Shopping for new cameras and camera equipment requires you to be familiar with their features. Mirrorless cameras have only been on the market for a little over a decade, and they’re already on par with DSLRs. Companies like Nikon and Canon have hopped on the mirrorless bandwagon. The technology is advancing every day! But think about what you’ll be doing with your camera and other professional video equipment. Study up on the benefits of DSLR vs. mirrorless cameras.
Size
Traditionally, mirrorless cameras are much smaller and lighter than DSLRs. Their light weight and easy portability were big selling points when they first entered the market, but nowadays, mirrorless cameras can be just as big as DSLRs.
DSLR cameras, on the other hand, are known for being bigger. If you’re attaching professional video equipment like a telephoto lens to your camera, you’ll want one with a little heft to it. Mirrorless cameras have their own compatible lens kits too, but adding one just makes it big and bulky.
Function
Look through the viewfinder of either camera. Both options allow you to look through the lens to get your subject into frame, but their displays and functions are different. When you take a picture with a DSLR camera, the mirror inside the lens flips up to send the image to the back of the camera. That’s where the digital sensor is.
When you snap a photo with a mirrorless camera, the sensor itself captures the image. The mirror in a DSLR is like a middleman the image passes through. The mirrorless camera eliminates that extra step.
Video
DSLR cameras can shoot video, and they do it well. The wide range of lenses available makes shooting professional-quality video footage a snap. However, advances in DSLR video technology have been slowing down to make way for the mirrorless age.
Mirrorless cameras are adept at capturing top-quality 4K footage and often come with on-chip phase-detection motion sensors. This means they’re quicker at detecting motion and stabilizing it. You’re less likely to have blurry footage with a mirrorless option.
There’s no clear winner in the DSLR vs. mirrorless camera debate. It all depends on what you’re using the camera for. The mirrorless camera provides a crisp image and superior portability, while the DSLR offers a wider range of lenses and customization options. The decision is ultimately up to you, and when you make it, let Glide Gear be your one-stop shop.