In the past, if we wanted to have a good camera the answer was easy: buy a DSLR. But that's all changed since the fire nation invaded, uh wrongly, since mirrorless began to be introduced, hehe..
There have been "mirrorless" cameras such as pocket cameras for a long time, but the term mirrorless has skyrocketed thanks to its ability to change lenses. And that's what makes this "buy which" question come up.
Relax, here are 10 things you should know about Mirrorless vs DSLR. Hopefully later can better understand the difference between the two yes ...
Size & Weight
DSLR: often large, dempal, this will help if you fit a long (and heavy) telephoto lens.
Mirrorless: yup, in general mirrorless will obviously be smaller, but sometimes even lenses for mirrorless also segedhe gaban also like to have a DSLR
Its small size is the main selling point of mirrorless cameras, but that doesn't mean in practice mirrorless will always be smaller than a DSLR. When photographing (and videoing), we also use lenses, not just the camera body. Therefore, sometimes when your mirrorless is combined with a guedhe lens, it's just as big too.
The problem of the size of this lens is in all mirrorless cameras, both full frame and aps-C sensors. Although mirrorless built-in kit lenses are relatively small, there must be times when we have to change lenses, with long focal lengths, especially if we've increasingly intended the same photography. And, there was a combination of a skinny camera with a fat lens.
Now uniquely, as time goes by, and the increasingly sophisticated mirrorless technology today, year after year the size of "high-end" mirrorless cameras is even bigger. And it's at this point that we start to get confused about which one to buy, right? because the size also started the same hehe..
lens
DSLR: average has a wide selection of focal length and diaphragm
Mirrorless: lens options are still growing, it looks like soon as many DSLRs have
If you want to have a large selection of lenses, then using a DSLR should be your main choice, because in addition to the various types of camera-built brands, many 3rd party brands support DSLRs (such as Tamron, Sigma).
Although mirrorless only came out 10 years ago, and nowadays lenses that are specific to mirrorless are not much choice, mirrorless still may use DSLR lenses using adapters.
On the other hand, DSLR cameras cannot use mirrorless lenses because the focus point is too far away so it can never focus.
However, as mirrorless becomes more and more popular, we can expect more lens choices in the future.
Viewfinder
DSLR: there are still many photographers who are more comfortable with optical displays for clearer, lag-free views.
Mirrorless: while others prefer the digital version of the live view displayed on the LCD.
All DSLRs, even the cheapest ones, are always equipped with an optical viewfinder because that is one of the designs offered by DSLRs since time immemorial.
On the other hand, although there are some mirrorless that offer a viewfinder, most mirrorless do not. So you have to use the LCD on the back to compose your photos. As a result, it's just a little bright (or outdoors), then you will have trouble viewing live on the LCD.
Mirrorless that offer a viewfinder is usually a bit expensive, and even then is an electronic viewfinder—meaning displaying what the sensor receives directly, not through an optical mirror. Well, the new electronic viewfinder doesn't have pixelation (aka looks checkered) like the early mirrorless, but you'll still find cases that sometimes lag when you move the camera too fast.
The advantage of using an electronic viewfinder is that we can receive more information than the optical viewfinder. Why? Because the electronic viewfinder can simulate what the final result of our photo will look like, its color, distortion, sharpness, etc. Plus you can still see the histogram distribution live.
However, this simulation is not always perfect, because of that there are still many photographers who tend to choose to use the optical viewfinder, see as it is without any interference from the camera settings we choose, and see the final result later. Moreover, even in bright conditions, we can still see in detail without depending on the LCD.
Autofocus
DSLR: in the past, DSLR autofocus was clearly far superior, but now it's a different story. In general, the point is that the autofocus on DSLRs is better at tracking our subjects, but not as accurate in live view.
Mirrorless: on the other hand, live view is quite accurate when we look through the LCD. And the latest series can be said that the autofocus is all good.
The average DSLR already uses "phase-detection" in its autofocus which when used is very responsive to movement, as a result, on average it is very fast. However, the drawback is that this method can only work if the mirror inside the camera is facing downwards. Meanwhile, when you use the live view on the LCD to compose (which is when the mirror is facing up), this system doesn't work. DSLRs will automatically use a relatively slower contrast AF system.
But if you intend to use the new DSLRs such as the EOS 800D, 80D, and 5D Mk IV, then you don't have to worry so much. Canon provides a new innovation where phase detection is already installed in the sensor. This will solve common DSLR problems as described above.
Meanwhile, mirrorless relies entirely on the sensor (not using a mirror) and generally uses contrast AF. What should be noted is that contrast AF on mirrorless is faster than contrast AF on DSLRs. How can that be? Because mirrorless lenses have been specially designed to be able to perform in terms of autofocus as well.
How about mirrorless using a DSLR lens? Automatically there is a decrease in speed on the autofocus side, but it doesn't reduce the quality of the photos :).
The good news from the mirrorless side is that many new releases use a hybrid AF system. This system combines phase detection and contrast AF. With this system, the new mirrorless is not only fast, but also accurate in locking the focus.
Continuous Shot
DSLR: even the best DSLRs are already losing speed when it comes to speed burst mode
Mirrorless: mirrorless design allows manufacturers to install high speed burst mode
In taking action photos (aka moving subjects), we definitely use burst mode so we can take lots of shots and hope that some of them focus and give good photos. And at this point mirrorless cameras can be superior.
Mirrorless means that only a few parts of the mirrorless "move" to produce a single shot, allowing for faster shots. That's why when we talk about speed in burst mode, mirrorless is more in front.
Some mirrorless even offer burst speeds of up to 60fps. The thing to remember here is: burst mode helps us get lots of pictures when a good moment passes by, but the more pictures you take, the faster the memory fills up, and you also have to sort through that many photos one by one to get the “most good".
So stay wise in looking at the specs here :)
Videos
DSLR: used to be the mainstay in terms of video, in recent years mirrorless has started to overtake
Mirrorless: 4K has become a common resolution, AF keeps getting better – this is the future, guys!
DSLR cameras are the first cameras to offer professional HD and Full HD resolutions. Along with the wide choice of lenses and other accessories, as well as recognized support, many professional videographers are choosing DSLRs.
But that was before, before mirrorless came with similar video features.
4K video resolution has become a common standard in the latest mirrorless cameras, while DSLRs have not moved from Full HD. Then there is also live view autofocus which is very efficient and until now only in mirrorless. Plus this is also supported by the increasing number of adapters and other accessories that are intended for this compact camera.
New mirrorless cameras like the Panasonic Lumix GH5 and Sony A7S II are even loved by professional photographers and videographers alike.
Feature
DSLR: even entry-level DSLRs are complete with full manual control
Mirrorless: recently started to match DSLRs in terms of control, even in some series a step two steps further
In terms of photographic features and controls, it's hard to tell the difference between a DSLR and a mirrorless.
Both offer advanced manual controls, exposure, focus speed, and both can shoot in RAW and JPEG formats, allowing us all to get great results regardless of which one we use.
But keep in mind about the viewfinder, yes — all DSLRs have a viewfinder, but relatively “frugal” mirrorless tend not to have one.
Image Quality
DSLRs: use the latest and greatest technology for both their APS-C and Full Frame sensors
Mirrorless: uses the same sensor, but some series use a smaller format
There's nothing to choose from here. It is true that the largest resolution on a DSLR, the Canon EOS