Key Takeaways

DSLR vs. Mirrorless: The Great Debate

The photography world has largely shifted toward mirrorless systems, but DSLRs remain capable tools. Understanding the differences helps you choose wisely—especially if you're buying used gear or working within a budget.

Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR)

DSLRs use a mirror mechanism to reflect light from the lens up to an optical viewfinder. When you press the shutter, the mirror flips up, exposing the sensor.

Advantages for Wedding Work:

• Exceptional battery life (often 1,000+ shots per charge)
• Optical viewfinders work in any lighting condition
• Mature lens ecosystems with affordable used options
• Generally more affordable bodies, especially used
• Proven reliability in harsh conditions

Disadvantages:

• Larger and heavier than equivalent mirrorless bodies
• Slower autofocus in live view mode
• No real-time exposure preview in the viewfinder
• Mechanical complexity means more potential failure points

Mirrorless Cameras

Mirrorless cameras eliminate the mirror mechanism. Light passes directly to the sensor, which feeds a digital image to an electronic viewfinder (EVF) or rear screen.

Advantages for Wedding Work:

• Compact, lighter bodies reduce fatigue on long days
• Silent or near-silent shooting for ceremonies
• Real-time exposure preview—what you see is what you get
• Superior autofocus with eye-tracking and face detection
• Better video capabilities in most cases
• In-body image stabilization (IBIS) increasingly common

Disadvantages:

• Shorter battery life (plan for 300-500 shots per battery)
• EVF lag in very low light
• New systems mean fewer affordable used lenses

Understanding Sensor Size

Sensor size affects image quality, low-light performance, depth of field control, and the physical size of your lenses. For wedding work, this choice matters significantly.

Full-Frame Sensors (36mm x 24mm)

Full-frame sensors match the size of traditional 35mm film. They're the standard for professional wedding photography.

Benefits:

• Superior low-light performance: Larger photosites capture more light, resulting in cleaner high-ISO images—critical for dim reception halls and churches
• Shallower depth of field: Easier to achieve that creamy background blur that separates subjects from distracting backgrounds
• More dynamic range: Better ability to recover highlights and shadows in post-processing
• Higher resolution options: More megapixels for cropping flexibility and large prints

APS-C / Crop Sensors (~24mm x 16mm)

Crop sensors are smaller, creating a 1.5x or 1.6x "crop factor" that effectively magnifies the center of the lens's image circle.

Benefits:

• More affordable camera bodies
• Smaller, lighter lenses (designed for crop)
• Extra reach—a 200mm lens becomes ~300mm effective
• Acceptable for documentary-style shooting in good light

Limitations for Weddings:

• Noticeably more noise at high ISOs
• Harder to achieve shallow depth of field
• Less dynamic range for recovery in post

Medium Format

Some photographers work with medium format systems (sensors larger than full-frame). While the image quality is extraordinary, the cost, size, and workflow implications make them uncommon for wedding work. We won't cover them in detail here.

Essential Features for Wedding Cameras

Beyond sensor size and system type, certain features matter enormously for wedding work:

1. Dual Card Slots

Priority: Critical

Dual card slots allow you to write to two memory cards simultaneously. If one card fails, you have an instant backup. This is non-negotiable for professional wedding work. Every frame gets saved twice.

2. High ISO Performance

Priority: Critical

Wedding venues often have terrible lighting—dim churches, mixed-color reception halls, candlelit dinners. You need a camera that produces clean images at ISO 3200-6400 and usable images at ISO 12800+.

3. Fast, Accurate Autofocus

Priority: Critical

Modern mirrorless cameras offer eye-tracking AF that locks onto subjects' eyes and tracks them through the frame. This is transformative for wedding work—no more missed focus on moving subjects.

4. Weather Sealing

Priority: High

Rain happens. Beach spray happens. Champagne gets popped near your camera. Weather-sealed bodies give you peace of mind and protect your investment.

5. Video Capabilities

Priority: High (if offering video)

If you're offering hybrid photo/video services, your camera needs:

• 4K video recording (minimum)
• 60fps capability for slow motion
• No recording time limits
• Clean HDMI output for external recording
• Good rolling shutter performance
• In-body image stabilization (IBIS)

6. Battery Life

Priority: Medium-High

Wedding days are long. While mirrorless cameras have shorter battery life than DSLRs, most professionals simply carry 4-6 batteries and swap throughout the day. Battery grips can double capacity.

The Two-Body System

Professional wedding photographers carry at least two camera bodies. This serves multiple purposes:

1. Backup: If your primary camera fails, you can continue shooting
2. Dual focal lengths: Mount different lenses on each body to avoid lens changes during fast-moving moments
3. Specialized roles: Keep one body optimized for photos, another for video

Matching Bodies vs. Mixed Setup

Matching Bodies (Recommended): Two identical cameras mean identical controls, menus, and performance. Switching between them is seamless.

Mixed Setup: Some photographers pair a high-resolution body with a high-speed body, or keep an older model as backup. This can work but requires familiarity with both systems.

Recommended Wedding Cameras (2024-2025)

Here are proven cameras across different budget levels:

Buying Used: Smart Strategies

Used cameras offer excellent value. Previous-generation flagships often outperform current entry-level bodies. Consider:

• Sony A7 III: Still very capable, available around $1,200-1,400 used
• Canon EOS R6 (original): Excellent performance, ~$1,500-1,700 used
• Nikon Z6 II: Great value around $1,300-1,500 used
• Canon 5D Mark IV: DSLR classic, ~$1,200-1,500 used

Hawaii-Specific Camera Considerations

Summary

Choosing a camera body comes down to balancing budget, features, and system ecosystem. For wedding photography:

• Prioritize full-frame sensors for low-light performance and professional image quality
• Require dual card slots on any camera serving as your primary body
• Invest in mirrorless if buying new—the autofocus and video advantages are significant
• Plan for two bodies from the start—backup is non-negotiable
• Consider used gear to maximize value, especially for backup bodies

Your camera is a tool. The best camera is the one you know intimately and can operate without thinking. Once you choose your system, commit to learning it deeply.