DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Updated October 2026

Both kinds take interchangeable lenses and give you full control over shutter speed, aperture and focus. The difference is a mirror.

A DSLR has a mirror that bounces the view from the lens up into an optical viewfinder, so you're looking through the glass itself. When you take the picture, the mirror flips out of the way. DSLRs have long battery life and no viewfinder lag, and there's a huge supply of used bodies and lenses.

A mirrorless camera drops the mirror and shows you a live feed from the sensor, on an electronic viewfinder or the screen. You see the exposure before you take the shot. Autofocus that tracks eyes and faces is very good on these, the bodies tend to be smaller, and video is usually better.

The industry has picked a side. Canon and Nikon now put their new development into mirrorless (EOS R and Z), and Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic and OM System are mirrorless too. If you're buying new, buy mirrorless.

Used DSLRs are a bargain

If money is tight, a used DSLR and a lens or two can be a great deal, and they take excellent photos. Buy from somewhere with a return policy, and ask about the shutter count and the condition of the sensor and lens.

New to all this? Start in auto, then try aperture priority (A or Av on the dial) to control background blur. Our photo tips cover the basics.