This isn't a specific what should I buy thread, more a way to gather peoples thoughts on mirrored vs mirrorless I guess. I'm planning on getting a DSLR when I graduate in the summer, as a present to myself more than anything. I've always liked taking photos, never had the time and money to do anything with the desire. In my extensive research, I've seen a lot of articles saying they think mirrorless is going to take over the world, some saying mirrors will never be replaced and not a lot of balanced, in-between stuff! Much like trying to find a balanced canon/nikon comparison!
So. I ask the people of TP, what's the benefit of one over the other? Aside from the obvious such as weight and size, and from a beginner who has no equipment or allegiance to any brand or system!
Everyone have different ways of taking photos. Both of them have their pros and cons over each other, as always, it tend to be up to the photographer how he/she feels about holding the camera and using the camera, never mind what the camera is supposed to have that the other one don't have.
Some may find the mirrorless system to be easier to handle because of its size and weight, some may find the LCD screen on the back much better to view and aim, some may find it small and compact enough to put in bag or whatever you use to carry it around, etc., etc.,
But some may find a DSLR of benefit mainly because you are pointing it at the subject you wish to shoot, a human nature to aim the camera at the subject with ease, maybe like aiming a rifle, which is much quicker than attempt to fine adjust your arms and hands while holding a mirrorless, it may be a case of needing to move your right/left hand up/down/forward/backwards some more to get the right view. It takes a lot of time to improve with speed.
I remembered the time I bought a second hand TTL with the viewfinder on the top and you have to look down, and when the subject moved to my left, it looked like it went to the right in the viewfinder, so I would have mistakenly pan the camera to the right, only to have to double back and pan to the other way. With a SLR, you see what the lens see, you see the subject move, you're more likely to move your head while the camera is right in front of you, it's like moving the camera with the head.
I have a digital compact camera and used the LCD, but found it takes bit of time to make sure I frame it right, but when I used the viewfinder, I found it easier to aim quicker.
However some mirrorless may actually do have viewfinders, so you could still handle it same as you do with SLR.
Well, it's just me, if I wanted to consider DSLR v Mirrorless, I'm most likely to want DSLR for general photography, and mirrorless for tight spaces, very low level, macro, or being used as a compact camera or a back up to the DSLR.
And by the way, you could opt for some of the manufacturers whose mirrorless can use via adaptor the use of lenses for DSLR.
It really boils down to one thing, no matter what the cameras are, they're just tools, it is how you feel holding them.