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DSLR vs. Mirrorless Cameras: Which Is Better for You?

If you want to get the most out of your photography, you'll want to purchase a camera with an interchangeable lens. But which is better for your needs, a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera or a mirrorless camera?

Quality and versatility are the two main reasons these types of cameras are used by professionals. And while there are a number of pro-level models for that market, there are lots of DSLRs and mirrorless cameras that will suit almost any type of photographer.

DSLRs and mirrorless cameras share one important feature that separates them from all other types of cameras: You can swap out the lens. So, if you need to capture more of a scene, you can use a wide-angle lens, or if you need to get closer to the action, you can buy a telephoto lens. That's one of the reasons they're an investment, because you're buying into not only a camera, but an ecosystem of lenses.

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Both types of camera systems are roughly on a par with each other, since, for the past few years, mirrorless cameras have been driving the lion's share of innovation. However, there are still a number of differences between mirrorless and DSLR cameras. So which type of camera is best for you? Read this guide to find out.

Make sure you check out all of our top picks for DSLRs, mirrorless cameras and more on our best cameras page.

Latest News and Updates (June 2019)

  • If you're in the market for either a DSLR or mirrorless camera, you may want to hold off until Amazon Prime Day, which may start on July 15. Often, there are a number of good camera deals.

  • Check out our review of the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 ($649 with an 18-55mm lens). This compact entry-level DSLR has a 24.1-MP sensor, a fully articulated touchscreen, and can shoot video in 4K, a rarity among DSLRs in this price range.

  • Sony's newest mirrorless camera, the A6400 ($998 w/ 16-50mm lens) features a new LCD touchscreen that flips 180 degrees to let you hold the camera with the lens facing you, and frame the shot. In our review of the Sony A6400, we liked the camera overall, but the touchscreen is partially blocked by the camera body, and we missed the in-camera stabilization from the A6500.

  • Canon's EOS RP is the company's second full-frame mirrorless camera, and one that's about $1,000 less than the EOS R. Starting at $1,299 (body only), the EOS RP has a 26.2MP sensor, and can shoot video at a max of 4K/25fps. As part of an introductory promotion, Canon is including a mount adapter (so you can use EF lenses with the RP) and an extension grip at no extra cost.

DSLR and Mirrorless Defined

For the most part, DSLRs use the same design as the 35mm film cameras of days gone by. A mirror inside the camera body reflects light coming in through the lens up to a prism (or additional mirrors) and into the viewfinder so you can preview your shot. When you press the shutter button, the mirror flips up, the shutter opens and the light hits the image sensor, which captures the final image. We'll go through the features and capabilities with our top DSLR pick for beginners, the Nikon D3500.

In a mirrorless camera, light passes through the lens and right onto the image sensor, which captures a preview of the image to display on the rear screen. Some models also offer a second screen inside an electronic viewfinder (EVF) that you can put your eye to. Our example of a mirrorless camera, one of our favorites, is Sony's A6300.

Size & Weight

DSLR camera bodies are comparatively larger, as they need to fit in both a mirror and a prism. The body of the Nikon D3500, for example, is smaller than its predecessor, but still a rather bulky 3 inches deep before you put the lens on the front. With the 18-55mm kit lens, the camera weighs about 1.5 pounds.



A mirrorless camera body can be smaller than a DSLR, with simpler construction. The Sony A6300 has a body just 1.6 inches thick and weighs 1.75 pounds with its 16-50mm kit lens.

Winner: Mirrorless Camera
You can carry a mirrorless camera more easily and fit more gear, such as extra lenses, into a camera bag.

MORE: Best Mirrorless Cameras

Autofocus Speed

DSLRs used to have the advantage here, because they use a technology called phase detection, which quickly measures the convergence of two beams of light. Mirrorless cameras were restricted to a technology called contrast detection, which uses the image sensor to detect the highest contrast, which coincides with focus. Contrast detection is slower — especially in low light — than phase detection.

This is no longer the case, though, as mirrorless cameras now have both phase and contrast detection sensors built into the image sensor, and can use both to refine their autofocus. The Sony A6300, for instance, has 425 phase detection autofocus points its image sensor, while the Nikon D3400 has 11 phase-detection sensors in its separate AF sensor, and uses the entire image sensor for contrast detection.

Winner: Draw
Both types offer speedy autofocus, with mirrorless cameras offering hybrid sensors that use both phase and contrast detection on the sensor.

Previewing Images

With a DSLR, the through-the-lens optical viewfinder shows you exactly what the camera will capture. With a mirrorless camera, you get a preview of the image on-screen. Some mirrorless cameras offer an electronic viewfinder (EVF) that simulates the optical viewfinder.

When you're shooting outside in good light, the preview on the screen or EVF of a mirrorless camera will look close to the final image. But in situations where the camera is struggling (such as in low light or with fast-moving subjects), the preview will suffer, becoming dull, grainy and jerky. That’s because the mirrorless camera has to slow down the speed at which it captures images to grab more light, but still has to show you a moving preview. A DSLR, by contrast, reflects the light into your eye, which is better than the camera sensor at low light.

DSLRs can mimic a mirrorless camera by raising the mirror and showing a live preview of the image (usually called Live View mode). Most low-cost DSLRs are slow to focus in this mode, though, as they don’t have the hybrid on-chip phase-detection sensors and have to use slower contrast detection to focus.

However, one benefit to EVFs on mirrorless cameras is that they can give you a preview of what the final image will look like before you actually take the picture. If you increase the shutter speed or increase the aperture, what you see on the EVF will change accordingly. Meanwhile, since a DSLR's optical viewfinder reflects light without altering the image, you are more reliant on the camera's metering and your experience when it comes to predicting what a your final results will be. Newer mirrorless cameras also offer high quality electronic viewfinders and the best of them can exceed what you can see through a DSLR's through-the-lens viewfinder in challenging situations; because you can electronically adjust the brightness and contrast of an EVF, you can see more accurately in dimly lit situations.

So, if you are shooting mostly in good light, both types will perform well. If you are often shooting in low light or other challenging conditions, though, a DSLR will be easier to shoot with.

Winner: Draw

For many situations, both types of cameras provide you with very capable viewfinders. In low-light shooting, each type has advantages and disadvantages.

Image Stabilization

Shaky hands make for blurry pictures, and the effects are magnified the longer your shutter speed, or the more you zoom in. Both DSLR and mirrorless cameras offer image-stabilization systems: Sensors measure camera movement, and the camera slightly shifts either part of the lens or the image sensor in a direction that's opposite to the shake. Some mirrorless cameras move both the lens element and the sensor in a synchronized pattern for even greater stability.

MORE: Best DSLRs

We have found the differences between these approaches are minimal. The main advantage of sensor stabilization is that it works with all lenses. Lens stabilization only works with lenses that have it built in, which are often more expensive. Either way, most modern cameras can deal with a small amount of camera shake to produce a sharper picture, but can't compensate for larger movements.

However, there are a few exceptions. Mirrorless cameras such as the Olympus OM-D EM-10 Mark ii and the Sony A7R Mark II offers 5-axis image stabilization, which is a feature not found on DSLRs yet. This has prompted a number of pro videographers to switch over high-end mirrorless cameras due to their smoother, less shaky footage. But as prices for these cameras start at $2,000, they are often outside the range of most buyers.

Winner: Draw
Image stabilization technology is largely equivalent in both camera types.

How to Pick a Memory Card for your DSLR or Mirrorless Camera

Almost every camera produced today uses an SD (Secure Digital) memory card. If you’ve just bought a brand new camera, you’ll want to get an SDXC-type memory card between 64GBs and 128GBs, which will allow you shoot thousands of photos and scores of modest-sized video clips. Where you’ll want to be careful, though, is if you’re also shooting RAW photo files. These images can be larger than JPEG files, and quickly eat up space on your card.

Here’s some additional useful info on finding the right memory card.

Before purchasing a memory card, refer to your camera model's manual or website to see which are compatible.

SDXC format (from $20 to $600): This is the newest type and is available from 64GB to as large as 512GB of storage. If you’re shooting video, look for the following: For HD-resolution video, check to see if your memory card is a Class 10, U1, or V10; for 4K-resolution video, be sure the card is labeled at least U3 or V30.

SDHC format ($4 to $100): This is a somewhat older type of memory card than the SDXC format. It’s available from 4GB to 32GB of storage. For HD-resolution video, check to see if your memory card is a Class 10, U1, or V10; for 4K-resolution video, be sure the card is labeled at least U3 or V30.

SD format (less than $5): This is the oldest type of memory card, which can hold up to 2GBs of storage. It’s not generally used to capture even HD-resolution video.

Image Quality

Both types of camera can take high-quality pictures, with similar resolutions and amounts of graininess, known as noise. Mirrorless cameras' smaller image sensors used to mean lower quality (as they couldn't capture as much light), but that is no longer the case. Camera manufacturers have learned to produce more sensitive chips and to better suppress noise. Furthermore, several mirrorless camera makers, such as those from Sony, now use the same APS-C sensors found in the majority of DSLRs.

There are also a number of full-frame mirrorless cameras that have the same size sensor (35mm) as found in premium DSLR cameras. Sony's A7 line pioneered this, but now Canon and Nikon also have full-frame mirrorless models.

Winner: Draw
With equivalent sensors and image processors, both camera types can take great photos.

Video Quality

Because of their on-chip focus sensors, higher-end mirrorless cameras are generally better suited to video shooting. DSLRs can't use phase detection with the mirror up while recording video, so they have to use the slower, less accurate, contrast-detection focus method. This leads to the familiar blur-blur look in the middle of a video when the camera starts hunting for the right focus. However, some SLRs add phase detection on the sensor, such as the Canon 80D and the Rebel T6i.


Increasingly, mirrorless cameras can capture 4K, or Ultra HD, video with four times the resolution of HD footage. Currently, only higher-end DSLRs, such as the Nikon D7500 and Canon EOS 5D Mark IV shoot 4K/Ultra HD video. Still, video professionals, if they use a still-photo camera at all, tend to prefer DSLRs, because the cameras have access to a huge range of high-end lenses. Autofocus isn't a concern for pros because they can often focus in advance, knowing where their subjects will stand in a scripted scene.

Winner: Mirrorless
With superior autofocus in most models, mirrorless cameras provide the best results for most filmmakers.

Shooting Speed

Both camera technologies can shoot at very fast shutter speeds and capture a burst of images quickly. With the exception of high-end DSLRs, mirrorless cameras have an edge, though: The lack of a mirror makes it easier to take image after image. Although they don’t have mirrors, most mirrorless cameras still use a mechanical shutter, where a physical shutter 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 quicker and silently.

Winner: Mirrorless
The simpler mechanics of mirrorless cameras allow them to shoot more photos per second, at higher shutter speeds.

Image & Video Playback

Both camera types can display images on their screens (typically measuring about 3 inches) or via an HDMI output to a television. Many now include Wi-Fi for sending images to smartphones for online posting.

Winner: Draw
Both types offer large screens and video outputs, and some offer Wi-Fi connections to smart phones for quick image-sharing.

Battery Life

Generally, DSLRs offer longer battery life, as they can shoot without using the LCD screen or an electronic viewfinder, both of which consume a lot of power. However, both types will have similar battery lives if you use the LCD screens to preview and view captured images a lot, as this consumes a lot of power. However, all DSLRs and mirrorless cameras come with removable batteries, so you can carry a spare.

MORE: How Many Megapixels Do You Really Need?

Winner: DSLR
DSLRs offer the ability to shoot without using the LCD screen or EVF, which can extend the battery life.

Lenses & Accessories

Choosing a DSLR gives you access to a plethora of lenses from a number of manufacturers, ranging from cheap and satisfactory to professional and wildly expensive. Mirrorless models are more restricted, offering access to a small number of lenses from the camera maker, though the selection is growing.

Sony offers more than three dozen E-mount lenses, for instance, while Nikon has hundreds of lenses available for its DSLRs (Canon has hundreds of lenses, too). However, right now, Canon has only seven M-series lenses available for its lineup of mirrorless cameras.

Mirrorless cameras such as the Panasonic and Olympus use the Micro Four Thirds sensor format and have the widest selection of mirrorless camera bodies and lenses because they have been around the longest. But Sigma, Tamron and other companies also make Micro Four Thirds lenses. You can generally purchase adapters to use DSLR-size lenses on a mirrorless camera that's made by the same manufacturer (such as for Canon or Sony). But that often comes at a price of altering the focal length and zoom characteristics and sometimes disabling or slowing functions such as autofocus.

Winner: DSLR

DSLRs still offer access to a wider range of lenses, but the gap between the two types is narrowing quickly as more mirrorless lenses become available. Moreover, some consider that as a whole mirrorless lenses are better optimized with their camera-body counterparts, since many older SLR lenses lack the latest technology.

How to choose a lens for your DSLR or mirrorless camera

Decide on the type of lens you need for the photos or video you shoot. There are wide-angles, telephotos, zooms, primes (or non-zooms), and specialty lenses for almost every type of photo or video you'd like to shoot. Be sure to do your research to find the lens or lenses that will help you achieve the type of photos and video you want to capture.

Skip extended warranties. Just like the camera market, there is fierce competition in the interchangeable lens market. That's good for consumers, since competition drives camera manufacturers to continually produce and improve their products, which in many cases means the lens you buy will be very reliable for years to come. In addition, many high quality lenses come with five-year warranties from the manufacturer. So, it's probably not worth it to buy an extended warranty for a lens.

Try out your lens before your buy. Unlike buying a digital point-and-shoot, it's difficult to try out a lens in the store. But if your lens if very pricey, there are various outlets where you can rent a lens. Or, if you have a friend who's a professional photographer, see if he or she will let you borrow the lens and try it out.

Durability

If you regularly venture off the beaten path, it's worth looking at a model that adds an extra level of protection. Both DSLRs and mirrorless models increasingly offer this, with alloy bodies and are described as weatherproof, meaning that they can shrug off rain and other splashes.

Winner: Draw
Both types offer models that are hardened against the elements.

Bottom Line


DSLR

Mirrorless

Size & Weight


X

Autofocus

X

X

Previewing Images

X

X

Image Stabilization

X

X

Image Quality

X

X

Video Quality


X

Shooting Speed


X

Image & Video Playback

X

X

Battery Life

X


Lenses & Accessories

X


Durability

X

X

Total

8

9

Mirrorless cameras have the advantage of usually being lighter, more compact, faster and better for video; but that comes at the cost of access to fewer lenses and accessories. DSLRs advantages include a wider selection of lenses and better optical viewfinders.

For beginners, mirrorless cameras are often a better choice due to their more compact size and simpler controls. Mirrorless cameras are also more likely to have a touchscreens than a similarly priced DSLR as well. However, as you move up in price, the size difference between mirrorless cameras and DSLRs isn't as extreme, although mirrorless cameras still have a small lead. That said, unless there's a big need for 4K video, a serious or pro shooter who wants access to a wider range of lenses and other gear would be better off with a DSLR.

If you're thinking about picking up a new camera, according to our sister site ShopSavvy, the best times to buy are at the beginning and end of the year in January and December, and in the spring as new models hit the market. For more deals and advice on purchase timing, check out ShopSavvy's camera section.

See also : The 10 Best Photo Storage and Sharing Sites