Currently, both types of cameras are about the same with each other, as mirrorless cameras have been the lion's share of innovation in the ILC market over the past few years and are really expanding. But manufacturers of SLR cameras do not stand still and create new technologies. We invite you to compare both types of cameras.

Size and weight

SLR camera bodies are comparatively large, as they must fit into both a mirror and a prism. For example, the body of the Nikon D3400 is a rather voluminous 7.5 cm deep before you mount the lens. With an 18-55mm lens, the camera weighs about 700 grams.

The body of a mirrorless camera can be smaller, with a simpler design. Sony A6300 has a carcass of only 4 cm thick and weighs 800 grams with whale lens 16-50 mm.

Winner: mirrorless camera.
A mirrorless camera is more compact, allowing you to fit more gear, such as extra lenses, into your camera bag.

Autofocus speed

SLR cameras use fast and reliable phase detection autofocus, the modules of which are located under the mirror. Focusing itself occurs while the mirror is lowered, but in the viewfinder it is noted only when the mirror is raised and the shutter is released. When using autofocus in live view, the mirror must be up and the camera switches to slower contrast autofocus and uses the image captured by the sensor.

Among the advanced mirrorless cameras, there are also those that combine contrast autofocus with elements of phase detection on the matrix, which gives them both accuracy in focusing and speed. Therefore, these cameras do an excellent job of tracking the subject.

Winner: both cameras
Both types provide fast autofocus.

Image quality

Both types of cameras can capture high quality images with similar resolutions and the amount of grain, known as noise. Camera manufacturers have learned to create more sensitive chips and better suppress noise. In addition, several mirrorless camera manufacturers such as Sony now use the same APS-C sensors found in most DSLRs. The Sony A7 line of cameras use the even larger full-frame sensor type found in the best professional DSLRs.

Winner: both cameras
With equivalent sensors and image processors, both types of cameras can take great pictures.

Image Preview

All DSLRs, from the cheapest to the most expensive, have an optical viewfinder. This is not surprising, because the viewfinder is one of the main elements of the mirror mechanism. But some mirrorless cameras use only the LCD display to build the composition of the frame, and this is not always convenient.

A number of mirrorless cameras, the more expensive ones, have electronic viewfinders. They display the image directly from the matrix, and not through a mirror system.

Electronic viewfinders, of course, are developing rapidly and the latest ones boast incredible quality. But so far, they are not perfect, and with fast movement, there will still be a noticeable lag.

However, such viewfinders also have advantages over optical ones - they can display more information. For example, histograms.

Winner: both cameras

For many situations, both types of cameras provide you with very handy viewfinders.

So, if you shoot mostly in good light, both types of cameras will work well. If you often shoot in low light or other difficult conditions, a DSLR will be easier to shoot.

Video quality

Because of their built-in focus sensors, mirrorless cameras are usually better suited for video shooting. SLRs cannot use mirror image focus detection while recording video, so they have to use a slower, less accurate focusing method. This causes the image to become blurry in the middle of the video when the camera starts looking for the correct focus.

A growing number of mirrorless cameras, such as the Sony A6300 and Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, can shoot 4K or Ultra HD video at 4x resolution. Currently, only better DSLRs like the Nikon D5 shoot 4K/Ultra HD video.

Winner: Mirrorless Camera
With most autofocus models, mirrorless cameras provide the best results for most filmmakers.

Battery Life

DSLRs tend to have longer battery life as they can shoot without using the LCD screen or electronic viewfinder, both of which use a lot of power. However, both types will have similar batteries if you are using LCD screens to preview and review captured images, as this consumes a lot of power. All DSLRs and mirrorless cameras come with removable batteries, so you can always have a spare battery with you.

Winner: DSLR
DSLRs allow you to shoot without using an LCD screen or EVF, which can extend battery life.

If you are a beginner amateur photographer and do not know a system camera or a reflex camera, which is better to choose. What is the difference between the representatives of these devices, which camera is better to purchase at the initial stage, then you need to familiarize yourself with the material presented in this article. Here we will look at the difference between a system camera and a SLR. What models are on the market today.

Features of SLR cameras

What are SLR cameras or SLR, as it is customary to call devices of this type among professional photographers, how do they differ from ordinary cameras for photography? SLRs are devices whose optical viewfinder design uses a mirror located at an angle of 45 degrees to the lens axis. All representatives of this type of cameras are equipped with interchangeable optical equipment, which can be changed depending on the conditions and characteristics of the shooting. As a rule, devices of this type are quite impressive in size for a camera due to the design features.


An overview of the main advantages of SLR cameras:

  1. Viewfinder. Since the viewfinder in such devices is optical, it allows you to see the raw image in real time without delay.
  2. Fast autofocus.
  3. Great opportunities for connecting removable optics for different shooting conditions.
  4. The best image quality.
  5. Cameras instantly turn on, which allows you to immediately start shooting, without waiting for the device to “wake up”.
  6. High shooting speed.
  7. Long battery life. So, some models are capable of producing up to three thousand frames using one battery charge.
  8. The flash is built into the body of the device.
  9. Simplicity, speed of setup. Typically, the DSLR body is designed in such a way that the user can easily configure the device functions using the buttons or wheels located on the device body.



The main disadvantages of this type of camera include:

  1. Large dimensions of the device.
  2. The weight of the device, which can sometimes reach two kilograms when assembled.
  3. They are quite inconvenient for transportation, because due to the large dimensions of both the devices themselves and the removable parts, they require a large carrying bag that can withstand a weight of up to 15 kg.
  4. These devices are quite fragile and require especially careful handling.
  5. A good device of this type has a high cost.
  • Nikon D3300 series. Compact viewfinder mirror camera with electronic guidance for beginners. The device is equipped with a powerful digital matrix, which allows you to shoot in the dark;
  • Sony model Alpha 68. This device is characterized by fast focusing, good sensor, user-friendly interface;
  • Canon EOS series Rebel T5 or 1200D. A budget model of a mirrorless camera that allows continuous shooting at a speed of three frames per second. Has a powerful processor;
  • Nikon D5500. The device is one of the amateur SLR cameras. It is equipped with a wide list of blanks, of which there are about 16 for various subjects. Their list includes such as landscape, sports, child, macro, beach, dusk, snow, dawn.


System cameras and their main characteristics

System cameras for still photography are cameras that have a modular design. With this design, interchangeable components of the device, such as lenses, cassettes, viewfinders, flash, are installed on the body of the device. System cameras can be both SLR and mirrorless.

Let's review the characteristics of mirrorless system devices. The structure of the viewfinders of this type of device does not use a mirror, since the viewfinders themselves are electronic.


The advantages of such devices include:

  • small dimensions. This type of camera has a compact size and low weight due to the design features;
  • equipping cameras with various configuration tools, built-in functions that expand the capabilities of these devices;
  • electronic viewfinder in the form of a small screen that allows for quick, easy setup.

Disadvantages of mirrorless cameras:

  • the speed of turning on and starting the device is lower than that of mirror models;
  • focus delay;
  • devices of this type are inferior to mirror-type devices in terms of image quality.

The best representatives of mirrorless system devices for photography include the following representatives:

  • Fuji model X-T10 is a fairly budget camera, not inferior in terms of frame quality to more expensive representatives of this type of device;
  • Olympus OMDE-M10 II series. This series and model of mirrorless devices from this manufacturer has become widespread among amateur photographers due to its functionality and quality;
  • The Sony A7 II series is an excellent device, which won the title of best system camera of 2018 thanks to excellent quality pictures, a large set of functions, additional features;
  • Panasonic model LumixG. This device has earned the recognition of users due to its user-friendly interface, good image quality and OLED color viewfinder;
  • Nikon 1J series. A mirrorless camera for novice photographers who are no longer enough with the capabilities of a conventional digital camera.


SLR and mirrorless system cameras, review and comparison of the functions of which showed that both types of cameras allow you to create different unique images. However, the opinion of users is divided and each of the types of system devices has its own connoisseurs. So, SLR cameras are most often used for shooting by professional photographers, as they make it possible to create quality pictures. the highest class. Due to the high performance and speed of operation, mirror-type devices allow you to shoot sports events, various competitions, and various kinds of celebrations. Mirrorless system devices have become widespread among photography enthusiasts and active rest thanks to its compact design. This type of camera is suitable for both beginners and advanced amateur photographers.

Buying a SLR camera does not guarantee high quality pictures, simply because not everything depends on the camera: without the appropriate knowledge how and what photographing in certain conditions, the picture may come out clumsy. That is, shooting on "Auto with flash" against the sun and waiting for the sweetie to come out is very reckless. So you get bulky and often expensive photographic equipment, which is inconvenient to carry with you, not only because of the weight, but also because of the fear of damaging or accidentally “knocking down the settings”.

Second, look for not expensive or compact SLR camera can not even start. DSLRs, due to their design (the size of the mirror, pentaprism, the location of the optical viewfinder), simply cannot be taken and fit into a jacket pocket. This technique is only relatively compact and relatively inexpensive, because simple cameras like the Nikon D5100 will cost from 12 thousand rubles for a “carcass” (a camera without a lens).

Why not a DSLR?

First, due to dimensions and design corps. SLR cameras had, have and will have a massive body. Otherwise, there is simply no way: since it is impossible to reduce the space for the reflex system (mirrors and pentaprisms), it is also impossible to make cameras of this class smaller. Plus, the identical location of the optical viewfinder in all cameras makes devices of the same type similar to each other (at least for the average user). Perhaps the only thing that can distinguish itself is the presence of a rotary display and the location of some physical control buttons, the shape and coating of the body in the grip area. Otherwise, the body is like a body for 90% of SLR cameras with similar functionality.

Secondly, due to weight. In the case of SLR cameras, larger dimensions mean more weight. Inexpensive models will weigh less than professional cameras, because. for the production of the case and their controls, plastic of medium quality and strength was used. but lungs it would still be difficult to name them.

So, for example, Canon EOS 1200D weighs 480 grams (without battery and lens) with body dimensions of 130x100x78 mm.

Thirdly, due to mirrors and shutter. Each shot involves the movement of these elements. The fact is that the mirror does not turn silently - a soft click will accompany each frame you take. Nikon cameras, for example, have a silent mode of operation, but it would be more correct to call it quiet. In some shooting conditions, noise is more than desirable. Plus, with the movement of the mirror, the air in the camera body also moves, so dusting the matrix in a SLR camera is easier than in a mirrorless one.

No matter how hard manufacturers try, the mechanics of a SLR camera still leads to camera shake, albeit insignificant. During daytime photography, this does not affect the clarity of photos, but at slow shutter speeds, shaking is a critical drawback.

The mechanics significantly limits the frame rate. Nikon D7100, for example, shoots 7 frames per second in standard mode, and Nikon D4 - as many as 11! But to better understand what has to happen to capture those 11 frames in 1 second, watch the video.

By the way, every SLR camera has a “shelf life”, measured not in years and months of service, but in the number of shots taken by it. So, for example, the maximum run of 150-200 thousand frames is already an excellent indicator. If you think that you won’t make such a quantity in a lifetime, you are mistaken. On average, 40-50 thousand pictures can be taken in a year of active use.

Please note that this restriction concerns only the operation of the shutter - the rest of the elements of the SLR camera can withstand longer. But after reaching a critical number of shutter releases, it will probably start to act up. So get ready for it.

And finally, mechanics are expensive when it comes to maintenance and repair.

We also add that the purchase of a SLR camera provides for the purchase of interchangeable lenses. Most cameras of the initial and middle price segments are equipped with a kit lens (18-55 mm), the shooting quality of which leaves much to be desired. If you want to take portraits with a beautiful blurred background and amazing detail close-up, you will have to buy a portrait lens, because you won't get that picture quality on the Kit.

This is not to say that DSLRs suck and here are some cool mirrorless ones on the market - better buy them. But simply to the fact that when acquiring equipment, it is better to know as much as possible about it.

Why a mirrorless camera?

In the last 5-6 years, the market has been actively filled with mirrorless cameras: not to say that the best mirrorless cameras are much cheaper than equivalent SLR models. Often you can talk about the same price rating. Therefore, you should not count on the fact that the mirrorless will be cheap either. By the way, do not confuse mirrorless cameras and "soap dishes": the absence of a mirror does not make this technique low-grade.

Choosing a mirrorless camera can be justified by:

  • less weight and size;
  • lack of mechanics with a mirror;
  • the presence of a hybrid auto focus system;
  • the presence of an electronic viewfinder;
  • cost.

Sales of "pocket" cameras went down when smartphone manufacturers changed the approach to positioning mobile technology. Now, when you buy a good expensive smartphone, you also get a good camera - models with 13 MP, 20.1 MP, optical stabilization and other "tenacious" characteristics are no longer news. In favor of a mirrorless (system) camera in this case, the combination of fairly compact dimensions and high quality photographs speaks.

The absence of a mirror and pentaprism allows you to make the camera smaller: compact mirrorless camera Sony Alpha A6000 has dimensions of 120x67x45 mm and weighs only 344 grams (with a charged battery).

Without a moving mechanism, this technique is less prone to wear, produces less noise when shooting, there is no shaking that occurs when the mirror is in operation, the camera is able to shoot more frames per second (11 frames is an average, not the maximum, as among DSLRs), and also a mirrorless camera easier to clean :-)

What does a hybrid autofocus system give? Greater accuracy and speed of focusing on the object. A hybrid system is also in some SLR cameras, by the way.

Not every SLR camera has a live view mode, that is, using not an optical viewfinder, but the ability to adjust the frame by viewing the shooting scene directly on the display. Mirrorless cameras do not have an optical viewfinder and you need to navigate by the image on the display or by the picture in the EVF (electronic viewfinder). But this has a number of advantages.

So, for example, all the settings involved will be displayed on the screen and EVF at the time of shooting (in SLR cameras, some of the settings can be seen in the optical viewfinder, mainly autofocus points, aperture settings, shutter speed and ISO). In addition, under bright conditions sunlight when most displays go blind, EVF can help you view footage without having to look for shadows or cover the display with your palm in the hope of seeing anything.

With the EVF, what you see through the viewfinder and what comes out of the shot are identical pictures, while the optical viewfinder covers basically 95% of the frame, which sometimes results in unwanted elements that appear in the photo. you simply did not make out in OVF.

SLR cameras have a limited number of focus points (for example, the Canon EOS-1D Mark III has 19 focus points, while for most mediocre cameras the norm is 11 points). In mirrorless cameras, the phase tracking sensor is placed directly on the sensor, so there is no limit on what exactly you want to focus on.

For a better understanding of what we are talking about: the focus points in SLR cameras are mainly concentrated around the center of the frame, therefore it can sometimes be very difficult to focus on objects located in the corners of the frame without disturbing the composition.

Also, a mirrorless camera “follows” a dynamic subject better. In DSLRs, this function has so far been implemented only in top models.

In the mirrorless class, there are both fixed models and mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses, and the quality of the latter is in no way inferior to lenses for SLR models. True, everything is also relative here: optics for Samsung mirrorless cameras are produced by the South Korean company itself, whose products up to this point have never been seen in the hands of professionals. This is thought provoking. But there is no doubt about the quality of lenses for Sony cameras, for example.

By the way, in stores you can stumble upon full-frame mirrorless cameras. What does it mean? Full frame gives better images (especially at high ISO values), gives the effect of depth to the pictures and expands the frame area by almost 30%. In other words, a lot more image fits into the frame at the so-called full frame.

Full-frame SLR cameras are the dream of almost everyone who is passionate about photography, and for professionals, the presence of a full-frame is almost a prerequisite for quality work. Professional mirrorless cameras are still only an emerging market segment, and so far few people are switching to full-frame mirrorless cameras like the Sony Alpha 7 or Sony Alpha 7R. If only because the image quality of the "mirror" is still noticeably better. And there are much more professional optics, without which it would be stupid to shoot full-frame, for DSLRs.

Why not a mirrorless camera?

Perhaps the main disadvantage of mirrorless cameras today is the limited battery life. While SLR cameras are capable of taking both 1,000 and 5,000 frames, mirrorless cameras generally do not last longer than 300-400 frames.

And so, it is necessary to analyze in the context of each specific model: for some, few interchangeable lenses have been released so far, for others - the EVF has a slow response, for others - the electronic viewfinder is too contrasty, which also makes it very difficult to work with the camera.

If you are not an advanced photographer, but are simply interested in high-quality photography with a small camera size, you can safely buy a mirrorless camera instead of a DSLR.

Well, or put the question of choice differently: definitely buy a mirrorless camera instead of a compact “soap box”. Here a mirrorless camera is definitely a hundred times better. Yes, it will cost more, but the image quality is noticeably high compared to compacts, comfortable dimensions, as well as advanced settings (like the presence of a touch screen and a built-in Wi-Fi module) more than justify this.

Let's summarize

Why is a DSLR better than a mirrorless camera? If we talk about the middle and higher price segments, then the image quality, in the first place. No matter how hard the manufacturer tries, the mirrorless camera still does not reach the level of a SLR camera. But as close as possible to it. The second main advantage is the lack of interchangeable lenses for mirrorless cameras, while for SLR cameras with lenses there are no problems at all (by the way, you won’t be able to put optics from a SLR on a mirrorless camera).

The differences between a SLR camera and a mirrorless camera, which speak in favor of the latter, are compact dimensions with high quality images. Mirrorless entry level they shoot well too, but here it would be more logical to compare with the quality of photos taken with ordinary compacts. Plus, the absence of a rotating mirror mechanism can extend the life of the camera until the first repair or cleaning.

As for prices, the same full-frame mirrorless digital cameras and entry-level full-frame DSLRs cost almost the same - you will have to pay an average of 56 thousand rubles for the Sony Alpha 7, while the Nikon D600 costs 57 thousand (which replaced it Nikon D650 - 64 thousand).

The initial price level is also commensurate: approximately 11-12 thousand rubles.

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Elizabeth

Without a twinge of conscience, I ask "telephone number" from unfamiliar guys and girls. In order to check whether the lock button fits comfortably under the finger and whether autofocus works quickly :) I would like to visit MWC and keep a live blog from the thick of things.

Finally, manufacturers wanted to keep existing lenses compatible with digital cameras so that the transition from film to digital photography was not too expensive for consumers. This meant that manufacturers also had to keep the "working distance" (the distance between the camera mount and the film/sensor plane). While the slightly smaller APS-C/DX sensors seemed like a great way to reduce camera volume, the fixed "span" left them rather large and heavy. The 35mm standard eventually grew into today's full-frame digital sensors, and mirrors and pentaprisms haven't changed much since film photography. On the one hand, by maintaining the standard "working distance", manufacturers have achieved maximum compatibility when using lenses. On the other hand, DSLR cameras simply can't go beyond the minimum requirements for a mirror and body size, which makes them much more difficult to manufacture and maintain.

Limitations of DSLR cameras.

1. Dimensions. The reflex system needs space for the mirror and prism, which means that DSLRs will always have a massive body with a block protruding from above. This also means that the viewfinder must be fixed in the same place in any DSLR camera, in line with the optical axis and the digital sensor, and there is virtually no other place for it. As a result, most DSLRs have an identical appearance.

2. Weight. Big sizes actually means a lot of weight. While most entry-level DSLRs have plastic controls and internal components to reduce weight, the presence of a mirror and pentaprism automatically means a large number of unused space that should be covered. And covering such a large area of ​​​​the body with a thin layer of plastic would not be reasonable, because the fundamental idea of ​​​​DSLR cameras is also their strength. In addition, DSLR lenses tend to be quite large and heavy (especially full-frame lenses), so the weight balance of the body and the optics must also be struck. In fact, the large physical dimensions of an SLR camera directly affect its weight.

3. Mirror and shutter. Each shutter release means the mirror moves up and down to let light directly onto the sensor. This in itself raises a number of questions:

- mirror click. The largest number The noise you can hear when using DSLRs comes from moving the mirror up and down (the shutter is much quieter). This leads not only to noise, but also to some camera shake. Although manufacturers have come up with creative ways to reduce noise by slowing down the movement of the mirror (Nikon's silent mode, for example), it still remains. Camera shake can also be a problem when shooting at slow shutter speeds and long focal lengths.

- air movement. When the mirror is turned upside down, air moves inside the camera, which can move dust and debris, which can eventually get on the surface of the sensor. Some users claim that DSLRs are better than mirrorless due to safer lens changes due to the presence of a mirror between the sensor and the mount. There is a deal of truth in it. But what happens to the dust after moving the mirror inside the chamber? Obviously, dust will circulate inside the case. In my experience with mirrorless cameras, they are actually less prone to dust penetration than any DSLR.

- frame rate limit . Though modern systems mirrors and shutter mechanisms are really impressive, they are limited by the physical parameter of the speed of raising the mirror. When the Nikon D4 shoots at 11 frames per second, the mirror actually moves up and down 11 times within a second along with the shutter being released. To do this, you just need the perfect synchronization of the system. The video shows the slow motion of this mechanism (from 0:39):

Now imagine a speed of 15-20 operations per second? Most likely, it is physically impossible.

- high cost of the camera and maintenance. The mechanism for raising the mirror is very complex and consists of a dozen different parts. This makes it difficult to organize and provide technical support such systems. Disassembling and replacing the internal components of a DSLR camera can take a long time.

4. No Live Preview Mode. When looking through the optical viewfinder, it is impossible to see exactly how it will actually look.

5. The second mirror and the accuracy of the phase method. You may already know that all digital phase-detection AF requires a second mirror. In fact, the second mirror is needed to transmit light to the detection sensors, which are located at the bottom of the camera. This mirror must be located at a clear angle and at a strict distance, because the accuracy of the phase focusing depends on this. If there is even a slight deviation, it will lead to a missed focus. Even worse, the detection sensors and the second mirror must remain strictly parallel to each other.

6. Phase detection and optical calibration. The problems of the traditional DSLR phase detection method directly depend on such minor issues as mirror alignment, and also require perfect optical calibration. In fact, this is a two-way process, because accurate focusing requires an ideal angle, distance from the second mirror to the sensors, as well as correctly calibrated optics. If in the past you have experienced problems with the accuracy of focusing optics, then most likely you sent the lenses to the manufacturer. Very often, the support service asks to send the lens along with the camera itself. After all, in fact, there are two options for a place where problems can arise.

7. Cost. While manufacturers have perfected the DSLR production system over the years, mounting mirror mechanisms remains a challenge. Many moving systems imply high assembly accuracy, the need for lubrication at friction points of components, etc. Moreover, if something goes wrong with the mirror mechanism in the future, the manufacturer must repair or change it, which is a time-consuming task.

Will mirrorless cameras save us?

With the appearance on the market of cameras that simply do not have a mirror (hence the name “mirrorless”), most manufacturers have already realized that traditional DSLR systems will not be the main focus of sales in the future. With every new SLR camera, it seems like the innovation ceiling has already been reached. Autofocus, performance and accuracy have pretty much stopped their progress. The processors are fast enough to process 60p HD video. In fact, to maintain sales levels, manufacturers often simply resort to rebranding the same camera under a new name. What else can be added? GPS, WiFi? Instant photo sharing? All this additional functions, but not innovations that will be important in the future.

Mirrorless cameras offer huge opportunities for innovation in the future and can solve many traditional problems DSLRs. Let's discuss the benefits of mirrorless cameras:

1. Less weight and size. The absence of a mirror and a pentaprism frees up a lot of space. With a shorter working distance, the physical dimensions of not only the camera, but also the lens are reduced. This is especially important for APS-C sensors. No wasted space, no need for additional hull reinforcement.

The growth in sales of smartphones and compact cameras taught the market an important lesson - convenience, small size and light weight can be more important than quality pictures. Pick-up-and-shoot camera sales have plummeted because most people think their smartphone is just as good. All smartphone manufacturers are now advertising the functionality of cameras so that people understand that in addition to the phone they also get a camera. And judging by the sales, it works. Simply put, compact size and light weight are now winning the market. We can see the same trend in the market for gadgets that tend to be thinner and lighter.

2. No mirror mechanism. The lack of an up-and-down mirror means many important points:

- less noise: no clicks other than shutter releases;

- less jitter: unlike a mirror in a DSLR, the shutter itself doesn't vibrate much;

- no air movement correspondingly less likely to get dust on the sensor;

- easier cleaning process: even if there is dust on the sensor surface, the cleaning process is greatly simplified. In fact, it is only necessary to detach the lens. Also, most mirrorless cameras don't have extra bulk inside the body for dust to circulate;

- very high speed shots per second: The absence of a mirror means the removal of dependence on the speed of its raising. In fact, performance far exceeds 10-12 frames per second;

- lower production and maintenance cost: Fewer moving parts means lower manufacturing cost.

3. Live view. Mirrorless cameras give you the ability to preview the shot as you will receive it. If you've screwed up the white balance, saturation, or contrast, you'll see it in the preview window, whether it's the electronic viewfinder or the LCD.

4. No second mirror and no phase method. Many modern mirrorless cameras have a hybrid autofocus system that uses both phase and contrast methods. In a number of new generation mirrorless cameras, the phase detection sensor is located on the camera sensor, which means that distance calibration is not necessary, since it is on the same plane.

5. Cost. The production of mirrorless cameras is much cheaper than the production of DSLRs. At the same time, the cost of mirrorless this moment is not low, as producers intend to make high profits. Also, do not forget about the cost of various technologies, such as an electronic viewfinder and marketing budgets to market the devices.

6. Electronic viewfinder. One of the biggest advantages of mirrorless cameras and the technology of the future in photography. Without a doubt, the electronic viewfinder (EVF) has a number of advantages over the optical viewfinder (OVF). Perhaps the current implementation of electronic viewfinder technology is not yet so simple and effective, it's just a matter of time. Here are some key advantages of an electronic viewfinder over an optical one:

- full information: with OVF you will never be able to see more than a few key indicators. At the same time, EVF gives you the opportunity to get any information you need. Various warnings can also be added, such as potential defocus.

- dynamic preview: the live view function can be enabled on the LCD monitor and on the electronic viewfinder;

- viewing finished images: one more key feature What you don't get with an OVF viewfinder is image viewing. With OVF, you have to periodically look at the LCD screen, which can be problematic in bright daylight.

- Peaking focus function: if you are not familiar with this innovation, then the video below will show the basic principle.

In fact, the area that is in focus is painted in the color you choose, making focusing much easier. It is basically impossible to achieve the same effect with OVF;

- full frame coverage by the viewfinder: OVF typically gives about 95% frame coverage, especially on lower end DSLRs. There is no such problem with EVF because it guarantees 100% frame coverage;

- high brightness display: if you work in low light conditions, you won't be able to see much in OVF. Focusing with OVF in low light conditions is extremely difficult because it is impossible to know if the subject is in focus before shooting. With EVF, the brightness level will be just right, as if you were shooting in the daytime. Some noise may be present, but this is better than trying to guess with OVF anyway;

- digital zoom: one of the most popular features. If you've used previews on DSLRs, you know how useful zooming can be. With mirrorless cameras, this feature can be built right into the viewfinder! A number of mirrorless devices already have this advantage;

- Eye/FaceTracking features: since the EVF shows what is really happening in the frame, it also has access to additional technologies for data analysis, namely eye and face tracking. In fact, the camera can automatically focus on eyes or faces that are in the frame;

- potentially unlimited number of focus points: As you know, most DSLR cameras have a limited number of focus points, which are mostly located around the center of the frame. What to do if the focus point needs to be moved to the very edge of the frame? For mirrorless cameras with a phase tracking sensor located on the matrix, this limitation can be lifted;

- subject tracking and other data analysis functions: If tracking eyes and faces in the frame is already available, then what features will appear in the near future for mirrorless cameras is anyone's guess. Now even the most advanced DSLRs have trouble tracking fast moving objects in the frame. At the same time, if the data is analyzed at the pixel level, and there is no real focus area to focus on, subject tracking can be automated as much as possible.

Limitations of mirrorless cameras.

We've touched on many of the benefits of mirrorless cameras. Now it is worth paying attention to some limitations.

1. EVF response time. Some of the current cameras don't have very responsive EVFs, which can result in lag. It's actually only a matter of time before electronic viewfinders improve, as technology advances all the time.

2. Continuous autofocus/subject tracking. Although the contrast focus has already reached an impressive level, it is quite weak in continuous autofocus and subject tracking. This makes mirrorless cameras virtually unsuitable for shooting. wildlife and sports competitions. However, with the advent of hybrid autofocus systems and their continued development, mirrorless cameras with much better continuous focus capabilities are not far off. One of the reasons for the lack rapid development in this direction, is the massiveness and size of telephoto lenses. But again, it's only a matter of time;

3. Battery life. Another big disadvantage of mirrorless cameras at the moment. Powering up the LCD and EVF significantly reduces battery life, so most mirrorless cameras are rated for around 300 shots on a single battery charge. SLRs in this case are much more efficient, allowing you to reach the level of more than 800 frames per charge. And while this is not a big problem for the average user, it can become problematic for travelers;

4. Strong contrast EVF. Most modern EVFs have fairly strong contrast ratios, similar to modern TVs. As a result, you see a lot of black and white in the frame, but few shades of gray (which can help determine the dynamic range).

As you can see, the list turned out to be quite short, but in the next few years it will probably be reduced even more. Actually all of the above may gradually disappear with each new camera.


I would like to note that in the future, DSLRs simply do not have the ability to compete with mirrorless cameras. Do not think that soon everyone will switch to mirrorless cameras. However, it is already clear that it makes no sense for manufacturers such as Canon and Nikon to continue to invest in the development of the DSLR segment. Let's take a look at what steps Nikon and Canon can take in the near future.

The future of Nikon mirrorless cameras.

At the moment, Nikon has three sensor formats and two lens mount formats:

  • CX- Mount for Nikon mirrorless cameras with 1-inch sensor. Camera examples: Nikon 1 AW1, J3, S1, V2;
  • DX- Nikon F mount, APS-C sensors. Camera examples: Nikon D3200, D5300, D7100, D300s;
  • FX- Nikon F mount, 35mm full frame sensors. Camera examples: Nikon D610, D800/D800E, D4.

When everyone is actively developing the mirrorless segment, Nikon has finally created a new mirrorless CX mount with a small 1-inch sensor. While display and autofocus on Nikon mirrorless cameras are high level, and the cameras themselves are remarkably compact, the biggest issue being the small size of the sensor. With 1-inch sensors (much smaller than APS-C cameras), Nikon 1 cameras simply cannot compete with APS-C DSLRs in terms of image quality, just as APS-C cameras cannot compete with full-frame cameras. If Nikon intends to develop the mirrorless camera segment, then it has several options for DX and FX devices.

1. Creating a separate mount for mirrorless cameras with an APS-C sensor. In fact, this can kill DX devices. To compete with current mirrorless APS-C cameras, Nikon should consider creating a new mount with a shorter working distance. This will obviously take some time and cost a lot of money. Instead of two mount formats, the company will have to deal with three at once, but if this does not happen and Nikon maintains the current working distance, Nikon's APS-C mirrorless cameras will always remain at a disadvantage. Creating a new mount can make lenses and cameras smaller and lighter.

2. Leave the current F-mount, but abandon the mirrors. This is obviously the easiest and cheapest way to ensure lens compatibility.

3. Killing the DX format. If Nikon doesn't want to develop a separate mount for APS-C mirrorless cameras, it may choose not to develop the DX format and focus entirely on CX and FX formats. But such a scenario is hardly possible.

1. Creating a separate mount for full-frame mirrorless cameras. In fact, Nikon can do the same thing that Sony can do with its A7 and A7R cameras. This scenario is also unlikely, as a huge number of full-frame Nikon lenses have already been sold and more will be sold. Plus, it's pretty stupid to create such compact full frame cameras. Yes, Sony took this step, but there is some compromise with the lenses. Sony made lenses a bit slower (F/4 vs. F/2.8) so any fast lens will introduce an imbalance.

2. Leave the F-mount, but abandon the mirrors. This is the most likely scenario for the development of events. All current and older Nikon lenses will continue to work as long as the focal length is the same. Pro-level FX cameras will be heavy and bulky for better balance with lenses, and for those who want more compact cameras, there will be FX models available.

In contact with

Or mirrorless, you need to understand what advantages and disadvantages each of them has. A mirrorless camera, due to the absence of a pentaprism and a mirror, has a much smaller size, which is an undoubted advantage for a mobile, active person.
Such a device, with a compact lens, fits easily into a bag or, so you can carry it with you every day. The SLR camera loses in this matter. The dimensions and weight of such devices are much larger, however, thanks to this, more controls can be placed on the case, it is more convenient to hold it in your hands.

Most mirrorless cameras are not equipped with a viewfinder, its function is performed by the LCD monitor, which is difficult to use in sunny weather due to glare. In addition, the monitor consumes a lot of battery power. Only expensive mirrorless models have an electronic viewfinder. SLR cameras have an optical viewfinder.

Due to the fact that in mirrorless cameras the image is transmitted to the LCD monitor directly from the matrix, it works constantly, which is why it gets quite hot. Heating causes additional noise and deterioration in image quality, which, however, is rarely noticeable. Therefore, when shooting, it is better to turn off the camera more often to allow the matrix to cool down.

SLR cameras use phase focus during shooting. Those. it has special sensors that receive the light flux directly from the object. There are no such sensors in mirrorless cameras, since there is nowhere to place them, so software methods of contrast focusing are used for focusing. Phase focusing is much faster and slightly more accurate than contrast focusing.

Another disadvantage of mirrorless cameras is a relatively small set of interchangeable lenses designed for this type of equipment, as well as their high price. However, manufacturers are actively working on the creation of new models. In addition, with the help of various adapters, it is possible to use both lenses from and lenses from old Soviet devices.

One of the most important parts of a camera is its sensor. In this sense, mirrorless cameras are in no way inferior to their opponents. In most cases, manufacturers install the same matrices in mirrorless cameras as in their SLR models.

So, comparing the characteristics of SLR and mirrorless cameras does not give an unambiguous answer to the question of which type of technology is better. The main advantage of mirrorless cameras is their compactness, but in other respects they are catching up with their competitors every year.

Thus, if you need a camera for every day that you can carry with you, you should choose a mirrorless camera. Its functionality is enough to solve 99% of the tasks facing an amateur photographer. If you want to take photos as much as possible professional quality, you should choose semi-professional or professional. In any case, the quality of the picture is more dependent not on the camera, but on the talent of the photographer.