I wouldn’t spend any excessive amount of time debating whether to get an SLR or a mirrorless camera. You’ll notice a big improvement over your smartphone with e

I wouldn’t spend any excessive amount of time debating whether to get an SLR or a mirrorless camera. You’ll notice a big improvement over your smartphone with either. DSLRs can often be purchased used for cheaper and have better battery life, but mirrorless cameras are much smaller (the adage about the best camera being the one you have with you applies). I also wouldn’t focus on getting the latest tech. I have a Nikon D80 from 2006 that, although it has a 10MP CCD sensor, which has a high noise floor and a low top ISO, is a perfectly functional camera that I use all the time. If you have a camera store in your area, ask to see their used DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. You’re much better off spending less on the camera body and getting a few more lenses than you would be getting a top-of-the-line body and a junky kit lens. For three- to five-year-old cameras, DSLRs might be a better deal, and the standard SLR mount lenses are much more common and should be cheaper.