Comp HoW: 2017

Monday, 20 February 2017

10 dslr for beginners till feb 2017

We will talk about all till 2017
Best entry-level DSLR: what to look for, which to buy(most till 2017)
Best entry-level DSLR

If you've outgrown your point-and-shoot camera and feel like you're ready to take your photography to the next step, then an entry-level DSLR is the obvious choice. You might also want to consider a mirrorless camera as an alternative, although you won't find one with a viewfinder at the same price as a DSLR.

If you are thinking about a mirrorless camera, then you might want to read this:http://comphow.blogspot.in/2017/02/mirrorless-vs-dslr-cameras-10-key.html?m=1
(10 difference in dslr and mirrorless camera)

Or, if you're not sure what kind of camera you need at all, then read our easy to follow guide to camera types: http://comphow.blogspot.in/2017/02/what-camera-should-i-buy-use-our-step.html?m=1
(what dslr i should buy?)

DSLRs deliver a big step up in image quality from a compact camera, far more manual control and the ability to change lenses to tackle a huge variety of projects. Obviously, the more features you want, the more you'll pay, but do you actually need them? Our top camera is one of the cheapest on the market, but still offers impressive performance and image quality, plus enough features to handle most assignments, especially if you're still learning.

1. Nikon D3300

It's not the most expensive entry-level DSLR, but we think it's the best

Great image quality Guide mode Fixed screen No built-in Wi-Fi
The D3300's 24.2MP sensor resolves bags of detail with minimal image noise up to ISO3200, and also produces decent results at higher sensor sensitivities. Much like pricier Nikon DSLRs, it does away with an anti-aliasing filter to maximise image sharpness. This is also a very easy camera to live with. Its clever Guide Mode is a useful learning tool that gives real-time explanations of important features, whilst the collapsible 18-55mm kit lens is great when you're on the go. It's a shame you don't get an articulated touchscreen display or Wi-Fi connectivity, but Nikon does make a cheap plug-in Wi-Fi adaptor if that's a deal-breaker for you.

2. Canon EOS Rebel T6i / Canon EOS 750D

A compelling combination of top-notch ergonomics and a superb sensor

See more Canon EOS 750D details from official canon website

Terrific sensor Wi-Fi with NFC Average battery life Only 95% viewfinder coverage
Nikon doesn't have the top spots in our line-up all to itself because by paying more cash will get you a lot more camera. The Canon 750D is new and still rather pricey, but its new 24.2-megapixel sensor delivers stunning image quality with impressively low noise levels at high ISO sensitivities. The 750D also receives much-improved autofocus and exposure metering systems over Canon's older 700D, as well as built-in Wi-Fi with NFC pairing. Although outwardly similar to its 700D predecessor, that does mean you get the same articulating, touch-sensitive screen to enjoy. It pips the Nikon D5500 to second place thanks to more comprehensive controls and marginally superior image quality.

3. Nikon D5500

Choosing between Canon and Nikon is tougher than ever

High-res, non-anti-aliased sensor Touch-sensitive articulating screen Slow live-view focussing No GPS
The D5500 competes directly with Canon's 750D at the upper end of the entry-level DSLR market. Where Nikon's D3000-series cameras are designed as cost-conscious introductory DSLRs, the D5000-series is preferable if you want to get more creative. This latest addition to the series is bang up-to-date and is the first Nikon DSLR to get touchscreen control, plus there's also built-in Wi-Fi - but it's a pity GPS hasn't been carried over from the D5300, and live view autofocusing speed is no faster. There isn't much wrong with the D5500's 24.2-megapixel, non-anti-aliased sensor, though. It may be pinched from the older D5300, but it still delivers excellent image quality.

4. Canon EOS Rebel T6s / Canon EOS 760D

Like the EOS 750D, but with better handling and a second LCD

Great touchscreen Excellent sensor AF point selection fiddly Expensive
Just to confuse matters, Canon launched two updates to the EOS 700D - the EOS 750D and the 760D. Internally at least, the 750D and 760D are very pretty much identical, but it's the exterior controls where differences start to appear, notably the addition of a rear thumbwheel and top plate LCD display. Features which only normally appear on Canon's higher end enthusiast models. For newer users, the 750D is the better bet, but if you're looking for lightweight DSLR with a comprehensive set of features, then you won't go wrong with the 760D.

5. Nikon D5300

No longer Nikon's latest and greatest entry-level DSLR, but almost

High-res, non-anti-aliased sensor GPS built in Slow live-view focussing No touchscreen
The D5300 was around for little more than a year before the D5500 technically replaced it, but unlike the equivalent Canon 700D, the D5300 is still a contemporary camera. It shares the same 24.2MP sensor with an identical maximum ISO25600 sensitivity as the D5500, whilst the D5300's EXPEED 4 image processor and 39-point autofocus system have also been carried over to its replacement. Whilst the D5300 doesn't sport fancy touchscreen control, you do get GPS instead. The D5300's 600-shot battery life has since been beaten by the D5500, but it'll still outlast a Canon 750D - the D5300 is still a smart buy.

6. Canon EOS Rebel T5i / Canon EOS 700D

Still fresh on the outside, if a little long in the tooth within

Superb ergonomics Touch-sensitive, articulating screen Outdated sensor No Wi-Fi
Stick the 700D next to the 750D and you'll struggle to tell them apart, as the new camera inherits the 700D's excellent ergonomics and class-leading touch-sensitive screen. Even the good old button controls are more comprehensive than on rival Nikons, making the 700D intuitive to use, regardless of your ability. However, the 700D's sensor can trace its roots back to the 550D released in 2010 and it's now outclassed in terms of noise suppression and dynamic range. The 9-point autofocus system is also dated and you don't get Wi-Fi connectivity. The 700D's slashed price does make it a tempter, but the 750D is a more future-proof choice.

7. Canon EOS Rebel SL1 / Canon EOS 100D

A cheap and very cheerful entry level camera

Small size Touchscreen control Battery life rated at 380 shots Fixed rather than vari-angle screen
Canon introduced the EOS 100D to compete with the influx of compact system cameras and it was the smallest DSLR available when it was introduced in March 2013. It's getting on a bit now, but while the image quality hasn't diminished, its price has, making it a good choice for anyone buying their first DSLR. Inside is Canon's stalwart 18MP APS-C format sensor, a hybrid CMOS AF II variant which means that the focusing is faster than the 1200D when you're composing images on the main screen - though it's not especially quick. The three-inch screen is also touch-sensitive, which makes the 100D easier to use thanks to Canon's excellent interface, although there are fewer buttons and dials than on models like the 750D. Despite the 100D's small size there's a good chunky grip to make it feel comfortable and secure in your hand. Image quality is good, but the 24MP Nikon D3300 captures more detail.

8. Canon EOS Rebel T6 / Canon EOS 1300D

Great camera that replaces the EOS 1200D

Low price Good image quality No touchscreen Slow live view focusing
The 1300D uses the same sensor as the camera it replaces, the 1200D, but it has a newer processing engine and this enables it to produce slightly better quality images. In reality you're unlikely to be able to spot much difference at normal image viewing sizes though, so it's not a real biggie. Where the 1300D does score over the 1200D though is the connectivity department; its got Wi-Fi and NFC technology built-in. This means you can transfer images to your smartphone for super-quick sharing. You can also use your phone to control the camera remotely, which is ideal for taking group shots with you in the frame. The screen has also been upgraded from a 3-inch 460K dot unit to one with 920K dots, which makes images look much sharper.

9. Canon EOS Rebel T5 / Canon EOS 1200D

A great shooter - get it while it's still around

Low price Good image quality Slow live view focusing No touchscreen or Wi-Fi
The introduction of the 1300D means the 1200D isn't likely to be available for much longer but while it is it's possible to pick up a real bargain. So if you're not concerned about being able to connect your phone to your camera via Wi-Fi or NFC, it could be the one to go for. The 1200D has the same 18MP sensor as the 1300D and although it's getting on a bit, it's still good. That said, it can't match the 24.2MP device in the Nikon D3300 for capturing detail. The 1300D and 1200D's 3fps continuous shooting speed is also leisurely compared to the Nikon's 5fps rate, and where that camera includes built-in help guides, you'll have to resort to downloading Canon's versions through a separate smartphone app.

10. Pentax K-50

The perfect starter DSLR for adventure photography

Weatherproof 100% viewfinder coverage Noisy operation Fixed screen
Pentax is renowned for producing DSLRs with maximum bang per buck, and the K-50 is no exception. Weatherproof DSLRs that are rain and dust resistant usually cost a packet, but the K-50 offers this protection at a bargain price so you can shoot in all conditions. Just remember that you'll have to partner it with more expensive WR (weather resistant) lenses to get the full benefit. Regardless of the lens you use, Pentax's in-camera Shake Reduction system cuts camera shake and can even correct slightly skewed horizons. The only reason the K-50 isn't higher on our list is Pentax's relatively restricted lens range.

Author :-harkirat singh
You can follow the author on instagram @harry_smarty

What camera should I buy? Use our step-by-step guide

Introduction

You only have to go into a high-street retail store go get an idea of the sheer number of digital cameras on the market. There are so many brands, types and technologies, each one claiming to be the best (of course!) that it's hard to make sense of it all.

But it's possible to break all these competing cameras down into a few basic types, and once you do that it becomes much easier to figure out the kind of camera you need. That's what we've done with our guide, and you can follow the links at the bottom of the pages to find which is the best camera currently available in each category.

So we'll start with the basics and work up through the more advanced cameras to the types the professionals use. But you don't have to stay with us all the way. Treat this guide like sightseeing tour - when you've got to where you want to go, just step off the bus!

Step 1: What's wrong with my smartphone?

Is a smartphone as a good as a regular point-and-shoot compact camera? Apart from not having a zoom, it almost certainly is.

There's nothing wrong with the cameras in smartphones. The best smartphones have really good cameras, even if they don't have quite the same impressive amount megapixels as dedicated digital cameras. The thing to remember though is that it's not all about the amount of megapixels you have - a smartphone with a 8MP camera or above is all you need to produce sharp, detailed shots for Facebook and Twitter, while you can even produce moderately-sized, decent quality prints to hang on your wall.

Take the iPhone 6S, for example, with its 8MP camera and easy to use controls, it can produce shots every bit as good (better, often) as a regular point and shoot camera.

As this is the camera you'll probably have with you all the time, and the one you'll rely on for capturing your life as it happens, with these photos often ending up as the pictures you will value most in the years to come.

Apple iPhone 6S
Pros: It's the camera you always have to hand, the results can match those from a regular point-and-shoot compact camera, you can share instantly to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, you can get apps with amazing effects and additional tools and they can be easy to use.

Cons: You get a fixed focal length lens - you can't zoom in on distant subjects; the fixed lens is often a wide-angle - great for selfies and getting loads in the frame, but not for flattering portraits; smartphones aren't so easy to hold; limited control over shooting settings.

Step 2: Should you get an action cam?

If you want to capture your life's adventures, maybe you need an action cam, not a regular point-and-shoot camera.

You can overcome the limitations of your smartphone's camera easily enough with a 'proper' camera, but just before we look at these in detail, there's another option to consider - action cams. If capturing your life's adventures is your thing, why not do it with video, not stills? Action cams are tough and simple to use, and come with a whole range of different mounts so that you can attach them to handlebars, skateboards, helmets, the dashboard of your car... even your pet!

They've been popularised by the GoPro Hero range, but there are now dozens to choose from, including bullet-style cameras to fit to the side of a helmet, say.

Action cams shoot good-quality full HD footage (some, like the Hero4 Black can even shoot 4K) through fixed focal length wide-angle lenses. Some are completely waterproof, while others come bundled with waterproof housings.

Action cams are the complete antithesis of traditional camcorders - they're so cheap that you don't mind giving them a battering, they're small enough and light enough not to get in the way, and they're so simple that all you need to know is how to press a button.

GoPro Hero4
Pros: Cheap, tough and simple, surprisingly good full HD movie quality (in some cases 4K), you can mount them on practically anything.

Cons: Fixed wide-angle lenses so no zoom capability, little control over exposure, stills are snapshot quality only.

Step 3: What about a cheap and simple compact?

Cheap point and shoot cameras might look like an easy upgrade from a smartphone, but they have limitations of their own.

So assuming your smartphone doesn't offer the versatility you need, and that you're into decent quality stills rather than immersive action video, then a regular digital camera is the way to go.

Point and shoot compact cameras are cheap, and they come with zoom lenses and more control over exposure, white balance, focus and other settings than you'll get with a smartphone.

The zoom lens is the killer feature. Smartphones offer 'digital' zooms, but that's not the same at all, because these simply crop in on a smaller area of the picture, so you're losing resolution. Typically, a cheap point-and-shoot compact will have a 5x zoom which goes wider than a smartphone lens - handy for cramped interiors and tall buildings - and much longer, so that you can fill the frame with people and subjects when they're further away.

But the picture quality isn't necessarily better. Cheap cameras have cheap lenses, which can produce mushy definition at the edges of the frame or at full zoom, and the sensors are not much larger. Sensor size is a key factor in picture quality, as we'll see later on. Point-and-shoot cameras typically have 1/2.3 inch sensors, which are about half the size of your little fingernail, and scarcely larger than those in a decent smartphone. Forget about megapixels - the sensor size is what limits the image quality.

Sony W800
Pros: Versatility of a zoom lens; much more control over exposure, color and focus; easier to hold.

Cons: Quality often no better than a smartphone, sometimes worse.

Step 4: Extend your range with a travel compact

Travel compacts, or 'long zoom' compacts, give you point and shoot simplicity but a much longer zoom to capture a wider range of subjects.

A cheap point-and-shoot compact is a relatively small step up from the camera in a smartphone, but long-zoom 'travel' compacts take their main advantage - the zoom lens - a whole lot further. A 'travel compact' is essentially a point-and-shoot camera but with a much, much longer zoom range, typically 30x.

The idea is that you have a camera that still fits in your pocket, but has such a colossal zoom range that you can photograph practically anything, from beautiful landscapes to far-off landmarks.

After all, when you go on vacation you want a camera small enough to go in a pocket so that it doesn't get in the way when you're doing other things, but versatile enough that you won't miss any once-in-a-lifetime photos.

Travel compacts have the same size sensors as point-and-shoot compacts, but this is changing, with models like the Panasonic Lumix TZ100/ZS100 getting larger 1-inch sized sensors, while the lenses are generally better quality, quite apart from their increased zoom range. Some have more advanced exposure modes for controlling the shutter speed and lens aperture independently, and may even capture RAW files for higher-quality processing back on the computer. Some, like the Lumix TZ100/ZS100 again, even have built-in electronic viewfinders.

If your budget can stretch to it, a long-zoom travel compact is almost certainly a better bet than a cheaper point-and-shoot model. You gain a lot and sacrifice nothing.

Panasonic TZ100
Pros: Massive zoom range that copes with almost any kind of subject; quality generally slightly higher than a point-and-shoot compact; may have more advanced controls.

Cons: More expensive; still uses a small sensor (with some exceptions) which limits the ultimate picture quality, especially in low-light conditions.

Step 5: Bigger is better with a bridge camera

Bridge cameras have DSLR-style controls and massive zooms, but image quality isn't a strong point unless you want to pay a premium.

If the size of the camera isn't important but you like the idea of a do-it-all camera with a super-long zoom lens, then a 'bridge' camera is the next logical step.

The name 'bridge camera' comes from the way these cameras are designed to bridge the gap between a regular compact camera and a DSLR. In fact, bridge cameras often look like DSLRs, with a characteristic 'fat' body, a chunky grip on the right hand side, an exposure mode dial on the top and the program AE, aperture-priority, shutter-priority and manual (PASM) modes of DSLRs. Many models now shoot raws as well, but check the specification to make sure.

But while bridge cameras offer monumental zoom ranges, such as the amazing 83x zoom on the Nikon Coolpix P900, there are limitations. In order to achieve these zoom ranges at a manageable size and cost, the makers use the same-sized 1/2.3-inch sensors as you find in smaller compact cameras. You get the look and feel of a DSLR, but you don't get the image quality.

There are exceptions, though. In the past couple of years the likes of Sony and Panasonic have launched bridge cameras with much larger 1-inch sensors, notably the Sony RX10 III and Panasonic FZ1000. This comes at the expense of zoom range (though still very impressive and more than adequate for most shooting situations) and, well, expense generally, but most keen photographers would swap a little zoom range for a big step up in quality.

Sony RX10 III
Pros: Massive zoom range; DSLR-style controls and features; versatility and value for money.

Cons: Small sensor size limits the quality (with some key exceptions); detail often quite soft at full zoom; autofocus systems rarely match DSLRs for responsiveness.

Step 6: Get expert results with a high-end compact

A high-end compact is perfect for quality-conscious enthusiasts who want a 'proper' camera small enough to fit in a coat pocket.

Where bridge cameras deliver the most bang for your buck, a high-end compact camera offers a different route towards better pictures. Here, you're not paying for a huge zoom range, but for a larger sensor, a better lens, DSLR-style controls and features and (sometimes) DSLR picture quality.

High-end compact cameras are designed for enthusiasts and experts who want a camera small enough to carry round when a regular DSLR would just be too intrusive or impractical.

The zoom range is nothing special - it's about the same as you'd get in a regular point-and-shoot model, with some opting for a fixed focal length - but combined with a bigger sensor, better lens and more advanced controls, you can expect image quality to be on a completely different level from your smartphone or point-and-shoot compact.

At one time, most high-end compacts had 1/1.7-inch sensors just a little larger than those in point-and-shoot cameras, but now there are models with larger 1-inch sensors (see the Canon G7 X II and Sony RX100 IV) and even Micro Four Thirds (Panasonic LX100) and APS-C sensors (Fuji X70) - the same size as those in some compact system cameras and DSLRs.

Fuji X70
Pros: DSLR features and DSLR-approaching quality in a pocket-sized camera.

Cons: Even the cheapest aren't cheap, and the most expensive really are expensive; you can't change lenses.

Step 7: Moving up to a DSLR

Digital SLRs offer big sensors and interchangeable lenses, and they mark the first step into 'serious' photography.

DSLRs are still considered the number one choice for 'serious' photographers, and they make great cameras for students too because they teach all the basic principles of photography without costing a fortune.

A DSLR is fundamentally different to the cameras covered so far because you can swap lenses. This is where digital cameras split into two main types.

So far we've been looking at so-called 'compact' cameras, though it would be more accurate to call them 'fixed lens' cameras, since they're often far from compact! This includes point-and-shoot cameras, action cameras, travel zooms, bridge cameras and high-end compacts.

But the second type is 'interchangeable lens' cameras, which is where you get into DSLR territory (and compact system cameras - more on these shortly).

Being able to change lenses really opens up a whole new world of photography. DSLRs often come with 'standard' zooms, or 'kit' lenses, which cover an everyday range of focal lengths, but you can also get telephotos, super-wideangle lenses, macro lenses for extreme close-ups, fisheye lenses and fast (wide aperture) prime lenses for atmospheric defocused backgrounds.

DSLRs are perfect for anyone who wants to take their photography more seriously, not just because you can change lenses, but because they have large APS-C sensors that deliver much better quality than the smaller sensors in most compact cameras. You also get full manual controls, the ability to shoot raw files and an optical viewfinder that gives you a bright, clear view of the scene in front of the camera.

Canon 1300D
Pros: Interchangeable lenses; full manual controls; raw files; APS-C sensor for a big step up in quality.

Cons: Big and bulky compared to most compact cameras; focusing in 'live view' on the rear screen is comparatively sluggish on most models.

Step 8: The mirrorless alternative

Mirrorless 'compact system cameras' also take interchangeable lenses and they're a new and fascinating alternative to DSLRs.

Until recently, the DSLR design was the only choice for photographers who wanted interchangeable lenses - but it has its drawbacks. The optical viewfinder on a DSLR is great, but if you want to use the LCD display to compose your shots, just like you would on a compact camera, they're much less effective. That's because to do this a DSLR has to flip up its mirror and swap to a slower, more laborious autofocus system.

So camera makers have introduced a new breed of 'mirrorless' cameras, also known as 'compact system cameras (CSCs). These are just like supersized compact cameras, but with bigger sensors and interchangeable lenses, just like DSLRs. The absence of a mirror means that the cameras can be made both smaller and lighter, and the latest models use new and more sophisticated autofocus systems that put them on a par with DSLRs.

All mirrorless cameras let you compose images on the rear screen with no loss of autofocus performance. Indeed, on many mirrorless cameras this is the only way to take pictures, because cheaper models don't have viewfinders.

It's worth paying the extra for a camera with a viewfinder, though, because these can be invaluable in bright light, where the glare can easily swamp the screen on the back. On a mirrorless camera, though, the viewfinder is electronic rather than optical. Electronic viewfinders can show you the image exactly as the sensor will capture it, but many still prefer the optical clarity of a DSLR viewfinder.

For the time being it looks as if DSLRs and mirrorless cameras will co-exist. Neither type is better than they other - they're really on a parallel path - so it really comes down to which type you prefer.

Fuji X-T10
Pros: Small and light; mechanically simpler than DSLRs; full time 'live view' with fast autofocus.

Cons: Some models don't have viewfinders; electronic viewfinders lack the clarity of a DSLR's optical system; so far, the range of lenses available is more limited, but is growing.

Step 9: Turning pro with a full-frame camera

Moving up to a full-frame camera brings a modest increase in quality and a big increase in price, so make sure it's worth it.

Most 'amateur' DSLRs and compact system cameras use APS-C size sensors. These are many times larger than the sensors in the average compact camera and deliver the kind of quality needed by professional photographers - or very nearly.

Although many professionals are perfectly happy with the quality they get from an APS-C format camera, it's more likely they'll go for a 'full-frame' camera (the frame is the same size as old 35mm film). These have sensors twice as large again as APS-C and deliver a further improvement in image quality. The differences are not always obvious, but at this level any improvement is useful.

You'll also need a full-frame camera if you want the very highest resolutions currently available - the latest holder of this record is the 50-megapixel Canon EOS 5DS.

Most full-frame cameras are DSLRs. Canon and Nikon make full-frame DSLRs aimed at serious professional users and cheaper full-frame models for advanced amateurs - so the full-frame format is not exclusively for pros.

Sony is following a different path with its full-frame A7-series compact system cameras, like the excellent Alpha 7R II. These look like regular DSLRs but they're more compact and have electronic rather than optical viewfinders. The mirrorless design and full-time live view makes them perfect for shooting video, too, and this is growing in importance as more and more pros find themselves asked to shoot video as well as stills.

Nikon D810
Pros: Maximum quality thanks to the full-frame sensor; often designed for tough, daily use; high resolution or high continuous shooting speeds a speciality

Cons: Expensive to buy and that goes for full frame lenses, too; pro models are bulky and heavy

Step 10: Making movies - a sideways step

Video-enabled DSLRs have replaced pro camcorders for many videographers, but it's mirrorless cameras which are now driving the technology forward.

Photography isn't just about still images any more. Traditionally, video has been seen as a completely separate subject with a different set of skills, but that's changing - and fast. It's as easy to shoot a video on your smartphone as it is to take a still, and almost all compact system cameras and DSLRs are capable of professional quality video that makes a dedicated camcorder unnecessary.

It all depends on what you want to shoot and what you want to do with it afterwards. If you want to share movies with your friends, a smartphone is ideal and can deliver surprising quality.

Phones aren't built to survive the rough and tumble of extreme sports, of course, but action cams are, and many TV companies use regular GoPro-style cameras to capture footage they could never have recorded with a conventional camera.

If you need to shoot commercial-quality video for your own projects or paying clients, both DSLRs and mirrorless cameras can do the job. DSLRs were the first to bring pro-quality movie modes and are still the favorites amongst pros, but mirrorless cameras are catching up and have key advantages; notably full-time live view with fast and smooth autofocus.

Panasonic GH4
And it's mirrorless cameras which are at the forefront of 4K video. Panasonic is pushing the idea of stills-from-movies with the likes of the GH4, and the ability to capture high-quality 8-megapixel stills at 30 frames per second as a by-product of the 4K video capability in its latest mirrorless cameras.

If you're choosing a camera for video, the normal rules about sensor size don't apply because even 4K video is at a lower resolution that still images. The key for video is processing power and camera design.

Right now, DSLRs are a good, conservative choice for movie makers shooting full HD, but mirrorless compact system cameras are the ones pushing back the boundaries of video, including 4K.

Mirrorless vs DSLR cameras: 10 key differences

So you want a decent camera that takes interchangeable lenses? A few years ago that was easy – you had to buy a DSLR. But then in 2009 Olympus launched its first mirrorless camera, the Pen E-P1, and everything changed.

Though it didn't change overnight. Mirrorless cameras are great in principle because they're smaller, lighter and mechanically simpler. They're also just like supersized compact cameras to use, whereas DSLRs are a bit of a jump from a regular compact.

Enthusiasts and pros, however, have taken a bit of convincing – first, that the image quality is good enough to match a DSLRs; second, that the features and handling are comparable; third and most important, that these cameras have, or will have, a proper range of lenses to match those already available for DSLRs.

So have mirrorless cameras done enough to be genuine DSLR rivals or, more to the point, are they already better? To help you decide, here are the key differences and what they mean for everyday photography.

1. Size and weight

DSLR vs mirrorless cameras
DSLR: Yes, they're fat and chunky, though this can be a help for big lenses (and big hands)
CSC: Yes, they are smaller and lighter, but the lenses (mostly) are just as big as a DSLR's
Small size is one of the big selling points for mirrorless cameras, but it doesn't always work out that way because what you actually have to take into account is the size of the camera body and lens combination. This is a problem for APS-C mirrorless cameras because you can get a nice slim body but a fat, heavy kit lens. Some now come with retractable or power-zoom lenses but that doesn't help when you have to swap to a different type of lens.

Panasonic and Olympus cameras have an advantage here. The Micro Four Thirds sensor format is smaller (which many photographers don't like) but this means the lenses are smaller and lighter too (which many do).

2. Lenses

DSLR vs mirrorless cameras
DSLR: Canon and Nikon have a massive lens range for every job, and Pentax is not far behind
CSC: Olympus, Panasonic and Sony have good ranges, Samsung is catching up, others are patchy
If you want the widest possible choice of lenses, then a Canon or Nikon DSLR is possibly the best best, but mirrorless cameras are gaining ground. Sony mirrorless cameras are well supported now – though more fast prime lenses and constant aperture zooms would help – and Panasonic and Olympus use the Micro Four Thirds format, which now has a large and established lens range behind it.

3. Viewfinders

DSLR vs mirrorless cameras
DSLR: Many still prefer an 'optical' view for its clarity, natural look and lag-free viewing
CSC: Others prefer to see a digital rendition of the scene as the camera will capture it
All DSLRs, even the cheapest, come with an optical viewfinder because it's an integral part of the DSLR design. However, many compact system cameras don't have viewfinders at all, so you have to use the rear LCD to compose photos, which doesn't always work so well in bright light.

Compact system cameras with viewfinders cost more, and these are electronic rather than optical viewfinders – they display the image direct from the sensor readout and not via an optical mirror/pentaprism system.

Electronic viewfinders are advancing in leaps and bounds, so the latest rarely show any pixelation or 'granularity', though there can often be a slight but visible 'lag' if you move the camera quickly.

The advantage of electronic viewfinders is that they can display a lot more information than an optical viewfinder, including live image histograms, for example. They can also simulate the digital image the camera will capture.

This simulation is not always perfect, however, and many photographers prefer to see the world with their own eyes as they compose the image and check the digital version on the LCD straight after it's been captured.

4. Autofocus

DSLRs use fast and efficient 'phase detection' autofocus modules mounted below the mirror in the body, but these only work while the mirror is down. If you're using a DSLR in live view mode, composing a picture or video on the LCD display, the mirror has to be flipped up and the regular AF module is no longer in the light path. Instead, DSLRs have to switch to a much slower contrast AF system using the image being captured by the sensor.

Some Canon DSLRs, notably the EOS 70D and EOS 7D Mark II (Dual PIxel AF) and EOS 750D and 760D (Hybrid CMOS AF) have hybrid AF using phase-detection pixels built into the sensor. This is designed to give faster autofocus in live view mode to close the gap on CSCs, but this technology is currently the exception for DSLRs rather than the rule.

CSCs have to use sensor-based autofocus all the time. Most are contrast AF based although, for whatever reason, these are much faster than equivalent contrast AF modes on DSLRs. More advanced CSCs have advanced 'hybrid' AF systems combining contrast autofocus with phase-detection pixels on the sensor, and the best are now so fast that they're getting pretty good at locking onto and following moving subject – the one area where DSLRs have, until now, had a clear advantage.

5. Continuous shooting

DSLR: The best DSLRs can no longer match the speeds of the best CSCs
CSC: The mirrorless design makes it easier to add high-speed shooting
You need a fast continuous shooting mode to capture action shots, and compact system cameras are streaking ahead here, partly because the mirrorless system means there are fewer moving parts and partly because many models are now pushing ahead into 4K video – this demands serious processing power, which helps with continuous shooting too.

To put this in perspective, Canon's top professional DSLR can shoot at 12 frames per second, but the mirrorless Samsung NX1 can shoot at 15fps. Panasonic, meanwhile, is pioneering the use of 4K video to capture 8-megapixel images at 30 frames per second.

6. Video

DSLR vs mirrorless cameras
DSLR: Massively popular with pros but, arguably, only because DSLRs got there first
CSC: 4K video becoming more common, better live view AF – this looks like the future
Most pros shooting video use a DSLR, but that says more about the rather conservative professional market than the technology. DSLRs were the first to offer professional HD and full HD video, together with a vast range of lenses and other accessories, and pros prefer systems with solid, long-term support.

But that was then. The industry is waking up to the potential offered by mirrorless technology, including 4K video (still yet to appear on consumer DSLRs), efficient live view autofocus and high-speed data readout and processing. The Panasonic GH4, for example, has had a big impact as a hybrid stills/video camera that's equally good in both roles, rather than a stills camera adapted to shoot video.

7. Features

DSLR vs mirrorless cameras
DSLR: Even entry-level models have full manual controls, and DSLRs are powerful cameras
CSC: They match DSLRs feature for feature, often going a step or two further
In terms of photographic features and controls, DSLRs and CSCs are hard to split. They all offer full manual control over exposure and focusing and can shoot raw files as well as JPEGs. In any one sector, such as entry-level cameras, enthusiast or pro models, the control layouts and capabilities are pretty similar. Entry-level DSLRs tend to hide away the manual controls under a layer of automation, but it's the same for CSCs.

Keep in mind the point about viewfinders, though – all DSLRs have viewfinders, but cheaper compact system cameras don't.

8. Image quality

DSLR vs mirrorless cameras
DSLR: DSLRs use the latest and best state of the art APS-C or full frame sensors
CSC: They use the same sensors, but there are also smaller formats for smaller cameras
There's nothing to choose here either. Currently, the highest resolution is in a DSLR, the 50Mp Canon EOS 5Ds, but the 42.5Mp Sony A7R II isn't far behind.

It's not just about megapixels, though, because the main factor in image quality is sensor size. Full frame sensors are the biggest and offer the best quality, while cameras with APS-C sensors are almost as good and much cheaper – and you can get these sensor sizes in both DSLRs and CSCs.

But the compact system camera market offers smaller formats too. The Micro Four Thirds format used by Panasonic and Olympus is smaller than APS-C, but so are the cameras and lenses. Nikon uses a 1-inch sensor in its Nikon 1 series cameras, but this is a much smaller sensor size that's yet to cut much ice with experts.

Overall, then, there's no intrinsic image image quality advantage in a DSLR, given that the same sensor sizes are available in compact system cameras too.

9. Battery life

DSLR vs mirrorless cameras
DSLR: 600-800 shots is average, better models can shoot over 1,000 shots on a charge
CSC: Much weaker, and typically around 300-400 shots.
You'll need spare batteries
Battery life comparisons might not be exciting, but they are important when the differences are as great as this. The Nikon D7200 DSLR, for example, can take 1,100 shots on a single charge, while the Fuji X-T1 CSC, a close match on paper, can only shoot 350 photos before the battery expires. This pattern is repeated across the range of DSLRs and CSCs.

It's not clear why. DSLR batteries are sometimes larger, though not always, and you might have thought that driving the mirror up and down for each shot would consume more power, and that that LCD display would be used just as much.

Apparently not, though, and this is one area where DSLRs do often have a substantial practical advantage.

10. Price

DSLR vs mirrorless cameras
DSLR: You get more for your money with a cheap DSLR than a cheap CSC
CSC: Cheap CSCs don't have viewfinders; those that do cost a good deal more
You might hope that the simpler design of a compact system camera would make them cheaper to buy, but that's not the case. If you want a fully-featured, 'proper' camera for the least money, then a DSLR is the cheapest option.

For example, the 24Mp Nikon D3300 DSLR has just about the best APS-C sensor currently on the market, an optical viewfinder (of course), decent manual controls and 700-shot battery life. Its nearest rivals on price in the compact system camera market can't match its resolution or its battery life and they don't have viewfinders.

In fact, the cheapest CSC with a viewfinder at the time of writing is the 16Mp Olympus OM-D E-M10, which currently sells for around 30% more than the Nikon D3300 – and it's only that cheap because it's just been superseded.

Once you get into enthusiast and pro market, however, the differences largely disappear – for any given amount of money you get broadly the same features, performance and power.

Mirrorless vs DSLR: the verdict

DSLR vs mirrorless cameras
DSLR: Sturdy, good value cameras offering old-school handling and top image quality
CSC: Smaller, technically more advanced and arguably the way forward
The technical differences between DSLRs and CSCs aren't the only things you need to consider, and may not even be the most important. The only way to decide once and for all is to pick them up and try them out to see which you prefer. You might prefer the fat, chunky feel and optical viewfinder of a DSLR or you might prefer the smaller bodies and more precise feel of a compact system camera.

For novices and those on a budget, a cheap digital SLR gives you more than a cheap compact system camera. Further up the price range, it's a close call, but you'd have to say that while some might prefer their handling and their viewing system, there are fewer and fewer technical reasons for the old DSLR format to stick around.

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Monday, 20 February 2017

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