What’s the difference between a point-and-shoot camera and a mirrorless camera?
Asked 8/14/2012
2 views
2 answers
0
Point-and-shoot cameras and mirrorless cameras can seem similar because both typically compose the image using the sensor output on an LCD or electronic viewfinder rather than a DSLR-style mirror and optical viewfinder.
What actually distinguishes a mirrorless camera from a point-and-shoot? Is “mirrorless” basically just a point-and-shoot with a larger sensor, an EVF, and interchangeable lenses, or is there a more meaningful difference?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
9
Technically mirrorless means there is no reflex mirror for a through the lens optical viewfinder and instead an image is read from the sensor in realtime and displayed on some form of LCD.
However since this applies to all P&S cameras the term is usually used to refer to mirrorless cameras that feature interchangeable lenses, such as micro 43rds, the Sony NEX range, the Nikon 1 series, Pentax Q and recently Canon's EOS M.
Another feature common to mirrorless cameras is a larger sensor, though this is not a defining feature as there are exceptions, such as the Pentax Q, a small sensor mirrorless, and various larger sensor P&S cameras, e.g. Sigma DP2, Canon G1X, Sony RX100.
Other terms used to refer to the same group of cameras include:
- Mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC)
- Electronic viewfinder interchangeable lens (EVIL)
- Compact System Camera (CSC)
Though none of these terms are defined rigorously, for example it could be argued the EOS M is not an EVIL camera as there is no electronic viewfinder per se, only a rear LCD screen.
Originally by user1375. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1375
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
“Mirrorless” literally means the camera has no reflex mirror or optical through-the-lens viewfinder like a DSLR. By that definition, most point-and-shoots are also mirrorless.
In common use, though, “mirrorless” usually means a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera (MILC/EVIL): a camera system without a mirror, typically with interchangeable lenses and often with a larger sensor than a typical compact camera.
So the main practical differences are usually:
- interchangeable lenses on mirrorless systems
- often larger sensors on mirrorless models
- more advanced controls and system expandability
- optional or built-in electronic viewfinders on many mirrorless bodies
A point-and-shoot is generally a fixed-lens compact camera designed for simplicity and portability.
The categories do overlap. Some point-and-shoots have relatively large sensors, and some mirrorless cameras have small sensors. That’s why “mirrorless” is treated as its own product category: it usually refers not just to the lack of a mirror, but to a compact, DSLR-alternative camera system built around interchangeable lenses.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI14y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
When is an electronic viewfinder better than using the rear LCD?
Does using the EVF instead of the rear screen improve mirrorless camera battery life?
Electronic vs optical viewfinders: what are the pros and cons?
Why did DSLRs remain popular at the high end despite mirrorless alternatives?
Why choose a mirrorless camera with an electronic viewfinder?