Canon EOS Vs DSLR - Key Differences Between The Mirrorless And Digital SLR Cameras

Once upon a time, owning one of the Canon DSLR cameras was a budding photographer's dream. If you swung a DSLR around on holiday with your eye glued to the viewfinder, you looked like you knew what you were doing. DSLRs got the best of new pro camera technologies and gave you a lot of control over your photography with manual modes. 

Things have changed somewhat in the last few years. With the reflex mirror system removed from the DSLR, we now have simpler mirrorless cameras that give your phone cameras competition. People were moving towards lighter, handier cameras, and manufacturers took note. 

So now photographers have to choose between a Canon DSLR or a Canon EOS M or Canon EOS R. The choice just got harder, but on the flip side, there are more options out there, whatever your skill level. Let's take a look at the differences and similarities that could affect your decision to buy one or the other kind of camera. 

It's In The Name

Both types of cameras are interchangeable lens cameras. DSLR cameras are Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras that allow light to hit a reflex mirror angled at 45 degrees.

When you point at your subject, the light reflects straight up into the optical viewfinder. You can see your subject from the POV of the lens. There's no digital processing that takes place between the subject and your eye. When you take a picture, the mirror gets out of the way and the image sensor takes charge with a satisfying whirr. 

In a mirrorless camera, there's no mirror of course. Light from the subject passes through the lens, straight into the sensor. You can see what the sensor sees either on the electronic viewfinder (EVF) or a small monitor. When you take a picture, the camera is just recording what the sensor sees in real-time.

But what does this mean for you in terms of handling and performance? To begin with, many mirrorless cameras are smaller and lighter in design, though that's not the rule. Many models feature full-frame sensors and many high-end models are large like traditional DSLRs. 

If you prefer the solid, meaty feel of a DSLR in your hands and the analog appeal of the long tradition, you'll not be alone. But with a trend towards smaller and lighter, it may be that manufacturers in the future push more resources into improving mirrorless models. 

On the flip side, if you're looking for a DSLR with a small form factor that matches mirrorless cameras, you'll find the Canon EOS Rebel T7/2000 D ideal. If you're looking for a lighter, value-for-money mirrorless camera, the Canon mirrorless full-frame EOS RP is an excellent choice. 

Image Quality And Viewfinder Resolution

While there's no discernable difference between the quality of images of comparable DSLR and Mirrorless cameras, there are quite a few high-end Mirrorless cameras with excellent high-res EVFs that pros may prefer. You may get more accurate previews of the images you take on the better mirrorless cameras. However, optical viewfinders in DSLRs give you an instant view of the action while there may be a delay in many EVFs. 

Note that when you’re shooting video in low light, EVFs come in more useful than LCD screens of DSLRs.

Sensor And Autofocus

Canon EOS DSLR cameras come with two different sensor sizes, full-frame, and APS-C or crop-sensor. A full-frame sensor will make the camera more expensive than a crop-frame sensor. Full frame sensors give you the best low-light images. Crop sensors give you competitive quality and smaller form factors. 

In a DSLR camera, autofocus and tracking tend to be better than in many mirrorless cameras. Sensors in mirrorless cameras tend to have trouble focusing on moving objects. If you're looking for a mirrorless camera with better auto-focus, you may prefer a high-end model with hybrid autofocus. These days, both Canon DSLRs and Mirrorless cameras use Dual Pixel CMOS AF for autofocus. 

Battery Life

This is where the DSLR really one-ups the mirrorless camera. Manufacturers have some way to go to figure out how to make the all-digital cameras longer-lasting between charges. A typical entry-level mirrorless camera will allow you about 300 shots on one charge. In contrast, an entry-level Canon DSLR battery will easily give you a few hundred more. 

DSLRs typically average 600 to 800 shots on a single charge. Pro models like the Canon 80D will give you up to 1100 shots and higher, even up to 2000+ for higher-end models. 

Continuous Autofocus

With the mirror out of the way in mirrorless cameras, it's no surprise that focusing speeds are faster. When taking action shots, you'll be pleased to realise that frame rates are not limited to mirrorless cameras like they are in DSLRs. You'll enjoy at least 10fps in most mirrorless camera models. Some high-end models will give you 20fps and 30 fps with continuous autofocus between shots. 

In contrast, the high-end DSLR Canon EOS-1D Mark III delivers 16 fps speeds. Many mirrorless cameras are also pushing ahead with 4K video capability as well. 

Lenses

There's a huge library of lenses and accessories available for DSLR cameras. There are fewer options for mirrorless, but in a pinch, you can use a DSLR lens with a mirrorless camera with an adapter. Also, the range for Canon mirrorless cameras is expanding. 

Note that Canon’s full-frame range and crop sensor range have different mounts and neither fits with traditional Canon DSLR mounts. But newer models like the Canon EOS R5 and Canon EOS R6 are changing the status quo.

Features

From full manual control to exposure control, both JPEG and RAW shooting modes, DSLR cameras are chock-full of features. But mirrorless cameras have caught up and sometimes they go beyond DSLRs. 

You’ll find advanced stabilisation systems, advanced tracking, 4K video, and other specs in Canon mirrorless cameras these days. They also have higher processing speeds. Many models will offer touch-sensitive, tilting screens. 

Price

A full-featured entry-level DSLR camera may turn out to be cheaper than a similar mirrorless camera, though you may not find 4K or touchscreens in the cheapest DSLRs. But once you go into the high-end range, the differences largely disappear. 

The Bottomline

If we were to look at the pros and cons of DSLRs and Mirrorless cameras in a nutshell, here’s what it looks like:

DSLR 

Pros 

• Longer battery life 
• Optical viewfinder, faster response 
• Faster autofocus and tracking
• Larger library of accessories and lenses

Cons

• Weight and bulk
• Possibly slower continuous shooting speeds

Mirrorless cameras

Pros

• Usually smaller and lighter
• Fast continuous shooting.
• Better live view autofocus, 4K-support 
• More scene modes and auto settings

Cons

• EVF delays 
• Shorter battery life
• Smaller library of lenses and accessories 
• Some models don't have a viewfinder

The gap between Canon DSLR cameras and Canon Mirrorless cameras is closing fast. If you’re looking for a full-frame mirrorless camera, the Canon EOS R range is for you. Smaller Canon EOS-M cameras feature APS-C sensors. They perform just as well in low light, offer similar image detail, color accuracy, and shallow depth of field as DSLR cameras. 

If you’re looking to move from your Canon DSLR to the Canon Mirrorless range, you can use your Canon EF or EF-S lenses with an adapter. There are three lens adapters available for the EOS R range and one for the EOS M cameras.