Best mirrorless cameras in 2025

The Fujifilm GFX100S II showing its sensor
(Image credit: Future)

Want to know the best mirrorless cameras for you? Well, you've come to the right place.

Me and my team are fortunate enough to be able to test the latest and greatest mirrorless cameras around. We put every camera we test through rigorous testing, and have rounded up the best of the bunch here. There's something for every budget, but we've broken the best picks up into useful categories to suit different needs.

Read on to see our pick of the best mirrorless cameras.

Written by
Peter Wolinski
Written by
Peter Wolinski

I'm Pete, and I head up the Tom's Guide reviews team, as well as the site's cameras channel. I've been a photographer for over 10 years now, but the love hasn't died with time! I get to review a huge range of products here at Tom's Guide, but still nothing excites me more than getting the latest camera in to test. As a photographer, I specialize in architecture and portraiture, and I also shoot product photography regularly for Tom's Guide articles. As reviews editor here on site, I'm no stranger to rigorous expert testing and putting products through their paces, so you can rest assured my and my team's recommendations below are informed by extensive real world testing.

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 real world usage criteria, to help you choose the best camera for you.

The best mirrorless camera for beginners

Canon EOS R50 attached to tripod

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The best mirrorless camera for beginners

Specifications

Sensor: APS-C
Megapixels: 24.2
IBIS: No
Max shooting speed: 15 fps
Max video resolution: 4K/30p
Viewfinder: OLED EVF, 2.36 million dots
Screen: 3.0-inch Vari-Angle, 1.62 million dots
Size/weight: 4.57 x 3.36 x 2.70 inches; 13 ounces
Battery Life (CIPA): 440 shots

Reasons to buy

+
Beautiful images
+
Very easy to use
+
Outstanding AF
+
Lots of room to grow
+
4K/30p video

Reasons to avoid

-
Overheats when shooting 4K
-
Very few native RF-S lenses
-
Pricey for beginners (but worth it)

Why it's the best for beginners: Aside from the EOS R50, there are quite a few cameras out there that fit the bill as the ideal mirrorless camera for beginners. Namely, there’s our best budget pick, Canon’s own EOS R100, and LUMIX’s newly released G97.

The EOS R50 has them all beat, however, because of how complete a package it is. It packs a 24MP APS-C sensor which produced lovely looking stills in our testing shots. I was impressed with its dynamic range performance, and of course Canon’s legendary color accuracy.

Buy it if

✅ You're a beginner: The EOS R50 is incredibly easy to use, thanks to its intuitive menu and controls. But it also provides lots of room for growth.

✅ You want great images: With its 24MP APS-C sensor, the R50 shoots lovely images, plus 4K/30p video clips.

You can spec the EOS R50 in multiple kit varieties. And while there are only a few Canon RF-S (APS-C native) lenses, the R50 can also use full RF (full frame name) lenses.

The R50 also shoots 4K/30p video, making it a decent camera for a spot of vlogging on the side, although it overheats at 4K, so if you’re serious about content creation, check out the Fujifilm X-S20, our best camera for vlogging, below.

Don't buy it if

❌ You're shooting lots of video: The EOS R50 has a tendency to overheat at 4K, so it's only ideal for shooting video clips, not for extensive video work.

❌ You're on a tight budget: The R50 is at the upper end of pricing for a beginner camera. It's well worth it, but if you're on a tight budget, check out the EOS R100.

Most importantly, the EOS R50 pack’s Canon’s formidable Dual Pixel autofocusing system, bringing excellent snappy AF performance, plus a range of subject detection and tracking features, including humans and animals. It had no issues detecting people or my pets when I was testing the camera for review.

This is the same (albeit a slightly stripped back version) AF system as Canon puts into its advanced cameras like the EOS R6 Mark II, and it’s impossible to find such powerful autofocus elsewhere at this price.

Recommended by
Peter Wolinski
Recommended by
Pete Wolinski

The best budget mirrorless camera

Front view of Canon EOS R100

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The best budget mirrorless camera

Specifications

Sensor: APS-C
Megapixels: 24.1
IBIS: No
Max shooting speed: 6.5 fps
Max video resolution: 4K/25p
Viewfinder: OLED EVF, 2.36 million dots
Screen: 3.0-inch fixed LCD, 1.04 million dots
Size/weight: 4.58 x 3.37 x 2.71 inches; 12.5 ounces
Battery Life (CIPA): 430 shots

Reasons to buy

+
Compact and lightweight
+
Simple but effective
+
Budget-friendly price tag
+
Lovely images

Reasons to avoid

-
Fixed LCD
-
No touchscreen
-
Lacking AF detection modes

Why it's the best budget: This one’s obvious, right? Price! Well, it isn’t that simple. You can pick up super cheap cameras fairly easily, but that doesn’t mean they will all deliver the photos you want.

The important word here is “best” — to make any of the categories on my list, a camera has to perform well. And if you’re on a strict budget, the EOS R100 is the best mirrorless camera to buy. That’s why it tops my list of the best cheap cameras!

Buy it if

✅ Price is the main concern: The EOS R100 is the most affordable option right now (that's good enough to recommend).

✅ You want great photos: For casual photographers snapping family, friends and vacations, the R100 is capable enough.

Now I won’t lie to you, with budget price tags there are always sacrifices. But the EOS R100’s performance is still difficult to beat for its low price. When we tested this camera, three words came to mind: simple but effective.

The R100's 24MP sensor produced lovely-looking stills during our testing — perfect for sharing on social media. There are a range of shooting modes to suit various scenarios, and the R100 benefits from Canon’s vaunted color-science, meaning lifelike colors.

Don't buy it if

You want advanced features: The EOS R100 has no AF detection modes, and a fixed, non-touch display.

You want a long term camera: If you want room to grow as a photographer, the EOS R100 might be a bit basic.

The EOS R100 also shoots 4K/25p video, which makes it a viable tool if you need to shoot video clips, although if you want to produce lots of video we’d recommend spending more on something with more features.

As a Canon EOS R camera, the R100 fits Canon’s RF-S (APS-C) and RF (full frame) lenses, so you can experiment with different optics. This is important, as it'll let you begin tailoring the look and feel of your photos to suit your creative ambition.

Recommended by
Peter Wolinski
Recommended by
Pete Wolinski

The best mirrorless camera for street photography

A Fujifilm X-T50 camera in the charcoal grey colorway

(Image credit: Future)
The best mirrorless camera for street photography

Specifications

Sensor: APS-C
Megapixels: 40.2
IBIS: 5-axis, up to 7-stop
Max shooting speed: 20 fps
Max video resolution: 6.2K/30p
Viewfinder: OLED EVF, 2.36 million dots
Screen: 3.0-inch tilting LCD, 1.84 million dots
Size/weight: 4.87 x 3.3 x 1.92 inches; 15.5 ounces
Battery Life (CIPA): 305 shots

Reasons to buy

+
High-res 40.2MP sensor
+
Tactile controls
+
Film simulation dial
+
Outstanding AF and IBIS
+
Premium retro design

Reasons to avoid

-
No weather-sealing
-
Poor battery life
-
Expensive

Why it's the best for street: Firstly, the Fujifilm X-T50 has a large 40.2MP sensor which captures lots of detail for cropping. In testing, this came in super useful: even if I missed framing slightly in a chaotic street moment, I could crop in post without losing lots of resolution.

For those unpredictable on-street moments, where the scene suddenly shifted or a split-second moment caught my eye, I found I could rely on the X-T50’s rapid AF system to quickly lock on to faces or eyes and take a photo — even in challenging light.

Buy it if

You want stunning images: With 40MP on tap, images look great, with plenty of room for cropping.

Yo want to shoot street: Tactile controls, great AF and 7.0-stop IBIS equip the X-T50 perfectly for fast-paced, changing scenarios.

Speaking of low-light conditions, this is where the X-T50’s 5-axis (up to 7-stops) IBIS came in handy. I was able to shoot at shutter speeds as slow as 1s and still get sharp shots.

The most useful element for street though is the X-T50's tactile controls, which make it easy to shift settings in an instant. The dedicated film simulation dial is my favorite, giving immediate access to 20 film sims like Nostalgic Neg, Acros and more. I could instantly shift the aesthetic or mood of my shots.

Don't buy it if

You're on a tight budget: The X-T50 is more geared towards enthusiasts than total newcomers on a budget.

Battery life is top priority: This camera uses Fuji's NP-W126 battery, which isn't great, although spares are very cheap.

Being able to apply film sims in real-time and then quickly offload photos to share them on social media meant I didn’t have to spend too much time in post-production, either.

The X-T50 is also comfortable to use for an entire day of street shooting. Its sculpted grip is one of the most ergonomic I’ve tested, and let me use the camera with either one or both hands, portrait or landscape. Weighing just 15.45oz, it isn’t too heavy either, and I experienced zero discomfort having it round my neck for hours on end.

Recommended by
A headshot of Staff Writer, Reviews Nikita Achanta
Recommended by
Nikita Achanta

The best retro mirrorless camera

Nikon Z f sitting on table

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The best retro mirrorless camera

Specifications

Sensor: Full frame
Megapixels: 24
IBIS: 5-axis, up to 8-stop
Max shooting speed: 30 fps
Max video resolution: 4K/60p (APS-C crop)
Viewfinder: OLED EVF, 3.69 million dots
Screen: 3.0-inch Vari-Angle LCD, 2.1 million dots
Size/weight: 5.7 x.4.1 x 2 inches; 22.9 ounces
Battery Life (CIPA): 430 shots

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent image quality
+
8-stop IBIS
+
Retro tactile controls
+
Gorgeous design
+
Dual card slots

Reasons to avoid

-
Second card slot is microSD
-
No joy stick

Why it's the best retro: A retro has to do three things well. Obviously, it has to look like a classic camera, and the Nikon Zf is indeed styled after legendary Nikon 35mm film cameras of old. I have a Nikon FG on my shelf at home, so the Z f really hits me in the nostalgia feels.

That styling isn't just skin-deep, though. The Z f is built to last, just like its classic forebears — as you'd expect from Nikon, and especially at the list price this camera demands.

Buy it if

✅ You want retro styling and controls: The Z f offers the classic tactile controls of an old-school film camera, not to mention the dashing looks.

✅ Superior imaging is paramount: The Z f's 24MP full frame sensor and advanced AF result in a formidable package for photography.

Retro cameras are all about tactile controls, and the Z f has no shortage of those either, with top-plate dials for exposure control and an F-stop display where you’d expect a film camera’s frame counter. Combined with modern controls on the back, we found the Z f struck the perfect balance between old and new.

The 24MP full frame sensor left very little to be desired in testing: vibrant colors, sharp images, plus strong high ISO and dynamic range performance. There’s also subject detection AF, which worked very effectively in testing, allowing our tester Theano to track fast-moving windsurfers. Its eye detection mode also works in MF to provide hybrid AF/MF, which comes in extremely handy for quick manual focusing.

Don't buy it if

You're printing at large sizes: 24MP is fine for digital images and medium prints, but not larger-scale printing or heavy cropping.

You want a focus joystick: No joystick means you use a D-pad to focus, or go old school and do it manually (it's a retro, after all).

Naturally, the Z f can use the fantastic Nikkor Z-mount glass (fun fact: we use Nikkor lenses in the Tom's Guide U.K. photo studio, because they're just so sharp) as well as older Nikkor lenses via an FTZ adapter. That means this camera will suit longer-term Nikon shooters with DSLR lenses.

This is not a video-centric camera, but the Z f shoots up to 4K/60p with an APS-C crop, or 4K/30p uncropped. N-Log and Hybrid Log Gamma profiles are available for wide dynamic range capture. It’ll happily shoot video clips, but bear in mind this isn’t a professional video tool like its sibling, the Nikon Z6 II, or the Panasonic Lumix S5IIX (our favorite camera for video).

Recommended by
Peter Wolinski
Recommended by
Pete Wolinski

The best mirrorless camera for vlogging

Fujifilm X-S20 on tripod

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The best mirrorless camera for vlogging

Specifications

Sensor: APS-C
Megapixels: 26.1
IBIS: 5-axis, up to 7-stop
Max shooting speed: 30 fps
Max video resolution: 6.2K/30p
Viewfinder: OLED EVF, 2.36 million dots
Screen: 3.0-inch Vari-Angle LCD, 1.84 million dots
Size/weight: 5 x 3.4 x 2.6 inches; 17 ounces
Battery Life (CIPA): 750 shots

Reasons to buy

+
6.2K/30p video
+
Pro features (RAW, 4:2:2 10-bit, F-Log)
+
Useful vlogging features
+
Strong battery life
+
7.0-stop IBIS

Reasons to avoid

-
Only one SD slot
-
Slightly awkward controls & menu

Why it's the best for vlogging: Firstly, there’s 6.2K/30p video on tap, giving you plenty of extra resolution to play with. Having those extra pixels will give content creators flexibility in post production: to crop into frame and maintain resolution, or oversample 4K. It also shoots 4K/60p.

For experienced shooters, the X-S20 records 4:2:2 10-bit color, F-Log and can shoot RAW video to external recorders. There are Fuji’s usual color profiles, too, if you want graded footage out of camera.

Buy it if

✅ You want to up your video game: The X-S20 packs plenty of video firepower, and will help you produce professional-looking video.

✅ You're a product demo or beauty vlogger: The X-S20 has a product showcase mode to always keep your subjects in perfect focus.

Key to its place on this list are its dedicated vlogging modes. In testing, I loved the product showcase mode for demo or beauty content, which deprioritizes faces and eyes in favor of items held up in the foreground. For typical vlogging, the X-S20 features brilliant AF with subject detection and tracking, which had no issues keeping me in perfect focus.

There’s an automatic background defocus mode, which will be helpful for new or less technical shooters, and a “Vlog mode” which pins key video settings toggles to the screen. The latter isn't quite as useful as the product showcase or defocus modes, but will still let you switch settings quickly during a vlogging shoot, which is objectively handy.

Don't buy it if

You're shooting professional video: With a single card slot, I wouldn't recommend this to those with paid clients on the line. Instead, pro video shooters should check out our best mirrorless camera for video below.

The X-S20 features 5-axis IBIS, to keep handheld video smooth (particularly when panning). It’s also great for stills, and I was able to shoot down to 0.5sec shutter speeds without blur.

Other useful vlogging features include a flip-out vari-angle display; Micro-HDMI, 3.5mm mic and headphone ports; and a bolt-on cooling fan for shooting at 6.2K (purchased separately).

Recommended by
Peter Wolinski
Recommended by
Pete Wolinski

The best mirrorless camera for wildlife photography

A photo of the Fujifilm X-H2S against a grey background.

(Image credit: Peter Wolinski / Tom's Guide)
The best mirrorless camera for wildlife photography

Specifications

Sensor: APS-C
Megapixels: 26
IBIS: 5-axis, up to 7-stop
Max shooting speed: 40 fps
Max video resolution: 6.2K/30p
Viewfinder: OLED EVF, 5.76 million dots
Screen: 3.0-inch Vari-Angle LCD, 1.62 million dots
Size/weight: 5.37 x 3.66 x 3.33 inches; 1.5 lbs
Battery Life (CIPA): 720 shots

Reasons to buy

+
40fps shooting rate
+
Brilliant AF tracking
+
CFExpress port
+
Sturdy build
+
Gorgeous images

Reasons to avoid

-
Chunky for an APS-C camera
-
AF struggled with very small wildlife

Why it's the best for wildlife: Animals often move rather quickly, which makes them tricky subjects to shoot (especially when they’re small). With Fujifilm’s most up-to-date image processor, the X-Processor 5, the X-H2S features advanced autofocus with subject detection and tracking modes.

In testing, I used the X-H2S in continuous AF mode to shoot photos of fast-moving animals, including squirrels and a whippet running at full pace. It sometimes struggled with the squirrels, but nevertheless did an impressive job, detecting animals easily, and even locking onto the eyes of a squirrel in extremely challenging backlit lighting conditions. Images looked fantastic thanks to the brilliant 26MP X-Trans CMOS 5 sensor.

Buy it if

✅ You need a high speed camera: The X-H2S packs the drive rates and AF necessary for enthusiast and professional wildlife photography.

✅ You need your camera to last all day: Impressive battery life means the X-H2S should last an entire day out in nature snapping wildlife.

Thanks to a CFExpress Type-B port (allowing faster write speeds than SDHC/SDXC) the X-H2S can sustain an impressive 40fps continuous shooting rate, further increasing your chances of nailing shots of fast moving subjects. I used the full 40fps in testing, and filled the buffers after a generous 170 RAW + 184 JPEGs (around 4.25 seconds of shooting).

Again thanks to its CFExpress port, buffers cleared quickly and I was then able to get shooting again, resulting in less downtime/missed shots while you wait for the camera to stop writing.

Don't buy it is

You need a small camera: While the X-H2S isn't as large as full frame cameras, it's chunky for an APS-C, so MFT might be better.

You're shooting very small wildlife: Small animals occasionally caused issues in testing, although my hit rate was still decent.

The X-H2S also bundles a raft of professional-tier features to make life easier for serious enthusiasts or jobbing wildlife photographers. There’s a settings panel on the top plate, a high-resolution 5.76M-dot OLED EVF, a deep sculpted grip and 5-axis, 7.0-stop IBIS, which had no issues stabilizing my shots down to 1-sec.

Hybrid video shooters won't find the X-H2S lacking either, as it shoots up to 6.2K/30p video (or 4K/60p), in 4:2:2 10-bit color and in Apple ProRes if you like, all internally thanks to the CFExpress ports.

Recommended by
Peter Wolinski
Recommended by
Pete Wolinski

The best mirrorless camera for sports photography

A black Sony A1 II mirrorless camera for sports and wildlife photography

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The best mirrorless camera for sports photography

Specifications

Sensor: Full frame
Megapixels: 50.1
IBIS: 5-axis, up to 8.5-stop
Max shooting speed: 30 fps
Max video resolution: 8K/30p
Viewfinder: OLED EVF, 9.44 million dots
Screen: 3.0-inch Vari-Angle TFT, 2.09 million dots
Size/weight: 5.3 x 3.8 x 3.2 inches; 1.45 lbs
Battery Life (CIPA): 420 shots

Reasons to buy

+
Ridiculously fast AF
+
30fps burst shooting
+
CFExpress Type-A
+
Stunning 50MP images
+
8.5-stop IBIS
+
9.44M-dot 240Hz EVF

Reasons to avoid

-
Not very different from the A1
-
Mediocre battery life

Why it's the best for sports photography: While the other criteria/genres on this list are pursued by amateurs, enthusiasts and pros in either similar or equal measure, sports photography tends mostly to be the realm of professionals. And so, it's only fitting for us to recommend a professional-tier camera.

Buy it if

✅ You're a pro or hardcore enthusiast sports photographer: If you need a camera that won't let you (or your agency/paying clients) down, the A1 II is the workhorse you need.

✅ You need pro features for fast-paced action: 30fps burst, mind-bending AF, a 9.44M-dot 240Hz refresh rate, CFExpress Type-A, I could go on...

If your bread and butter relies on photographing sportspersons, then the Sony A1 II is a terrific choice. Not once in my testing did the A1 II let me down, especially when it came to tracking fast-moving subjects. That’s thanks to its rapid autofocus system which uses Real-time Recognition AF and Real-time Tracking to reliably follow humans.

There’s also a new Auto subject-detection mode at play here, which removes the need to switch between AF detection modes. In my testing, the camera automatically recognized and focused when I moved it from a solitary person to a group of people.

The A1 II is equipped with a massive 50.1MP sensor which not only captures sharp photos, but it captures heaps of detail. This allowed me to create tight crops in testing and come away with usable, hi-res images. If you’re photographing a soccer player from a distance, you’ll be able to zoom right into their faces or the ball at their feet, for example.

Don't buy if

You're a hobbyist or amateur sports photographer: For most fast-paced shooting, including wildlife or amateur sports, we'd recommend something a little less overkill.

Combine this with 30fps burst shooting (for up to 153 raw images and with pre-capture) and shutter speeds of up to 1/32,000s and you’ve got yourself a winner. The camera lets you capture a sportsperson’s every movement — no need to worry about missing a shot.

One of my favorite design choices is the A1 II’s electronic viewfinder which is large (0.64 inches) and highly detailed. It’s got a 9.44M-dot resolution with a 240Hz refresh rate which ensures subjects you’re tracking through the viewfinder remain free of motion blur, for more accurate framing. If you’re using a CFExpress Type-A card (for faster write speeds), you won’t experience blackouts or buffer-filled downtime after bursts.

The A1 II’s 8.5-stops of IBIS also let you shoot at speeds as slow as 2s. This means that if you’re photographing a game or even a portrait of a sportsperson in dimly lit environments, you’ll be able to capture sharp images.

Recommended by
A headshot of Staff Writer, Reviews Nikita Achanta
Recommended by
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The best mirrorless camera for video

Panasonic LUMIX S5IIX attached to tripod

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The best mirrorless camera for video

Specifications

Sensor: Full frame
Megapixels: 24.2
IBIS: 5-axis, up to 5-stop
Max shooting speed: 30 fps
Max video resolution: 6K @ 30p
Viewfinder: OLED EVF, 3.68 million dots
Screen: 3.0-inch Vari-Angle, 1.84 million dots
Size/weight: 5.29 x 4.03 x 3.55 inches; 1.64 lbs
Battery Life (CIPA): 370 shots

Reasons to buy

+
Huge array of pro video features
+
6K/30p
+
IBIS
+
Hybrid AF
+
Built-in fan
+
Intuitive controls

Reasons to avoid

-
AF still a little lightweight
-
No CFExpress slot

Why it's the best mirrorless camera for video: When it comes to video, workflows and post-production care often as important as the actual shooting itself. The Panasonic Lumix S5IIX offers so many video features, recording formats, data capture rates, and so on, that users can tailor how they shoot based on exactly what they need later down the line.

Buy it if

✅ You shoot professional video: The sheer array of recording features mean you can tailor your output to your specific workflow, post-production or client requirements.

✅ You're already invested in the L-mount: This is a worthy upgrade to the original S5, thanks to massively boosted AF performance.

✅ You're not already invested in the L-mount: We think the S5IIX packs enough firepower over its rivals to warrant a switch form other systems, if that's on your mind.

Top line figures include 6K/30p internal shooting, limited to 30 minutes for thermal purposes, with unlimited 4K/60p recording thanks to the internal fan. There’s up-to 5-stop IBIS for handheld stabilization, although this increases to a more respectable 6.5-stop maximum with an OIS lens. In testing, the stabilization did a decent job for panning, although most pro users will be rigged up and/or on a gimbal anyway.

The list of recording formats and compression types is extensive, so I won’t delve into them all here (check out my review for a full appraisal), but standout examples include ProRES RAW or Blackmagic RAW output to external recorders via HDMI; 12-bit 4:2:2 AppleProRES output to SSD; and 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording at C4K/60p, or 4:2:0 10-bit at 6K/30p.

Don't buy it if

You need a cine cam: The S5IIX is still a hybrid, remember, so if you need a mid-range dedicated cine cam, then something like the Sony FX3 or FX30 may be better.

Battery life is paramount: The S5IIX's battery life isn't terrible, but it isn't much more than mediocre.

A massive improvement over the original Lumix S5 (itself extremely popular with video shooters) is the S5IIX’s autofocus, which now uses hybrid contrast/phase detection, and brings advanced subject detection modes.

There are more cherries on the cake, though. The S5IIX offers sublime handling, and I found it a joy to use in testing, with its intuitive button and dial layout — I was a particular fan of the rear thumb area, which has all the focus controls you need in one place: focus area, focus joystick, and back-button AF On.

The S5IIX also boasts a fantastic build, a reasonable (astoundingly so) price, not to mention the array of cinema-worthy glass available to the L-mount. Put it this way: here at Tom's Guide, we share a U.K. photo studio with several of our sister publications — most of the teams regularly shooting video (including ours) have either an S5II or S5IIX somewhere in their setup.

Recommended by
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The best Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera

Panasonic Lumix G9II attached to tripod

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The best Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera overall

Specifications

Sensor: Micro four thirds
Megapixels: 25.2
IBIS: 5-axis, up to 8-stop
Max shooting speed: 75 fps
Max video resolution: 5.8K @ 30p
Viewfinder: OLED EVF, 3.68 million dots
Screen: 3.0-inch Vari-Angle, 1.84 million dots
Size/weight: 5.29 x 4.03 x 3.55 inches; 1.45 lbs
Battery Life (CIPA): 370 shots

Reasons to buy

+
Blistering shooting rate
+
Lovely stills
+
Great AF
+
Powerful video specs
+
Well built
+
Great handling

Reasons to avoid

-
Mediocre battery life
-
Destructive noise at high ISO

Why it's the best MFT mirrorless camera: The G9II uses a micro four thirds (MFT) sensor, which is the smallest sensor size of all the cameras on this list. Nevertheless, with 25MP on tap, it produced lovely stills in my testing with plenty of fine detail. Its small sensor also means a smaller shutter, which subsequently enables a blistering 75fps shooting rate, again making it a very strong choice for fast-paced genres.

Buy it if

✅ You've already invested in MFT lenses: The G9II is an ideal upgrade from a lower-tier MFT camera, packing hardcore enthusiast specs and fantastic image quality.

✅ You shoot fast-paced subjects: With its 75fps maximum drive and subject detection AF, the G9II is a decent choice for hobbyist wildlife photography.

Color rendition was lovely, with natural tones in the Standard color profile and bold vibrant colors in Vivid. It also has IBIS to ensure handheld shots are blur-free at slower shutter speeds, and to keep video looking smooth. You will have to work with the natural limitations of the small sensor, though, and that means decreased dynamic range and poorer high ISO performance versus larger APS-C or full frame sensors.

Indeed, in my testing, anything above ISO3,200 became problematic, with shots at ISO12,800 being practically unusable. That is simply a drawback of smaller sensors, though. And besides, most photographers, including myself, try to keep ISO below those levels even on larger sensors, where possible.

Thanks to Panasonic's latest hybrid contrast/phase-detection AF, it also had no problem detecting faces and eyes, and can even track animals. It was able to keep up with a racing greyhound during my testing (that means the second fastest land animal on earth was no problem for this camera). This makes it a decent choice for budding wildlife photographers, especially given its reasonable sub-$2,000 price tag.

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.

Don't buy it if

You shoot at higher ISO: The natural limitations of the MFT sensor result in destructive noise at ISO6,400 and above.

You shoot wildlife or sports professionally: The maximum 75fps drive rate isn't sustained for long thanks to no CFExpress port.

As with the Lumix S5IIX, I absolutely love the layout of the rear of the camera in particular. All of the focus controls (AF area, focus joystick, AF-On) are in the same place, right where your thumb rests, making this camera a joy to use for photography in particular.

Video-wise, the G9II will shoot 5.8K/30p, so it's got some firepower up its sleeves, despite primarily being a stills camera. All in all, Lumix touts the G9II as its flagship MFT camera for a reason: this is a hardcore enthusiasts photography tool that's as good as an MFT camera can get.

Recommended by
Peter Wolinski
Recommended by
Pete Wolinski

The best APS-C mirrorless camera

Fujifilm X-T5 on tripod

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Fujifilm X-T5

The best APS-C mirrorless camera overall

Specifications

Sensor: APS-C
Megapixels: 40.2
IBIS: 5-axis, up to 7-stop
Max shooting speed: 20 fps
Max video resolution: 6.2K @ 30p
Viewfinder: OLED EVF, 3.69 million dots
Screen: 3.0-inch Tilt-Type, 1.84 million dots
Size/weight: 5.1 x 3.6 x 2.5 inches; 19.6 ounces
Battery Life (CIPA): 580 shots

Reasons to buy

+
40.2-megapixel image sensor
+
Subject detection AF
+
Intuitive, tactile controls
+
Beautiful design
+
IBIS
+
Dual card slots

Reasons to avoid

-
Mediocre high-ISO image quality
-
Shallow buffers

Why it's the best APS-C mirrorless camera: The Fujifilm X-T5 is an incredibly tight package. Featuring Fujifilm’s 40.2MP APS-C sensor, it produces incredibly detailed images, with very strong overall stills performance.

Buy it if

✅ You want beautiful stills: With 40.2MP to play with, subject detection AF, IBIS, Fuji film sim color profiles, and tons of first and third party glass at your disposal, the X-T5 is a monster for photography.

✅ ... in a compact form: As an APS-C camera, the X-T5 is compact and lightweight.

✅ You want retro controls and styling: The X-T5 features Fuji's trademark retro tactile controls. And in terms of styling, well, just look at it!

Our reviewer Matthew was extremely impressed by the image quality, color rendition and dynamic range of the sensor and X-Processor 5 combo. Not to mention the improvements made to X-T5’s AF system over its predecessor, the X-T4.

Having owned both cameras, I can attest that the X-T5’s AF is a world apart from the prior model. With advanced subject detection and tracking modes, it’s accurate, tenacious and extremely useful to have at hand.

The X-T5 is an utter joy to handle thanks to its sculpted front grip, rear thumb rest and tactile top-panel control dials. You also get the mod cons expected from a modern mirrorless, including Fn buttons and remappable controls. I regularly take the X-T5 on product and lifestyle shoots, plus street and architecture photography, and it’s always supremely easy to use, even at odd angles.

Don't buy it if

❌ You're already invested in Sony's E-mount: The X-T5 edges the Sony a6700, but there isn't enough in it to recommend ditching the latte (unless, of course, you want a retro).

❌ You're a regular video shooter: The X-T5 ditched the vari-angle screen of the X-T4, which worked so well for video.

Speaking of odd angles, the X-T5 eschews the vari-angle screen of the X-T4 in favor of a 3-axis pivoting display, taking the X-T line back towards a photography-oriented stance, rather than a hybrid focus. This was one of the main gripes about the X-T4 for many enthusiast photographers, and Fuji listened.

With its dual card slots, the X-T5 is also well suited to professional work if need be, allowing you to shoot RAW images on one card, with JPEGs on the second, for backups or client previews. Its battery life is also relatively strong for an upper-tier mirrorless, at 580-shots.

Recommended by
Peter Wolinski
Recommended by
Pete Wolinski

Best full frame mirrorless camera

A Canon EOS R5 Mark II mirrorless camera

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The best full frame mirrorless camera overall

Specifications

Sensor: Full frame
Megapixels: 45
IBIS: 5-axis, up to 8.0-stop
Max shooting speed: 30 fps
Max video resolution: 8K/60p
Viewfinder: OLED EVF, 5.76 million dots
Screen: 3.0-inch Vari-Angle TFT, 2.1 million dots
Size/weight: 5.45 x 3.98 x 3.68 inches; 1.44 lbs
Battery Life (CIPA): 340 shots

Reasons to buy

+
Fantastic handling and build
+
45MP Stacked sensor
+
Rapid AF and subject tracking
+
CFExpress Type B support
+
In-camera 180MP upscaling

Reasons to avoid

-
Finicky Eye Control AF
-
Short battery life

Why it's the best full frame mirrorless camera: Firstly, the EOS R5 Mark II is perhaps the easiest pro-level camera I’ve had the pleasure of testing. Straight out of the box, it’s ready to shoot. Its controls are intuitive and nearly every button and dial is remappable, enabling the camera to become an extension of yourself. Its menu system is a class apart too, with color-coded text that helps you navigate the settings effortlessly.

✅ You shoot for a living: If you take photos for a living, this is perhaps the best full frame camera out there, with 45MP for plenty of cropping flexibility, outstanding AF and intuitive controls that make shooting on set or location a breeze. Anyone with paid clients on the line needs reliability, and the EOS R5 has that in bucketloads.

The EOS R5 Mark II excels in practically every genre — whether you’re shooting fast-paced wildlife or sports or photographing models and products at a studio. That’s thanks to its 45MP Stacked CMOS sensor which takes sharp photos with lots and lots of detail for extreme cropping. Regardless of what I shot, the camera didn’t let me down. I especially enjoyed 30fps burst shooting for capturing skittish wildlife and other fast-moving subjects. And with a CFExpress Type-B card at my disposal, I didn’t have to worry about blackouts between shots.

Aiding this is the EOS R5 Mark II’s rapid autofocus system (1,054 points) with Auto subject-detection. All you need to do is point at an animal, human or vehicle and the camera instantly understands. The AF system is quick and clever, and it works extremely well regardless of whether you’re shooting stills or recording video.

Don't buy if

❌ You're on a budget: This is a pricey camera, so unless you need the pro features, check out the Canon EOS R8 (entry), Sony A7IV (mid-range) or Canon EOS R6 Mark II (semi-pro). Otherwise, there's very little to say against the R5 Mark II.

Speaking of, the EOS R5 Mark II is a hybrid powerhouse as it can record 8K/60fps 10-bit 4:2:2 video which not many other cameras offer. It’s also fully weather-sealed so it’s resistant to dust and water, and this allowed me to shoot with confidence in all environments.

Canon has also added a new, AI-powered editing feature: in-camera upscaling. This, basically, enhances resolution by 4x by extrapolating the image’s EXIF data, creating stills up to 180MP from the original 45MP image. You get a lot more resolution for cropping.

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A headshot of Staff Writer, Reviews Nikita Achanta
Recommended by
Nikita Achanta

The best medium format mirrorless camera

The Fujifilm GFX100S II in hand

(Image credit: Future)
The best medium format mirrorless camera overall

Specifications

Sensor: Medium format
Megapixels: 102
IBIS: 5-axis, up to 8.0-stop
Max shooting speed: 7 fps
Max video resolution: 4K/30p
Viewfinder: OLED EVF, 5.76 million dots
Screen: 3.2-inch tilting LCD, 2.36 million dots
Size/weight: 5.9 x 4.1 x 3.4 inches; 1.9 lbs
Battery Life (CIPA): 530 shots

Reasons to buy

+
Fantastic 100MP images
+
Great AF
+
Good handling
+
Excellent dynamic range
+
Strong in low light

Reasons to avoid

-
Pricey
-
No CFExpress port

Why it's the best medium format camera: Simply put, the GFX100S II is the perfect balance of medium format performance versus price. Medium format doesn't come cheap, with the likes of Hasselblad and even Fujifilm itself usually charging around the $8,000 mark for their 100MP+ bodies. The GFX100S II is an "affordable" medium format camera, in those terms at least.

That said, it doesn't scrimp on what a medium format camera should offer: image quality. This format is all about supreme imaging excellence, and the GFX100S II delivers that in shedloads. Images are utterly gorgeous, employing Fujifilm's celebrated color science to its fullest, especially with film simulation enabled.

Buy it if

✅ You need the pinnacle of image quality: 102MP means incredibly sharp images, with wide dynamic range, strong high-ISO performance and room for extensive cropping.

✅ You need the functionality of a professional body: Subject detection AF, excellent handling, plenty of intuitive controls.

✅ You don't have $8,000 to spend: The GFX100S II is an 'entry-level' medium format camera, so to speak.

Obviously 102MP gives you ample space for cropping — you can crop down to a mere quarter of the frame and still have more megapixels than a typical 24MP full frame camera. That huge sensor, also delivers an extremely wide dynamic range and superb high-ISO performance. Combine the latter with the 8.0-stop IBIS, and you've got a formidable camera in low light.

Glass needs to be excellent to resolve 100MP, and Fuji's GFX lenses are just sublime. Getting ultra sharp photos in 102MP, with that razor thin depth of field, was so satisfying during testing.

Where this camera really excels is in portraiture: it's a camera designed to be used by studio photographers specialising in portraits, or fashion and beauty photography. That said, with its modern mirrorless design comes excellent handling, so it's equally at home on location too.

Don't buy if

❌ You're shooting fast-paced action: Topping out at 7fps and not the fastest focusing, this is a camera designed for slower-paced exploits.

❌ You can get away with full frame: If you need high resolution, ask yourself whether the full frame 60MP Sony A7RV might suit your needs (and your wallet).

Fuji has also fitted the GFX100S II with the latest X-Processor 5, bringing advanced subject detection AF. It isn't as fast as the same system on Fuji's APS-C cameras due to the larger sensor real estate, but it's best in class for medium format. Again, this helps a great deal with portraiture, where the razor thin depth-of-field at wide apertures can lead to missed focus with rival cameras, especially with regards to eyes. With Eye-AF, that's not a problem.

All in, the GFX100S II is the best blend of medium format imaging excellent, professional handling and mod-cons, and price. I got to test this camera for a couple of weeks, which didn't feel anywhere near long enough.

Recommended by
Peter Wolinski
Recommended by
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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.

Other camera buying guides

Be sure to check out all of our camera picks:

Best cameras | Best DSLR cameras | Best action cameras | Best waterproof cameras | Best point-and-shoot cameras | Best instant cameras | Best cheap cameras | Best GoPro camera | Best GoPro accessories | Best drones | Best 360 cameras | Best iPhone lenses | Best iPhone tripods |DSLR vs. mirrorless | Best Nikon accessories | Best Sony a6000 accessories


The best apps and software for editing, managing, and sharing your photos:
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Peter Wolinski
Senior Editor, Reviews & Cameras

Peter is a Senior Editor at Tom's Guide, heading up the site's Reviews team and Cameras section. As a writer, he covers topics including tech, photography, gaming, hardware, motoring and food & drink. Outside of work, he's an avid photographer, specialising in architectural and portrait photography. When he's not snapping away on his beloved Fujifilm camera, he can usually be found telling everyone about his greyhounds, riding his motorcycle, squeezing as many FPS as possible out of PC games, and perfecting his espresso shots.

With contributions from