It seems the debate whether DSLRs are better than smartphone cameras wasn’t over when mirrorless cameras jumped into the ring. For those who haven’t heard of them – mirrorless cameras do not use reflex mirrors.
To put things into perspective, DSLR cameras have a reflex mirror in them that bounces light up into the optical viewfinder. On the other hand, in mirrorless cameras the light goes directly into the image sensor. Viewfinders in these cameras are electronic and serve the same purpose that of an LCD screen.
There are other differences between the two as well, which we will highlight later in the blog. But first let’s discuss their pros and cons, so you know which one you should get.
Pros of Mirrorless Cameras
They may have been introduced much after DSLRs, yet they have their advantages over DSLRs.
- Better video quality due to better live view autofocus. Even some budget-friendly mirrorless cameras support 4K
- More scene modes and automatic settings
- Offer fast continuous shooting
- Smaller in size and lighter than DSLRs
This is not an exhaustive list of their advantages over DSLRs; however, they have some disadvantages as well.
Cons of Mirrorless Cameras
You should keep these points in mind as well when buying between DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.
- Not every mirrorless camera comes with a viewfinder
- Since they have electronic viewfinders therefore you may experience delays
- Their battery life is shorter
- They come with a limited collection of lenses and accessories
Hopefully, you would now have a better general understanding of these cameras. Let’s talk now about the advantages and disadvantages of buying DSLRs over mirrorless cameras.
Pros of DSLR Cameras
- Due to optical viewfinder, there are no delays
- Longer battery life
- A large number of lenses and accessories available for them in the market
- Faster autofocus and tracking of the object
So, basically what is lacking in the mirrorless cameras is available in the DSLRs. And now their weaknesses as compared to mirrorless cameras.
Cons of DSLR Cameras
You must have guessed the first con:
- DSLRs are bigger, heavier and bulkier
- They have slower continuous shooting speeds
DSLR Vs Mirrorless: Who Wins?
Irrespective of their pros and cons, every photographer is in the quest of taking the best quality photograph. The gap between the image quality of these two cameras is fast narrowing, thanks to technological advancement. Some may argue that in 2022 DSLRs still have a slight edge over mirrorless cameras, but even if true, this will not last for long. Technological advancements are in the favor of mirrorless cameras. The future belongs to them.
Here’s a quick comparison of the two:
| DSLR | Mirrorless | |
| Image Quality | ✔ | ✔ |
| Video Quality | ✔ | |
| Autofocus Speed | ✔ | ✔ |
| Size & Weight | ✔ | |
| Previewing Images | ✔ | ✔ |
| Image Stabilization | ✔ | |
| Durability | ✔ | ✔ |
| Battery Life | ✔ | |
| Price | ✔ | ✔ |
Mirrorless cameras were first marketed in 2008. At the time, they were no comparison to DSLRs. However, things have changed drastically since then. The future belongs to the mirrorless cameras. They would have already run their main competitor out of business if they were cheaper, but they aren’t. So, DSLRs are still being bought.
If you are looking for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras in Pakistan, OLX Pakistan has a large inventory of these cameras and their accessories. So, do check them out. And let us know your valuable opinion on the topic, especially if you’re a photographer.
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