So whether you’re just taking a lot of photos as a hobby or have finally decided to pursue photography seriously, you’re ready to take the plunge on a new digital camera! But now you have a choice to make. Should you get a DSLR or a mirrorless camera? After seeing some of these main points you’ll be better equipped to make a decision.
Is Bigger Still Better?
When you look at a line of DSLRs, it’s always been easy to pick out the top dog. These models usually boast large bodies with added buttons, dials, controls, and super-sized batteries that mark them as the camera of professionals. Lately, the most revolutionary and impressive cameras have been tiny compared to these classic flagships, with models such as the Sony a7R III from Buydig.com packing in a high-resolution full-frame sensor, along with stellar autofocus and 4K video recording. With this camera being significantly smaller than most DSLRs, it’s starting to change the opinion that bigger equals better, even though the Canon 5D Mark IV and Nikon D850 still show there’s merit to the bigger body. Without a mirror, mirrorless cameras are smaller and lighter than their DSLR counterparts. For example, the mirrorless Sony A6000 is 40% thinner and 30% lighter than the Nikon D3300 DSLR camera. A lighter load means you can carry more stuff in your camera bag, and you won’t have a strained neck bringing a mirrorless camera on your next vacation. It’s the main reason many professionals have added a mirrorless system to their camera bag.
Who focuses faster?
When mirrorless cameras first emerged, one of the biggest complaints was their slow autofocus speed. DSLR cameras use phase detection AF, which is faster and more accurate than the contrast detection AF on mirrorless cameras. Contrast detection AF performs even more poorly under bad lighting. However, technology has caught up. Newer mirrorless cameras utilize a hybrid AF of both contrast and phase detection AF that can match if not surpass DSLR autofocus speeds and possibly reliability.
Rapid fire shooting
Both DSLR and mirrorless cameras utilize mechanical shutters. The units physically open and close the shutter curtain. Some feature an electronic shutter method that turns the image sensor on and off to get continuous shots. If comparing high-end DSLR and mirrorless cameras, both are neck and neck when it comes to continuous shooting speeds. For beginner-level cameras, though, mirrorless beats the competition as it doesn’t need to flip a mirror to take continuous shots. As a comparison, the mirrorless Sony A6000 from Buydig.com can shoot at 11fps compared to 5fps on the DSLR Nikon D3400.
Battery life
Because mirrorless cameras rely exclusively on Live View, it also means that the battery drains fast. To put it into perspective, the DSLR Nikon D3400 can capture 1200 shots on a single charge, compared to 360 on the mirrorless Sony A6000.
So really, who takes better photos?
The main factor in image quality is not just megapixels, but the size of the image sensor. Both types of cameras offer the same high-quality images with similar resolution and little grain. The mirrorless Sony A6000 also uses the same APS-C sized sensor found in the DSLR Nikon D3400.
So which do you buy? A lot depends on how you use the camera. This comparison of both should help you think about which camera suits you best. To be honest, you can’t go wrong with picking either a DSLR or mirrorless model as your first camera. Find out what is comfortable and fits your needs, and don’t worry about the DSLR versus mirrorless debate
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