10 Great Mirrorless Cameras That We Love This Year

Suppose this is your first foray into the world of mirrorless cameras and/or you have never used a camera with interchangeable lenses. In that case, the Canon R50 is one of the best mirrorless cameras to get started with.

Geared towards beginners, content creators, and vloggers, the Canon R50 is both easy to learn and a breeze to use.

Stills images come out nicely sharp, with pleasing colors and plenty of contrast. Video footage also comes out sharp, with nice color.

Beginners can leave the settings on auto and still get fantastic images. When you’re ready to begin diving into the settings, though, you’ll find the standard Canon menu system both intuitive and easy to navigate.

If you’re brand new to photography, you can turn on the camera’s GUIDE mode, which simplifies things even further – most of the top mirrorless cameras for beginners should have some kind of basic mode like this.

The autofocus on the Canon EOS R50 is particularly powerful, especially considering that this is the most affordable mirrorless camera on our list.

Trained to recognize people, animals, and vehicles, it’ll tenaciously lock onto your subject without much fiddling. You can either let the camera pick the subject or choose the AF point yourself.

Either way, it’s easy.

First-time mirrorless shooters can spend more time focusing on their composition, not their “focus.”

Another feature beginners will love is the Canon R50’s A+ auto mode. This mode includes Creative Assist, which lets you adjust most image settings simply by moving sliders on the touchscreen. You can see the adjustments in real-time, making it easier than ever to dial in the perfect exposure.

Another part of the A+ Auto Mode is the fully automated Scene Intelligent Auto, which will analyze the scene and automatically select the optimal settings for you.

In the Advanced A+ mode, the camera can automatically determine whether a scene is too dark, too high in contrast, or needs greater depth of field. It will then shoot four shots and combine them into a single, perfectly-captured JPEG.

The body of the Canon R50 is quite small and compact – even more so than its predecessor, the Canon M50 Mark II. This makes it an easier step up from a smartphone than clunkier cameras (especially comparable DSLRs). It definitely beats lugging around a DSLR camera like the Rebel T8i!

If you’re a social media content creator who primarily works with video, you’ll love the uncropped 4k video on this camera. The 1080p footage is beautiful, too. There’s also Full HD 1080 at 120p for slow-motion playback.

The Canon R50 also comes equipped with a new AF mode for vlogging: “Movie for Close-Up Demos Mode.”

This mode will prioritize focusing on any object placed in front of the lens, and then revert to face recognition when the object is removed from in front of the camera. It’s perfect for vloggers who want to showcase products.

Other features made especially for social media posting include:

• The Vertical Video feature, which ensures that your clips play properly on smartphones.
• The movie self-timer. This allows for more setup time when you’re working alone and recording yourself.
• There’s even the ability to use the Canon R50 as a webcam or live stream to YouTube, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams.

One drawback is that there aren’t a lot of native lenses for this camera. Luckily, most Canon EF lenses will work fine with the Canon R50 via Canon’s EF-EOS R Mount adapter.

Another thing to take note of is that there’s no image stabilization in the Canon R50. You’ll need to make sure you pair it with a stabilized lens or use a tripod/gimbal for video work.

Overall, the Canon R50 is perfect for those looking for an entry-level mirrorless camera at an excellent price. It hits the sweet spot between easy handling, high performance, and affordability.

In fact, the price is so low – under US$700 for the camera body + EF-M 18-45mm kit lens – that it more than qualifies as a budget mirrorless camera as well as the best beginner mirrorless camera.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV – Best Beginner’s Everyday Carry

Sensor: Micro Four Thirds | Resolution: 20.3MP | Viewfinder: 2.36m-Dot OLED EVF | Monitor: 3.0″ touchscreen, 1.04m dots | Autofocus: 121 points | Max frame rate: 15 fps | Video: UHD 4K30p | Weight: 383g (0.84 lb)

Just about small enough to stick in your pocket, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is another beginner-friendly mirrorless camera that makes the jump from smartphone to interchangeable lens camera fairly seamless.

It’s the perfect entry-level mirrorless camera for those who want something super small and portable – something you’re more likely to take with you wherever you go.

It doesn’t hurt that the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV sports a stylish, retro design that looks good wherever you go. But more importantly, it feels good in the hand (even larger hands).

The ergonomics on this little camera are just beautiful. The physical controls are well-placed and much more satisfying to use than constantly navigating through menus. It’s truly hard not to love the look and feel of this camera!

The image quality of both the stills (JPEG and RAW) and the 4k video are quite pleasing straight out of camera, but if you enjoy presets, there are a number of Art Filters included as well.

Perhaps equally important, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV comes with excellent 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS) – a feature the Canon EOS R50 lacks (as well as most cameras at this price point).

This IBIS works for both stills and video and makes it much easier to get great results while shooting handheld – especially in low-light conditions.

The autofocus of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV isn’t as strong as some of the others in its class, but it generally nails the focus, especially in well-lit conditions. Its eye and face detection works equally well in both still photography and videos.

Beginners will love working with the Auto mode, where the camera can select the scene mode for you. Its Live Guide lets you adjust how your image looks in real time, without having to know any photography terminology.

There’s also an updated Olympus Image Share app, which allows you to control settings from your phone, functions as a remote shutter, and comes stocked with many how-to videos for learning how to take better photos.

While it’s true that you can get better autofocus and more dynamic range on some of the APS-C cameras offered at this price point (like the Canon R50), the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV’s extreme portability, image stabilization, and frankly, how it feels in the hand, make it one of the best budget mirrorless cameras you can buy right now.

Sony a6700 – Best All-Around APS-C Mirrorless Camera

Sensor: APS-C | Resolution: 26MP | Viewfinder: 2.36m-Dot OLED EVF | Monitor: 3.0″ touchscreen, 1.04m dots | Autofocus: 759 points | Max frame rate: 11 fps | Video: 4K120p | Weight: 493g (1.09 lb)

The latest iteration in the beloved Sony a6xxx line, the Sony a6700 has almost everything you’d need in a small APS-C camera, as well as a few bonus features you won’t find anywhere else at this price point.

First off, it comes with a new 26MP BSI CMOS sensor. This may not seem like a huge difference on paper, but in real life, it’s an incredible improvement.

There are next to no rolling shutter effects, the autofocus is wicked accurate, and the overall image quality is simply fantastic, regardless of the lighting conditions.

Speaking of the autofocus – you’d be hard-pressed to find anything that can outperform this little beast. The way its new AI processing unit follows eyes, faces, and vehicles seems like nothing short of magic. Harsh light? Erratic action? All easy peasy.

In fact, the Sony a6700’s autofocus is so amazing that it makes the comparatively low burst rate of 11fps almost a non-issue for all but the most demanding of action shooters.

This camera’s ability to track subjects even in the most challenging of conditions will yield far more keeper photos than faster burst speeds alone.

The Sony a6700’s autofocus while shooting video is also nothing short of amazing. It can effortlessly recognize and track subjects, and can also apply auto-cropping to keep the subject in a perfect position in the frame.

Speaking of video, the Sony a6700 yields beautiful footage at both 4K 60p (when sampled from the full 6K sensor) and 4K 120p video at a 1.58x crop.

There’s also 10-bit video recording with 4:2:2 or 4:2:0 color sampling, full HD at up to 240 fps, S-Log3 and S-Cinetone profiles, and in-camera LUTs.

On the practical, everyday shooting side of things, the Sony a6700 has an absolutely fantastic battery life, USB-PD charging, UVC/UAC live streaming, and a new front command dial that allows you to adjust settings effortlessly.

Its compactness makes the Sony a6700 especially well-loved for hiking, backpacking, travel, and of course, as an everyday carry.

There’s also a slew of excellent lenses to choose from, and if you want to upgrade to another Sony camera at some time in the future, you can start building your lens collection with the a6700.

On the downside, the Sony a6700’s ergonomics still leave a bit to be desired, both in how it feels in the hand and in the smallish, relatively low-resolution viewfinder.

There have also been complaints of the a6700 overheating during extended video recording sessions, especially in high-resolution modes. (If you’re primarily a video shooter, take a look at the Lumix GH7 further down below!)

Still, overall, we believe the Sony a6700 is the perfect APS-C camera for serious photographers who want to be able to do a bit of everything with a small camera that’s, well, good at just about everything.

Fujifilm X-T5 – Best APS-C Mirrorless Camera for Still Photography

Sensor: APS-C | Resolution: 40 megapixels | Viewfinder: 3.69M dots | Monitor: 3-inch fully-articulated touchscreen, 1.84M dots | Autofocus: 425 points | Max frame rate: 30fps in crop mode, 15fps full resolution | Video: 4K at 60p | Weight: 557g (1.34 lb)

The beautiful retro design of Fujifilm cameras has long made them the top choice for digital photographers who appreciate a vintage aesthetic and a classic shooting experience.

The Fujifilm X-T5 is a beautiful, retro-styled mirrorless camera that seamlessly blends classic design with cutting-edge technology.

It features a 40MP sensor, advanced X-Processor 5, and AI-powered autofocus system, all in a beautiful, classic chassis with physical controls.

The 40MP sensor – the highest resolution available on an APS-C sensor camera – provides fantastic image quality, with fine detail and vibrant colors.

While APS-C sensors can’t quite match full-frame sensors in low-light environments, the Fujifilm X-T5 performs amazingly well in low light. The new processor handles noise particularly well and comes with an extended ISO range of 64-51,200.

The X-Processor 5 was designed specifically to handle the large file sizes the Fujifilm X-T5 produces, allowing for 15fps burst shooting, improved noise reduction, much better autofocus, and faster image processing overall.

Unlike its predecessor, the Fujifilm X-T4, the X-T5’s autofocus has the ability to detect a wide variety of moving subjects, from humans and animals to planes, trains, bikes, and cars.

While you have to select which of these subjects you wish to track in the menu system, it’s consistently accurate, and the various settings can be programmed into the camera’s custom modes.

In another change from the X-T4, Fuji has opted to revert from the controversial vari-angle screen found on the X-T4 and X-H2 cameras, believing, arguably rightly, that the current screen style is more appropriate for stills-heavy use.

The Fujifilm X-T5 features a crisp electronic viewfinder along with a sharp, two-way tilting rear screen to assist with more awkward compositions, which works in both landscape and portrait orientations.

The X-T5 is only slightly larger than the X-T4, with a negligible increase in weight that’s barely noticeable. The body itself is stylish, durable, and pleasing to hold.

The physical controls for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation bring a sort of tactical satisfaction that you just can’t get with most modern cameras.

Where the Fujifilm X-T5 falls short of its competitors is on the video front, although it does come with some new features, such as the inclusion of 6.2K video at 40p.

To begin with, the return to the previous LCD screen format has left many vloggers out in the cold, as they’re no longer able to use the screen for monitoring the camera from the front.

With that said, it supports F-Log2, expanding the dynamic range over previous models, and introduces a new menu for Movie Mode that makes shooting video easier than before.

Still, the Fujifilm X-T5’s real strengths are more in the realm of still photography – that’s where it really shines.

So, if you’re looking for an APS-C camera that looks good, feels great, and has all the power under the hood you need for landing fantastic photos, you’re going to want to keep the Fujifilm X-T5 at the top of your list.

Nikon Z8 – Best High-End Mirrorless Camera

Credit: Steve Vansak

Sensor: Full-frame stacked CMOS | Resolution: 45.7MP | Viewfinder: 3.69m-dot OLED EVF | Monitor: 3.2″ tilting touchscreen, 2.1m dots | Autofocus: 493 points | Max frame rate: 20 fps | Video: 8K60p, 4K120p | Weight: 910g (2.01 lb)

If you have a little more cash to spend and are in the market for a high-end mirrorless, you’ll want to take a serious look at the Nikon Z8.

Smaller and lighter than its phenomenal older sibling (the Nikon Z9), the Z8 can do just about everything the Z9 can do and at around three-quarters of the price.

To begin with, it has the same cutting-edge stacked sensor and Expeed 7 processor as the Z9. Together, these yield images incredibly rich in detail and with an excellent dynamic range.

Image processing and data handling are ridiculously fast, including up to 20fps continuous shooting with RAW files.

The Z8’s autofocus excels at just about everything: subject detection, eye detection, and 3D tracking. It’ll lock onto a fast-moving subject and track it effortlessly.

The AF also performs remarkably well in low-light situations, making night photography and indoor photography a breeze… well, at least as far as locking onto your subjects is concerned.

With the exception of its larger and more expensive sibling, the Z8 is Nikon’s most capable video camera to date.

Video shooters will love the fact that the Nikon Z8 can record 8K video at up to 60fps in N-RAW format, and up to 30fps in ProRes 422 HQ, H.265, or H.264 formats. The 4K recording goes up to 120fps.

There’s also an “extended oversampling” option that allows you to capture oversampled 4K video from 8K footage at up to 60 fps.

Other video features include timecode sync, proxy recording, and both 12-bit and 10-bit recording.

In terms of build quality, the Nikon Z8 is quite robust and comes extensively weather-sealed. It also has a sensor shield for changing lenses in dirty environments.

As with most high-end Nikon cameras, the ergonomics and button placement are spot-on.

There’s even a dedicated EVF feed that’s totally independent from the rest of the camera’s processes. It never needs to blackout and, in practical terms, is pretty much the closest you can come to looking through an actual optical viewfinder.

The price tag will seem a little high, but once you realize how much of the Z9 you’re getting in this smaller, less expensive version, it may not seem quite so staggering.

This is why we really believe the Z8 is the high-end Nikon camera that makes the most sense for most serious photographers: its Z9 capabilities packaged into a smaller, more affordable package make it a true force to be reckoned with.

Sony a7C II – Best Full-Frame Mirrorless Travel Camera

Sensor: Full-frame BSI CMOS | Resolution: 33MP | Viewfinder: 2.36m-Dot OLED EVF | Monitor: 3.0″ fully articulated touchscreen, 1.04m dots | Autofocus: 759 points | Max frame rate: 10 fps | Video: 4K60p (with 1.5x crop) | Weight: 514g (1.13 lb)

Want the image quality of a full-frame sensor but a camera that won’t weigh you down? Take a look at the Sony a7C II – one of the smallest full-frame mirrorless cameras available.

Feature-wise, the Sony a7C II packs all the punch of the Sony a7 IV, but adds in better autofocus and somehow fits high-end performance into a smaller, lighter body. Pair it with the retractable 28-60mm f/4-5.6 lens, and you get a remarkably small footprint yet fantastic photos.

The autofocus system is simply incredible in this little camera, with the real-time tracking recognizing human heads, faces, eyes, and animals, and locking onto them with ease. Its AI-trained focus system is even better than what you get on the full-sized a7 IV.

Image quality is as good as the a7 IV (it’s the same 33MP sensor), but the Sony a7C II outdoes the a7 IV with a newer-generation Bionz XR processor and an all-new image stabilization system.

The in-body image stabilization of the a7C II promises up to 7 stops of blur compensation, something absolutely critical in a camera this size. (The Sony a7 IV only compensates up to 5.5 stops.)

Like the Sony a7 IV, the Sony a7C II has burst shooting to 10 fps with full AF/AE tracking. That may seem low, but given the incredible stickiness of the tracking, you’re likely to get more keeper photos than if it were simply faster burst shooting and less awesome AF.

Video users will appreciate the oversampled 4K video up to 30p (including 10-bit S-Log3 and HLG) and the 10-bit 4:2:2 color. It also includes S-Gamut3.Cine and S-Cinetone profiles, providing a wide dynamic range and cinematic color options.

Other video tools include AI-based auto framing, focus breathing correction, and soft skin rendering.

Of course, you’re going to get some ergonomic tradeoffs once you start handling a body this small: there’s no built-in flash and the built-in viewfinder is definitely on the small side. (There is, however, a hot shoe for attaching an external flash.)

It’s also not as comfortable in the hand and larger lenses don’t balance so well on it.

On the plus side, you get great battery life (540 shots per charge), a fully articulating LCD swivel screen, and separate mic and headphone jacks.

All-in-all, this little gem makes for a stellar travel companion: it’s easy to keep with you and, like the Sony a7 IV, it will excel in just about any situation.

Panasonic Lumix GH7 – Newest Mirrorless Hybrid Powerhouse

Sensor: 25.2MP BSI CMOS | Resolution: 25.2MP | Viewfinder: 3.68m-dot OLED EVF | Monitor: 3.0″ touchscreen, 1.84m dots | Autofocus: Phase-detection, 779 points | Max frame rate: 14 fps (75 fps with electronic shutter) | Video: 5.8K/30p, C4K/60p | Weight: 721g (1.59 lb)

Just released this year, the Panasonic Lumix GH7 improves on the GH6, a fantastic hybrid camera that already beat out most of the other video cameras in its class.

Sure, the micro four-thirds sensor isn’t the largest sensor size, but its 25.2MP BSI CMOS sensor, new Venus Engine processor, high-res recording modes, and phase detection autofocus combine to create fantastic image quality in both stills and video.

If you need more resolution, there’s a High Resolution mode, which combines 8 separate images into one 100-megapixel JPEG or RAW file.

One would expect the GH7 to perform poorly in low light given its micro four-thirds sensor, but the Lumix GH7 actually rivals the a7S III for detail and high ISO noise management (at least up until ISO 12,800).

New for the Lumix GHx line, the GH7 is only the second Lumix micro four-thirds camera to use a phase detection system for its autofocus. The result is high-speed, high-precision AF performance that’s much better than its predecessor, the GH6.

Along with subject recognition for people and animals, the GH7 now has real-time auto-focus recognition for airplanes and trains.

Like the GH6, the GH7 comes with fantastic burst shooting, with speeds up to 60fps with continuous auto-focus and up to 75fps with the focus and exposure locked at the first frame.

The Lumix GH7 also comes with an excellent 5-axis in-body image stabilization system rated at 7.5 stops, eliminating the need for a gimbal in many situations.

But it’s in the video department that this little micro four-thirds camera excels. The list of recording options is over the moon – at least for a mid-range mirrorless camera.

Headliners include Apple ProRes 422 and ProRes 422 HQ recording (5.7K resolution in 30p, 4K video, and Full HD). There’s also the ability to record in full V-Log, offering 13+ stops of dynamic range.

The Panasonic Lumix GH7 supports 5.7K full-width capture at up to 60p and produces footage far beyond any of its competitors when shooting at 4K/120p in 10-bit 4:2:0.

On the sound side of things, the Lumix GH7 comes with the world’s first 32-bit float recording, which eliminates the need to adjust sound recording levels during shooting.

There are two card slots: one for UHS-II SD, and one for the more advanced CFexpress Type B card. The Lumix GH7 can record Cinema 4K footage at 60p to both its cards simultaneously, as well as externally via HDMI to a recorder.

There’s also the ability to record to an SSD through the USB-C port.

Video shooters will also love:

• The sub-video record button on the front, as well as on the top plate
• The dedicated audio management button in place of the picture profile button
• The anti-rotation pinhole in front of the tripod thread
• The Lumix Luminance Spot Meter, Waveform, and VectorScope

Suffice to say that even the most passionate and unique filmmaker should find what they need in this little camera. It outperforms most other mirrorless cameras, including its main micro four-thirds competitor, the Olympus OM-1.

Even full-frame cameras like the Canon EOS R6 can’t really match it in the video department.

Some cameras just excel at video, and the Panasonic Lumix GH7 is one of them. One would be hard-pressed to find a digital camera with a more comprehensive list of high-quality recording options – especially at this price point.

Sony a7R V – Best for Exquisite Landscape Photography and Portraits

Credit Daniel Stark

Sensor: Full-frame | Resolution: 61 megapixels | Viewfinder: 9,43M dots | Monitor: 3.2-inch tilt-angle touchscreen, 1.44M dots | Autofocus: 693 Phase + 425 Contrast | Max frame rate: 10fps with full AF / AE Tracking | Video: 8K at 24p/4K up to 60p | Weight: 723 g (1.96 lb)

While it’s built around the same 60MP BSI CMOS full-frame sensor as the Mark IV, the addition of more powerful processors gives the Sony a7R V significantly more clout.

Perhaps the main area that benefits from this ramped-up processing power is autofocus, which offers far better subject recognition that goes well beyond human subjects.

A range of vehicles and animals can now be identified and tracked with ease, opening up the potential for shooting all manner of subjects with rapid AF.

Users now have the option to tailor the specific parameters for each of these subject categories to fine-tune how tolerant and sensitive AF is while tracking.

The upgraded algorithms extend into the Sony A7R V’s in-camera stabilization of up to eight stops, which works in combination with Sony’s native lenses for a rating of 8.0EV in industry-standard tests.

Image quality is excellent whether shooting photos or recording videos, although to optimize the end results, it’s best to use lenses from Sony’s G and GM ranges.

While the design is similar to the A7R IV, there’s an improved 4-axis 3.2-inch articulating screen, making it a more viable option for video content creators than its predecessor.

Sony has also improved the viewfinder, delivering a high-magnification 0.9x optics for a bigger view of the frame, along with a 9.4 million dot display.

The body comes in an attractive matte black finish and magnesium alloy for the chassis, with dust and splash protection along with the option to close the shutter down when changing lenses.

The previously marked, dedicated EV control is now unmarked, and while it is still set to EV as default, it can be easily swapped out for another function.

There’s also a new toggle beneath the Mode dial dedicated to Stills/Movie/Slow Motion, which is a nice new touch that may speed up the workflow for some users.

Videographers and content creators can enjoy the inclusion of 8K video – albeit cropped – as well as introducing S-Log3, S-Cinetone and HDR formats that were lacking from the a7R IV.

This makes the Sony a7R V a wonderful camera for filmmakers who want to really fine-tune their footage in post, with a more dynamic range to adjust colors and push blacks.

The aforementioned improvements to the autofocus also ensure a far more accurate and reliable experience with video, tracking subjects accurately even in busy scenes as they move around the frame.

With that said, the benefits from the updated in-body image stabilization aren’t as apparent when shooting video footage, with rapid movements and other jolts prone to negatively impacting the footage.

There are also issues with the rolling shutter when shooting in 8K and full-frame 4K, although these issues can be avoided by shooting in APS-C mode.

The Sony a7R V brings plenty of reasons to the table to earn a strong recommendation, with outstanding image quality and all-around improved engineering combined with game-changing AI-based autofocus and stabilization.

Canon EOS R6 Mark II – Great Option for Wedding Photography

Sensor: Full-frame | Resolution: 24.2 megapixels | Viewfinder: 3,690K dots | Monitor: 3-inch fully-articulated touchscreen, 1.62M dots | Autofocus: 4,897 points | Max frame rate: 40 fps electronic / 12 fps mechanical | Video: 4K at 60p | Weight: 670 g (1.5 lb)

Wedding photographers need a quick, high-capacity camera that can perform across a huge range of photographic challenges, all while cranking out excellent images. The Canon EOS R6 Mark II does all of this and more.

For a full-frame camera, the Canon EOS R6 Mark II is nicely compact, yet well-balanced. Its solid build can hold up to even the rowdiest wedding.

The image quality of the Canon EOS R6 Mark II will please even the pickiest of clients, and the superb ergonomics will make long shooting sessions much easier on the photographer.

It feels great in the hand, key controls are well-positioned, and the buttons are all customizable.

The Canon R6 Mark II’s full-frame sensor is only 24.2 megapixels, more than enough for the vast majority of wedding photography applications unless you need a huge billboard of an image or tend to highly crop your photos.

In fact, the low megapixel count is actually an advantage to many wedding photographers, as the small file size of the photos makes it much easier to process and store the literally thousands of images you’re likely to end up with.

(It’s one reason the Canon EOS R6 Mark II is often favored over the Sony a7 IV – it’s remarkably easier to quickly sort through 24.2-MP files than 33MP files.

Also, the Canon EOS R6 Mark II’s fantastic ISO range and low-light performance easily compensate for the low megapixel count. There’s also 8-stops in-body image stabilization, to help with landing those tricky, handheld shots.

Need to get some action shots of the couple dancing? No problem! The Canon EOS R6 Mark II has burst shooting up to 12 fps with its mechanical shutter and up to 40 fps with its electronic (silent) shutter.

The Dual Pixel AF II autofocus system is a solid performer and comes with machine learning and subject tracking. It quickly identifies people and animals, as well as planes, trains, and helicopters. There’s not much need for fine-tuning – it just works.

On the video side of things, the Canon EOS R6 Mark II comes with offers 4K video up to 60fps, and 1080p up to 180fps. There’s also 10-bit 4:2:2 with Canon Log or HDR PQ. Internal recording is available in all formats, and all have autofocus.

Hybrid users will be pleased to find that switching between video and stills is fairly quick.

In a major improvement over its predecessor – the Canon R6 Mark I – the R6 Mark II has a full 6 hours available per movie file. So no issues there. The rolling shutter effect has also been nicely managed.

There’s honestly not much else to complain about with this excellent little full-frame camera.

The R6 Mark II is simply one of the most popular mirrorless cameras for wedding photographers, as well as anyone else looking for a high-performing mid-range mirrorless camera in the RF-lens-mount world.

Sure, it may not be the absolute best Canon mirrorless camera with the formidable R3 taking the top spot, but for the money, it can’t be beaten.

What Are the Advantages of a Mirrorless Camera?

• Less weight and bulk – Mirrorless camera bodies and most of the lenses made for them are smaller and lighter than corresponding DSLR cameras. While the difference may not be huge, if you’re someone who travels with a camera, every last ounce can make a difference after a long day of hauling gear around. On the flip side, adding a long zoom lens to a small body can make the setup a little unwieldy.
• Manual focus is much, much easier – Because you can see exactly what you’re doing, it’s extremely easy to manually set an accurate exposure and make sure your image is in focus. There are also tools like focus peaking and focus point magnification available.
• Live histogram – With a mirrorless camera, you can see the histogram and overall exposure before you take the picture. While some DSLRs can show a histogram in Live Mode, none can show a live histogram in the viewfinder as you’re changing the camera settings.
• Exceptionally high burst rate – Most mirrorless cameras can leave DSLRs in the dust when it comes to burst rate.
• Silent shooting – Mirrorless cameras can switch to “silent mode” and use their electronic shutter only. This means you won’t be interrupting the moment when doing wedding or event photography in a quiet space.
• Better autofocus – Most mirrorless cameras have a high number of focus points, with the focus points much more spread across the entire frame than what you’ll find on an average DSLR.
• Longer life span – The life span of a DSLR is pretty much tied to the life expectancy of its shutter. With mirrorless cameras, because there’s no mirror to flip up and down, the shutter count doesn’t matter as much.

Should I Switch From DSLR to Mirrorless?

Mirrorless cameras are the wave of the future: almost all of the R&D funding is going in that direction. It’s quite likely that DSLR development won’t keep up nor continue much into the future.

That being said, if you’re happy with your DSLR setup, then there’s no reason to switch to a mirrorless camera – at least anytime soon.

If you feel like a change and want to try out the world of mirrorless, go for it. You can always rent or borrow a camera first before you take the leap.

Just beware, switching over to a mirrorless camera won’t necessarily make you a better photographer. Sure, it’s much easier to shoot in manual mode and get your exposure correct, but the elements of creating a good photo haven’t changed.

You can also read the results of our survey to find out what cameras photographers use to see how many use DSLRs versus mirrorless cameras and what brands they use the most.

What Should I Look for When Buying a Mirrorless Camera?

Fujifilm mirrorless cameras

1. Sensor size – Sensor size makes a huge difference to image quality, especially when shooting in low light, but there are some trade-offs. For example, APS-C cameras tend to be smaller and lighter than full-frame cameras. They’re also less expensive.
2. Budget – At the end of the day, which mirrorless camera you choose will ultimately come down to what you can spend on it… and on the lenses that you want to use on it. If you’re on a budget and can’t yet buy the camera you want, choose a cheaper version with the same lens mount. That way all your lenses can migrate over to the new camera.
3. Resolution – These days it’s pretty common to find cameras offering 24 megapixels., which is more than enough for most applications. You likely won’t need more if you’re not planning on printing out your images. Also, keep in mind that higher resolutions provide better image quality, but also huge files and a slower burst shooting rate.
4. Lens options – In many respects, the glass you buy will be more important than the camera – at least if you really want quality photos. If you’re really planning to grow as a photographer and/or want flexibility in what types of lenses you can choose, you’ll want to invest in a camera with a lens mount that has a great lens library (like the Sony E-mount).
5. Autofocus – The autofocus on mirrorless cameras has really changed the game, especially when it comes to moving subjects. Make sure that the camera you want to buy has face, eye, and subject detection if you’re planning on doing any action or event photography.
6. Burst rate – Burst rate isn’t a big deal if you’re shooting static subjects. If your subject matter contains a lot of moving subjects, however, you’ll want at least a 10fps burst rate.
7. Video features – If you’re planning on using your new camera for video, take a look at the different recording options offered and make sure they’re the ones you’re planning to use now AND grow into. This includes physical features like a full-size HDMI port. (For example, maybe you haven’t shot a lot of slo-mo yet but might want to get into it in the future – make sure the camera you buy has this option as well.)
8. Ease of use – What’s the easiest mirrorless camera to use? It depends on individual preferences and needs, but finding a model that fits your hands and has well-placed buttons is the first step. Getting a camera with plenty of customization options will also let you further adapt the camera to your needs.

Best Mirrorless Cameras FAQ

What is a mirrorless camera?

Which brand has the most popular mirrorless camera?

In our opinion, Sony consistently makes the best full-frame mirrorless cameras. They have many more years of development under their belt than Canon or Nikon. For APS-C cameras, Fujifilm makes the most popular mirrorless cameras.

Why are mirrorless cameras better?

Mirrorless cameras are smaller and lighter, with image quality that’s just as good as same-class DSLRs. Because they don’t have a mirror, they have a much faster frames-per-second rate than other cameras and even have a silent shooting mode. That’s something a DSLR camera just can’t do, yet it’s often needed in quiet settings.

Do professionals use mirrorless cameras?

Yes, many professionals prefer using mirrorless cameras over DSLRs.

What are the disadvantages of mirrorless cameras?

The biggest disadvantage is that the sensor on most mirrorless cameras is fully exposed when you change lenses. (On a DSLR, the mirror partially protects the sensor.) Also, many mirrorless cameras have sub-par battery life when compared to DSLRs.

Is a DSLR still worth buying?

DSLRs are still worth buying if you already have a lot of EF or F-mount lenses, or you can get them inexpensively. Also, the prices of DSLRs are going down considerably – you can get some amazing deals now that mirrorless cameras are all the rage. Beyond this, they feel better in the hand (especially if you have large hands).

Is mirrorless the future?

Undoubtedly, mirrorless cameras are the face of things to come. It’s where the major camera manufacturers are putting in the bulk of their R&D and also where consumers are putting their dollars, which in turn influences further development.

What is the lightest mirrorless camera?

The Panasonic Lumix GX850 weighs approximately 329g (11.6 oz), and the Sony ZV-E10 is 343g (12 oz) with a battery and memory card.

What is the cheapest Fujifilm mirrorless camera?

The Fujifilm X-T30 II is the cheapest new Fujifilm camera with advanced features, including film simulations. It features a 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor, 4K video, and advanced autofocus and can be found new with an XC 15-45mm kit lens for under $1000.

What mirrorless camera is best for family photography?

Any camera can be used for family photography, but if you need something small and unintrusive for candid shots, the Fujifilm X-T30 or Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is ideal. Pairing these cameras with a zoom lens will help you maintain adequate distances from families, ensuring they don’t get nervous in front of you.

Final Words

Choosing a mirrorless camera in 2024 isn’t an easy task, but hopefully, our guide has helped you make the right decision based on your needs.

Mirrorless cameras are fun and exciting to use, so they encourage you to get out and take more photos.

Feel free to leave a comment below with your questions and recommendations. Happy shooting!

Editor’s Choice

Sony Alpha a7 IV

An all-round powerhouse mirrorless camera with best-in-class autofocus, image quality, ergonomics and features.