For years the decision to buy a camera has been simple as there used to be one popular choice: DSLR. Not anymore, with the advent of mirrorless cameras, now you have to decide which one to purchase depending on various factors. Deciding whether to buy a mirrorless or DSLR camera can be daunting, particularly to beginners or those who are looking to purchase their first camera. This guide will break down the reasons to buy either one and hence make the choice easier for you.
Reasons to Buy a DSLR Camera
Autofocus
The ability to autofocus is one of the primary reasons to buy a DLSR camera over a mirrorless camera. You may not notice any difference when taking portraits of static objects, but when it comes to keeping a moving object in focus, DSLR handles the situation much better.
No Shutter Lag
DSLR cameras have no shutter lag, which means your trigger finger will be much quicker when using the camera. This is crucial to capture the “moment” in things like action sports.
More Control Over the Camera
DSLR cameras offer you more control over the settings. You can tweak lots of settings according to your specific needs. However, keep in mind that this may be overwhelming for beginners.
Variety of Lenses and Accessories
DSLR cameras have wide range of accessories and lenses to choose from. This is because these cameras have been around for quite a while now. Mirrorless cameras don’t have much variety in terms of lenses and accessories as they are relatively new.
Reasons to Buy a Mirrorless Camera
Portability
Portability is one of the primary reasons many people choose mirrorless cameras over DSLR cameras. Mirrorless cameras are much smaller in size so they fit in hand well. DSLR cameras are heavy and will easily attract attention. Mirrorless cameras on the other hand, are lightweight and relatively more stylish, hence allowing you to carry them anywhere without a dedicated camera bag.
Live View
Although not as good as optical viewfinder of DSLR, the Live View feature of mirrorless cameras has its advantages. It allows you to be involved with the subject as you don’t need to be up to the camera in order to frame the photo. This feature is very useful when taking pictures of children.
Image Quality
The image quality mirrorless cameras deliver is another important selling point. Despite their compact designs, the quality of image of mirrorless cameras is on par with many DSLR cameras.
Which is Better?
Both mirrorless and DSLR cameras have their pros and cons. There is no definite answer to which one is better. What you choose depends mostly on your specific needs and preferences. A mirrorless camera is for you if you want something compact, stylish and still want to be able to take quality shots. A DSLR camera on the other hand, is a recommended option for you if you don’t mind the relatively large size and want a huge range of accessories and lenses to choose from. Ultimately whichever you purchase, you can be sure that it will be capable of capturing great photos that will fulfill your photography needs for a long time.