THE CAMERA BATTLE: FINDING THE PERFECT CAMERA FOR YOU
Photography occupies a special place in every person’s life, and you can capture the most interesting moments and events both with a camera on a mobile phone and with a camera. Selecting the best camera is not an easy task. It depends on the specific preferences and requirements for the photo quality. The most common camera choice is a DSLR or a mirrorless camera. Both types of devices have their characteristics and options.
DSLR CAMERA EQUIPMENT
Every DSLR camera has a mirror behind the lens. Lens focus in digital SLR cameras is achieved automatically with the help of special sensor modules, to which the light beam from the mirror reflector is transmitted. When you press the shutter, the mirror behind the lens rises, and the light stream enters the matrix, which reveals the image of the frame.
The advantages of a DSLR camera lie in the fact that, when the object is moving quickly, there is no slowing down during recording, which eliminates the distortion of the photo. The optical device of the viewfinder allows you to see the frame without interfering with this electronic system process. Of course, a sensor block is responsible for automatic focusing and ensures high-quality and fast camera operation.
One of the disadvantages of a DSLR camera is its price, which is quite high. This is because DSLR camera components are difficult to produce. Because the mirror is located behind the lens and rises, it is difficult to make the camera body compact. Another disadvantage is that when using the long exposure mode, the rising mirror covers the viewfinder, making the frame visually inaccessible for viewing.
Let’s mention how the design of the new generation of cameras is changing, and defects are being removed. So modern DSLR cameras have Live View, thanks to which the rising mirror, even with the process of long exposure, allows the camera to display the frame on the screen. This option made it possible for DSLR cameras to record videos.
One of the key things about DSLRs is that they have a mirror or a pentaprism to direct the light through the viewfinder, but because of this they need extra space to move it out of the way and expose the sensor. Eliminating that mechanism helps reduce the size and weight of the camera, especially when you compare the EOS R7 and EOS R10 to similar DSLR models like the EOS 7D Mark II or Canon’s EOS 90D.
Mike Burnhill, Canon Europe
MIRRORLESS CAMERA EQUIPMENT
Mirrorless cameras could create high-quality photographs. This enables photographers to have great creativity and good performance. These types of cameras are more compact than DSLR cameras. They got this name because there is no mirror in them, i.e., they do not have an optical viewfinder. This allows the photo to be viewed on a separate LCD screen. This option can be carried out using the electronic viewfinder.
Mirrorless devices are simpler. They do not have a mirror, pentaprisms, optical model of the viewfinder, or phase sensor. The light beam enters through the lens and then enters the matrix as a projection. The electronic processor receives the signal and converts it into a video signal, which is transferred to the LCD screen.
The advantage of mirrorless cameras is that they can be produced in very compact magnifiers. There are not many different mechanisms inside the device so that it can be more reliable than DSLR models. And their price is lower. They are good for beginners because beginners use the LCD screen instead of the viewfinder. Another advantage is that the captured photos can be viewed using customized settings and filters.
The disadvantage of mirrorless cameras is that when the camera is in use, its processor and screen are constantly working, leading to the fact that the camera can be drained quickly. When the camera is in very strong sunlight, visibility on the LCD screen is difficult. The problem is also that the processor does not work immediately, and therefore, the photo’s display on the screen is delayed.
THERE ARE SOME MORE COMPARISONS IN FUNCTIONALITY
Apart from basic information about DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, there are other comparisons. The functional difference between these two types of cameras is that DSLR cameras have manual settings options, which can give excellent results. Leading manufacturers, such as Canon and Nikon, produce a wide range of lenses designed for different shooting conditions, while mirrorless cameras have fewer varieties and choices. Mirrorless cameras have a different approach to solving this problem, and some manufacturers (Panasonic and Olympus) use a hundred types of mounts, which significantly expands the selection of lenses.
Most DSLRs are bigger and heavier than mirrorless cameras. The difference is that DSLR cameras have a viewfinder, while mirrorless cameras have an LCD screen to help you find what you want to photograph. DSLR cameras have very good autofocus, especially when dealing with fast-moving subjects. With mirrorless cameras, focus occurs only when the shutter button is pressed. At Canon, many cameras are equipped with hybrid viewfinders, where AF elements are already built into the sensor.
One difference is that mirrorless cameras have higher shooting performance than DSLR cameras. Mirrorless cameras can adjust the focus faster and start shooting faster. When it comes to video recording, DSLR cameras are the most suitable. Of course, mirrorless cameras are progressing more and more, and more and more of them can shoot in 4K.
There is no fundamental difference in photo quality between DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, although mirrorless cameras are the most demanding. With a full battery, mirrorless cameras take 300 to 400 photos, while DSLRs take 800 to 1000 photos.
DSLR cameras are high-quality cameras, but the technology used by mirrorless cameras has advanced so much that the quality of photos is no less than that of DSLR cameras. Many people think mirrorless cameras will be a big bright spot in photography. Mirrorless cameras have progressed, and many photographers are starting to use them.
APPARATUS SELECTION
Every device has its own purpose, so the choice of device depends on what one intends to do. If someone is a beginner photographer, then a camera model in the lower or middle price range will be sufficient for taking photos.
Mirrorless cameras have recording capabilities equal to DSLR cameras. But while DSLR cameras are better for recording in the studio, mirrorless cameras can be used for recording nature, adventurous actions, and the like. It is essential to evaluate what the device is used for.
The selection of the device depends on the dimensions. It is necessary to check how comfortable it is to hold and use the device with which one wants to work. It should be mentioned that paying attention to how practical it is to find the necessary options in the device’s menu is very important. Also, a good camera can use interchangeable lenses.
You need to look at all the options because if you use one brand of camera, the lens of another brand can go on the first one only if an adapter is used to enable the use of that lens. Of course, there are brands of cameras that can use lenses interchangeably without using an adapter, such as Panasonic and Olympus.
The EOS R10 almost feels like a toy after switching from a much heavier camera like my EOS 80D. I like that it is small and light, and yet just as strong.
Diana Millos, videographer who promotes lifestyle
WHICH CAMERA IS BETTER?
The EF connector used by Canon DSLR cameras was presented in 1987, and thus, it is a recognized system. With that, hundreds of compatible lenses and affordable EF-S lenses for EOS DSLRs with APS-C sensors are available.
However, the RF port used by the EOS R cameras brings many innovations. It can be said that the RF connection is designed for the future. These connections represent faster communication speed between camera and lens, including faster autofocus operation, real-time digital lens optimization, and advanced controls. RF lenses are closer to the sensor itself, resulting in faster lenses with exceptional quality.
CAN DSLR LENSES BE USED ON MIRRORLESS CAMERA?
DSLR lenses can be used on mirrorless cameras without losing quality or functionality. A wide range of adapters for mounting DSLR lenses to mirrorless lenses makes it possible to combine and change certain lenses of these two formats.
It is important to mention that some specific lenses for mirrorless cameras cannot be used on DSLR cameras. This is the case with the Canon brand’s RF lenses. That’s why you should be careful and ask about all the possibilities.
OPTICS OR ELECTRONICS – WHAT IS BETTER?
DSLRs have optical viewfinders, while mirrorless cameras have electronic viewfinders. Most photographers prefer optical viewfinders on DSLR cameras because they allow them to connect directly to the scene, while mirrorless cameras have suffered due to the slow electronic viewfinder.
However, technology is advancing, so even mirrorless cameras are getting better-quality electronic viewfinders. Recently, electronic viewfinders have high speeds of up to 120 fps, which means no visible delay exists.
PHOTO QUALITY AND AUTOFOCUS
Taking photos with the two systems isn’t radically different from a final photo quality perspective, but what’s going on in the background makes the difference. However, with mirrorless connections, one of the advantages is fast communication between the lens and the camera, and if problems arise, they can be corrected in the camera itself. This means that the current processing means that the new cameras, in a certain sense, give a better-quality photo.
DSLR cameras have a mirror to direct the light through the viewfinder and need additional space. By moving this mechanism, the size and mass of the device is reduced.
One of the great advantages of these mirrorless cameras is the ability to select the AF point anywhere in the frame. And DSLRs have a separate focus chip, so the overall autofocus system might be limited compared to newer mirrorless cameras.
The DSLR viewfinder makes it easy to take test shots while checking them on the back screen, after which you can decide what settings you want to change. Nevertheless, with a mirrorless camera, it is very useful to see the effect of changing settings without having to look through the viewfinder. If I need to react quickly when photographing wildlife or the light is constantly changing, I can quickly adjust the ISO or shutter speed and see how my photograph will turn out.
Dani Connor, wildlife photographer
MECHANICAL AND ELECTRONIC SHUTTERS
Some DSLR cameras have both electronic and mechanical shutters (for example, Canon’s 1DX Mark III), while most only have mechanical shutters. On the other hand, all mirrorless cameras have both shutter types.
BATTERY LIFE
DSLR cameras are often said to have a longer battery life than mirrorless cameras, mainly because the electronic viewfinder of a mirrorless camera requires power, whereas the optical viewfinder of a DSLR camera does not. However, battery life in practice depends on how you use the camera. For example, using the flash uses more power on both types of cameras, while using the LCD screen on a DSLR camera tends to use more power than the LCD screen on a mirrorless camera.
FINAL SELECTION
Every device has its advantages and disadvantages. Which one is better depends on the type of photos you intend to take and what you want to achieve with the camera and lens.
If you want to capture moments from your trip, then mirrorless cameras could be your choice. If you want to have very powerful photography, then you should focus on lenses that change and with which you can get many advantages, including the correction of the photo in the camera and AF tracking.
A DSLR camera has the advantage that it does not take photos late and provides information immediately, and its battery has a longer lifespan. These devices are excellent for various studio photography, sports events, and similar activities.
But you should always consider all the facts and necessary elements related to the devices. Always ask about what an appliance brings you and what you can do with it. Everyone has a different photography style, and you must adapt accordingly. Each device can be tried out so you can see which one is for you.