What is the difference between Mirrorless cameras and DSLR cameras?

In this article, we will learn together about the difference between Mirrorless cameras and DSLR cameras. We will learn about the most important features that distinguish the previous types, and we will talk about the mechanism of operation of each of the aforementioned types of cameras. If you are looking for a new camera to buy, you must have looked at the previous two names. In fact, most photographers pay close attention to their options during purchase due to the difference between mirrorless cameras and DSLR cameras. What are the most important differences between each of the previous two cameras? What is the most important difference between Mirrorless cameras and DSLR cameras? Let us begin by talking about the mechanism of operation of each of the previous cameras. We previously spoke in a detailed article about what the shutter is and the relationship of its speed to the mechanism of taking pictures. You can access that article from here.

Looking at the following video, which explains how the shutter works, we notice a mirror that rises to the top to allow light to pass through, followed by a curtain that controls the size of the gate that enters the light towards the sensor, which is what we call the shutter. The mechanics of the previous camera and the presence of a mirror in it are what are generally called DSLR cameras, and the presence of a mirror in them is what allows us to look through the eyehole - the viewfinder in the camera to see what we are photographing. Therefore, when photographing, the mirror rises to block the view for parts of seconds until the light enters the sensor, and the process of taking the picture is completed. But in the case of mirrorless cameras, “of course if we translate the name” we will notice that there is no mirror in the face of the shutter.

This was a very simplified explanation of the most important and general difference between the two cameras, but is that all? The most important differences between Mirrorless cameras and DSLR cameras: 1- Size: With the presence of a mirror system inside DSLR cameras, the size of the camera is generally larger and heavier than Mirrorless cameras. In fact, one of the most important advantages offered by Mirrorless cameras is the practical weight and size compared to DSLR cameras. In general, the small mass-size of a camera does not necessarily mean that cameras with a larger size are of higher quality.

2- Internal motion stabilizers DSLR cameras contain a mechanical mechanism more than an electronic one. It is true that the camera’s brain is electronic and that is why they are called digital SLR cameras. Therefore, they do not contain motion stabilizers built inside the camera that allow the camera to be stabilized during filming. While Mirrorless cameras, with the more advanced technology they offer, offer the option of internal stabilizers nicely, in fact one of the points that companies strive to offer is the amount of stabilization that Mirrorless cameras are able to offer the user. 3- Lenses Mirrorless lenses and DSLR lenses differ in the place where they connect to the camera, and the place where the lens connects to the camera is called the mount. Many photographers faced problems with the incompatibility of their old lenses that they were using on a DSLR camera when using them on Mirrorless cameras, so companies resorted to finding adapters, which are pieces that are installed between the camera and the lens to facilitate the compatibility of the lenses on the cameras.

When talking about lenses, let us mention an important detail. With the disappearance of the mirror in Mirrorless cameras, the distance between the sensor and the lens became smaller, and thus the lenses became smaller and shorter than their predecessors for DSLR cameras. 4- Sound during filming: One of the features that distinguish mirrorless cameras is that they do not contain a mirror that moves quickly to make a violent sound while filming. Completely unlike DSLR cameras, companies seek to provide DSLR cameras capable of shooting with a lower sound while the mirror is moving, but the advantage in this point is still in favor of mirrorless cameras, as they are able to film without any sound. 5- The rolling shutter problem. We spoke in detail previously, and in a detailed article about the rolling shutter problem, you can view it in full here: It is true that the rolling shutter problem is a problem that generally occurs in the field of video more than in photography, but believe it or not, sometimes this problem will appear in DSLR cameras.

6- Viewfinder With the presence of a mirror in DSLR cameras, when you press the photo button, the mirror rises to close the view on the viewfinder, until the picture is taken. Therefore, you cannot see through the viewfinder the moment you press the photo button. Now when you switch from photography to video shooting with DSLR cameras, here you will face the real problem, as while shooting video, the mirror will remain raised to allow for continuous shooting. Therefore, the viewfinder cannot be used while shooting video with DSLR cameras because you will not see anything from that aperture. While Mirrorless cameras do not have a mirror inside, you can preview the video and photos while shooting through the viewfinder slot.

Speaking of Mirrorless cameras and the viewfinder hole in them, it is practically a small screen that shows you what the camera sensor sees electronically, thus also showing you details such as the amount of exposure, the histogram scale, and other information. 7- Shooting speed When talking about shooting speed and how many frames a camera can shoot per second, we notice the amazing superiority of Mirrorless cameras over DSLR cameras. The best DSLR cameras, which are worth thousands of dollars, can barely reach 16 images per second, because there are limits to that speed, including the speed of the mirror and the time needed for that mirror to move and expose the sensor to light. While Mirrorless and medium cameras are capable of shooting 10-14 frames per second, not to mention when we talk about the best Mirrorless cameras that can shoot between 20-24 frames per second.

8- Automatic focus - autofocus DSLR cameras are distinguished by their ability to deal with up to 30 focus points and switch between them automatically, but these points are distributed exclusively in the middle of the image, and focus is often slower than in mirrorless cameras. In fact, mirrorless cameras are distinguished by two important points, which is the availability of a huge number of focus points that the camera can handle, which are distributed throughout the entire image and not just in the middle, in addition to the speed of moving between those points faster than DSLR cameras. The second important point is the presence of an automated brain in the camera, in addition to a processor capable of reading the material that appears in the image and determining the focus priority in the image. Therefore, you will find automated processing that is faster and more accurate than with DSLR cameras.

Let us quickly and briefly review the most important features between the two types of cameras: Here are the most important points that differ from mirrorless cameras from DSLR cameras. Take these points into consideration when preparing to buy your new camera, and remember these features well, until we meet in a new article. I would like to remind you that if you find any questions, you can send your inquiries through our accounts on the social networking sites, Facebook, Twitter, 

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