digital single-lens reflex camera or mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera

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Tikola

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Nikola
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Hello everyone
My adventure with photography started recently and I am thinking about my first camera. What can you recommend to me? My main problem is whether to choose digital single-lens reflex camera or mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera. Than you for your help
 
I do not mean to be unkind when I say that there is no correct answer to that question.

What you should be asking yourself is what you wish to photograph, who do you wish to share your pictures with and how much do you wish to spend on the tools to get those images.

One general piece of advice: unless you are the fanatical sort of person, the best first camera these days may be a good smartphone, which you will, as a matter of course, carry everywhere. This is important because the best camera in the world is always the one you have with you when the picture is in front of you.
 
The only advantage I can see for an older style DSLR is if you can get one very cheap. Other than that possibility I see mirrorless as superior in every way.

I think one big decision could be to buy new or used. If you are willing to look at used kit then you may be able to get better kit than you could buy new for the same money.

After that I suppose you'll need to decide on a format, Micro Four Thirds, APS-C or Full Frame. Personally I'd skip APS-C and go for either Micro Four Thirds or Full Frame. After deciding on a format and what camera you want within that format you'll need a lens.

Good luck choosing.
 
Personally I think mirrorless is the way to go especially to learn with.

Decide on a budget. Then decide on a format - M43, APSC or Full Frame.

Then decide how complicated you want to make things :)
 
Your budget is the first concern, as Alan says a used DSLR is going to be cheaper, and theres more chance of cheap lens. That said many swear by mirrorless, I have Sony and Lumix mirrorless but I have to say I prefere a DSLR. Mind I'm an old git who grew up with film cameras, so it may be more about me being afraid of change.
Also depending on what you think your going to be taking photos of look at the range of lens available for the camera you like. Some makes and models have better options for lens than others. Your buying into a system really, you'll need extra lens and flash ect etc, so watch the prices of the other bit's and bobs, prices can vary a lot.
Lastly get pally with your bank manager.... you'll need him on side when the bug gets you...... ;)
 
I too have not progressed to mirrorless , cost being the main reason. I am quite happy with my Nikon D810 and the D300 as backup , not that I use them that often. the D810 also takes a decent video as well if your ever thinking along those lines. It is not just the cost of a camera and lens to think about it is the extras such as memory cards- tripods- flashguns and filters to mention but a few. Then you may want to get into editing your photos/videos which adds to the cost.
 
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As above; there’s no ‘right’ answer.

Other than DSLR’s are coming to the end of their term.

You can get a DSLR £ for £ for a better price. But you’re buying into obsolescence, makes no difference to some people, because a 5 yr old dslr bought today will still be taking decent images in 5 years time.

But at some point you’ll want something newer / better and that’ll mean a switch to mirrorless.

Realistically- the bigger questions are: what’s your budget, what do you want to shoot, do you already have expectations or preferences.

DSLR’s come in 2 main formats, APSC or full frame. With APSC being cheaper. Mirrorless adds M4/3 to that, which again is a smaller format so cheaper.

The big choice is, format / brand / usage.
Then move on from there.
 
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Mirrorless is far more advanced these days than a few years ago .to put your money into a DSLR means your heading for a loss when selling ,plus as the models get older spares and repairs will get worse .
I changed to Olympus 4 + years ago due to heart problems and Wish I had done it earlier .. ultra fast shooting speeds up to 50fps model dependant my choice is 18fps ,silent shutter , so no shutter count … 7 stops of i.b.i.s so no tripods / monopods etc your call
 
As above - no right or wrong. As said, the future is mirrorless, but if budget is limited you might only be able to afford DSLR - they will still continue to work until something breaks...

Go somewhere where there are plenty of camera models to handle and play with - see which one you like most....I've got hands that suit the bigger DSLRs or something with a grip attached - for me Nikon has only just announced a mirrorless that offers good handling (but not at Z9 prices) but I still have an aversion to electronic viewfinders, I just so love my bright viewfinders on my K-1 and D850.
 
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a dSLR and a mirrorless are simply two different ways of taking photographs. The technology in mirrorless has some disadvantages (relative to dSLR) but also that same technology enables the mirrorless to some things better...automation of AF functions is one of those things, but everyone does not need those 'benefits' for the shooting that they do.
For example, I scarcely ever shoot even 5 fps sequences, much less needing 30-40 fps. And animal eye focus is something I almost never need.

If mirrorless does something that you need, which dSLR cannot do, then you have a true reason to choose mirrorless and leave dSLR behind.
And while mirrorless may well be 'the future', there are cameras still in use today which are 50-100 years old, and happy users of these 'antiques'. A lot of folks do not transition to mirrorless YET, and one of the reasons is that mirrorless lenses are often more expensive to buy than the equivalent lens for dSLR; 'why' the price differential is often known only to the manufacturer, so many folks are waiting for more used mirrorless lenses to be available in the market, to reduce total cost.
 
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