If you are just getting started with photography, the first crucial step is to select the ideal camera for yourself. There are two types of cameras you can choose from (i) Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras and (ii) Mirrorless cameras.
Mentioned below are the basic differences between a DSLR and a Mirrorless camera.
What are DSLR cameras?
A DSLR is the digital version of a Single-Lens Reflex camera. This type of digital camera uses a digital image sensor to capture the image rather than a photographic film. As light enters the camera, it bounces off the mirror and the image is projected in the viewfinder.
When the shutter is clicked, the mirror flips down and light falls directly onto the image sensor. The camera’s sensor is photosensitive and when exposed to light, it converts the light into digital images. An example of a DSLR camera is the Canon EOS 6D.
What are Mirrorless Cameras?
Like DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras also capture beautiful and spellbinding images. The prime difference between them, as the name says, is that they do not consist of a mirror inside the body. Rather, the light passes straight through the lens and falls onto the image sensor.
Instead of reflecting from the mirror to the viewfinder, the light is captured by the image sensor and a preview of the image is displayed on the rear screen. An example of a mirrorless camera is the Canon EOS R.
Both the types have their advantages and disadvantages, and choosing the right one depends on your needs. Here are a few tips that will help you to differentiate between DSLR and mirrorless cameras.
The size of the camera body
The size of DSLR cameras is larger than mirrorless cameras as the installed mirror and prism inside the camera body take up extra space.
They are not hefty, but compared to the slim and compact body of mirrorless cameras, carrying DSLR cameras can be a little difficult.
The Autofocus Speed
The Autofocus speed of a camera is very crucial. The faster the autofocus speed, the better it is. For low-lighting photography, DSLRs are ideal. But, in the recent days, many mirrorless cameras are manufactured that excel in low lighting photography.
Also, new cameras are launched like the Canon EOS R that have unmatched Autofocus speed. However, DSLRs are still the pinnacle in autofocus speed and widely used for sports or wildlife photography.
The Quality of Videos
Shooting videos, with high-end mirrorless cameras, is far more advantageous than DSLR cameras. The mechanism of DSLR cameras results in its shortcomings. With the mirror up while shooting videos, DSLRs cannot use phase detection and thus have to rely on slower, less accurate contrast detection focus method.
The video appears dull and blurry while the camera looks for the right focus. The latest mirrorless cameras are equipped with a far more advanced autofocusing mechanism. They can capture HD, Ultra HD or even 4K videos.
This superiority over DLSR cameras makes them a preferred choice for most filmmakers.
Battery Life
The ability to click pictures with the viewfinder and not the LCD allows a long lasting battery life. When you are out on a trek or some other outdoor activity and there is no option of charging the battery, DSLRs will prove to be a better choice.
However, both the camera types use removable batteries, so you can always carry a spare one.
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