When talking about the camera pros and cons of mirrorless vs DSLR for beginnersI don’t see any point in getting into too many details on the technical stuff.
You just want to know which type of digital camera will give you the best results for your moneyright? Plus the difference between DSLR and mirrorless technology.
There are two digital camera types for both mirrorless and DSLR cameras:
- Compact camera (aka point and shoot cameras) – the lens is not removable
- Interchangeable lens camera – in other words the lenses are separate from the camera body
For the purposes of this article we’re looking at digital cameras with interchangeable lenses only.
PS – if you really want to know the beginner cameras I recommendkeep reading to the end. Or scroll down.
BUT firstyou should know why…
DSLR vs mirrorless – key differences
As a beginner photographer it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the jargon and technical information about differences between mirrorless and DSLR cameras. So here’s a quick explanation of some key differences:
1. Viewfinder – seeing the image
Nowthis might sound a bit obviousbut a DSLR camera has a mirror and a mirrorless camera doesn’t. DSLR stands for digital single lens reflexwhich refers to the mirror mechanism. Film camera equivalents are called SLR cameras (single lens reflex).
- A DSLR camera has an optical viewfinder
- A mirrorless camera has an electronic viewfinder
In a moment I’ll get into the details of why that makes a difference.
2. Autofocus – how the camera focuses on the subject
Both types of cameras have manual focusas well as different autofocus options. Howevermirrorless cameras also have eye autofocuswhich is a game changer for anyone who photographs moving subjects.
How each type of camera focuses is also a key differenceespecially in low-light conditions.
- DSLR cameras mainly use phase detection autofocus
- Newer mirrorless cameras use a combination of phase and contrast detection autofocus
More on this in a moment.
How does a DSLR camera work?
What’s the mirror for in a DSLR?
When you look through the optical viewfinder of a DSLR camera you see what’s in front of you. To be exactthe image you see is actually a reflection on a mirror of the scene in front of you.
When you click the shutter button to take a photo:
- The mirror flips up
- The shutter lifts
- Light enters the lens
- And hits the sensor to record the image
The optics are a bit more complicated than thatbut that’s what it amounts to.
That’s why what you see goes black for a moment. The longer your shutter is openthe longer the mirror stays up and the more obvious this is.
So the mirror’s sole purpose on a DSLR is to reflect the scene in front of you through the lens and into the viewfinder so that you’re not shooting blind.
You won’t know what the image looks like until you take the shot. Experience teaches us how camera settings affect an image and over time you’ll be able to dial in the correct settings to create a particular look.
DSLR autofocus options
I mentioned earlier that DSLR cameras use phase detection autofocus and aren’t as good as mirrorless cameras in low light. Howeverthat’s if you use the optical viewfinder to view the scene.
If you shoot in live view (and use the LCD screen to frame your shot)the focus mechanism used is contrast detectionwhich is much better in low light.
For focusing on moving subjects DSLRs have Back Button Focus. I use this all the timeeven when subjects aren’t moving. It can seem daunting at first for beginner photographersbut I highly recommend it for photographing children or pets.
How does a mirrorless camera system work?
Mirrorless camera viewfinder
A mirrorless camera doesn’t need a mirror mechanism to show you the imagebecause the image you see on the back of the camera or in the electronic viewfinder is a digital depiction of the scene in front of you.
So what you see is how the image will appear when you take the shot. It’s a preview of the image.
Mirrorless camera autofocus technology
Another huge advantage of mirrorless technology is the way it focuses. The chance of missing focus is significantly lower on mirrorless vs DSLR cameras. For three reasons:
- Mirrorless systems can lock onto the subject with face detection and eye autofocus
- Mirrorless models use both phase and contrast detection autofocusso can focus better than DSLR cameras in low light conditions
- The focus points go all the way to the edge of the frameso you’re not restricted on where you can focus in the frame
As a beginner photographer it might seem that there’s no contest then between DSLR vs mirrorless.
I’d be inclined to agreebut ….there are always buts!
BUT you also need to know the disadvantages of a mirrorless camera for a balanced decision on which one is right for you – mirrorless or DSLR?
What are the disadvantages of a mirrorless camera?
- Price point! They’re not cheap
- Ergonomics – many photography with big hands find them too small
- Battery doesn’t last as long as DSLR camera batteries
- Electronic viewfinder can be a bit limited in low light
- Not as many lenses to choose from
It’s worth noting that each year more mirrorless lenses are releasedso the choice is growing. Another point is mirrorless cameras are getting bigger as new technology gets addedbut the entry level cameras are still smaller than DSLR cameras.
Disadvantages of DSLR
- No eye autofocus
- Video not as good on entry level cameras
- Weight – high-end DSLRs can be quite heavy and bulky
One last point on mirrorless vs DSLR for beginners…
Because DSLR cameras have been around a lot longer than mirrorless camerasthere are more DSLR camera optionsespecially at the beginner level.
Here’s another really important one that I think is worth consideringregardless of whether you choose DSLR or mirrorless. It’s the same reason I recommend learning how to shoot in manual modeor at the very least shutter priority or aperture priorityrather than doing everything in auto.
With a DSLR camera you’re forced to learn about camera settingsbecause you can’t see what the image looks like before you take the shot. So you have to think before you click.
Soif you go mirrorlessdo yourself a favor and don’t just flick the dials until the image in the electronic viewfinder looks good.
To be a better photographertake the time to learn:
- How the exposure triangle works
- What makes a blurry background
- How to freeze motion with shutter speed
Now that you know the differencesyou can decide which is best for you and start looking at the individual cameras that camera manufacturers make.
Did you know the lens is more important than the camera?
Cameras are so good these days that as a beginner photographer I’d advise you to start with what fits your budget. Don’t be tempted to think that an expensive camera will produce better images.
You also don’t need the very latest camera on the market. A few decades ago professional photographers were producing great photos for billboards with digital cameras that weren’t nearly as good as our smartphones.
In time you’ll come to realise that your choice of lens is far more important than the camera body you use.
Further reading: Expensive lens or expensive camera – which is better?
Beginner camera and kit lens deals
Beginner cameras can often be bought with a kit lens as a package deal. My advice is that if you have the budgetbuy just the camera bodywhether it’s DSLR or mirrorlessand get a better lens than the kit lens recommended.
You’ll replace your camera body long before you replace your lensesif you buy quality lenses. If you’re serious about improving your photographyyou’ll outgrow a kit lens quite quickly and want to replace it sooner than you realize.
Soit’s worth noting that Nikon and Canon offer a much bigger range of quality lenses for their digital cameras than Sony. Nikon has the largest range.
In time that no doubt will change and they’ll all offer more mirrorless lens choicesbut it’s good to go in with your eyes wide open.
That saidyou don’t have to use own brand lenses. There are some really good Sigma lenses for example.
Best beginner cameras for mirrorless and DSLR
As this article isn’t about which camera is the best to buy as a beginnerI’ve included just a few suggestions from top brandsrather than an exhaustive list of cameras.
Best beginner DSLR cameras
I’d recommend going with Canon or Nikon. They make the best DSLR cameras and offer a huge range of accessories to go with them.
If someone tells you one is better than the otherit’s probably because they have the one that they say is best. Seriously. Both are fantastic. Especially at beginner level.
My personal preference is Nikon purely because that’s what I started with in film cameras in the 90’s. Yep – all that time ago back in the dark ages. When I switched to digital I felt no need to change manufacturers.
In no particular order the best DSLR cameras for beginners are:
Best beginner mirrorless cameras
The top three mirrorless camera brands are undoubtedly:
- Nikon
- Canon
- Sony
There was a time when Sony was way ahead of the packbut Nikon and Canon have caught up fast in the higher level mirrorless cameras.
Soin no particular orderthe best mirrorless cameras for beginners are:
- Nikon – Z50
- Canon – EOS M6 Mark II
- Sony – A6100
Final word on mirrorless vs DSLR for beginners
If you want me to commit to choosing either mirrorless or DSLRmy next camera will be mirrorlessbecause that’s the future. And eye autofocus is a dream come true for a portrait photographer.
Unless anything major happens in the industryI’ll stay with Nikonso will buy either the Z6II or the Z7II. Not the absolute top of the range Z9 when it comes out – that’s way more camera than I need.
The reason I’m undecided is because I really don’t want to clog up my computer with photos that are massive in memory from all the megapixels – 24.5mp vs 45.7mp. That’s a HUGE difference and I really don’t need all those megapixels.
Nobody doesunless you need to be able to crop in really tight in post production and maintain good image quality to print really big. In which casewhy not just compose the image the way you want it before you take the shot? But that’s a whole other discussion (some might say argument).
Further reading: How important are camera megapixels – printing and posting images online
Leave a comment
If you have any questions about mirrorless vs DSLR for beginnerslet us know in the comments.
AlsoI love good newsso if my beginner camera tips have helped youshare that too.
I am confused (not an unusual state). You say “…the mirror’s sole purpose on a DSLR is to reflect the scene in front of you through the lens and into the viewfinder ….” and “A mirrorless camera doesn’t need thatbecause the image you see on the back of the camera or in the electronic viewfinder is a digital depiction of the scene in front of you.” I do not understand the difference between the two. As I understand itI am seeing the scene in front of me regardless and it is recorded electronically. What am I not understanding?
ThanxAlice
Hi Alice
When you use a DSLR you’re seeing the scene in front of youalbeit as a reflectionbecause you’re basically looking through a tube (very basically). So your settings make zero difference to what you see in the viewfinder. They affect the image you takebut not the scene you see.
With a mirrorless camera you’re looking at a screen (even if you’re looking through a viewfinder)just like when you take a photo on your phone. What you see is impacted by your settingsbecause they affect the real time image that you see in the viewfinder. So if your exposure settings are set to underexpose the imagefor examplewhat you see in the viewfinder will be dark. As you adjust the exposure by slowing the shutter speed for exampleyou’ll see the image in the viewfinder brighten and when you take the shot this is what it will look like.
Hope that helps.
Actually Sony’s A6000 is still for sale and uses the e mount system. Meaning it can use C sensor lenses and full frame lenses. And the A6000 is a 24mp C sensor. And a great buy for beginners.. Plusyou do know.. Sony makes Nikon’s sensors.. to Nikon’s specs.. and both companies have camera sensors rated at 100 at DXO .. Just sayin..