We’ve touched upon the massive shift in our industry from DSLR to mirrorless many times here on the site. Every week a new article comes out about a photographer switching to mirrorless, but the downsides of actually taking the leap are less talked about. Late last week we asked a simple question to our loyal community of 22,000 photographers:

What are the downsides of switching to mirrorless? 

The unexpected number of responses led us to create a new series here on SLR Lounge – Candid Chats. With such a brilliant group of photographers with years of experience and even more opinions, it would be a shame not to hear from each and every single one of them. This series is designed to use their thoughts to formulate an open and honest discussion regarding topics, decisions, and situations we face as photographers daily.

Here are some of the reasons why photographers are having a tough time switching to mirrorless systems and why some made the switch and reverting back to their DSLRs:

1. Battery Life

The most common culprit of switching over to mirrorless is hands down battery life across all social platforms. While companies like Fuji and Sony are now in the game of perfecting their mirrorless models, Nikon and Canon have just set foot into the arena with a long race ahead and a lot of catching up to do. For those looking to stay within their DSLR camera brands to make the switch easier, the latest models don’t offer equivalent or better results than their current DSLR systems.

2. Dirty Sensor

Some photographers complained that because of the exposed sensor while switching out lenses, mirrorless camera sensors acquire more dust over time. This means having to be consistent in cleaning your sensor, while some DSLR users only worry about this task several times a year, if that.

3. Expensive & Limited Lens Options

Another very obvious argument that can easily be refuted with a simple change in perspective is the expensiveness of switching systems. Seeing this as an investment for your line of work seems to be the most logical way to combat this, however, once you switch bodies you must also purchase lenses, accessories (batteries, camera straps, new bags, etc.) which will all inevitably add up.

With a new camera body comes the need for an entire arsenal of equipment. Lenses are already an expensive accessory required for every photographer and yet the current mirrorless systems lacks a variety for those on a budget. For example, Canon has a 50mm f/1.2, 50mm f/1.4, and a 50mm f/1.8. While this may be seen as excess, but its purpose is to create a pathway for beginners to learn and grow with the system. For someone just starting out in photography, there is no real need for a 24-70mm f/2.8 which is why most kits come ready with a 24-105mm f/4. You can of course use an lens adaptor to make use of your current lineup of lenses.

4. Size & Durability

DSLR units are known for their sturdy capabilities and durability over time. It is of no surprise that many users fail to switch to mirrorless because the current lineup doesn’t offer them the same type of security.

5. Interface Issues

Among the problems photographers listed, the electronic view finder was a noteworthy one. Switching from a DSLR viewfinder to the EVF is definitely a strange one, but not impossible.

While there may be some negative aspects to mirrorless systems, this new technology and interface is the future and is more than likely to take over a large part of the camera market. These 5 downsides, although lofty in their impact definitely have counter arguments that make mirrorless systems a formidable opponent to DSLRs. If you are looking to switch to a mirrorless camera, check out these resource articles:

To see our reviews on mirrorless cameras, check these out:

We want to hear from you! Sound off in the comments below if you agree with these sentiments or if you have you had better luck switching over to mirrorless?