Cameras have been around for more than a century. People have worked harder to create better quality ones. Now, newer cameras are mirrorless, meaning they don’t operate where the mirror displays a reflection to trap light to take the picture. Mirrored cameras, or DSLRs, still give out the same quality but just have a few more steps for certain types of photos. There have been a few disagreements within the United States about the discontinuation of the production of DSLRs

Within our school, there are multiple classes that use cameras for assignments. The Magpie team uses DSLRs to get photos for articles and social media posts. The Century Career Center has a digital photography class that uses mirrorless cameras to learn how to use one, the meaning of photography, and to help one pursue their future career. 

Career Center photography teacher Jennifer Walker has come to like mirrorless cameras better. 

 “I like mirrorless cameras better for my class because they are smaller and easier to handle for students who are just learning how to use the cameras,” Walker said. “They also have less cleaning involved and less damage that is likely to happen, so I think they will last us longer than our previous cameras did.”

Mirrorless cameras have a few cons that don’t necessarily outweigh their pros but can cause fewer purchases. They have a weaker battery life that can get in the way when doing events that take hours to days. The electronic viewfinder and autofocus drain the camera because of how much power it takes. Not only is the battery easier to drain, but even the camera itself is likely to have a shorter lifespan and may even show issues after years of use. 

The pros of mirrorless cameras almost balance the cons. They are lightweight and easy to store away, which is good for traveling. The shutter sound when focusing and shooting the photo is a quiet click that is an advantage for quiet events or photographing wildlife that is easy to scare.

A lot of the settings are more simplified and easier to find. Some people don’t like that due to having fewer options for photo styles.

“Not quite as many settings to choose from,” Walker said. “The fact that it already has different settings on them as far as editing, which I would rather not be accessible.”

DSLRs are older cameras that have been used by beginners and professionals over the years. They run almost the same way and have a few qualities to them that make them more sophisticated. They have a longer battery life, actually reflect natural lighting, and aren’t as expensive as mirrorless cameras. The camera base is even seen as a stronger material, whereas mirrorless cameras have been known to break easily.

“I think the mirrorless cameras are easier for the students to use,” Walker said. “However, I do think the body of the cameras were made a little cheaper, and I have had some things on them break already, which I did not have with the DSLR cameras.”

Though DSLRs may not be suitable for events that involve silence or a quiet ambiance, the shutter clicks to flip the camera, making a louder noise than is necessary. They are also seen as more difficult to handle due to size and involve more instructions to use certain modes.

“I am always up for bettering things,” Walker said. “The mirrored cameras will not last as long, just due to wear and tear, and without the mirrors, you do not have to worry about that so much. It  did take me a while to get used to, though, but once I did, I loved it.”