Mirrorless vs DSLR Cameras

Santa was very good to me this year.  He brought me a Nikon Z6iii mirrorless camera.  Did I need a new camera?  No.  Did I want one?  Yes.  I've been wanting a second nice camera for awhile now.  Often my husband and I take photos together and the last time we went to Alaska, our second camera that my husband was using, was not fast enough to capture some of the great sights he was trying to capture (like a breaching baby whale).    So now we have a mirrorless camera and a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex)... both Nikons, which is my preference.

Differences

The difference between mirrorless and a DSLR is basically that a mirrorless camera does not have a mirror to reflect the image onto the sensor image in the camera.  A DSLR uses mirrors to reflect the image onto the sensor image.    

Viewfinder

The viewfinder is different in the mirrorless and DSLR cameras.  Mirrorless cameras use an electronic viewfinder (EVF) which displays a projection on the sensor image.  This allows you to preview the effect of your shooting settings.  

The DSLR uses an optical viewfinder.  An optical viewfinder shows the image from the lens as it would appear to you when viewing it. This image is not affected by things like exposure, white balance, or filters.  So what you see in the viewfinder may differ from your final photo.

Weight

The weight of the mirrorless vs. the DSLR camera is different as well.  The mirrorless is much lighter.  I never thought much about the weight of a camera until this past year when my mobility was affected by a bad knee, then knee replacement surgery.  Though I am past my surgery, I do appreciate having a lighter camera to carry around with me when I am going to take photos.   

Summary

In summary, the type of camera you buy and use is ultimately your choice.  Does it have the features you want?  Does it work with your current lenses?  Are you interested in buying new lenses or different lenses?  

Great pictures can be taken with a pinhole camera, but the cameras being produced today allow for many different settings and more control over the final product. 

The main idea is to have fun taking pictures, and enjoying the outcome!