Which Camera Do I Need: Digital, Mirrorless & Instant Cameras

What are Digital Cameras (DSLR)?

Digital SLR Cameras are characterised by the use of a mirror to direct the image from the lens to the viewfinder. This mirror flips up when you take the shot, allowing the light to hit the image sensor. What you see in the viewfinder is a preview. DSLR Cameras typically offer professional versatility as they are compatible with many lens types.

Best for: experienced and professional photographers as DSLR cameras enable more manual control to achieve professional results

What are Mirrorless Cameras?

As their name suggests, Mirrorless Cameras don’t use a mirror and so what you see in the electronic viewfinder or LCD touchscreen is a live view of what you are shooting. When compared to Digital SLR cameras, mirrorless cameras are much smaller in size and weigh less thanks to the absence of the mirror.

Best for: beginners, travellers, and content creators thanks to its compact and lightweight size and simple-to-use design

What are Instant Cameras?
Instant Cameras use a self-developing film which creates a chemically developed print shortly after the photo has been taken. Simple to use, Instant Cameras have easy controls to enable quick and fun shooting that just require a ‘point and shoot’ technique. Next-generation Instant Cameras may have more settings such as film and image effects, a selfie mode or mirror as well as Bluetooth connectivity to wirelessly connect to and print smartphone images.

Best for: kids, families, beginner photographers and for sharing and capturing events such as parties, road trips and weddings

DSLR vs Mirrorless vs Instant Cameras: A Quick Comparison

Our Top Picks

Digital SLR

CANON EOS 200D MARK II DIGITAL SLR CAMERA + 18-55MM LENS KIT

X

SKU:EOS 200D MARK II

EOS 200D Mark II Digital SLR Camera + 18-55mm Lens Kit

View Product

High Performing & Compact

One of Canon’s lightest DSLR cameras on the market, the EOS 200D Mark II is also the easiest camera to use, making it suitable for beginners. The EOS 200D Mark II hosts a range of functions and features that photographers of all levels will appreciate:

• 1MP CMOS Sensor
• 5 frames per second continuous shooting
• Guided Display Mode helps you learn as you shoot
• Eye detect autofocus
• 3” Vari-angle touch LCD screen
• Film recording in HD, Full HD and 4K resolution + 4K time-lapse
• Self-portrait mode with 5 levels of skin smoothing
• Shoot and share instantly via the Canon Camera Connect App

Mirrorless

NIKON Z 6II MIRRORLESS CAMERA + NIKKOR Z 24-70MM F/4 S LENS KIT

X

SKU:VOK060XA

Z 6II Mirrorless Camera + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S Lens Kit

View Product

All-Around Performance
Achieve great stills and videos in all types of environments with the high-performing and weather resistant design of the Nikon Z 6II Mirrorless Camera. Photographers of all experience levels shooting a range of subject and scenes will benefit from the camera’s functions:

• 5MP CMOS Sensor
• High-speed continuous shooting of 14 frames per second
• 273-point hybrid autofocus (AF) system
• Eye-detection and animal-detection AF
• Built-in camera vibration reduction (VR) and Sports VR mode
• Video recording in 4K Ultra HD at 60p
• Dual card slots, supporting CFexpress (Type B) and UHS-II SD cards
• Weather sealed body to keep dust, grime and moisture out

PANASONIC LUMIX GH6 MIRRORLESS CAMERA (BODY ONLY)

Tiny Tech, Mighty Spec
Great photography and videography performance combines with mobility and rugged design that makes Panasonic’s Lumix GH6 perfect for anyone on the go. Suitable for use in all types of weather conditions, achieve a beautiful range of results with the camera’s high-quality features:

• 2MP LIVE MOS Sensor
• High-Resolution mode with 100MP images
• Built-in 7.5 stops of image stabilisation (I.S)
• 5-Axis Dual I.S.2 when used with tripods and gimbals
• C4K (Cinema 4K) 120p, all without crop
• Other video recording options: C4K 60p, 4K 120p, Full HD 240p and 5.7K 50/60p
• Supports recording in Apple ProRes HQ
• OLED viewfinder and a free-angle touch LCD
• 5GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
• Double memory card slot enables recording on both CFexpress Card and SD Memory Card
• Splash, dust and freeze proof down to -10°C

Instant

FUJIFILM INSTAX MINI EVO INSTANT CAMERA (BLACK)

Your World is Your Studio
The Instax Mini Evo lets you indulge in a reimagined instant photography experience. Point, shoot and enjoy many ways to personalise your prints. Best of all, the Instax Mini Evo can also print smartphone images, providing greater creative versatility, right in the middle of your hands. Fall in love with instant photography again:

• 100 creative expressions with 10x lens effects and 10x film effects
• Lens effects include: Normal, Soft Focus, Mirror and Fisheye
• Film effects include: Vivid, Pale, Monochrome and Retro
• Micro SD card slot
• 3” TFT colour LCD screen
• Built-in selfie mirror
• Traditional or enhanced images with the ‘instax-Natural mode’ and the ‘instax-Rich Mode’
• Bluetooth connectivity and compatible with the instax mini Evo app
• Use the app to:
  • print smartphone photos
  • save images from the instax to your smartphone
  • remotely control the instax via your smartphone

More Cameras to Love

With many brands, models, and colours available, finding the right camera might not always be an easy task. Then there’s the task of deciding which camera type is the perfect match. Our Cameras Buying Guide will help you figure out which is best for your photography and artistic needs. And once you’re ready, you can browse all the cameras on the link below.

BROWSE CAMERAS