Why I don’t use DSLR cameras anymore
Jun 21, 2021
Enrique Pacheco
We love it when our readers get in touch with us to share their stories. This article was contributed to DIYP by a member of our community. If you would like to contribute an article, please contact us here.
Share:
There was a heated discussion caused by the entrance of cameras without a mirror into the market, also as known as “mirrorless” or “CSC”. This debate was fueled perhaps not so much by the absence of the mentioned mirror, as by the replacement of the essential optical viewfinder with the new and improved electronic viewfinder. It can’t be denied that this debate wouldn’t have been that controversial, if it were not for the traditional brands still holding tight to the mirror and the optical viewfinder, while the emergent, or minority brands, have embraced the electronic viewfinder and the “mirrorless” concept as a new standard with no way back.
Let’s stop this endless and pointless discussion and address the main question – why do I, a professional who on average produces 200.000 photographs and 10 videos, and travels to 12 countries each year, sides with mirrorless cameras?
1. Because of the reduction of the mechanical elements
For someone like me who releases around 200.000 photos per year, going without such a basic mechanical element as a mirror clearly decreases the chances of camera failure during the work. Also, and this is very important, while removing the mirror hit on each shot, we reduce the chance that the picture will end up shaky, something that happens regularly while shooting at slow speeds, and in my case it’s almost always.
However, with the new Sony A7s I can go further, easily deactivating the mechanical shutter through the menu, entering an absolutely electronic mode and avoiding any mechanical movement, and extending thereby the life of my cameras.
2. Because I think the electronic viewfinder is an advantage
My work is divided into photography and video almost by 50%, so the optical viewfinder is a great deterrent for me. Let me explain why.
If you used your DSLR camera even once for video recording, you’ve experienced the problem of not being able to look through the optical viewfinder (the one you admire so much), as when activating the live view, the mirror flips up, completely nullifying the mentioned viewfinder. If you are shooting interior it may not be a big deal. However, if you are shooting outside with a lot of light, you’ve seen that it’s impossible to frame well, more difficult to focus accurately on the small screen of your DSLR, which has almost become a mirror for the light. The solution is to buy an electronic viewfinder like Zacuto, which costs $1000 and is almost as big as your DSLR.
This doesn’t happen with mirrorless cameras, as the electronic viewfinder provides us with the right vision in any situation, including exteriors with a lot of light. Additionally, I have no need to check the photo after taking it – the picture will be as I saw it in my viewfinder. I’m done with missing a crucial moment, as I’m envisioning the photo previously. If you saw it, you captured it, simple as that.
3. Because I can use almost any lens on the market
There is no doubt that in a lot of cases the best results and performance are obtained with the lens from the same camera manufacturer, whatever it may be. But, who wants to be limited by the catalog of a brand when you can choose from an endless list?
While when using a DSLR we are limited to original lenses, and those produced by third brands for a particular brand, with mirrorless cameras the only limit is your budget. With an adapter ring, you can use almost any lenses on the market, from brand new Leica M or Carl Zeiss to even film PL, going through old Contax, Yashica, Voigtlander, etc. Moreover, with the Metabones adapter we can use popular Canon and Nikon lenses, keeping stabilization, focus and other automatic systems. You don’t need to change lenses if you change the camera body anymore.
4. Because they are smaller and lighter
As I said before, on an average year I visit 12 countries. That includes crossing thousands of kilometres, and a lot of them on foot, climbing mountains and carrying a heavy backpack. The camera and lenses being smaller and lighter not only makes my work much easier, but also allows me to carry more equipment when it is necessary. If usually 2 cameras and 3 lenses fit in my backpack, now I can take 3 cameras and 5 lenses. It increases my productivity, and the profitability of my work as well. Remember I said I am a professional? I put an emphasis on it because it seems that in order to appear more professional, you need to carry a huge and heavy equipment with you – so, I’m the clear example that this argument is not only weak, but now also obsolete.
5. Because it is the system of the future
I truly think that cameras without a mirror are the future. We can see more and more brands manufacturing the lenses and accessories are producing entire lines of these cameras, some of really high quality and very professional. The camera manufacturers had been trying to get rid of the mechanical elements of the cameras for a long time, and now thanks to the high quality of electronic viewfinders and advances in the sensors, there is no reason to keep using the old prism and the folding mirror. So, I’m not just sure that any brand which produces mirrorless cameras will not go back to DSLRs, but also I think that most brands will sooner or later embrace the mirrorless concept as a standard one.
And the last argument.
Because of all the reasons I list in this article, I would like to think that this discussion won’t go on for a long time. For sure, in order to stop hearing about it, we need to wait until general brands introduce their lines of mirrorless cameras.
Meanwhile, a lot of professionals like me will continue to produce high-quality material with these cameras, which offers us everything we need and more to achieve results as good or even better than what we had with our old DSLRs.
About the Author
Enrique Pacheco is a filmmaker and photographer from Madrid, Spain, specializing in travel videos and timelapse. You can find more of his work on his website, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube channel, and Vimeo. This article was also published here and shared with permission.
We love it when our readers get in touch with us to share their stories. This article was contributed to DIYP by a member of our community. If you would like to contribute an article, please contact us here.
Related Posts
Not just for drones anymore – PolarPro announces new DSLR, mirrorless & cinema lens filters
Why I Don’t Answer My Phone Anymore (Also Why I Cancelled Voice Mail)
The History and Science of Lenses; Or Why Lenses Aren’t Named Anymore
When Common Sense Breaks Down: Why I Bought A Mirrorless Camera And Keep My DSLR (And Bunch Of Film Cameras As Well)
Join the Discussion
DIYP Comment Policy
Be nice, be on-topic, no personal information or flames.
75 responses to “Why I don’t use DSLR cameras anymore”
The whole thing “I only use mirrorless” is like someone going vegan and feeling the need to tell everyone.
“Your using a DSLR? How eeew, how disgusting..I am so grossed out, I can even take a picture anymore. I can believe use use a DSLR..” (The vegan mirrrorless camera user)
Please take this in the tongue and cheek context that was intended.
OMG! This! It’s the the exact same thing.
He’s just telling you the benefits of not shooting with a DSLR. What’s the big deal? I find meat eaters who complain about vegans more annoying than vegans.
Exactly this folks are going off the rails just cause the author gave his opinion
Yeah, It would be nice if everyone quit giving there opinion, since most of them are wrong.
People still write such articles ? Smh
with bad grammer to boot!
I don’t have a choice I only have a 12 year old DSLR, upgrading seems like one of my many impossible dreams
Me myself I personally like my DSLR, I mean from the pictures that I get with it the high ISO and shutter speed you know it definitely does great as you with the 800d I don’t need all the extra stuff I just need the picture I was composing my shots on this Canon DSLR 800d is totally maculant and I got me relax so I’m not concerned about the mechanism making me move I’m not that nervous on the other hand d800e is an awesome camera is great for all scenarios is lightweight compatible with ef lenses I mean I’m having a ball with it I produce over 3,000 photos a day I only like 40 of them really go somewhere you know I shoot raw so that she’d get you to understand I mean photos come out of this camera Amana Reservoir mirrorless yet it’s going to be another year for them to get better but I still think going there this is cheating you cheated you bagged out you couldn’t take the DSLR movement you will sell out you’re a real sellout for going mirrorless and I said it
“I release 200,000 images per year”, “my work is divided into photography and video almost by 50%”.
Not including the video, that means with average of 8 hours sleep per day, the author takes a photo (which you release) every 2 minutes or less.
Where are these 200,000 released images?
I’m a pretty novice photographer. But you know what I do consistently to make sure I get the shot, because I took a photography course with a professional? I shoot in burst. And sometimes, because of the subject matter, a dozen out of the 30 shots taken in 2 seconds gets used
It will pass.
“because I took a photography course with a professional”
I’ve never seen “spray and pray” advised by any serious professional. :)
Autofocus doesn’t always work perfectly. I I want to get the eye of a bird pin sharp at 500mm then I’ll shoot a short burst of 2 or 3 while using AFC and back button focus. Usually works
use backbutton focus.
I think I said that!
The EVF is one of the primary reasons why I’ll never use mirrorless. It’s horrible! Not to mention the fact that mirrorless cameras feel like toys in my hands. No thanks. I’ll still with my D850 until it’s dead.
Huh ? I have both a d600 and a new Lumix g9 love them both . But let’s not get to crazy . The evfs in most modern camera are so close now you almost can’t tell the difference. And don’t even get me started on the many advantage you have with a mirrorless camera. The D850 is a great camera that’ll out live you but you can’t deny the advancements of mirrorless cameras
I still think it’s funny that articles like this are written, but not for the reasons discussed here. There’s always going to be people who are holdouts on Old technology like dslrs, and at this point the entire industry has moved a mirrorless. Basically no market segment is actively investing in dslrs anymore, and yet people still are under the impression that it’s magically going to be supported in the future. Articles like this shouldn’t have to be written, dslrs have already died.
I am going to buy some dead DSLRs next period.
Fortunately there are thousands of guys who are willing to spend thousands of bucks to be better photographers.It is well known that a new mirorless lens on a 6000 bucks mirorless give you great results that an old heavy DSLR is not capable to give..
https://www.flickr.com/photos/zebrazoma/6703274101/
In 3 years, all will be correct for why I use only my smartphone.
Large Format, preferaly 8×10
alright moneybags Mcgee… you can’t mention that here, people will think your a successful artist because you make money
Why do people think that we all care about what you use, articles like why I dont use this or why I do use that are quite ridiculous. Do you all really think that your so important that folks are supposed to be glued to your opinion. Social media has people believing that they are way more than they are. Pretty much every topic about photography has been discussed to death years ago but sites like this keep rehashing the same old stuff over and over, that or create heated debates among the viewers just to get clicks , there is no such thing as a bad clicks so on and on it goes. Hey anybody want to know what’s in my camera bag or why I still shoot with a DSLR, I thought not. Tell me to hit the road I really dont give a dam, I just feel sorry for the people that think certain individuals have all the answers. I also hate it when people think that everyone should follow them on every social media account available out there, what the hell, has everyone turned into social media zombies, must follow, must follow. Sorry folks but society is screwed thanks to this crap. Don’t subscribe to me and what ever you do DONT friggin follow me…ever.
I too am tired of this argument. Use what works best for you. If you’re an early adopter, great. I’m invested in Canon, have 3 bodies and a range of lenses. Give it a few years and when the technology improves – and it will, and the price comes down then maybe I’ll take the jump. But my 5D IV is fine, still has decades of life left in it and I see no reason or advantage shelling out for a new camera. So how about this: Film is seeing a revival. “Oh that’s so last-century! It’s so Old-Old technology, I can’t possibly use it!” – but I loved using and developing film, making my own prints was a magical process. I have an old 110 film camera my kids bought me for Christmas some years back that’s a lot of fun, and brings back the anticipation and makes you slow down and be patient. One day – probably not that far away with the pace of development – mirrorless will be old tech too.
The only ones getting pissed are you guys who are missing the whole point which is he’s switch to mirrorless . He sees advantages and so do I . Why the hell did you guys bother reading the article if it was gonna piss you off to know end . Did you not read the title
If you had started with a mirrorless camera and someone suggested adding a flip up mirror and pentaprism, they would be ridiculed.
I use both mirrorless and dslr and the author of this piece by claiming that one system is massively better than the other is obviously more interested in equipment than photography. Honestly speaking the type of system you use is meaningless in the context of producing good photographic work.
Several of the claims are just pure b*llsh*t, one example is that dslr are somehow less reliable… I have slrs from the ’80s that still work perfectly and dslrs from the start of the dslr era that still work perfectly. I fully expect all my cameras (including the mirrorless ones) to outlast me.
The other claim is that he produces 200 000 photos per year. 200 000? Really? So what you are saying is that you just go about your day pointing your camera at everything and clicking your shutter button frenetically without any regard for subject matter or artistic integrity. Lets put this into terms that are easy to understand: (365 days) / 200 000 = 2.62800 minutes. One photo every 2.628 minutes? Total b*llsh*t!
I won’t bother dissecting the rest of this cr*p, about the only thing the author got right is that mirrorless is smaller.
Your whole article is just clickbait crap and I am very disappointed that DIY Photography would sully their own good reputation by reposting this type of drivel.
WTF does it matter? They are just tools! FFS… Yet another Sony ad.
Funny hey, I was always misled into thinking it was the person with the finger on the shutter button. How stupid have I been over the last 50 years……… Ah well never too late to learn.
Next up: Why I don’t use mirrorless cameras anymore.
Here’s a novel idea how about reading the title and then deciding whether you want to read the article before just reading the article and still complaining .
I think most of you guys are missing the whole point of this article it’s not like he’s knocking down mirrored cameras. He’s just pointing out the true advantages of mirrorless cameras. And there are lots of true advantages you can’t deny that anybody that does it’s in denial. I have both a Nikon d600 and a Lumix G9 love them both but I can’t deny nor will I the advantages of a mirrorless camera it is almost the same advantages as your cell phone has so take it as just his opinion. And don’t take it so personal geez
An headache-inducing EVF isn’t an advantage to everybody. :)
Don’t you just love choices ?
Are you eyes broken? It’s a TV. If TVs give you a headache, see a doctor
I don’t know about you, but I never sit and watch the TV 1″ from my face.
Meanwhile me: *uses a google pixel 4 XL to produce amazing photographs*
Moral of my Story: use whatever the f** you want and/or have at your disposal. Easy.
I’ve got half a dozen mirrorless cameras. They’re awesome for video, but I still use my DSLRs for stills.
i use cameras for photography
I use my pots for cooking
i use my video camera for video
Yes because each does that function better than the other. Oh never mind, if a pot at a camera lense on it, you probably call it a camera and not a pot.
Oh i so you do see the advantages …which was the whole point of this article not sure why some of you guys took it so personal. I to have both and to be frank there’s more advantages then just video . I get way more keepers shooting moving wildlife with my g9 then my d600
Which really only use for landscape now .
Sorry, what do you believe I took personally? Given that you randomly responded to me with attitude that makes it look like you’re the one who took things personally. :)
Advantages are only advantages if they benefit you (or me) as an individual. If they don’t, then they don’t. My number of “keepers” hasn’t changed between shooting DSLR or mirrorless.
He takes an argument instead of photo.
Yes 100% rt George
Because you’ve (the author) got money to burn and buy new shit. That’s why.
Mirrorless ain’t new lol.
Last time I checked, stuff at stores is sold brand new (unless of course you’re buying at a second hand shop).
Spot on!!
yeah, $400 is so fucking much for an entry level mirrorless cameras! oh wait… no it’s not. My DSLR wastwiceas expensive. it’s not the author’s fault you don’t know how to shop. I’m literally unemployed and was able to afford my setups. it’s called a side gig and if you actually a good photographer its not hard to actually make $1000 for a simple setup. stop getting mad because others are in fact better than you.
Came here for the comments. Even that was subpar.
FINAL ARGUMENT:
-Wow!, your campaign is fantastic. What camera did you use for getting those photos?
(said absolutely no client in history. Ever.)
So, focus on the bloody images.
Got enough batteries?
Let me tell you a secret….(shhhhh)
I
am about to buy my 4th Nikon D700 because your mirrorless toys will
never touch the reliability and durability of this camera and
BECAUSE….
i was begging for 3D pop and contrast from a Z6 and it refused to give me anything like that…
https://flic.kr/p/28x5zWC
lmao. camera wars are like when people argue which video game system is better. my mirrorless camera is one hell of a toy traveling around the world and being dropped countless times and doused in rain…. nope still kicking. best $500 I ever spent.
Use what helps you tell the story. If your story or vision requires a lighter camera, so be it. Just tell the story how you think it’s best to be told. I use DSLR because I prefer the ergonomics of that camera and the quality is great. I’m a big guy, with big hands and my Canon 6D MKll fits me. The work we do is visual communication and we can communicate well with either camera. These stories are about personal preference and not really a better technology that helps us as visual communicators tell a better, prettier or more detailed story. My preference is DSLR…that could change if something drastic changes but, I doubt it.
The author makes a lot of good points. I think this article is best for someone considering buying a DSLR versus a mirrorless system. The author is telling you why he doesn’t use DSLRs anymore, he’s not coming for your camera so you can relax.
Hahaha ???? ikr can’t believe how off the rails these guys are in this post comprehensive reading is not their strong point I guess
Am confused; title of post says you do not use toy DSLRS. For a moment I thought you had seen the light and gone back to something adult like an 8×10 FILM DEARDORFF and THE ANSEL ADAMS ZONE EXPOSURE SYSTEM.
An adapter ring. I have used adapter rings. Yea fucking never again.
What is the point if buying expensive lenses when you can’t use all the feature as you see fit on it cause you put it on a adapter ring and the necessary pins don’t line up with your body or doesn’t even make any contact.
Just go back to full manual at that point and than, again you can use all lenses one again.
But everyone shoot different.
Well… This was a waste of an article and my time. Where do you all find these writers? Who cares what this person’s opinion is? A good photographer can kill it with any camera. I thought this would be based upon something, not “because it’s the future”. LMAO what a baseless article.
And it goes on & on & on… ;)
The thing I like about my Olympus mirrorless camera is how small and light it is. My brick of a Nikon D7100 is too “pro” looking and a distraction when out shooting street photography. People spot be blocks away :-)
https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=t.co/XsaVDDeWlL?FLkB0p0vv1YmzGMW0E
No one gives two bits of why you use one camera or another. Who cares. Just shoot what ever that inspires you to shoot. Let’s get away from this idea created just for marketing.
Take any influential photographer and none of them talk about the system they use.
What emotions and thought they provoke is the the only goal.
Get what ever system you have and shoot as much as you like and a just share a few great ones with the rest of us.
I am so glad you like your mirror less. I have been trying to reach you about your vehicle’s extended
warrantee…
My mobile phone is mirrorless but doesn’t take as good a photo as my old 5D mkii.?
I understand your points. I never liked the mirror black out, noise, and often the dim and small viewfinder of a SLR. I switched to Panasonic a long time ago and never looked back except for nostalgia.
Sorry but your wrong about what they call ‘mirror slap’. I’ve taken shots handheld at 1/3 of a second with my Nikon d3500. Pin sharp. Tried the same with my Sony a6000, and i couldn’t drop below 1/10th of a second. Nuff said.
All valid points, but the author one-sidedly neglects some reasons to stay with a DSLR:
1) my D850 uses all my nearly 2 dozen AF F-mount lenses *without* an adapter – in full (not crippled) AF and with all EXIF info,
2) optical viewfinders – even with today’s technology – still provide a more natural-looking image,
3) using a mirrorless camera with an adapter adds length to the lens, and most mirrorless FF lenses are longer than their DSLR counterparts, negating some of the argument that FF mirrorless cameras are more compact,
4) most modern DSLRs (my D850 included), are actually hybrids, allowing one to use it like a mirrorless camera in Live View and Silent Shutter when needed – such as when a loud shutter noise or shutter vibration are a problem. This is how I shoot landscapes with my PC-E lens and tripod.
Despite all this, FF is overkill for many types of work, so I also have a mirrorless Micro Four Thirds system for carrying around or travelling.
Which proves one thing: No need to knock one type over another. Just use whatever camera is the best tool for the job.
Just another boring DSLR vs MILC argument. The author starts one himself despite wanting to stop it! What a pathetic self-contradiction!
I agree with one of the commentators that EVF is the reason why I’m gonna pick up an MILC. I need the cool feeling of OVF in front of my eyes instead of the radiation emission of artificial lights
It is more of the never ending debate of film vs. digital, color vs. b&w, crop or no crop. There are no photo police…whatever the debate…do as you like. This article looks more like an ad for Sony.
I use mirrorless for the size and weight. But I got some DSLR’s as well. I almost never use the DSLR’s any more. I use the mirrorless mainly.
I wish they made a little M4/3 rangefinder that was Leica-like. Something like the old half-frame Olympus Pen film camera. 100% manual. The smaller the better for street work. The M4/3’s produce nice IQ for a small size. They are just too complex for on the fly manual adjustments.
Staten Island Ferry (Candid – Leica)
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0974e37bc736d894c64d8bda8f2612839f2018340a01ba517dd09b94ee62496e.jpg
Transwoman and friend (Infrared Flash – Candid – Fuji)
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/cbb181989761c74a38743fbb5cf6c3c7a9e3d71327ec72708db982040f034de0.jpg
Small size is very important on the street. Shooting kids is dangerous in 2021. A male shooting kids = a sexual predator. You can see how close I work with my foot circled in red. The mom (probably) is also circled in red.
The Lost Princess (Candid – Fuji)
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c47a881e148f4eeac49df69a4ef840c63ea3223d02068102a005943eb804c7d1.jpg
Good to see articles such as this. It’s one persons thoughts and experience in photography, I appreciated the authors assessment.
I work in photographic wholesale and retail, as well as being a hobby/amateur photographer.
DSLR cameras (and even the very expensive mirrorless cameras) are now seen as being superfluous to requirements by many people who like taking pictures.
The image capture quality on APS and MFT systems has impressed the public who have no pretensions to professionalism or gallery fame, hence we mainly sell DSLR gear to commercial operators, and ‘high end’ mirrorless cameras to people who believe they need it to be credible at the local camera club.
After years of break-dance by MILC fanboys; DSLR still rules. Because MILCs are NOT significantly better tools. They are not the future. Rather may die a premature death with the arrival of curved sensor!
So, who cares what you use?!