Difference between DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras


An electronic device that is used for capturing digital images and videos is referred to as a digital camera. A digital camera typically consists of a sensor based mechanism to capture the light and transform it into digital form. Several types of digital cameras are available in market such as DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, and compact point and shoot cameras, etc.

In this article, we will discuss the important differences between DSLR and mirrorless cameras. But before discussing the differences, let us first discuss the basics of DSLR and mirrorless cameras individually.

What is a DSLR Camera?

DSLR, Digital Single Lens Reflex, camera is a type of digital camera that consists of a mirror and prism mechanism to capture light and convert it into digital data. The mirror and prism mechanism in the DSLR camera reflects the light through the lens and into the viewfinder. This allows photographers to see the scenes through the lens in real time.

DSLR cameras are widely used for professional photography because they can produce high quality images and videos. Another important features that a DSLR camera offer include interchangeable lenses, controlled shutter and aperture speed, etc.

What is a Mirrorless Camera?

A type of digital camera that does not use mirror and prism mechanism to capture the light is referred to as a mirrorless camera. Therefore, in the case of a mirrorless camera, there is no mirror and prims system used to reflect light through the lens and into the viewfinder.

In a mirrorless camera, an electronic viewfinder (EVF) is used in place of a mirror and prism system. Also, an LCD screen on the rear edge is provided to display the preview of the captured image.

Mirrorless cameras are relatively compact in size, lighter in weight as compared to a DSLR camera. However, they can also produce high quality images. Due to their compact size and light weight, they are easily portable and hence, most commonly used by vloggers, travel photographers, etc.

Mirrorless cameras offer several advantages over DSLR cameras, such as faster continuous shooting speed, faster autofocus mechanism, 4k video recording, WiFi connectivity, etc. Although, they also several disadvantages, such as relatively inefficient electronic viewfinder, poor battery life, etc.

After discuss the DSLR and mirrorless cameras individually, let us now discuss the important differences between them.

Difference between DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras

The following table highlights all the significant differences between DSLR camera and mirrorless camera −

Parameter

DSLR Camera

Mirrorless Camera

Basic

DSLR camera is a type of digital camera that uses a mirror and prism mechanism for the reflection of light through lens and into the viewfinder.

Mirrorless camera is a type of digital camera that does not use a mirror and prism mechanism for the reflection of light through lens and into the viewfinder.

Major components

DSLR camera has a mirror and prism system, lens, and an optical viewfinder as the major components.

Mirrorless camera has an electronic viewfinder and a rear LCD screen as major components.

Interchangeable lenses

DSLR camera has more number of selections of interchangeable lenses.

Mirrorless camera has a limited number of selections of interchangeable lenses than DSLR camera.

Viewfinder

DSLR camera uses an optical viewfinder (OVF).

Mirrorless camera uses an electronic viewfinder (EVF).

Autofocus system

DSLR cameras have a slower and less accurate autofocus system.

Mirrorless cameras have a relatively faster and more accurate autofocus system as compared to DSLR cameras.

Continuous shooting speed

DSLR cameras have slower continuous shooting speed.

Mirrorless cameras have faster continuous shooting speed than DLSR cameras.

Image stabilization technology

DSLR cameras have lens-based image stabilization (LBIS).

Mirrorless cameras have in-body image stabilization (IBIS).

Video quality

DSLR cameras record relatively lower quality videos due to absence of advanced features like 4k video support, IBIS, etc.

Mirrorless cameras record better quality videos than DSLR cameras.

Battery life

DSLR cameras use more energy efficient optical viewfinder. Hence, they have longer battery life.

Mirrorless cameras have shorter battery life due to continuous power consumption by the rear LCD screen.

Built-in flash

Most DSLR cameras come with a built-in flash.

Several mirrorless cameras do not come with a built-in flash.

Size

DSLR cameras are relatively larger and heavier.

Mirrorless cameras are relatively compact in size and lighter in weight.

Price

DLSR cameras are slightly less expensive than mirrorless cameras.

Mirrorless cameras are relatively expensive than DSLR cameras.

Applications

DSLR cameras are commonly used for professional photography.

Mirrorless cameras are commonly used for travel photography, vlogging, etc.

Conclusion

The most significant difference between DSLR camera and Mirrorless camera is that the DLSR camera has a mirror and prism mechanism to reflect light through the lens, while the Mirrorless camera does not have a mirror and prism mechanism to reflect light through the lens.

From the above discussion, it is also clear that the mirrorless cameras are better choice for capturing high-quality images in a compact and portable camera design.

Updated on: 25-Apr-2023

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