Explained: What is a mirrorless camera and how it has ‘killed’ DSLR cameras

Cameras can be quite a ruthless space to survive in. There was a time when the simple point and shoot digital cameras seemed like the real deal and killed the film cameras. DSLR cameras came and were quickly classified as ones for the “pros” but became mainstream. Now, mirrorless cameras have been around for some time and have become a pain in the existence of DSLR cameras. If you are wondering what a mirrorless camera is and how it is better than DSLR and whether it will spell doom for other cameras, then read on:
What is a mirrorless camera?
As the name suggests, this is a camera that doesn’t have a reflex mirror. What this means is that light passes through the lens directly onto the digital sensor. In DSLR — Digital Single Lens Reflex — cameras, a mirror is a crucial component where Reflex stands for the reflective nature of the mirror.
In mirrorless cameras, the images are displayed on the camera’s LCD before they are shot, giving you a chance to preview and adjust settings accordingly. Earlier generation mirrorless cameras didn’t give an option of interchangeable lenses but now mirrorless lenses are available putting them at par — or perhaps better than — the DSLR cameras.
How does a mirrorless camera work?
On the face of it, mirrorless cameras are rather simple than DSLR. Since there’s no mirror to bounce off the light to the sensor, light is directly exposed to it. What this does is give a live preview of the image and this comes in really handy if you are shooting videos or images. This is how a mirrorless camera works. Once you press the shutter button, the image sensor is covered up by a door. The door then slides down to expose the sensor to the light. The door will then slide up to cover the sensor again — to stop exposure — and finally takes the picture. It might seem very complex but this is all behind the scenes and a rather smooth affair.
How are mirrorless cameras better than DSLR cameras?
It might still boil down to your personal preference but there are some features that certainly make mirrorless cameras better than DSLR cameras. Here are certain features where mirrorless cameras have the edge over DSLR:
More compact than DSLR
For starters, mirrorless cameras are lightweight, compact and easy to carry around. A traditional DSLR camera remains heavy and bulky and that has its own pros and cons. But a compact camera — not compromising on quality — will have a slight competitive edge, which mirrorless cameras do.
Faster shutter speed
Mirrorless cameras are known to click images at faster shutter speed. This is certainly true when you are shooting a burst of images or are continuously shooting.
Better image stabilisation
No mirror means that there’s better image stabilisation in mirrorless cameras. Photos are less shaky compared to DSLR cameras
Real-time preview of images
You get a preview of exposure, contrast settings among other things on the LCD screen before you actually click an image. The viewfinder on DSLR allows you to check certain settings through the camera lens but to check exposure one has to first click the image. That’s not the case with mirrorless cameras.
Is everything great about mirrorless cameras?
No, far from it. For instance, the battery life is much shorter than DSLR cameras, which means they aren’t great for longer shoots.
Mirrorless cameras are also more expensive than DSLR cameras, especially entry-level devices. Also, when it comes to accessories — even lenses — DSLR offers far wider choice and variety than mirrorless cameras.
Why would then mirrorless ‘kill’ DSLR cameras?
Well, a brand like Sony, which is a powerhouse in this space has already stopped making DSLR cameras. It’s in the process of phasing out that tech in favour of mirrorless cameras. Further, mirrorless cameras are bringing more innovations whereas the DSLR cameras have hit their peak a while back. There is a lot of room for innovation in mirrorless cameras and while the DSLR isn’t dead — and perhaps won’t really be phased out — but its best days are probably behind it.