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When weighing up how to choose the best mirrorless cameras for you, you'll need to consider a few things. Firstly think about what features you actually want and (perhaps more importantly) need — a lot of this will come down to experience level, which is why we've broken down our guide into cameras for beginners, enthusiasts and advanced users. Then, you can think about budget, as there are a range of cameras and prices in each category, and weigh up whether that extra spend on a pricier will be worth it, if you need certain features.
If that all sounds daunting, don't worry: we're here to help. Read on to see our pick of the best mirrorless cameras.
The best mirrorless cameras you can buy today
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Here are our picks of the best mirrorless cameras you can buy today. We've broken down this list using a range of handy criteria, to help you choose the best camera for you.
The best mirrorless cameras for beginners
The Canon EOS R50 is our pick for the best mirrorless camera for beginners and vloggers. It's small and lightweight to come with you wherever your new photography or vlogging passion takes you. Meanwhile, it's well built, so it should last until you're ready to upgrade in the future.
It delivers beautiful stills, 4K video in 30p, natural colors straight out of camera, and Canon's ferocious autofocusing system. Indeed, it's the AF which really seals this camera as the best for beginners, as Canon has essentially packed into the R50 an (only slightly) slimmed down version of the AF found in its high end professional bodies — which is epic. There's also a flip out screen for vlogging, a dedicated product mode for demos and great vlogging and beginner kit options.
As with any beginner camera, there are a few compromises. It's a little pricey for a beginner body, and this is because realistically it isn't aimed at total newcomers. However, we think the features the R50 packs warrant the extra spend over the actual Canon entry-level body, the EOS R100, which is very basic. It could do with a few more direct controls on the body and when shooting at maximum resolution, the camera did start to overheat. None of these things change the fact that this is still a really great starter camera that will last you a while!
Read more in our Canon EOS R50 review.
The best mirrorless camera for street photography
The Fujifilm X100VI is the best compact camera you can buy and the ultimate street photography camera (so long as you can find one). Fujifilm has experienced insane levels of demand for this camera, just like it did for its predecessor, the X100V, meaning the X100VI is rarer than hen’s teeth. If you can get your hands on one, though, it’s definitely worth it, especially if you're a fan of street photography.
The X100VI packs Fujifilm’s latest and greatest technology, including the 40.2MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HR image sensor, intelligent hybrid AF with numerous detection and tracking modes, and in-body image stabilization (IBIS). Surprisingly, Fuji have been able to add IBIS without sacrificing size or weight, as the X100VI is only a fraction bigger than the X100V.
As a rangefinder style retro, this camera features tactile control dials, which not only look good, but offer an engaging shooting experience, too, making this one of the ultimate cameras for street photography. Its fixed 23mm lens offers a field of view equivalent to a 35mm lens on a full frame camera, which is ideal for street, travel or documentary photography. Fuji offers lens adapters if you’d prefer a wider or more telephoto field of view, but if you’d like the ability to switch lenses, consider the Fujifilm X-T5 if you’re happy to sacrifice the rangefinder form factor. If you’d like a rangefinder style ILC, the X-E4 is a great choice, if you’re happy to use Fuji’s older AF system, 26MP sensor and go without IBIS.
Read our full Fujifilm X100VI review.
The best mirrorless camera for vloggers
For vloggers who want a compact, easy-to-use camera, the Sony ZV-E10 II is a our top choice. The ZV-E10 II succeeds the first-gen model and introduces some useful upgrades, such as 4K/60P 10-bit recording, advanced autofocus that can reliably track humans, birds and animals, and a bigger and better battery life. It has an intuitive design and creative modes, such as CineVlog and Product Showcase Focus, make capturing professional-quality content easy.
In our testing, the camera’s hybrid AF system — which uses phase-detection and contrast-detection AF — reliably tracked birds and humans, both in stills and video. Images produced by the 26MP sensor were detailed and sharp with plenty of detail even when zoomed into. The Fujifilm X-S20 has a slightly higher-res 26.1MP sensor, but when compared to the Nikon Z 30’s 20.9MP sensor, the ZV-E10 II comes out on top.
The battery life impressed us too, as a single charge was able to deliver over 600 stills. When it came to video, a single charge delivered approximately 100 minutes of 4K/60P video, despite short periods of overheating. The ZV-E10 II’s battery performed better than the Canon EOS R10’s 430-shot and the Z 30’s 330-shot batteries.
The absence of a viewfinder may frustrate photographers, as you need to rely on the LCD screen which isn’t always reliable in bright conditions. Lack of weather-sealing also limits outdoor use, so consider stepping up to the Sony a6700 instead. The ZV-E10 II’s stabilization mode adds a significant crop to videos too, so for those who may find that disappointing, it’s best to use a wide-angle lens.
Regardless of its minor faults, the ZV-E10 II is a strong contender in the vlogging gear market. Its hybrid autofocus, video prowess and long battery life will satisfy content creators looking for a lightweight, versatile camera.
Read our full Sony ZV-E10 II review.
The best mirrorless camera for film lovers
The Fujifilm X-T50 is the best mirrorless camera for film lovers, thanks to its dedicated film simulation dial to recreate classic film stock of old. This sim dial replaces the Drive dial found on older models, so you can quickly switch between simulation recipes as and when required. All of this is housed in a premium retro-looking body that feels sturdy to hold. It's also compact and lightweight, though, making it a fantastic camera for street and travel photography enthusiasts.
The X-T50 has a large 40.2MP sensor that delivers beautiful stills and shoots video in 6.2K at 30P and 4K at 60P. It takes what the X-T30 II did right and improves on its flaws, adding improved autofocus performance and subject detection which can now track insects. With 5-stops of in-body image stabilization, you can rest assured your stills and videos will be smooth.
The X-T50 doesn’t have a lot that’s wrong with it, but its battery life will leave you feeling shortchanged. It has a CIPA rating of 390 shots when shooting in eco mode, and that’s nearly not as much as the Fujifilm X-S20 (750 shots) or the advanced Fujifilm X-T5 (740 shots). Unlike the Sony a6700, the X-T50 isn’t weather-sealed either so be wary of shooting in the rain for long periods.
If you’re looking for a great all-rounder but don’t want to shell out the extra $300 on the X-T5, the X-T50 will serve you well.
Read our full Fujifilm X-T50 review.
The best mid-range mirrorless camera for video
The Sony a6700 is the long-await successor to the a6600, and is the best video camera for most people. If you want to produce high quality video — perhaps for YouTube — without needing to remortgage your home, the a6700 is for you.
This camera packs incredible autofocus, 4K video oversampled from 6K at 60p, and can shoot 120fps slow motion at 4K. It's built beautifully, can take lovely photos and also gives you access to the huge number of Sony E-Mount lenses. There's also an awesome Auto Framing mode which gives solo shooters the effect of having a camera operator follow them through frame.
The drawbacks? There aren't many. The EVF isn't the best in the price range, and there's no focus joystick on the back, which is a pain, particularly for photography. If you're relying on your video camera for any paid work, then the single UHS-II card slot is a big issue, as you won't have a backup of your footage or photos if your SD card goes kaput.
The main rival of the a6700 is the Fujifilm X-S20. The Fuji is better for stills and vloggers, thanks to its Product Priority Mode, but the a6700 has it pipped (just) for enthusiast videography thanks to the 4K/120fps recording and humungous range of lenses (although you won't be short of lenses with the Fuji).
Read our full Sony a6700 review.
The best mid-range full frame mirrorless camera
The Canon EOS R8 the best mid-range full frame camera. The R8 is the spiritual successor to the EOS RP, Canon's previous 'entry level' full-frame mirrorless camera. That said, nothing about the EOS RP was truly entry level, as it was a camera firmly designed for the lower end of the enthusiast market — your first proper upgrade after some time using a beginner's camera. And the same is true of the EOS R8.
This camera packs some really powerful features into its compact shell. Its 24.2MP full frame Dual Pixel CMOS sensor produces fantastic quality images and video, with Canon's famous color rendition generating beautiful natural colors and skin tones. It can shoot in 4K at 60P, while 4K at 30p is available without any time limitations. And it features Canon's truly sublime autofocus, which can detect and track human eyes and faces, as well as animals and vehicles, making it a versatile tool for a range of photo and video genres.
Unfortunately, the EOS R8 is hamstrung in its use as a professional body. It features no IBIS, which is a pain enough for low light photography, but a serious headache for serious video creation. There's no AF joystick, which is annoying when shooting through the viewfinder, and it only features one SD card slot, which will make anyone looking to dabble in professional work shudder. As such, it's firmly confined to the enthusiast market, but a great camera nonetheless.
Read our full Canon EOS R8 review.
The best APS-C mirrorless camera
The Fujifilm X-T5 is the best mid-range APS-C camera, and is the ideal tool for enthusiast photographers. It may look and feel retro, but under the hood it boasts Fujifilm’s latest 40.2 MP X-Trans CMOS 5 image sensor and X-Processor 5 pairing. The high resolution sensor delivers outstanding image quality and leaves plenty of flexibility for cropping or large-format printing.
With so many megapixels to play with, a manual shutter speed of 15 fps and electric shutter speed of 20 fps is impressive. However, in testing, the X-T5's buffers filled very quickly due to the lack of CFExpress ports, so you wont be able to utilize those faster shooting rates for long. Nevertheless, with a deep-learned AI autofocus system, the X-T5 will be able to keep up with even fast-moving subjects.
The ISO range is expandable to 51,200, and while its noise suppression is effective (it has to be when packing this many pixels onto an APS-C sensor), it does lead to an artificial smoothing effect and a loss of detail in images shot at higher sensitivity. Still, we came away with usable images even at ISO 12,800.
Strong light metering and a range of Fujifilm’s beautiful color simulation profiles helps the X-T5 offer users a quality result without the need to be a post-production master, while its compact and lightweight design and 5-axis IBIS make it an excellent option for on-the-move shooting.
Video performance is decent, offering up to 6K at 30p and 4K at 60p, but this camera is primarily designed for demanding enthusiasts and professional photographers — and there it excels.
Read our full Fujifilm X-T5 review
The best full frame hybrid mirrorless camera
The Nikon Z6II was a great camera, but with the Z6III, Nikon took things to a new level, especially when it comes to video. The Z6III is the ultimate hybrid mirrorless camera, for shooters who are just as serious about producing professional video as they are about taking incredibly photos.
Obviously, as a Nikon, this thing shoots gorgeous photos that are lovely and sharp when using excellent Nikkor glass. Its full frame sensor is excellent for low light photography, and in our testing we were able to shoot at up to ISO12,800 and photos still came out looks sharp, without destructive noise. It also captures a wide dynamic range, with super clean shadows when shooting at the lowest ISO50 (expanded).
Video is where things get really interesting though. Nikon has put a lot of effort into helping the Z6III compete with the S5IIX, equipping the Z6III with a CFExpress Type-B port and features like 6K/60p, 12-bit 6K N-RAW and Apple ProRes RAW HQ recording, all internally. Naturally, there's also effective IBIS for stable handheld shooting.
The Z6III falls a little behind the Canon EOS R6 Mark II and Sony A7IV when it comes to AF, as it doesn't boast as many detection modes. However, AF performance is still accurate and reliable.
Battery life is also a weak point, with a CIPA rating of only 410 shots, which is better than the S5IIX's 370 shots, but still poor overall compared to the 700+ shots you'll get from the EOS R6 Mark II.
Overall though, this is an absolute weapon of a video camera, which combined with Nikon's typical stills prowess, makes the Z6III our favorite hybrid full frame.
Find out more in our full Nikon Z6III review.
The best compact full frame mirrorless camera
The Sony A7C II is the best full frame compact camera, and oh boy is it impressive how much they've packed into this surprisingly small camera. Thanks to its rangefinder design and compact layout, the A7C II feels and handles more like an APS-C camera than a 33MP full frame beast. If you need a powerful full frame body to take on travels or jobs abroad, this is the camera to get.
The 33MP Back Side Illuminated sensor produced beautifully sharp images in our testing, with noticeably sharper results than 24MP full frame cameras. While lower megapixel full frame sensors tend to yield better low light performance and dynamic range (with 20-24MP being the sweet spot), we were nevertheless very impressed with how the A7C II held up, with impressive dynamic range that's helped b a 14-bit RAW mode to maximize data capture. High ISO performance was decent, too, for a 33MP sensor, with the BIONZ XR processor doing a great job at smoothing out noise without massive detriment to fine detail.
Autofocus is naturally fantastic (this is a Sony A7 after all), and the A7C II boasts all the detection modes you'd expect in a modern performance camera: people, faces, eyes, animals, birds and vehicles. There's also Sony's fantastic 5-axis image stabilization to keep everything stable when shooting handheld.
While the A7C II is a "hybrid" camera (in that it's designed for both stills and video), it tops out at 4K/60p and requires a Super35 crop to shoot that, so it's definitely pitched more towards stills. If video is a priority for you, we'd recommend the Lumix S5IIX or Nikon Z6 III, with their powerful 6K video credentials.
Battery life is about average for a full frame camera using Sony's now longstanding NP-FZ100 power cell, at 530 shots. However, the original A7C managed 680 shots, while Canon's EOS R6 Mark II will net you 760 shots.
The A7C II also has to make compromises to stay so small, the most important being that it has only one SD slot. Modern SD cards rarely fail, but if yours does, you'll lose everything on the A7C II, which may be a dealbreaker if clients are on the line.
All that said, this is an absolutely outstanding camera, and if size and portability matter to you most, and you don't want to scrimp on sensor size or resolution, the A7C II is the camera to get.
Read our full Sony A7C II review.
The best mirrorless camera for sports and wildlife
The Panasonic Lumix G9II is our favorite camera for sports and wildlife, thanks to its blisteringly fast 75fps shooting rate. This camera is designed for enthusiasts and professionals who value speed over all else, making it the ideal fit if you're trying to capture fast-moving wildlife or pro athletes.
The G9II uses a micro four thirds (MFT) sensor, which is the smallest sensor size of all the cameras on this list. This means a smaller shutter, which is a big part of what allows the camera to shoot so fast. Nevertheless, with 25MP on tap, it produced lovely stills in testing with plenty of fine detail. Thanks to Panasonic's latest hybrid contrast/phase-detection AF, it also had no problem keeping up with a racing greyhound during testing (that means the second fastest land animal on earth was no problem for this camera).
This camera shares much of its design with the Lumix S5IIX, and that's no bad thing. We absolutely loved the way the camera was built and laid out. It's super easy to use and everything is exactly where it needs to be — crucial when shooting fast-paced action. It also has IBIS to ensure handheld shots are blur-free at slower shutter speeds, and to keep video looking smooth. On the topic of video, the G9II will shoot 5.8K/30p, so it's got some firepower up its sleeves, although we'd recommend the full frame S5IIX if you're going to be shooting video lots. The G9II is primarily a stills camera.
The G9II starts to struggle once the light drops, which is as you'd expect from a sensor this size. Above ISO 6,400, noise becomes extremely destructive to both RAW files and noise-reduced JPEGs. If low light work is going to be a regular occurrence, we'd advise a full frame camera instead, such as the Nikon Z6 III or Canon EOS R6 Mark II.
Battery life is also pretty poor with the G9II, with a rating of only 370 shots. However, pack a couple of spares, and you'll be fine. Overall, the G9II is an epic camera for high speed photography and comes highly recommended by us.
Read our full Panasonic Lumix G9II review.
The best mirrorless camera for professional video
The Lumix S5IIX is the best advanced camera for video in our price bracket. Costing under $2,000, this camera will offer enthusiasts and semi-pro videographers all they need to produce professional quality video for their projects. Heck, it should even be more than enough for pro filmmakers too.
The Lumix S5II and S5IIX (they are separated only by a few additional video features on the S5IIX, some of which can be added to the base S5II via a paid firmware update) are the successors to the legendary Lumix S5, and follow very much in its footsteps. The S5IIX features a huge range of video resolutions and formats, compression types and bitrates, allowing users to customize their content to workflow, quality and storage requirements.
The camera features Panasonic's incredible IBIS system to keep everything stable when shooting handheld, and most importantly uses Panansonic's latest AF system — this is now a combined phase and contrast detection system, fixing one of the main issues on the original S5. As a mirrorless hybrid, it also takes beautiful images with lovely color rendition and all the benefits of a full frame sensor in regards to depth of field and low light performance.
Drawbacks? There are very few and we almost awarded this camera 5 stars. The AF is still a little spartan versus rivals in terms of detection modes. There's no CFExpress port for fast data speeds when not shooting to SSD or external recorder — this is something you'd find on the Lumix GH6. And the 370-shot battery life isn't when compared to rivals. That said, for the money, this camera is phenomenal.
Read our full Panasonic Lumix S5IIX review.
The best medium format mirrorless camera
The GFX100S II is the best medium format camera for most people. See, medium format cameras are pricey (including this), with models like the Hasselblad 907X + CFV 100C setting you back around $15,000 if you factor in lenses. The GFX100S II provides the benefit of a humungous 102MP sensor with a (relatively affordable) price tag and the handling and creature comforts of a modern mirrorless camera.
In testing, the GFX100S II, unsurprisingly, took phenomenally beautiful images, with enough resolution for extra large printing and extreme cropping. Naturally, as a Fujifilm cameras, the GFX100S II comes packed with Fuji's film simulation profiles for artistic shots straight out of camera. Naturally with a sensor this large, dynamic range performance is excellent with ultra clean shadows, while high ISO performance is brilliant and the camera can comfortably shoot up to ISO 25,600 without ruinous noise.
The GFX100S II was also extremely usable, with the handling and layout of typical mirrorless cameras. The autofocus was also pretty good for a camera with so much sensor real estate, thanks to Fujifilm's latest detection and tracking algorithms.
One of the only drawbacks of the GFX100S II is that it lacks a CFExpress port, which limits the shooting speed of the camera. If that's a dealbreaker, you'll want to opt for the pricier GFX100 II instead.
The GFX100S II is all about image quality, so if you want the most beautiful stills possible plus modern mirrorless creature comforts without forking out over $10K, this is the camera for you.
Find out more in our full Fujifilm GFX100S II review.
How to pick the best mirrorless camera for you
The criteria when shopping for a mirrorless camera are pretty much the same as when you're looking for any sort of camera.
First, what is your budget? While our picks of the best mirrorless cameras all fall under $2,500, you can find models that are twice as expensive, and their features are very tempting.
Next, what is your experience level? If you're new to mirrorless cameras or photography in general, it's worth getting a lower-priced model with more beginner-friendly features, such as in-camera guides that explain various settings.
Last, consider what you want to do with the camera. If you're shooting sports or wildlife, you'll want a camera that can take a lot of pictures quickly, as well as one with in-camera stabilization. And, while mirrorless cameras are known for their smaller size relative to DSLRs, you'll want one that's more compact if you're planning to take it traveling.
How to choose a lens for your mirrorless camera
One of the most important qualities that mirrorless and DSLRs share is that they accept interchangeable lenses, which can dramatically improve image quality and bring your photography to a new level. But there are scores of lenses to choose from, which can be confusing. To help you get better acquainted with this important camera accessory, here's a quick rundown of types of interchangeable lenses that are available for your mirrorless camera:
Standard zoom lenses: This is the lens that most people who buy an entry-level DSLR or mirrorless model as a kit use first. Mirrorless kits generally come with a 14-42mm lens. They typically include a small amount of zoom (3x), and are often inexpensive, but not the highest quality. However, in the past several years, the quality of these kit lenses has improved.
Prime lenses: You can save money by choosing a prime or non-zoom lens. They offer excellent quality, and are often much more affordable. If you need to zoom, just use your feet and walk closer to your subject!
Telephoto zoom lenses: If you shoot a lot of sports or other types of events, consider these powerful zooms, which can bring you closer to the action and provide features to capture images with shallow depth-of-field. They can be a bit heavy and bulky, but most manufacturers have been inventing new lenses that are smaller and more compact, but are still high quality. The 70mm-200mm is a good example of this type of lens.
Wide-angle lenses: If you're traveling, this type of lens, such as a 16-35mm zoom, can be very valuable, since it allows you to capture different types of wide-angle shots. Want to shoot a group portrait? Set the zoom lens towards the 35mm end of the range, which will avoid distortion at the edges of the image. Or if you want to capture a broad, sweeping landscape, use the lower end of the zoom, nearer to the 16mm end. However, these lenses can be pricey.
Macro or Close-up lenses: If you're looking to capture close-up shots of small objects, you'll want a good quality macro lens, which come in a variety of focal lengths, such as 50mm and 100mm. Be sure to do your research so you know that the lens you want has macro capabilities.
Specialty lenses: One of the most notable specialty lenses in this category is the ultra-wide fisheye lens, which some photographers love for the exceptionally distorted point of view. Other types include tilt-shift and soft-focus lenses.
What are the different sensor sizes in mirrorless cameras?
You've probably seen references to full-frame, APS-C and Micro Four Thirds sensors — but how do they differ?
Well, full-frame is the biggest sensor you'll find on most mirrorless cameras. And we say most, because Medium Format cameras are bigger still — but also way out of most people's price range, so we'll skip them here.
Full-frame is actually an old term and refers to a sensor the size of that in a 35mm film camera (roughly 36 x 24mm). The Sony A7 range, Nikon Z5 and Canon RP are all full-frame mirrorless cameras.
APS-C is the next size down (approx 22 x 15mm) and is found in most mirrorless cams including Sony's A6000 range, most of Fujifilm's X series and some Canon and Nikon models. It has around 2.5 times less surface area than full-frame.
Below that is Micro Four Thirds, a sensor size developed by Olympus and Panasonic specifically for mirrorless cameras; you'll only find it on models by those two manufacturers. This is almost a quarter the size of full-frame.
So, what does it matter? Well, in general, the bigger the sensor, the better the image quality. Larger sensors can gather more light and will generally have less noise than smaller formats. But obviously other factors also come into play here; this is a guide rather than a hard rule. Against that, a smaller sensor can allow for smaller cameras and — just as importantly — smaller lenses.
What are the differences between mirrorless cameras and DSLRs?
Mirrorless cameras have come a long way in the past decade, and now rival — and often beat — the best DSLR cameras in most regards.
Our comprehensive mirrorless vs DSLR guide gives you the full lowdown, but briefly, the key differences are:
- Size and weight
Mirrorless cameras don't have a mirror (the name gives that away) and as a result are usually a lot smaller and lighter than DSLRs. - Viewfinders
DSLRs have an optical viewfinder, which shows you the scene as it really is. Mirrorless cameras use an electronic viewfinder (EVF), which is a small screen showing you a video feed of the scene. Also note that some cheaper mirrorless cameras don't have any kind of viewfinder, leaving you reliant on the rear screen as on a smartphone. - Speed
Mirrorless cams are almost always faster, once price is taken into account, offering burst speeds that exceed that found in many DSLRS. They can also use an electronic shutter that can shoot faster still, though this usually reduces image quality. - Battery life
DSLRs have the edge here: by not needing to power an EVF or in some cases an LCD screen, they can usually go for a lot longer. - Choice
Very few DSLRs are being made now, with only Canon, Nikon and Pentax releasing new models (and even then, not that often). Canon and Nikon also make mirrorless cams, as do Fujifilm, Sony, Panasonic, Olympus and others. - Lenses
Because DSLRs have been around for much longer, they have a richer range of lenses to choose from. Plus, second-hand lenses are readily available — often for a low price.
How we test mirrorless cameras
To determine which models make our list of the best mirrorless cameras, we first put each through a battery of tests, and evaluate them for such things as image and video quality, battery life, design, and usability. How fast can the camera shoot? Is its autofocus quick to lock on to subjects in the frame? When recording video, does it use the full sensor, and at what resolution can it record?
We also look at things such as button placement, how easy it is to navigate in-camera menus, if its touchscreen can fold outwards, and if you can access all the camera's settings using the display.
Finally, we consider such things as what features the camera has, and what competitors are offering in cameras that cost around the same price.
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