kfoo Loc: Arkansas

Will someone explain why a mirrorless camera is better or worse than a mirror camera? I am not sure why one or the other is better.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Compactness and if you have GAS Gear Acquisition Syndrome. I will stick with my DSLR

Clemens Loc: Maryland

wrong answer

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

One is not better than the other - they are two different camera designs, each of which has its own features and limitations. You need to analyze what you want/expect from a camera and what your budget range is. What kind of pictures would you like to take? Landscape, sports, birds in flight, macro, nature, architecture, portraits, wedding, outdoor action, street photography...the range of subjects is nearly infinite. You should decide what subjects you are most interested in capturing. How big or small should the gear be? How heavy or light in weight should the gear be? You need to 'sketch out' what you are looking for, before the UHH Community can point you toward some equipment that might meet your needs. Your question is quite reasonable. We have all been at this point - like that great old rock & roll song, "Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?"

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

The only real advantage I see the current generation of mirrorless cameras have over DSLR'S, other than physical body size is, an electronic view finder. Other than that, they recorded images basically the same way. Light comes in through a lens and is transferred from the image sensor through an on board central processor to storage media. Some DSLR'S may have larger image sensors than mirrorless but, other than the lack of a pentaprism or pentamirror and it's housing, they're function is quite similar. Like a top end bridge camera with interchangeable lenses.

Bill_de Loc: US

I am not (so far) a fan of electronic viewfinders. My one suggestion is try before you buy. You may love it.

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BebuLamar

Mirrorless isn't simply a camera without the mirror. Mirrorless camera is a digital camera (yes it has to be digital) that offers most if not all the advantages of a camera with the mirror but without the disadvantages of the mirror. Not all mirrorless can achieve this but they all try to.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

And the right answer is ............?

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

One is not better or worse than the other. They are just different. How different? It depends on the specific cameras you are comparing. In general a DSLR (mirror camera) has a mirror behind the lens, between the lens and the sensor, which reflects light up to an optical viewfinder. To take a picture the mirror has to move up out of the way for the light to reach the sensor. The "flap" of the mirror accounts for most of the noise when a picture is taken. The space required to fit the mirror in between the lens and the sensor accounts for the larger size of DSLR cameras. Mirrorless cameras have no mirror. The electronic viewfinder in mirrorless cameras displays the image that the sensor is receiving and which will result when a picture is taken. Mirrorless cameras are smaller because there is no space needed for the mirror. Mirrorless cameras are made with various size sensors and the relative advantages depend largely on the size of the sensor. A full frame mirrorless camera enjoy a very limited advantage in weight and size because the lenses are just as large as those for a DSLR. Which features are advantages and disadvantages are a matter of opinion rather than fact. Some people like EVFs and some prefer optical view finders. Some consider the weight advantage of a small sensor mirrorless to be a big deal, others not so much.

wmurnahan Loc: Bloomington IN

Mirrorless is smaller more compact, usually able to adapt to a number of lenses (may have to be used manually) because you have the space to work with where the mirror use to be. SLR has faster focus for action with the exception of the new Sony a9 for close to 5 grand. With mirrorless you are see what the picture will look like including depth of field on an EVF instead of what the eye sees through the lens. There is the lenses available for each being a little different with Canon DSLR be the big boy in size.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Electronic view finder has the advantage of showing you what the shot will look like through the viewfinder exposure/bokeh etc (need to do Liveview on a DSLR).

Until the Sony A9.... DSLRs held an advantage in fast accurate autofocus as well as rock solid reliability and generally much longer battery life.
Sensors on the Fuji/OM and especially Sony had an edge over the DSLRs. Some complaints about the Sony being too small for larger hands and also getting fingers in between the lens and the grip while shooting.

Net: as the others have stated....depends on what you want to shoot.

Both DSLRs and mirrorless can more or less do the same things....the "experience", reliability, battey life and autofocus speed have in the past been differentiators....mirrorless and have now more or less caught up and the A9 as a sports camera has arguably exceeded the DSLRs in pure performance...arguably :-)
EVF with focus peaking and other digitally enabled goodies are pervasive on new mirrorless. With AF as good and sensors DR exceeding, mirrorless looks like a really good option (coming from a DSLR guy )

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

This one is sure to last 10+ pages.

Dslr vs mirrorless
Nikon vs canon
Ford vs chevy
Chicken vs turkey

Neither is better or worse, it just comes down to personal preference. For me, and YMMV, I'll never own a dslr again as my mirrorless camera does everything my old dslr could do, and much, much more...and in a smaller lighter combo.

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

po-tay-toe vs po-tat-oh

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Bran flakes vs Corn flakes
Sunny-side up vs Over easy
Chunky PB vs Creamy
Burger King vs Mickey D's
Colombian vs Thai (Oops, that one just sorta blew in)

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

That's the thing there is no right answer?

Totally personal needs and wants and GAS

I still have my array of Nikon FF system

Went Olympus 4/3ds for traveling glad I did also glad I kept my Nikon system