For quite a few years, mirrorless cameras have grown extremely popular among photographers, both professional and otherwise. Despite that, it took me a long time to make the shift to a mirrorless camera from my old and trusty DSLR.
Of course, I hesitated a lot because I was unsure if it could match up to the excellent image quality found in a DSLR. but when I did opt for my first mirrorless camera, I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was it lighter and more compact, but also captured beautiful professional quality images.
Unlike what many people think, mirrorless cameras can function very well for professional photography, too. In fact, I now use my mirrorless camera more than my DSLR for any shoot, and I haven’t been disappointed with the images till date.
For anyone thinking of making a shift from their old DSLRs, here are some of the best mirrorless cameras you can opt for.
Best Mirrorless Camera For Beginners
Mirrorless cameras are quite popular nowadays – and with good reason! These models are suitable for everyone starting from beginners to professionals.
If you wish to upgrade from your smartphone camera but are looking for better image quality than standard point and shoots, mirrorless cameras are a worthy option. These are more beginner-friendly in terms of size and weight and have less complicated settings than DSLRs. And that too without compromising on image quality!
Here are some of the best mirrorless digital cameras that you can check out.
Sony Alpha a6000
| Megapixels: 20.1 | Sensor: CMOS |
| Aspect Ratio: 3:2 | ISO Range: 100 – 25600 |
| Lens Mount: Sony E | Storage: MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Flash: Yes | Weight : 16.5 oz |
The Sony Alpha a6000 packs in the same sensor present in several DSLRs, but in a much smaller and lighter body. This makes it a perfect camera for novice photographers who want to step into the world of professional photography.
This full-frame mirrorless camera comes with a 24.3-megapixel sensor that ensures exceptionally sharp and clear images. In fact, the fantastic image quality makes it suitable for professionals, too – I would happily swap my DSLR with the Sony Alpha a6000 for just any shoot!
If you are interested in wildlife or action photography, you will absolutely love this camera! It features an amazingly fast 179-point hybrid autofocus system that ensures that you don’t miss out on a single moment!
It shoots quite well in almost all light conditions thanks to its high ISO range. And that’s not all, you can also record full HD videos with it!
The only disappointing aspect of the camera is its low battery capacity. So if you plan to shoot for long hours, you better carry along with a spare battery!
Otherwise, I feel this is one of the best mirrorless cameras for beginners as well as intermediate photographers. I would definitely recommend it if you are looking for excellent image quality within a low to moderate price range.
Panasonic LUMIX GX85
| Megapixels: 16.0 | Sensor: Live MOS |
| Aspect Ratio: 4:3 | ISO Range: 200 – 25600 |
| Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds | Storage: SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Flash: Yes | Weight : 17.6 oz |
The Panasonic LUMIX GX85 comes with a 16-megapixel micro four-thirds sensor that can capture decent-quality pictures. This is an affordable mirrorless camera perfect for novice users who want lots of features without spending a considerable amount.
It comes with 5 Axis In-Body Dual Image Stabilization, ensuring that there is minimal camera shake even when you are not using a tripod. This is an essential feature if you also intend to shoot videos.
The camera can shoot video in 4k, and honestly, I was very impressed with the quality. Unlike many other digital cameras that limit the duration of each video, the Panasonic LUMIX GX85 allows you to shoot videos for as long as you want. Of course, it also depends on the free space available in the SD card and the remaining battery, but there’s no predefined limit for videos in general.
This will be a great feature for vloggers or videographers who want to shoot high-quality videos to share with their audience.
The electronic viewfinder is great for framing the perfect shot when the sun is too bright to clearly see the LCD screen. I also felt that the tiltable screen was an added advantage if you want to take a shot from high or low angles.
On the downside, the battery life isn’t great – although this is an issue with most mirrorless cameras. Overall, the camera functions well enough for beginner-level photographers. I would also recommend it to travel enthusiasts and vloggers looking for a reliable camera for shooting both photos and videos.
Canon EOS M200
| Megapixels: 24.1 | Sensor: CMOS |
| Aspect Ratio: 3:2 | ISO Range: 100 – 25600 |
| Lens Mount: Canon EF-M | Storage: SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Flash: Yes | Weight : 15.1 oz |
The Canon EOS M200 is another affordable option that works well for beginners. With a 24.1 megapixel sensor packed in a compact and lightweight body, the camera is perfect for almost all types of photography.
The autofocus works great – you can easily use it for shooting action scenes without worrying about missing any important moment. Moreover, the face and eye detection features make it super easy to take portrait shots – perfect for all family gatherings and social events!
I feel that this is an amazing camera for vlogging. It supports vertical video and can shoot in 4k – an ideal combination for all the vloggers who like to share their experiences with their followers. Moreover, it features a tilting LCD touchscreen that can be turned towards you so you can see what’s in the frame as you shoot the video.
This compact mirrorless camera comes with built-in Wi-fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. In addition, it also supports remote shooting with a compatible smart device using the Canon Camera Connect app.
I would have preferred it more if this camera had better battery life, but otherwise, it performs quite well for the price. This is probably one of the best mirrorless cameras for video.
Best Mirrorless Camera For Professionals
The requirements of professionals are different from novice users. They are not merely satisfied by the decent picture quality and lightweight camera body. Professional photographers also need advanced features like fast shutter speeds, quick and accurate autofocus, high ISO ranges, greater continuous shooting speed, etc.
While DSLRs are usually more preferred for the job, several top mirrorless cameras are giving tough competition by excelling in the above features. Here are some of my favorite mirrorless cameras that can be used for professional photography.
Nikon Z 6II
| Megapixels: 24.5 | Sensor: CMOS |
| Aspect Ratio: 3:2 | ISO Range: 100 – 51200 |
| Lens Mount: Nikon Z | Storage: SD / SDHC / SDXC/ CFexpress/ XQD |
| Flash: Yes | Weight : 24.9 oz |
The Nikon Z 6II is my absolute favorite and with good reason. This full-frame mirrorless camera is loaded with features that make it excel in all shooting conditions. This pro-level mirrorless camera comes with a 24.5-megapixel sensor and a high ISO range, enabling you to get amazing images even in the absence of adequate light.
The autofocus performance of the camera is just out of the world. It features a 273-point hybrid autofocus system, so you can focus on any part of the frame almost instantly. This makes it great for wildlife, bird, and action photography, where any delay can cost you a once-in-a-lifetime shot.
Moreover, it has an impressive 14 fps continuous shooting speed, which adds to its brilliance. It’s a reliable camera for capturing precious moments during birthdays, weddings, etc.
And that’s not all, it also comes with 4k video capability. The video quality is absolutely mesmerizing, making it perfect for professional vloggers and filmmakers. It also comes with dual memory slots, so you are less likely to run out of memory even when shooting long videos.
All in all, I would say that this is a camera that any professional would love to own. The Nikon Z 6II has the capability of giving DSLRs a run for their money!
Canon EOS M6 Mark II
| Megapixels: 32.5 | Sensor: CMOS |
| Aspect Ratio: 3:2 | ISO Range: 100 – 25600 |
| Lens Mount: Canon EF-M | Storage: SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Flash: Yes | Weight : 19.0 oz |
The Canon EOS M6 Mark II is a handy camera that is capable of several professional-level functions. It comes with an impressive 32.5-megapixel sensor, making it perfect for the high resolution shots that professionals want.
Although it’s not a full-frame camera, it works almost as well as one when it comes to image clarity and detail. This compact camera comes with face tracking and eye autofocus which makes shooting portraits a breeze. It’s also useful in keeping track of the subject while shooting videos.
You can manually select from up to 5481 autofocus positions – so basically you can easily focus on just any part of the frame you want! Moreover, with 14 fps continuous shooting, you don’t have to worry about missing any action.
The video features are amazing – the accurate autofocus and 4k video capability come together to give you stunning recordings! In addition, the tilting screen makes it easier to shoot selfie videos.
The electronic viewfinder isn’t in-built with the camera body but sold separately. This allows you to attach or detach it at your convenience, although I felt it was easier to shoot using the EVF.
Although the camera doesn’t excel in any particular aspect, it is capable enough for all types of professional photography. All-in-all, I would recommend this camera for intermediate and expert photographers looking for a lightweight camera that doesn’t compromise on image quality.
Fujifilm X-E3
| Megapixels: 24.3 | Sensor: CMOS |
| Aspect Ratio: 3:2 | ISO Range: 200-12800 |
| Lens Mount: Fujifilm X | Storage: SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Flash: Yes | Weight : 11.9 oz |
The Fujifilm X-E3 nails most of the basic features that you might expect from a professional camera. Be it the exceptional image quality, good ISO performance, intuitive menu, fast and accurate autofocus, or high-quality video – this compact camera doesn’t disappoint in any aspect.
It comes with a 24.3-megapixel X-Trans CMOS III sensor that gives you great images with beautiful colors and less noise. It features a fast and reliable autofocus system that can easily detect and track moving subjects to give you the best shot.
Be it portraits, landscape, wildlife, or macro – this camera shoots like a pro no matter what you use it for! The ISO range is decent, although I felt that its low light performance could have been a bit better.
Another drawback is its fixed screen which makes it difficult to shoot from creative angles. But the touch-enabled screen is highly responsive, and I found it fairly easy to customize the shot.
The 4k video capability is an added bonus for videographers – the quality isn’t inferior to most other mirrorless cameras in this price range. It also comes with built-in Bluetooth connectivity for easy sharing.
To sum up, I felt that it was a decent camera that’s good enough for professional photographers.
Best Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera
Professionals in photography often prefer full-frame cameras as opposed to cropped sensors. While earlier only advanced DSLRs came with full-frame sensors, the top camera brands have revolutionized the market by bringing in full-frame mirrorless cameras.
These have a greater advantage in terms of image quality even when shooting at high ISO. Moreover, compared to full-frame DSLRs, the mirrorless cameras are faster, lighter, and smaller in size.
If you are looking for a dependable full-frame mirrorless camera for professional work, here are a few models you can check out.
Sony a7 III
| Megapixels: 24.2 | Sensor: CMOS |
| Aspect Ratio: 3:2 | ISO Range: 100 – 51200 |
| Lens Mount: Sony E | Storage: MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Flash: Yes | Weight : 33.3 oz |
The Sony a7 III is a wonderful camera that can be used for all-around professional photography. In fact, I won’t hesitate to say that it captures much better shots in comparison to several professional DSLRs.
Image quality is undoubtedly impressive, thanks to its advanced 24.2-megapixel BSI full-frame sensor. The autofocus is really powerful – no matter whether you are shooting portraits or action, you can be assured of getting crisp and blur-free images at all times.
The ISO performance exceeded my expectations, there wasn’t any clearly noticeable noise even when shooting in low light conditions. The mirrorless camera performed equally well while shooting videos – you can expect exceptional details when shooting in 4k.
I absolutely loved how silently it can shoot! As I work extensively with wildlife and bird photography, this is a lifesaver to prevent alerting my subject as I shoot.
Overall, This is a camera worth its price. I would happily swap my DSLR with the much lighter Sony a7 III for any outdoor shoot.
Canon EOS RP
| Megapixels: 26.2 | Sensor: CMOS |
| Aspect Ratio: 3:2 | ISO Range: 100 – 40000 |
| Lens Mount: Canon RF | Storage: SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Flash: Yes | Weight : 17.1 oz |
The Canon EOS RP is one of the best mirrorless cameras for travel addicts like me who want a lightweight model with decent performance. It comes with a powerful 26.2 full-frame sensor that ensures superb image quality and a more flexible depth of field.
The autofocus is quite fast and accurate, and you won’t have any problem capturing split-second expressions while shooting portraits. It’s great for sports and action photography, too, thanks to its incredible autofocus coverage spanning almost the whole frame.
This mirrorless camera comes with 4k video capability and a fully articulating LCD screen, which makes it suitable as a video camera too. This is a nice camera for vlogging as it can be converted into a webcam with the help of a clean HDMI output or the Canon EOS Utility Webcam Beta Software.
One disadvantage of this camera is its low battery life, which makes it unsuitable for long outdoor shoots. Carrying an extra battery is a good idea though to keep it running.
Another issue with this mirrorless interchangeable lens camera is the absence of a wide range of affordable kit lenses. All these issues aside, it still is a great camera that I would recommend both for beginners and professional photographers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are mirrorless cameras better than DSLRs?
The best mirrorless and DSLR cameras have their own advantages and disadvantages, which make it difficult to proclaim a clear winner.
Mirrorless cameras do have an advantage over DSLRs in aspects such as speed, size, and weight, although they have lower battery life and less number of compatible lenses.
Will mirrorless cameras replace DSLRs?
With the advancement in technology, mirrorless cameras are steadily gaining more popularity than DSLRs due to their smaller size, powerful sensors, and faster-shooting speed. That said, many professional photographers still prefer to stick to DSLRs due to the greater choice of compatible lenses and better battery life in addition to good image quality.
Mirrorless cameras may replace DSLRs in the long run as more technological innovations take place, but there’s still a lot of time till that happens.
Can mirrorless cameras use DSLR lenses?
Yes, you can use your existing DSLR lenses with a mirrorless camera, provided you have a compatible lens mount adaptor. These adaptors are easily available in the market, so getting one won’t be an issue!
Can a mirrorless camera shoot without a lens?
Unfortunately, you cannot capture a proper photo without attaching a lens to the camera body. While it is possible to click a picture without a lens, it will be either fully black or white. This is because the camera needs a lens to focus the sensor on the scene before capturing a photo.
Do mirrorless cameras have a viewfinder?
Mirrorless cameras may or may not come with a viewfinder. While several models are designed without it, some models do have this feature built-in.
But unlike the optical viewfinder found in a DSLR, mirrorless cameras come with electronic viewfinders. The advantage of the latter is that you can see the exact same view as the camera’s sensor, and your view won’t be blocked even while capturing an image. But it has one drawback – the presence of an electronic viewfinder shortens the battery life.
Which mirrorless camera is best for beginners?
It’s a great idea to go for a mirrorless camera if you are a beginner entering the world of photography. These cameras pack in awesome features and great image quality within a comparatively small and lightweight body.
If you are looking for the best mirrorless camera that works well for all types of photography, the Sony Alpha a6000 is an option definitely worth considering!
Marco Downs
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