

On-sensor autofocus is free of the adjustment requirements of the indirect focusing system of the DSLR (which relies on a separate autofocus sensor located below the reflex mirror), and as of 2018 mirrorless cameras could shoot with phase-detect autofocus at up to 20 frames per second using up to 693 focus points-a number far exceeding what was available on any DSLR. But compared with DSLRs, mirrorless cameras have shorter battery life (due to prolonged use of LCD and/or OLED displays, necessary for the viewfinder) and often smaller buffers (to save battery). With the latest phase-detect autofocus available on some mirrorless cameras, the autofocus speed and accuracy of some models has been shown to be as good as DSLRs. Moreover, the electronic viewfinder can provide live depth of field preview, can show a poorly-illuminated subject how it would look with correct exposure in real time, and makes it easier to view the results of an exposure in bright sunlight.

This includes the ability to show a focus-peaking display, zebra patterning, and face or eye tracking. The fact that the image from the lens is always projected onto the image sensor allows for features that are only available in DSLRs when their mirror is locked up into "live view" mode. Until the mid 2010s mirrorless cameras were somewhat challenged to provide an electronic viewfinder with the clarity and low-lag responsiveness of the optical viewfinders used on DSLRs, especially under strong sunlight or when photographing the sky at night. While nearly all mirrorless cameras still have a mechanical shutter, many also have an electronic shutter, allowing completely silent operation. Overview Ĭompared to DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras are mechanically simpler and are typically smaller, lighter, and quieter due to the elimination of the moving mirror. Other terms include electronic viewfinder interchangeable lens ( EVIL) cameras and compact system cameras (CSCs). This latter name highlights their connection to DSLRs. Mirrorless cameras are sometimes referred to as mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras ( MILC), or digital single-lens mirrorless ( DSLM) cameras.
