goldenyears Loc: Lake Osewgo

I realize the short answer is that they take better images. But what is the more technical answer? How should I compare different mirrorless cameras. If I am going to buy a mirrorless camera I'd like to prepare myself to make my choice based on a sound technical evaluation of the different models. When I purchased my DSLR camera I didn't know what features/specifications were most important and so I just went for cheapest Canon. It was way better than my point-and-shoot for sure, but I soon discovered its many limitations. I don't have the resources necessary to make the opposite mistake and buy the most expensive mirrorless camera just because it must be wonderful.

Can someone refer me to a website that gets into the technical aspects of mirrorless camera technology... one that is not a clickbait site?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

dpreview.com ?

spaceytracey Loc: East Glacier Park, MT

I'll be watching for replies to this question. Also, could I still use the same lenses as I do on my DSLR?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I think that may depend on the manufacturer and camera model.

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

Yes -- good choice.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Why do I love mirrorless? Let me count the ways:

1. Smaller body by removing the space needed for that yesteryear flapping mirror.
2. IBIS that turns every lens into a stabilized lens, even the golden oldies of the manual focus, pre-electronic ages.
3. EVF with shimmering highlights of the plane of focus.
4. Histogram available for display in electronic view finder (EVF).
5. Detailed 10x zoom in EVF.
6. Silent (not a single noise) shutter.
7. Extreme frames per second, 20+.
8. Image playback in EVF for review when LCD impossible to see in bright light.
9. Image playback at 10x zoom in EVF.
10. Sharper mirrorless lens designs.
11. More ultra fast lenses as sharp wide open as any stepped down DSLR lens ever.
12. One digital platform supporting portfolio of legacy DSLR lenses, legacy SLR lenses and modern mirrorless lenses.
13. Autofocus beyond f/8 for extended configurations.
14. Platform for any / all ongoing technology advancements in digital photography.
15. EVF that displays the results of the image before shooting.
16. EVF that allows for ad hoc updates like boosting the ISO for a brighter focus view, then restore ISO and shoot, without even lowering the camera from a shooting position.
17. Entire frame available for selective AF position.

I'm sure I missed probably several others.

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

Yes, big BUT, One of the consistent features of mirrorless cameras across brands is a shorter sensor to flange distance -- the lens mount is closer to the sensor. Your DSLR had to mount the lenses further from the sensor in order to clear the mirror in the camera. This in fact required some lenses (wide angles) be compromised in their design. Given the opportunity all the mirrorless designers immediately shortened the lens mount to sensor distance. Therefore an adapter is necessary to mount your old lenses on the new cameras. If it exists (not real likely) an adapter that retains full function of features like auto focus and auto exposure is going to cost and may perform with some compromise as in auto-focus works but it's slower.

On the other hand a dumb and inexpensive adapter is likely available to mount nearly any old lens to a new mirrorless camera. The lens will then work in Manual and/or stopped down Aperture priority and you'll have to manually focus. An advantage of the EVF in mirrorless cameras is focus peaking and so manual focus is very precise.

I use a lot of older manual lenses on my mirrorless cameras and am very happy with the result. At the same time I'm not into sports/wildlife or action photography. I've enjoyed being able to use basically any lens on my mirrorless cameras. For macro-closeup photos I use an old enlarging lens which works really well.

The shortened flange distance has freed up the designers to give us some better lenses in the wide angle range. I use a wide angle (14mm) for my Fuji cameras that is distortion free -- something DSLR users simply can't have.

scubadoc Loc: Sarasota, FL

Not sure if this was available on DSLRs, but for me, shooting Canon R5, the ability to setup three different autofocus types, using the shutter button, the AF/ON button, and the * button. Spot focus to the shutter, eye tracking for AF/ON, and zone focus for the *

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Some of these are Canon superior EOS technology exclusive.

williejoha

I love the R5 for the many many reasons already stated.
WJH

scubadoc Loc: Sarasota, FL

Has dramatically increased my keeper/disaster ratio, especially for birding and wildlife.

User ID

Usually yes. Details at eleven.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

BTW - nothing about mirrorless cameras damages nor changes your current mirror-laden camera(s). When you contemplate changing your camera, the question depends completely on: why?

Hopefully, not because of the hype of the superior results of removing the mirror. Neither the sensor (nor the lenses) really care even 1-bit about whether the camera has a mirror. Although, yes, the focusing system and the lens designs for mirrorless do perform better 1:1 in comparison to their mirror-based counterparts.

With a better understanding of the limitations you've identified, maybe we can point to a better and tangible upgrade. We might also point to reasons why there are no realistic upgrade options, especially while maintaining the same pixel resolution, price range, and / or the same legacy lenses.

JohnR Loc: The Gates of Hell

Short answer is NOT they take better images - its the PHOTOGRAPHER that takes better images

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The mirrorless images will win all the prizes. It won't be fair. It won't even be a competition.