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Table of Contents. DSLR vs SLR Cameras: 9 Key Differences. Image: Dan Cristian Pădureț. SLR vs DSLR Memory. A DSLR camera has greater storage capacity. Capable of storing thousands of images and videos on a digital memory card. Captured images can be deleted at no cost to the photographer.
Jun 27, 2022 · Electronics. Cameras. The Best DSLR for Beginners. Updated June 27, 2022. Photo: Rozette Rago. By Erin Roberts. FYI. Manufacturers have not said that they aren’t developing DSLRs anymore, but if...
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- Nikon D850. Best for megapixels. Sensor: Full frame. Megapixels: 45.7MP. Lens mount: Nikon FX. Screen: 3.2in tilting touchscreen, 2,359,000 dots.
- Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / EOS 250D. Best for beginners. Sensor: APS-C. Megapixels: 24.2MP. Lens mount: Canon EF-S. Screen: 3in vari-angle touchscreen, 1,040,000 dots.
- Canon EOS-1D X Mark III. Best for professionals. Sensor: Full frame. Megapixels: 20.1MP. Lens mount: Canon EF-mount. Screen: 3.2-inch fixed touchscreen, 2.1million dots.
- Pentax KF. Best for affordability. Sensor: APS-C. Megapixels: 24.2 MP. Screen: 3-inch tilting LCD, 921,000 dots. Viewfinder: Optical. Max burst speed: 6fps.
- Overview
- Design: DSLR vs mirrorless
- Are DSLRs really cheaper?
- What about lenses?
- Do DSLRs take better photos?
- Do DSLRs have better battery lives?
- Verdict
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By Timothy Coleman
last updated 26 April 2022
Is it time to leave DSLRs behind in favor of mirrorless cameras?
If you're hoping to get serious about photography or video, you'll no doubt have heard about DSLR and mirrorless cameras. But which camera type is better? And should DSLRs really still be the default choice for your first 'proper' camera?
In this guide, we won't be going in-depth on all the differences between the two camera formats. You can read about that in our DSLR vs mirrorless feature. Instead, we'll be using our huge experience in reviewing both DSLRs and the best mirrorless cameras to tell you which format is best for different types of photographer – and whether you should still consider buying DSLRs, full stop.
The only universal difference between DSLR and mirrorless cameras is the viewfinder design. A DSLR uses an optical viewfinder that gives you a 'naked eye' experience, while mirrorless cameras feature an electronic viewfinder with a digital display (aside from some rangefinder-style mirrorless cameras).
Each viewfinder type has advantages that boil down to a 'feeling'. An electronic viewfinder can provide genuinely useful information such as real-time exposure display and manual focus peaking. However, the feel of using a naked eye optical viewfinder hasn't yet been replicated digitally.
There is a caveat though; to really get the benefit of an optical viewfinder you'll want a large one to really feel immersed in a scene. For that, you'll want the new Pentax K-3 Mark III or full-frame DSLRs like the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV or Nikon D850. Small viewfinder displays in low-cost DSLRs like the Canon EOS 850D don't quite cut it for more advanced shooters.
A lot is made about camera size, too. Many existing DSLR users prefer the chunky design and pronounced handgrip of larger models, which is partly a result of that optical viewfinder and its accompanying mirror. If this is your style, you shouldn't let be put off mirrorless cameras though – not all mirrorless cameras are smaller and there are plenty of chunky 'DSLR-style' options around like the Panasonic Lumix S1.
If you're looking to buy an interchangeable lens camera for the first time, a new mirrorless camera will cost a little more than its new DSLR equivalent.
However, it's when you start building a mirrorless system that the cost shoots up, with mirrorless lenses costing anywhere between 10-50% extra over DSLR equivalents. For example, a standard 50mm f/1.8 lens will cost around 35% more than the DSLR equivalent. It's partly down to lens design which we'll get on to, but these are big margins.
In our feature about how to decide about switching from an old Nikon DSLR to a Nikon mirrorless camera, and the main restriction was the cost of the switch. Moving from one system to another is never cheap, even within the same brand. This is something that's worth bearing in mind when choosing between a DSLR and mirrorless camera – it pays to look long-term.
On the other hand, there's the used camera market, with DSLR cameras and lenses more readily available secondhand and at a fraction of the cost – usually about 50% less than new for very good to excellent condition models. Bang for buck, DSLR wins in most cases.
Unsurprisingly, there are way more lens options for DSLRs than mirrorless cameras. After all, brands like Nikon have been designing F-mount lenses since the 1950s. But cost and variety aside, it's worth asking a broader question – how many lenses do you really need? Most mirrorless systems will now have the right lens for virtually any scenario.
Then there is the question of lens quality. It stands to reason that we have seen an improvement in optic design with mirrorless tech. Take the larger Nikon Z mirrorless lens mount over the Nikon F DSLR lens mount, for example – the Z-mount's larger diameter and shorter flange distance (the space between the sensor and lens mount) mean lens designers can simply make better optics.
The design of many new mirrorless lenses is more complex, providing improved edge-to-edge sharpness and control of lens distortions, such as chromatic aberration, especially when shooting with a wide aperture. We've compared the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 Z (mirrorless) lens and the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 G equivalent (DSLR) and the difference is clear, though quality evens out as the aperture is stopped down.
Also, some autofocus issues have been solved with mirrorless. For example, back-focusing can be a problem with many Nikon DSLR lenses, bringing in the need for lens calibration. There's no such problem with mirrorless – they are good to go out the box. Again, these points are not universal, but it's clear that while DSLR lenses are more affordable (particularly second-hand), the performance of mirrorless lenses does often justify their premium.
•These are the best Canon lenses you can buy for DSLRs right now
•Or check out our guide to the best Nikon lenses for its DSLRs
DSLRs and mirrorless camera bodies are very similar when it comes to the image quality produced by their sensors. What's more important are the surrounding factors, like lenses, that can impact your photo quality. And it's here that mirrorless cameras again have the edge.
For starters, their lenses have newer designs, which as we've discussed usually means improved image quality at wider apertures when compared to their DSLR equivalents. But there are some other features that work in their favor, too.
There's no need for lens calibration on mirrorless cameras, which means peace of mind with autofocus issues. The in-body image stabilization (IBIS) found on some mirrorless bodies also enhances handheld shooting and lets you shoot at lower ISOs when there's less available light.
Then there's the wider range of autofocus modes on mirrorless bodies, such as eye-AF, to ensure pin-sharp focus for portraits. Plus silent shutter, manual focus aids...the list goes on. Many of these advantages aren't because the mirrorless format is inherently better than the DSLR, but because they tend to be newer and so get the latest tech.
In a like-for-like comparison, you'll generally find that DSLRs will have a significantly longer battery life than mirrorless cameras. However, you'll need to be using the optical viewfinder and not the Live View display on the back of the camera to enjoy the benefit.
Also, the comparison can start to become blurred thanks to most new mirrorless cameras offering on-the-go USB-charging. If you're happy to carry around a power bank in your bag to stay topped up (or some old-fashioned spare batteries) then you can find ways to keep your mirrorless camera alive on longer shoots.
If you're new to the interchangeable lens camera world, we would almost universally recommend a mirrorless camera over a DSLR today. There are still two main factors in favor of the DSLR though; cost and viewfinder.
Are you likely to want to build your system with a few different lenses? If so, the cost will be a lot higher with mirrorless cameras, so you might want to opt for the cheaper DSLR. Of course, that saving only works out if you're not going to be tempted to upgrade to a mirrorless camera in the near future.
We'd recommend getting your hands on like-for-like DSLR and mirrorless cameras to compare the experience of using an optical viewfinder to an electronic viewfinder. Visiting a local camera store is an excellent place to start. The real tests for electronic viewfinders are low light and action, so see if you can experience both viewfinder types in these scenarios, too.
But otherwise, there are virtually no universal reasons we can recommend a DSLR over mirrorless today. Like the big size of DSLRs? There are chunky mirrorless cameras, too. Think you need the amazing battery life of a DSLR? Use a power bank or buy additional batteries to improve the life of mirrorless. DSLRs and second-hand still offer unbeatable value, but the smarter long-term investment for most people is likely to be a mirrorless camera.
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May 19, 2024 · How to choose 12. How we test. Mirrorless might be the future, but the DSLR isn’t dead yet: as the best DSLR cameras in this list prove, the format still has a lot to offer for photographers...
May 3, 2024 · A DSLR may also be the most economical choice, with more models available on the used market—on eBay or at retailers like Adorama, B&H Photo Video, KEH Camera, or MPB —along with well-established lens ecosystems. We've bought and tested over 100 cameras, and below, you'll find our top DSLR camera picks.
5 days ago · 1. The mirror. 2. Autofocus. 3. Viewfinders. 4. Size. 5. Lenses. 6. Video. 7. Battery life. 8. Dust. When to choose a DSLR. When to choose mirrorless. The DSLR vs mirrorless camera discussion is still an important (and sometimes divisive) buying decision. Here we'll explain what the differences are, and where each camera type has the advantage.
