Are DSLRs Worth It Now In 2026? Here’s The Truth

It's 2026 & you're wondering if DSLRs are still worth it. Here's the truth, it depends on your goals, experience, and unsurprisingly your budget. DSLR cameras still have a lot of advantages over mirrorless cameras.

First, their battery life is generally longer assuming you're not using live-view all the time. Second, you can see better in low-light situations through a DSLR viewfinder. In addition, DSLRs offer a lot of unique characteristics that we'll talk about here.

If you're not sure what a DSLR is, read this article.

DSLRs Are Worth It in 2026, Here's Why

You're looking to buy a new camera. You're here because you want to know if DSLRs are still worth buying today. Here is why they absolutely are still worth it.

DSLR Battery Life

Mirrorless cameras draw a lot more power. Therefore DSLR batteries last a lot longer.

Mirrorless cameras have small video screens in the viewfinder. In addition, the screen on the back of mirrorless cameras tends to be on a lot more often. Finally, the auto-focus in mirrorless cameras is integrated into the sensor. Plus, the sensor needs to be on in order to show you any image.

Contrast all of the above with the fact that DSLR viewfinders show you what the lens sees via reflections in a mirror. Too, the autofocus sensor on DSLRs draws far less power and tends to shut off fairly quickly between shots. As a result, DSLRs are not only drawing less power they're using it more efficiently by design.

DSLRs Low Light Advantages

As mentioned above, mirrorless cameras have a screen in place of the mirror in the viewfinder. This means that you're seeing what the sensor sees. Generally, in low light situations, the amount of noise in these viewfinders can make them all but impossible to use.

DSLRs are simply bouncing the light coming in through the lens. As a result, as long as there is enough light for you to see what is happening you can more easily focus and compose with a DSLR in low light situations.

More Lens Choices

DSLR cameras were built off of technology first devised in the 1800s. In their modern form they're built off a platform which continuously evolved over nearly 100 years. SLR cameras were first invented in the 1860s. However, they were first popularized and mass marketed in the 1930s.

So, DSLRs are just the digitization of the SLR platform. Their longevity has the added benefit of a plethora of camera lenses being available for most manufacturer's DSLRs. Of course, lesser known brands will have fewer lenses. That said, Canon, Nikon, and other big brands have hundreds of lenses designed specifically for their DSLRs or SLR cameras.

Now, you might be saying, hold on, those same lenses can be adapted to mirrorless cameras. Of course you're correct.

However, those are not the cameras said lenses were designed to work on and therefore they're less perfect than the lenses designed specifically for those mirrorless cameras. As a result, there are fewer dedicated lenses for each mirrorless manufacturer's system even if there are more lenses overall.

Ergonomic Differences

DSLR cameras evolution included big changes to their ergonomics. You can see this very clearly in vintage styled cameras such as the Nikon Zf mirrorless camera. Older SLR cameras that the Zf borrows from didn't include the right-hand grip that modern DSLRs have.

In addition, modern mirrorless cameras styled after modern DSLRs often do have those grips. However, mirrorless camera grips tend to be smaller. Of course, this won't be an issue if you're hands are smaller. In fact, it might be a big benefit. However, if you have big meaty bear claws like I do then your hand can cramp up from holding a mirrorless camera for too long.

Complete Upgrades

Nearly everyone I know who has moved to mirrorless from DSLRs has completely switched out their system. They've often gone from Nikon or Canon DSLRs to Sony mirrorless. Too, some have gone with the Olympus OM system to reduce weight due to arthritis or for more compact travel.

Completely upgrading your camera system, getting new lenses, selling your old gear, etc. takes a big investment. Therefore, if you're already a DSLR user it makes a lot of sense to stick with your same brand and just buy a newer and better DSLR.

All that being said, if you don't already own a camera and a bunch of lenses then starting with mirrorless might make more sense. Of course, that depends on other factors with the biggest one being your budget.

Price Differences

Manufacturers have largely if not completely stopped making new DSLRs. Instead they're focused on a mirrorless only future. To be clear, I don't mind this. As the technology advances they'll overcome most of the issues I've listed above. However, for 2026 it still makes sense to look at DSLRs.

In fact, if price is a big issue for you then you'll find that comparable DSLRs are less expensive than their mirrorless counterparts. This is true across price-points. Therefore, if your budget is a big factor in what you're buying consider a DSLR.

In Conclusion

Buying a DSLR in 2026 still makes a ton of sense. However, the circumstances matter. I hope that you've enjoyed this article and I encourage you to check out my Youtube channel where I'm publishing lots of videos to help you improve your photography skills.