Arguments for Mirrorless in 2020:
* Smaller and Lighter: Mirrorless cameras, by design, eliminated the mirror box and optical viewfinder, resulting in significantly smaller and lighter bodies. This was a major advantage for travel, street photography, or anyone wanting a more portable setup.
* Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) Advantages: EVFs offered several benefits:
* Real-time Exposure Preview: You could see exactly how your image would look before taking the shot, including exposure, white balance, and depth of field.
* Focus Peaking and Zebra Stripes: Tools that helped achieve sharp focus and avoid overexposure, especially useful for manual lenses and video.
* Information Overlays: Displayed a wealth of data within the viewfinder, like histograms, grid lines, and focus points.
* Better Video Capabilities: Mirrorless cameras generally excelled in video, offering higher resolutions, frame rates, and more advanced features compared to DSLRs.
* Faster Autofocus: Mirrorless systems often utilized on-sensor phase-detection autofocus, leading to faster and more accurate focusing, especially for continuous autofocus and subject tracking.
* Silent Shooting: Many mirrorless cameras had a completely silent electronic shutter mode, crucial for shooting in quiet environments like weddings, wildlife, or concerts.
* Innovation: Camera manufacturers were heavily investing in mirrorless technology, resulting in a more rapidly evolving and feature-rich platform.
* In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS): IBIS was becoming more common in mirrorless cameras, providing stabilization for any lens attached, even older manual lenses.
* Adaptability: Due to the shorter flange focal distance, mirrorless cameras were easily adaptable to a wide range of lenses (including vintage glass) with simple adapters.
Arguments for DSLRs in 2020:
* Price: DSLRs, especially entry-level and mid-range models, could often be found at a lower price point than comparable mirrorless cameras.
* Lens Selection: While mirrorless lens systems were growing rapidly, DSLRs had a much larger and more established lens ecosystem, particularly for specialized or niche lenses. You'd have a huge used market too.
* Battery Life: DSLRs generally offered better battery life than mirrorless cameras, although this was improving on newer mirrorless models. The LCD screen and EVF in mirrorless consumed more power.
* Optical Viewfinder (OVF) Preference: Some photographers simply preferred the natural, lag-free view of an optical viewfinder. An OVF doesn't require power to display the image.
* Ergonomics: Many photographers were accustomed to the feel and handling of DSLRs, finding them more comfortable and intuitive to use, especially with larger lenses. DSLRs tended to have larger grips.
* Mature Technology: DSLR technology was well-established, reliable, and refined.
Who Should Choose a DSLR in 2020?
* Budget-conscious beginners: If price was the primary concern, a used or entry-level DSLR was often the most affordable way to get into photography.
* Photographers heavily invested in DSLR lenses: Switching to mirrorless required either buying new lenses or using adapters (which could add bulk and potential compatibility issues).
* Those who strongly prefer an optical viewfinder: There's no substitute for the real-time, power-free view of an OVF.
* Photographers requiring exceptional battery life for long shoots.
Who Should Choose a Mirrorless Camera in 2020?
* Photographers prioritizing size and weight.
* Video shooters.
* Those seeking the latest technology and features.
* Photographers who value real-time exposure preview in the viewfinder.
* Those who need silent shooting.
* Photographers who want access to advanced focusing tools like focus peaking and zebra stripes.
* Photographers planning to adapt vintage or other lens systems.
In summary:
By 2020, mirrorless cameras had become the dominant force in the camera market, offering compelling advantages in many areas. While DSLRs still held some appeal for budget-conscious users and those with specific needs or preferences, the writing was on the wall. Mirrorless represented the future of photography.
Keep in mind that this is the 2020 perspective. Today (as of the current date), mirrorless cameras are even *more* dominant, and many DSLR models have been discontinued. The gap between the two technologies has widened further in favor of mirrorless. The arguments for choosing a DSLR have become significantly weaker.