirrorless cameras.
I have used my mirrorless Z7ii extensively to photograph people, landscapes, and wildlife. The image quality is excellent, the frames per second are more than satisfactory, and I have been enjoying focus peaking, focus stacking and the live view in both good light and low light situations. The z7ii also handles itself as well, or better, than my D850 DSLR does when shooting night skies and aurora. I also put eye detection to the test when photographing wildlife. The quick response on that autofocus setting is that it blew me away.
I have also posted my thoughts on my new workhorse, the Nikon Z9. That is now my go-to mirrorless camera. You can read that here.
Do you want to see what cameras and lenses I see most in my workshops? click here to see what the most popular DSLR and mirrorless cameras and lenses are in 2023.