Mirrorless Vs DSLR For Beginners: What to Choose

Last updated on October 3rd, 2020 at 07:44 pm

Searching for the best camera for Vlogging? Get to know the details of DSLR vs mirrorless cameras to buy one for your vlogs. Here are the mirrorless vs DSLR pros and cons that you should know.

Mirrorless and DSLR’s are two primary camera systems that photographers and videographers use. DSLR’s (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras have a physical mirror in front of the image sensor.

When the shutter button is pressed, this mirror flips up and allows the light to pass through the sensor to capture the image.

Mirrorless Vs DSLR For Beginners: What to Choose

In the case of the mirrorless cameras, the light directly goes into the digital image sensor when the shutter button is pressed.

That is why these cameras are known as mirrorless cameras. Apart from the absence of a physical mirror, mirrorless cameras are nearly the same.

If you want to start Vlogging or YouTube, you would have to purchase a camera that shoots excellent videos. If you are stuck between DSLR vs mirrorless for video, this guide is for you.

Table of Contents

Mirrorless Vs DSLR For Beginners

Mirrorless Vs DSLR Pros and Cons

Despite all the good things that we have heard about both these camera technologies, they do have their cons. To make things a bit more clear, we have listed down the pros and cons of both these technologies.

Mirrorless Cameras

Pros

These cameras have an electric viewfinder. You can change camera setting etc. through the viewfinder.
Due to the absence of a mirror, the size of mirrorless cameras is compact. They are also lightweight.
Advanced mirrorless cameras have much better-focusing capabilities. You can track fast-moving subjects with ease.
You get excellent video quality at a much lower price point. Even some beginner-level models can shoot 4k Video.

Cons

You will have to buy some spare batteries for your mirrorless camera. They generally don’t last that long.
Mirrorless cameras have very few customizable buttons.
Even some of the best mirrorless cameras for beginners don’t have an EVF (electronic viewfinder)
Their range of lenses and other accessories is not that large. Some manufactures don’t offer interchangeable lenses of all focal lengths.

DSLR Cameras

Pros

Optical viewfinders (OVF) on DSLRs let you see through the lens without delays.
Slightly better focusing system. Let’s you shoot with ease under tough lighting conditions.
The majority of DSLR’s have weather sealed bodies. Ideal for rough and tough use.
More options for interchangeable lenses. You get the flexibility of choosing your favorite lens.

Cons

To get the best video quality on a DSLR, you have to spend a lot. Cheap DSLR’s don’t offer 4k video recording. They also have fewer frame rate options.
DSLR’s have the weight and they aren’t easy to carry. You need special camera bags to pack them safely.
Top-end DSLR models are expensive. Only the high-end models offer the features that most of Videographers and vloggers want.

How to Choose the Best DSLR/Mirrorless Camera for Beginners?

It is hard to recommend the best DSLR camera for beginners. If you want to create online content or want to start a Vlogging channel on YouTube, both these camera technologies can serve the purpose. Here is your buying guide to decide the best Mirrorless or DSLR camera that suits your needs.

1: 4K Video Recording

It is 2020, where 4k TV’s and smartphones are pretty standard. People do watch content on Netflix and YouTube in 4k. It would be a great idea to start making content in 4k to engage the maximum audience.

So, there is no reason to buy a Mirrorless or DSLR cameras that shoot only up to 1080p. Though it is acceptable but you don’t get that flexibility of cropping your videos.

4k video downscaled to 1080p looks way sharper than a standard 1080p video. So, whether you buy a mirrorless camera or a DSLR, it must have a 4k recording option.

2: External Audio Ports

Note it down, your audio matters even more than your visuals. It’s a rule that every filmmaker, vlogger, and content creator has to follow.

Some cameras don’t have an external mic port. You are bound to use the built-in mono or stereo microphone. Expecting professional audio from the inbuilt microphone of a camera is a joke.

Make sure that you buy a mirrorless camera that has an option to attach an external microphone for better audio.

3: LCD Screen That Flips

No matter which type of content creator you are, your go-to cameras must have an LCD screen that easily flips. It lets you record videos at higher or lower angles without any extra effort.

Especially, if you make vlogs, a rotatable LCD will make recording videos a breeze. You will be able to view yourself while recording the videos. Moreover, changing settings and adjusting focus all can be done on a rotatable LCD screen.

4: Image Quality

The image quality is the primary concern of every vlogger/content creator? That’s right, you can compromise on a few features but when it comes to image quality, it has to be perfect.

Buy a DSLR or a mirrorless camera that has a large sensor to ensure the best image quality. You will get amazing videos and photos at night time.

A large sensor lets more light reach the image sensor. It also produces sharper and clearer images with fewer noise levels.

5: Reliable Auto Focusing System

DSLR’s and mirrorless cameras work fine for video making. Their autofocus system has to be an advanced one.

Since this guide is for beginners, an advanced AF system will help newbies adjust focus without any problems. You don’t want to record a vlog where you face remains out of focus. So, an AF system with more autofocusing points will focus much faster under all lighting conditions.

Bottom Line

So, it is not easy to decide between the DSLR VS mirrorless camera for beginners. Both the camera systems have their own merits and demerits.

Go through mirrorless VS DSLR pros and cons to get an idea of both the worlds. For Vlogging and YouTube, mirrorless cameras would be the best option.

You can record high-quality videos without going that much into the deep of filmmaking rules. Mirrorless camera systems are lightweight and have a unique set of features. On the other hand, DSLR for beginners work great for some serious filmmaking and photography.