DSLR vs Mirrorless Cameras
By Anna Jones at Eversure,
20th August 2025, 10 min read
If you’ve decided you're ready to invest in a high-quality camera, or perhaps you’re looking to upgrade what you’ve got, you are likely to have come across the terms DSLR and mirrorless. These two popular camera types offer distinct advantages depending on your preferences. Choosing between them can be difficult, but this guide highlights their key differences to aid your decision.
Protecting your gear with comprehensive camera insurance is just as important as selecting the right camera, particularly as they represent a significant financial investment.
What Is A DSLR?
DSLR stands for Digital Single-Lens Reflex camera. More specifically, the term reflex refers to the mirror inside the camera, which reflects light up into an optical viewfinder. When you press the shutter button, the mirror flips up to expose the sensor. This requires a bulky mechanism that contributes to the larger size and weight of DSLRs and adds optical engineering complexities.
What Is A Mirrorless Camera?
With mirrorless cameras, the clue is in the name - they remove the mirror mechanism entirely. Instead, light passes directly to the sensor, which produces a live digital preview on the rear screen or in an electronic viewfinder (EVF). This results in smaller, lighter designs and enables features not possible in DSLRs, such as real-time exposure previews, silent shooting and advanced autofocus tracking.
Viewfinders: Optical vs Electronic
DSLRs use an optical viewfinder (OVF), which works similarly to a periscope. Light reflects off a mirror and through a pentaprism to give you a clear, real-world view with no lag. However, you can’t preview how settings like exposure or white balance will affect the final image.
Mirrorless cameras use an electronic viewfinder (EVF). This projects a live digital preview from the sensor, which lets you see exactly how your settings will affect the image. EVFs also allow you to shoot in dark conditions where your eyes might not be able to see as much.
Battery Life
It's no question that DSLRs win here. Without the need to constantly power an EVF or rear screen, batteries in DSLRs are able to last all day, even with heavy use.
As the sensor and EVF are always active, they always need power. This means that if you're on a long shoot with a mirrorless camera, spare batteries will be essential.
Size and Weight
Due to the mirror and pentaprism mechanism, DSLR cameras are bulkier and heavier. Their size can be considered an advantage as when using a large telephoto lens, they will be balanced.
Mirrorless cameras are significantly lighter and more compact. This makes them excellent for travel or when you want to carry multiple lenses without adding much weight.
Autofocus Performance
Traditionally, DSLRs used phase-detect autofocus sensors located behind the mirror. This system is fast for stills but limited in live view or video.
Mirrorless cameras use on-sensor autofocus, which covers more of the frame and offers features like eye and face detection, superior tracking and speed. This makes them particularly strong for action, portraits and video.
Video Capabilities
Whilst DSLRs can shoot great video, their design isn’t optimised for it. Live view autofocus tends to be slower, and the cameras often lack advanced video features.
Mirrorless cameras undisputably dominate video. With cutting-edge autofocus, silent shooting and high-quality codecs, it's no surprise they're favoured by filmmakers and hybrid photographers.
Lens Ecosystem
DSLRs benefit from decades of lens development; there’s a wide range of affordable options, not to mention a huge second-hand market.
Mirrorless cameras are catching up fast. New mounts like Canon’s RF system offer faster, brighter and more innovative lenses. Adapters also allow DSLR lenses to be used on mirrorless bodies, so if you're making the switch, your DSLR lenses are not redundant.
Durability and Handling
DSLRs may be bulky, but they're also ergonomic. Their size allows for more physical controls, meaning you spend less time navigating menus.
Mirrorless cameras are slimmer and more modern, but this means they can feel unbalanced with bigger lenses. They also offer less room for dedicated dials and buttons, which may not suit everyone.
Advantages and Disadvantages of DSLR Cameras and Mirrorless Cameras
Advantages and Disadvantages
| Camera Type |
Advantages |
Disadvanatges |
| DSLR |
Optical viewfinder, lag-free real-world view Long battery life Wide and affordable lens selection Ergonomic design |
Bulky and heavy Slower autofocus in live view and video Innovation slowing as manufacturers shift focus to mirrorless |
| Mirrorless |
Compact and lightweight EVF shows real-time exposure and settings Advanced autofocus with eye/face detection Superior video features Innovative new lens designs |
Shorter battery life Smaller body less comfortable with big lenses Higher costs for bodies and lenses Sensors more exposed to dust |
Final Thoughts
Mirrorless cameras represent the future, with most major manufacturers shifting their focus away from DSLRs. They’re lighter, more modern and packed with innovative features, especially for video. However, DSLRs still hold strong advantages in affordability, ergonomics and battery life. For many photographers, DSLRs remain a great choice, particularly on the second-hand market where they offer incredible value.
Whether you choose a DSLR for its tried-and-tested reliability or opt for a mirrorless due to its cutting-edge features, your gear is an investment worth protecting. Camera insurance safeguards against theft, accidental damage and loss - get a quote today!