Badgertale Loc: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Interested in opinions concerning the functionality between DSLR's and Mirror-less cameras. I would like to purchase a mirror-less camera but I am not sold on why. Many blogs tout the future of photography but I have not seen any compelling reasons as to why I would be better off with the future as apposed to what I have at the moment (D700x2 and D500). I mentioned in reply to someone in another post that I don't think the mirror-less cameras were "there" yet. I find that I really don't understand what I even meant by that.

I remember when buttons and dials were all the rage on stereo equipment. Then, that aesthetic was out and touch sensitive electronic stereo systems were "in." Now buttons, dials and switches are back...etc... Is is all aesthetics.

The latest and greatest in mirror-less technology does the same thing DSLR's do...just a slightly different way.

Thoughts, comments, concerns, burns and trolls welcome.

aphelps Loc: Central Ohio

I have an Oly Em-1 mirrrorless. The biggest advantage for me is size and weight. Right up there is the viewfinder. What you see is what you get. You know before the exposure if your light, DOF and composition are what you want. Loads of info in the viewfinder. Flopping mirrors are soon going to be as useful as a Ford model T.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Once the image is transformed from the sensor to a digital file, there is no appreciable difference. Some sensors have larger pixel resolutions. Some cameras have newer transformation computers (aka processors) to transform the data creating the resulting file. But, at this state of Dec 2019, the end-results are the same, particularly when using the older DSLR lenses adapted to a mirrorless body.

Where the differences do exist today are:

1) Depending on brand, significantly sharper lenses for the mirroress mount vs the older DSLR-centric lenses.

2) The shooting process is improved by the capabilities of an Electronic View Finder (EVF) vs the limited data available in the DSLR's optical view finder.

3) Depending on brand, much higher frame per second capabilities.

4) Depending on brand, much more capable autofocus performance.

5) Depending on brand, battery longevity where the EVF demands more power and you'll get less frames per charge out of a mirrorless camera than DSLR.

6) Depending on the brand and model, ergonomics and build-quality (water-resistance & ruggedness) that are more appropriate for daily, year over year, heavy-duty, professional use.

Due to the differences in the maturity of various products / vendors, you'd have to analyze each of the potential issues and confirm whether the benefit (or limitation) is applicable to the specific camera model being considered.

One thing beyond dispute: the grass is always greener when captured with a mirrorless camera.

ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca

I currently don't own a mirrorless -- But if I was in the market (which I'm for-sure not) my only concern would be lag-time -- that is "if" any such thing currently exists with the current models -- If lag-time is no longer an issue then I would have nothing against "eventually" owning one

unlucky2 Loc: Hemet Ca.

For me mirrorless offers a few things i want.
1. better auto focus auto focus well past f8. i am a canon shooter, and I would love auto focus when I add 2xTC to my 100-400. My 70 year old eyes are near expiration date, (auto focus is better, sharper, than manual focus) I would love to be able to afford 800mm-1,000mm with auto focus and stabilization.
2. DOF... I rely on experience in determining DOF and I would love to see it before clicking. Imagine you are walking in a forest attempting to capture owls at dusk. You have your thumb on the aperture wheel and your index finger on shutter speed. In the clearings its all about shutter speed, but under the canopy you need to separate your subject from the background. Wouldn't you like to see that in the view finder?

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I shoot both DSLR, (Nikon D500, D7200) and mirrorless, (Panasonic Lumix G9) while there are things I love about both, the G9 is the camera I grab most often. The size and weight savings are nice, but not a big issue for me. Besides just having great ergonomics, the two features That are real difference makers are IBIS, (it’s amazing what I can shoot handheld, especially coupled with a Panasonic lens with OIS), and the EVF. Being able to see exactly how much EC I’m getting as I dial it up and focus peaking and magnification when using manual focus really have me spoiled.

turp77 Loc: Connecticut, Plainfield

I don’t plan to go mirror less any time soon. I have a D810 that feels great in my hands and it does every thing that I need it to do and am very pleased with it. I don’t believe in GAS. Case in point I upgraded from my D70s to my D3 in November of 2007 and bought my D300s in 2009 and used them until January of 2015. My D3 has 580,000+ actuations and the D300s has 90,000+ both on there original shutter. I just send them in for a CLA every 2 years, alternate years. When my D810 went in for a CLA I had to use my D3 and boy did it feel great like an old friend. I wouldn’t mind having a D850 and I can afford it but will it make me a better photographer. No! I have some fantastic pictures from all my cameras the D70s up.

ButchS Loc: Spokane, WA

It's not all aesthetics. Dials are coming back because more and more people are getting tired of digging through menus to find things that should be capable of instant change.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

"Functionality Between DSLR and Mirror-less"
From the sensor to the memory card there is zero functional difference.
A later model mirror-less may have a more advanced processor than an earlier DSLR. On the other hand the reverse is also true.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

For me it is the live histogram in the viewfinder.

Vietnam Vet

I shoot with Canon 1d bodies, and for me there is no upside to going to mirrorless.

ButchS Loc: Spokane, WA

I have both, DSLR and Mirrorless. I love my DSLR and never plan on giving it up. It is a part of me and together we make photos.

That said, I believe that Mirrorless is probably the next generation of professional photography. Building on DSLR technology, Mirrorless is evolving rapidly. Now that more mirrorless are available with full-frame or other large sensors, mirrorless is on the cusp of moving into markets like portrait and wedding photography. The simpler mechanical design will appeal to pro's because it will be cheaper to repair. I only wish one of the mirrorless manufacturers would get a clue and put a protective shutter in front of the sensor that closes whenever the lens is removed.

Using the electronic shutter my Fuji X-T3 can shoot still images at a rate of 30 fps. The only way to get close to that with a DSLR is to go mirror-up and shoot in live-view mode. At which point the DSLR becomes a defacto mirrorless camera.

I said I love using my D810. But then, I also still enjoy using my old Nikon F4 35mm. But I'm not a Luddite. I can appreciate new technology and new ideas. I will keep using my D810 and F4, but I am also building a mirrorless camera kit.

Badgertale Loc: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Great responses! Thank you all. I hope others will continue to add to the discussion.

toxdoc42

Look beyond just mirrorless and DSLR. My new Nikon Z50 is more than an order of magnitude more advanced than any other camera I own or have owned, or tried out on demos! The reference manual of 500 pages gives you some idea just how advanced.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I would, if I were you, post the same question on google. There you will get more than you want in video's supporting both.
Let me remind you of something that is important, "it's not the equipment stupid, it's the photographer!"
I am not saying your stupid, it's just a saying.
If you are a good photographer, a DSLR or a mirrroless is going to perform well for you.
If your an amateur, you will still be an amateur regardless of which camera you use.