Mirrorless vs. DSLR in 2025: My Real‑World Experience (Plus One Very Confused Pigeon)

Once upon a time, I cradled a DSLR like it was sacred treasure. My Canon 800D had been through thick and thin—sunrises, street protests, family holidays, and at least one occasion where a seagull nearly claimed it as a perch. It was my photographic sidekick, and we had history.

Shot on my Canon 800D — a quiet moment of joy between a woman and her best friend. Proof that gear might change, but connection stays timeless.

Then my mum gifted me the Canon R6 Mark II—bless her. A generous act that set me on a collision course with modern photography tech.

It was like trading in a reliable hatchback for a turbo‑charged electric sports car. Lighter, faster, smarter… and with just enough new buttons to keep me mildly panicked during the first few weeks.

So here we are—2025. One foot still fondly planted in DSLR memories, the other enthusiastically stepping into the mirrorless future. Here’s my no‑nonsense, hands‑on comparison—pigeons, trips, tantrums, and all.

Captured on my Canon 800D — a moment of calm in a world that never stops growing. The gardener waters with purpose, beneath a tree that looks like it’s holding the sky.

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Size & Weight: My Back Sends Its Regards

Let’s just say I no longer feel like I’m lugging a kettlebell around Southampton High Street. The R6 Mark II is light and compact, especially when paired with the RF 35mm 1.8 or RF 24‑105.

This has changed the game for candid street photography. Less bulk = more discreet = more natural shots = fewer awkward glares from strangers who think I’m from MI5.

Also worth noting: I can now carry a full day’s kit and emergency pigeon snacks without resembling a tortoise in distress.

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Autofocus: Sorcery, Basically

The eye-tracking on the R6 Mark II is nothing short of magic. My hit rate with moving subjects—people mid-laugh, kids running, even an erratic squirrel—has skyrocketed.

Shot on the Canon R6 Mark II — a fraction of a second frozen in mid-air, where gravity pauses and style takes over.

DSLR autofocus always felt like a suggestion. Mirrorless says, “I got you,” and actually delivers.

One street shot I took last month: a man in a trilby walking through rain with his collie. On my old DSLR, I would’ve had focus on the umbrella or the lamppost. With mirrorless? Razor sharp on his eyes. Umbrella be damned.

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Battery Life: Mirrorless’ Slight Diva Moment

Ah, the Achilles heel. My DSLR could run on fumes. Mirrorless? Not even close.

I now carry spare batteries like snacks. Probably more, actually—I’ve never once eaten four spare flapjacks in a single day, but I have burned through four LP-E6NHs.

If you’re switching, just budget for extras. And maybe a small battery-shaped pouch labelled “Emergency Juice.”

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Viewfinder Showdown: What You See Is What You Get

I loved the optical viewfinder on my DSLR—bright, clean, and pure.

But the R6’s EVF lets me see my exposure, white balance, and live histogram as I compose. No more chimping every three seconds. It took a week to adjust, but now I can’t go back.

Bonus: you can review images without taking the camera away from your eye. Great for discreet people-watching… or pigeon-tracking.

No need to take a test shot to check exposure—the mirrorless system shows you the actual image as you compose it, in real time.

Captured on the Canon R6 Mark II — where light spills softly from a hobbit‑hole retreat and the night holds its breath

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Lenses & The Wallet Pain

Here’s where things get interesting—and expensive.

I’ve kept some EF lenses with the adapter, and they work surprisingly well. But the RF glass? Chef’s kiss. The sharpness, speed, and image rendering are top-tier. It’s the photographic equivalent of hearing your favourite song on vinyl instead of cassette.

That said, I’ve had to introduce a new phrase into my financial vocabulary: RF Justification Maths. It’s where you convince yourself that buying a £600 lens is fine because you didn’t order takeaway for three weeks. (And maybe stole Leanne’s leftover pizza.)

Honestly, for the price of some top-end RF lenses, I could buy a new motorcycle. And still have change for a helmet. There’s something fundamentally odd about a lens costing more than the camera body itself.

The affordable lens options on the Canon DSLR system—especially third-party choices—are unmatched. For budget-conscious beginners or hobbyists, DSLR still has the edge here.

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But Is DSLR Still Relevant in 2025?

Honestly, yes—for some people.

If you’re just getting started or already own a solid DSLR setup, don’t panic. DSLRs still produce beautiful images. The gap in image quality isn’t as vast as the marketing teams would have you believe—unless you’re shooting fast, in low light, or need cutting-edge tracking.

That said, learning photography on a DSLR comes with major advantages. Without the bells and whistles of a modern mirrorless system, you’re forced to really understand exposure, metering, and composition. It teaches you the fundamentals, whether you like it or not.

I still take my Canon 800D out now and then—just to slow it down, get back to basics, and compose with purpose.

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So… Would I Go Back?

Nope.

Mirrorless has its quirks, but once you adapt, it’s hard to give up the speed, flexibility, and portability. The Canon R6 Mark II has helped me shoot more intuitively—and more often. My creativity feels sharper. My back definitely feels better.

And as for the pigeon? He’s still confused. Mostly because I tried to shoot wide open at f/1.8 while crouched under a bench. He didn’t sign a model release, but he did offer a head tilt of approval. I took that as a win.

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Final Thoughts

Both systems have their place. What matters most is what you want to shoot, how you like to shoot, and whether or not your camera bag doubles as a gym session.

But if you’re thinking of making the switch in 2025, my advice is simple: do it. Learn the quirks, buy a second battery, and watch your photography evolve.

And whatever system you choose—keep your snacks hidden. The pigeons are always watching.