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Mirror Less Vs DSLR Camera

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Nanu Rajasthani

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Hello Photo Lovers,

I am thinking to buy camera, but Confused between Mirror Less and SLR Camera. Can Someone suggest which is better camera.

Also this mirrorless and SLR available in Sony & Canon, Can you be able to suggest the brand as well?

Thanks

Nanu
 
Short answer:

For an all-round, general purpose efficiency and ease of use, for better video, for more feature packed offerings and for a smaller and lighter system...choose Mirrorless.

Get one with an EVF. Choose the system that has the range of lenses you want and at prices you can afford. Hint: Micro 43 wins in terms of price/value, in range of lens eco system, in features like IBIS, and in being the smallest and lightest system.

Drawback: mirrorless cameras eat batteries (only approx 300 shots per charge), so you will need a spare battery or two for heavier shooting outings.

But for specialization in shooting sports or fast moving action, choose DSLR. Generally speaking, this is a weakness of Mirrorless. High end Mirrorless systems can possibly match DSLR systems for action shooting...but it is going to be more expensive.

--
'Photography is not art. It's pressing buttons. People take it up because they can't draw.' Lord Snowdon
 
Last edited:
Nanu Rajasthani said:
Hello Photo Lovers,

I am thinking to buy camera, but Confused between Mirror Less and SLR Camera. Can Someone suggest which is better camera.
Click to expand...
The only meaningful difference between DSLR and Mirroless cameras is the viewing system. DSLRs have a mirror that looks through the lens. Mirrorless Cameras have an Electronic Viewfinder (often eye level) that gives you a preview of the photo from a feed from the imaging sensor itself.

Neither is better but Mirrorless is easier to learn on because you get a preview of what the photo will look like including all exposure adjustments.
Nanu Rajasthani said:
Also this mirrorless and SLR available in Sony & Canon, Can you be able to suggest the brand as well?
Click to expand...
Mirrorless is available in all brands.
Nanu Rajasthani said:
Thanks

Nanu
Click to expand...
TEdolph
 
tedolf said:
Nanu Rajasthani said:
Hello Photo Lovers,

I am thinking to buy camera, but Confused between Mirror Less and SLR Camera. Can Someone suggest which is better camera.
Click to expand...
The only meaningful difference between DSLR and Mirroless cameras is the viewing system. DSLRs have a mirror that looks through the lens. Mirrorless Cameras have an Electronic Viewfinder (often eye level) that gives you a preview of the photo from a feed from the imaging sensor itself.

Neither is better but Mirrorless is easier to learn on because you get a preview of what the photo will look like including all exposure adjustments
Click to expand...
tedolf said:
TEdolph
Click to expand...
There is another difference. With DSLR, using the viewfinder and live view is very different. With mirrorless, camera behaviour using viewfinder is the same as live view.
 
tedolf said:
The only meaningful difference between DSLR and Mirroless cameras is the viewing system. DSLRs have a mirror that looks through the lens. Mirrorless Cameras have an Electronic Viewfinder (often eye level) that gives you a preview of the photo from a feed from the imaging sensor itself.

Neither is better but Mirrorless is easier to learn on because you get a preview of what the photo will look like including all exposure adjustments.

TEdolph
Click to expand...
Agreed that the EVF advantage of Mirrorless (a 'What you see is what you get' exact preview of the image BEFORE you take it) is substantial...but besides this, there are other differences that favour Mirrorless over DSLR including:

1) The numerous features that Mirrorless can offer...my Olympus EM10 ii offers: better video, IBIS, Live Composite, Live Bulb, Focus Stacking, Focus Peaking, AF Track pad, HDR shooting, Black & White shooting, Keystone Compensation, Silent Shutter, etc etc.

2) The overall sizes of the camera systems, when we account for both camera and lenses. Mirrorless (especially Micro 43) is markedly smaller and lighter than DSLR.

This makes a significant difference in how likely you are to carry the system with you. An Olympus EM10-II with 14-42mm EZ or a Panasonic GX80/85 with 12-32mm are much more portable than the DSLR equivalent. So mirrorless is great for travel and street photography.

...However, in favour of DSLR, it is better at sports/fast action photography, with its C-AF (continual auto focus tracking) for fast moving subjects.

--
'Photography is not art. It's pressing buttons. People take it up because they can't draw.' Lord Snowdon
 
Last edited:
Masefield said:
2) The overall sizes of the camera systems, when we account for both camera and lenses. Mirrorless (especially Micro 43) is markedly smaller and lighter than DSLR.
Click to expand...
Tiny sensor cameras yes, full frame almost no difference. In fact with full frame people complain that the slightly smaller body works against you. Someone here not long ago was complaining that they bought the tiny sensor camera to save weight and they listed their gear. I selected similar Nikon DSLR gear that altogether was LESS weight. So if you select carefully you can save weight but lots of people don't end up with any weight savings. But for sure full frame gear can get large. If you are really, really after size and weight savings, there is always the iphone.
 
Your term "Tiny sensor" implies something like the old 1/2.5 compact camera sensors...not the much bigger APS-C or Micro 43 sensors.

Here are some examples of the fully professional work that a so-called "Tiny sensor" Micro 43 camera can deliver:

https://www.jaydickman.net/National-Geographic/Around-the-World-2013/3

And note, I was careful to specify that the size and weight benefits apply to Mirrorless especially when considering the whole system, including lenses.

No DSLR comes close to the ultra portable size and weight of, for example, my Olympus EM10 II with a set of the three key zooms: Oly 9-18mm, and Panny12-32mm and 35-100mm.

And we are talking about fully functional camera kits, here...you know, with dozens of interchangable lenses, strobes, with pro ergonomics, many hard buttons and dials, full manual control options, excellent viewfinders, etc etc.

So I have no idea why you choose to drag camera phones into this discussion. They simply cannot do what a fully featured, interchangable lens camera system can do. Not even close. Camera phones are an irrelevant distraction to this discussion.

--
'Photography is not art. It's pressing buttons. People take it up because they can't draw.' Lord Snowdon
 
Last edited:
EXX said:
tedolf said:
Nanu Rajasthani said:
Hello Photo Lovers,

I am thinking to buy camera, but Confused between Mirror Less and SLR Camera. Can Someone suggest which is better camera.
Click to expand...
The only meaningful difference between DSLR and Mirroless cameras is the viewing system. DSLRs have a mirror that looks through the lens. Mirrorless Cameras have an Electronic Viewfinder (often eye level) that gives you a preview of the photo from a feed from the imaging sensor itself.

Neither is better but Mirrorless is easier to learn on because you get a preview of what the photo will look like including all exposure adjustments

TEdolph
Click to expand...
There is another difference. With DSLR, using the viewfinder and live view is very different. With mirrorless, camera behaviour using viewfinder is the same as live view.
Click to expand...
DSLR Live-View does not give the same visual-feedback when making exposure/EC corrections, and there is a AF delay-penalty w/ dSLR, (over 2 full-seconds on Nikon D3xxx).
 
Last edited:
bjn70 said:
bjn70 said:
2) The overall sizes of the camera systems, when we account for both camera and lenses. Mirrorless (especially Micro 43) is markedly smaller and lighter than DSLR.
Click to expand...
Tiny sensor cameras yes, full frame almost no difference. In fact with full frame people complain that the slightly smaller body works against you. Someone here not long ago was complaining that they bought the tiny sensor camera to save weight and they listed their gear. I selected similar Nikon DSLR gear that altogether was LESS weight. So if you select carefully you can save weight but lots of people don't end up with any weight savings. But for sure full frame gear can get large. If you are really, really after size and weight savings, there is always the iphone.
Click to expand...
OK. My Panasonic micro four thirds 100-300 (efl 200-600) weighs in at 800g. What's your offering?

Dave
 
I bet you are fun at parties...lighten up Francis.

Self driving cars are the future too, but if he were in the market for a new car would you tell him his only choice is a Tesla?
 
scokill said:
I bet you are fun at parties...lighten up Francis.

Self driving cars are the future too, but if he were in the market for a new car would you tell him his only choice is a Tesla?
Click to expand...
I also suggested Sony, Nikon, Olympus ... ... ... (ala ML or "bridge").

The OP did ask for both information and suggestions. Do you have any ???
 
Last edited:
PhotoTeach2 said:
scokill said:
I bet you are fun at parties...lighten up Francis.

Self driving cars are the future too, but if he were in the market for a new car would you tell him his only choice is a Tesla?
Click to expand...
I also suggested Sony, Nikon, Olympus ... ... ... (ala ML or "bridge").

The OP did ask for both information and suggestions. Do you have any ???
Click to expand...
There are plenty of suggestions. Wouldn't want to run afoul of your genius.
 
PhotoTeach2 said:
EXX said:
tedolf said:
Nanu Rajasthani said:
Hello Photo Lovers,

I am thinking to buy camera, but Confused between Mirror Less and SLR Camera. Can Someone suggest which is better camera.
Click to expand...
The only meaningful difference between DSLR and Mirroless cameras is the viewing system. DSLRs have a mirror that looks through the lens. Mirrorless Cameras have an Electronic Viewfinder (often eye level) that gives you a preview of the photo from a feed from the imaging sensor itself.

Neither is better but Mirrorless is easier to learn on because you get a preview of what the photo will look like including all exposure adjustments

TEdolph
Click to expand...
There is another difference. With DSLR, using the viewfinder and live view is very different. With mirrorless, camera behaviour using viewfinder is the same as live view.
Click to expand...
DSLR Live-View does not give the same visual-feedback when making exposure/EC corrections, and there is a AF delay-penalty w/ dSLR, (over 2 full-seconds on Nikon D3xxx).
Click to expand...
Can you explain what you mean by that? I just took my d3100 and put it into live view. I pointed it across the room and focused. Then I pointed it at something very close and focused. Then I turned off live view and repeated the focusing distance and close. It seemed to focus just as quick either way and it certainly didn't take 2 seconds to focus. I don't have any way to time it, but I'd estimate a quarter second in both live view and normal.
 
Nanu Rajasthani said:
Hello Photo Lovers,

I am thinking to buy camera, but Confused between Mirror Less and SLR Camera. Can Someone suggest which is better camera.

Also this mirrorless and SLR available in Sony & Canon, Can you be able to suggest the brand as well?

Thanks

Nanu
Click to expand...
If you've never had any camera, you might want to get something like a used Canon G10 or Sony RX100. You can use it to learn the fundamentals of photography, while you also learn what you enjoy taking photos of. After several months or a year you will have a learned a lot and will be able to make a wise choice for the future.

At that point, you might sell the first camera for not much less than you paid for it, or you might decide to keep it for when you want to travel light. Sometimes I only take a Canon S110 with me, which is small enough to fit in my shirt pocket when I fly.
 
EXX said:
tedolf said:
Nanu Rajasthani said:
Hello Photo Lovers,

I am thinking to buy camera, but Confused between Mirror Less and SLR Camera. Can Someone suggest which is better camera.
Click to expand...
The only meaningful difference between DSLR and Mirroless cameras is the viewing system. DSLRs have a mirror that looks through the lens. Mirrorless Cameras have an Electronic Viewfinder (often eye level) that gives you a preview of the photo from a feed from the imaging sensor itself.

Neither is better but Mirrorless is easier to learn on because you get a preview of what the photo will look like including all exposure adjustments

TEdolph
Click to expand...
There is another difference. With DSLR, using the viewfinder and live view is very different. With mirrorless, camera behaviour using viewfinder is the same as live view.
Click to expand...
With a DSLR, autofocus is slow in LiveView.

With mirrorless, autofocus is slow in LiveView and Viewfinder.
 
MarshallG said:
EXX said:
tedolf said:
Nanu Rajasthani said:
Hello Photo Lovers,

I am thinking to buy camera, but Confused between Mirror Less and SLR Camera. Can Someone suggest which is better camera.
Click to expand...
The only meaningful difference between DSLR and Mirroless cameras is the viewing system. DSLRs have a mirror that looks through the lens. Mirrorless Cameras have an Electronic Viewfinder (often eye level) that gives you a preview of the photo from a feed from the imaging sensor itself.

Neither is better but Mirrorless is easier to learn on because you get a preview of what the photo will look like including all exposure adjustments

TEdolph
Click to expand...
There is another difference. With DSLR, using the viewfinder and live view is very different. With mirrorless, camera behaviour using viewfinder is the same as live view.
Click to expand...
With a DSLR, autofocus is slow in LiveView.

With mirrorless, autofocus is slow in LiveView and Viewfinder.
Click to expand...
This just isn't true.

The fastest single AF times have been held by mirrorless cameras for a long time.

The only part of AF that DSLRs are still better, and not by much is in continuous tracking AF, and most amateurs would never notice the difference.

TEdolph
 
tedolf said:
MarshallG said:
EXX said:
tedolf said:
Nanu Rajasthani said:
Hello Photo Lovers,

I am thinking to buy camera, but Confused between Mirror Less and SLR Camera. Can Someone suggest which is better camera.
Click to expand...
The only meaningful difference between DSLR and Mirroless cameras is the viewing system. DSLRs have a mirror that looks through the lens. Mirrorless Cameras have an Electronic Viewfinder (often eye level) that gives you a preview of the photo from a feed from the imaging sensor itself.

Neither is better but Mirrorless is easier to learn on because you get a preview of what the photo will look like including all exposure adjustments

TEdolph
Click to expand...
There is another difference. With DSLR, using the viewfinder and live view is very different. With mirrorless, camera behaviour using viewfinder is the same as live view.
Click to expand...
With a DSLR, autofocus is slow in LiveView.

With mirrorless, autofocus is slow in LiveView and Viewfinder.
Click to expand...
This just isn't true.

The fastest single AF times have been held by mirrorless cameras for a long time.

The only part of AF that DSLRs are still better, and not by much is in continuous tracking AF, and most amateurs would never notice the difference.

TEdolph
Click to expand...
Focus tracking matters if, for example, you want the subject of your photograph to be in focus.
 
MarshallG said:
tedolf said:
MarshallG said:
EXX said:
tedolf said:
Nanu Rajasthani said:
Hello Photo Lovers,

I am thinking to buy camera, but Confused between Mirror Less and SLR Camera. Can Someone suggest which is better camera.
Click to expand...
The only meaningful difference between DSLR and Mirroless cameras is the viewing system. DSLRs have a mirror that looks through the lens. Mirrorless Cameras have an Electronic Viewfinder (often eye level) that gives you a preview of the photo from a feed from the imaging sensor itself.

Neither is better but Mirrorless is easier to learn on because you get a preview of what the photo will look like including all exposure adjustments

TEdolph
Click to expand...
There is another difference. With DSLR, using the viewfinder and live view is very different. With mirrorless, camera behaviour using viewfinder is the same as live view.
Click to expand...
With a DSLR, autofocus is slow in LiveView.

With mirrorless, autofocus is slow in LiveView and Viewfinder.
Click to expand...
This just isn't true.

The fastest single AF times have been held by mirrorless cameras for a long time.

The only part of AF that DSLRs are still better, and not by much is in continuous tracking AF, and most amateurs would never notice the difference.

TEdolph
Click to expand...
Focus tracking matters if, for example, you want the subject of your photograph to be in focus.
Click to expand...
Come on Marshall, you are just being argumentative.

You know that subject tracking is not binary. It's not as if an EM1 MarkII can not track a moving subject. It is a matter of degree compared to, say a Nikon d750. They can both track moving subjects, one is better than the other by degree, that is all.

As for single AF, the Oly will beat the pants off the Nikon in both speed and accuracy.

Tedolph
 
Last edited:
MarshallG said:
Focus tracking matters if, for example, you want the subject of your photograph to be in focus.
Click to expand...
It matters for fast moving action shots such as sports or birds in flight.

But it doesn't really matter for most types of photography...for landscapes, portraits, street, most travel photography, macro, etc etc.

I think the excellent Single Auto- Focus of Mirrorless (S-AF) is fine for occasional shots of kids and pets running about.

But for someone wanting to shoot a lot of sports photography...DSLR is the better choice due to its superior Continuous Auto-focus (C-AF).

A lot of photographers don't need DSLR level C-AF. I am one of them.

--
'Photography is not art. It's pressing buttons. People take it up because they can't draw.' Lord Snowdon
 
Last edited:
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