Everything to know before buying your first interchangeable lens digital camera

Smartphone cameras have gotten so good that many people no longer see a need to buy a dedicated camera. “Why should I buy a camera when I have my phone?” is a more common question now than before. However, there are plenty of good reasons to choose a dedicated camera or an interchangeable lens camera (ILC) over your smartphone if the goal is to capture the best pictures one can get.

Apart from superior image quality, an interchangeable lens camera can also be used in a wider range of situations than your smartphone, and allows exceptional creative control. Despite plenty of reasons to buy an ILC, it’s a bit difficult narrowing down on your first one.

ALSO READ: Photography ideas to try with your new DSLR

From choosing between a DSLR or a mirrorless to finding that right combination of camera and lens, here are things you need to know before buying your first interchangeable lens digital camera.

Things to know before buying an interchangeable lens camera

Once you make the decision to take a leap from your smartphone to an interchangeable lens camera, here are the five most important things to consider.

1. Sensor

This is the most crucial factor of any camera and one that will dictate how you take and process photos. A larger sensor can gather more light to capture detailed images but cameras with larger sensors also tend to be more expensive. As far as digital cameras are concerned, there are three most common sensor formats: Four Thirds, APS-C, and Full Frame.

A full-frame sensor will allow a shallower depth of field and clearer images even in low-light conditions. An APS-C or four-thirds sensor might be smaller than a full-frame sensor but they offer the unique advantage of being lightweight and portable.

2. Lens system

All camera makers use their own proprietary lens mount, which won’t be compatible with other systems. So, while choosing your first interchangeable lens camera, it is important to choose a camera with a lens mount that not only accepts first-party lenses but also third-party lenses. While mirrorless ILC lacked the breadth of lens support enjoyed by DSLRs initially, they have gotten better and some models even tend to support legacy lenses.

3. Speed

In the world of cameras, speed is the rate at which you can click photos and is referred to as frames per second. The lack of mirrors and optical viewfinders allows mirrorless ILCs to shoot bursts of photos comparable to that of DSLRs used by professional sports photographers. If you plan to do sports photography or shoot fast-moving subjects, choosing one with a high frame rate will help.

4. Autofocus

Whether it’s a DSLR or a mirrorless camera, most modern cameras come with autofocus systems that can measure the distance to the subject. With a fast autofocus system, you will be able to rapidly refocus on moving subjects, and instead of being limited to a small number of points, these systems can focus anywhere across the image.

ALSO READ: Best mirrorless cameras in India in 2024

While looking for autofocus, it would be wise to check for features like eye tracking and systems capable of recognising subjects such as humans, cats, dogs, birds, vehicles, etc.

5. Image stabilisation

When you shoot with a camera, you might feel that the system is stable but our hands still shake, and to correct for that shake, most cameras have image stabilisation. This is helpful while shooting things in low light or from a distance and they are also useful while recording videos. The important thing to know here is that some cameras don’t include in-body stabilisation and instead rely on the stabilisation system built into the lens to correct for any shake or vibration. If your budget allows, go for a camera with in-body stabilisation.

Mirrorless interchangeable lens camera: How does it compare to a DSLR

When it comes to an ILC, you may be finding it difficult to choose between a mirrorless camera and a DSLR. Now, the mirrorless system is relatively new and has very quickly ascended to become a preferred camera system among a number of photographers. While they were once considered incapable of being used for sports photography, even that is changing fast. Here’s a look at how it compares to a DSLR:

1. Viewfinder

While an optical viewfinder on a DSLR gives a true-to-life view of the scene, the electronic viewfinder on a mirrorless camera gives a better preview of the photo you will get.

2. Autofocus:

This is the true strength of a mirrorless system with AF systems on mirrorless cameras being able to work around the frame and are extremely sophisticated. On a DSLR, all focus points tend to be near the centre of the image.

3. Size:

Since mirrorless cameras lack mirrors and optical viewfinders, they are generally more compact and lighter compared to their DSLR equivalent.

4. Versatility:

Mirrorless cameras can work consistently for both stills as well as videos while the lens system for them is usually designed with videography in mind. However, DSLRs are still the way to go if you want the best in terms of image quality.

5. Battery life:

DSLRs tend to last longer than mirrorless cameras since they don’t have to keep an electronic viewfinder on all the time, but several photographers don’t find this a deal breaker.

ALSO READ: A guide to mirrorless cameras

There are many advantages to choosing a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera over a DSLR especially due to the focus given to the category by camera manufacturers. It definitely seems to be the space where most R&D money is being spent and they are getting to a point where they can handle every type of photography. With the right set of features, you will also be able to foolproof yourself for several years.