The Best DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras for 2021
If you're feeling limited by what your point-and-shoot can do, there are plenty of reasons to consider an interchangeable lens camera (ILC), whether it be a traditional DSLR or a more modern mirrorless model. Compared with your phone or point-and-shoot, these advanced shooters feature larger image sensors, superior optics, robust manual controls, faster performance, and the versatility of changeable lenses.
All this functionality doesn't come cheap, though, and the cost of an ILC can add up, especially when you start factoring in lenses. You also need to remember that you're buying into a camera system. If you start with Canon, chances are that your next one will be as well, simply for the fact that you'll be able to make use of existing lenses and accessories. Here are the most important aspects to consider when you're shopping for a digital SLR.
Canon camera
Entry-Level DSLRs vs. Mirrorless Cameras
A decade ago, if you wanted a camera with interchangeable lenses, an SLR was really your only option. Times have changed. Today's mirrorless cameras, even those at the entry end of the price spectrum, are just as, if not more capable than an SLR at a comparable price. And while you can still buy a mirrorless camera without a built-in viewfinder, more and more low-cost models include the feature.
Our favorite entry-level ILC, the Fujifilm X-T30, has an autofocus system that runs circles around comparably priced SLRs, so it can track fast-moving subjects and keep them sharply in focus for every shot. It also shoots very high-quality 4K video, although it does omit in-body image stabilization (IBIS), a feature more common to pricier mirrorless mode
But there are reasons to opt for an SLR. If your eyesight isn't perfect, an optical viewfinder may prove to be a better match rather than an electronic one, or you may simply prefer their familiar feel or already have access to compatible lenses. When moving beyond entry-level, SLRs catch up to mirrorless in capability quickly, and typically offer a larger library of lenses and accessories from which to choose—although it's mainly in exotic, very expensive options offered by Canon and Nikon that the wider selection comes into play.
Most consumer ILCs use image sensors that, while much larger than those found in point-and-shoot cameras, are somewhat smaller than a 35mm film frame. This can be a bit confusing when talking about a camera's field of view, as focal lengths for compacts are often expressed in terms of 35mm equivalency. The standard APS-C sensor features a "crop factor" of 1.5x. This means that the 18-55mm kit lens that is bundled with most DSLRs covers a 35mm field of view equivalent to 27-82.5mm.
Micro Four Thirds, which has a 2x crop factor, is another popular mirrorless format, with cameras available from Olympus and Panasonic. Its kit lenses are typically around 14-42mm in design, but don't give you a wider view than an 18-55mm APS-C lens. Micro Four Thirds is the oldest mirrorless system, so there are plenty of lenses available. And even though the format is smaller than APS-C, it is significantly larger than a smartphone or point-and-shoot image sensor.
There are many inherent advantages to a larger sensor. It allows you to better control the depth of field in images, making it possible to isolate your subject and create a blurred background. This blur is often referred to by the Japanese term bokeh. Much has been written about the quality of the bokeh created by different lenses, but the general rule of thumb is that the more light a lens can capture—measured numerically as its aperture, or f-number—the blurrier the background can be. A lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.4 lets in eight times as much light as one of f/4, and can create a shallower depth of field at an equivalent focal length and shooting distance.
Another reason to go for the big sensor is to minimize image noise. A 24MP APS-C sensor has much larger pixels than a point-and-shoot of comparable resolution. These larger pixels allow the sensor to be set at a higher sensitivity, measured numerically as ISO, without creating as much image noise. An advantage to the larger surface area is that changes in color or brightness are more gradual than that of a point-and-shoot. This allows more natural-looking images with a greater sense of depth.
Some cameras feature sensors that are equal in size to 35mm film. These full-frame cameras are generally more expensive than their APS-C counterparts. If you see yourself moving up to a full frame in the future, be careful in buying lenses. Some are designed to be used with APS-C sensors, and either won't work at all with a full-frame body, or will work, but with reduced resolution.
It's very important to choose a camera that feels comfortable in your hands. While most DSLRs are similar in size and build, mirrorless cameras are more varied in design. Some are shaped much like SLRs, with an electronic viewfinder centered behind the lens mount. Others put the EVF in the corner, similar to the position of an optical finder in a rangefinder camera, and typically offer a smaller handgrip.
As a general rule of thumb, an SLR-style camera is a better fit for use with larger lenses. The centered viewfinder and sizable handgrip make balancing a big lens a bit more pleasant. Rangefinder-style cameras are better suited if you expect to use smaller zoom or prime lense
The camera you choose should be one that you are most comfortable using. If a DSLR is too big or small for you to hold comfortably, or if the controls are not laid out in a way that makes sense to you, chances are you won't enjoy using it as much as you should.
0 Comments