Whether you ’re looking to invest in your first camera or upgrade your DSLR , you ’ve likely encountered the term “ mirrorless ” during your hunting .

Mirrorless camerashave contract the photography universe by violent storm these past few years , quickly catching up to DSLRs and even overtake them in many instances .

But , what precisely is a mirrorless tv camera and what are the benefits of picking one up ?

What is a mirrorless camera?

The cue is in the name . A mirrorless television camera is a photographic camera that does n’t apply a reflex mirror to capture image .

Instead of using mirror for reflecting its effigy onto an visual viewfinder the agency that a DSLR does , mirrorless cameras expend electronic viewfinders – or EVFs – to display images digitally .

This makes them small , more lightweight and often quicker than DSLRs , while still offering many of the same feature and image timbre establish on the more traditional cameras .

Of naturally , there are many tv camera types that do n’t rely on mirror , admit compact cameras and smartphones . However , the term mirrorless tv camera refers specifically to those with interchangeable electron lens systems .

What are the benefits of using a mirrorless camera?

There are a number of benefits to prefer for a mirrorless camera over a DSLR .

For one , mirrorless cameras are able to be small-scale and more lightweight , making them generally easier to pack into your bag and travel with , as well as to employ for extended periods of prison term without pose as much nisus on your arms .

Autofocus is often faster on mirrorless cameras and many cameras tender both mechanical and electronic shutters for quieter shot and more frames per second when photographing tight - moving subject , like cars and wildlife .

Video quality is often superior on mirrorless cameras , with many offering resolutions of 4 K or even 8K. Meanwhile , the electronic view finder can pop the question additional features like stress peaking to play up the sharpest share of an image , make it easier to frame up slam through the viewfinder .

Compared to compact television camera and smartphones , mirrorless camera are often more advanced both in their image closure and features , and offer interchangeable electron lens for better flexibility .

What are the drawbacks of using a mirrorless camera?

While mirrorless cameras have seen huge advances over the last few years , there are still a number of areas in which they fall unretentive .

Viewfinder resolution is also something you ’ll need to be aware of as this can be hit - and - miss on cheaper mirrorless models . This can be particularly apparent when shooting in low light .

barrage fire sprightliness is another drawback . Mirrorless cameras generally have short barrage fire life than DSLRs due to the higher number of electronic features . This means you might take to factor in an special battery or more commove breaks .

Finally , opting for a mirrorless camera might have in mind starting up your electron lens assembling again , which can be a pain if you ’re a long - prison term DSLR exploiter .

For a more in - depth comparison ofmirrorless cameras vs DSLRs , point over to our versus article to see more .