Knowing what's different about a mirrorless camera and a DSLR camera system is important to procure the right equipment for photographic needs. The main difference lies in the internal design: DSLRs follow a mirror mechanism for the light to reflect into an optical viewfinder, whereas mirrorless cameras do away with any mirror and opt for an electronic viewfinder or an LCD screen.

For this reason, mirrorless cameras are lighter, easier to take around, and faster, with silent shooting. They also allow previews of exposure. On the other hand, DSLRs have longer battery life and a wider compatibility range of lenses, more so for professionals already worked into certain ecosystems such as Canon or Nikon.

If heavy weight and wonder-tech autofocus matter to you, go for a mirrorless type. A rugged build and battery performance would weigh more to you if you were to lean toward keeping a DSLR. Knowing about the difference between mirrorless and DSLR camera types is a halfway point toward the decision-making process.