The Five Best Mirrorless Camera Models in the Market

Written By Ryan Mills

best mirrorless camera

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Mirrorless cameras are taking the photography world by storm. More and more people are ditching their DSLRs in favor of these little beauties.

They offer all the power of a DSLR in a more compact body, making them ideal for travel and street photography. Plus, with the advent of 4K video, many new models can now shoot stunning video footage.

But with so many mirrorless cameras on the market, it can be tough to know which one is right for you.

To help you make your decision, we've put together a list of the best mirrorless cameras on the market.

We've considered various factors, including price, performance, and features, to come up with our top picks.

What Is a Mirrorless Camera and How Does It Work?

Mirrorless Camera

Cameras are pretty simple devices, aren't they? You point them at whatever you want to take a picture of, push a button, and voilà!

But the truth is, a lot of complicated technology goes into making a camera work.

So, what exactly is a mirrorless camera, and how does it work?

A mirrorless camera doesn't use a mirror system to reflect light onto an optical viewfinder. Instead, light is directly transmitted to the image sensor, allowing a live preview of the image on the camera's LCD screen or electronic viewfinders.

No-mirror might sound like a minor difference, but it dramatically impacts how mirrorless cameras perform.

For starters, they are much smaller and lighter than DSLRs because of the absence of a mirror system. And since there's no mirror flipping up and down, these are much quieter than DSLRs.

Mirrorless cameras offer much faster autofocus speeds. Also, they use on-sensor phase detection, which helps take better pictures of moving subjects.

In contrast, a DSLR's autofocus system only activates when the mirror is in the down position, which can introduce a slight delay.

Best Mirrorless Camera Models on the Market Right Now

So, a mirrorless camera is definitely the way to go if you're in the market for a new camera. We've compiled a list of the best models to help you decide.

We've covered you whether you're a professional photographer or a hobbyist.

Best for Beginners: Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

The Olympus E-M10 Mark IV has many features that appeal to beginner photographers. It's a compact mirrorless camera to carry around and use, especially for those upgrading from a smartphone. 

Additionally, the button layout is designed to be approachable and easy to use—another thoughtful touch for people moving from the mobile phone interface.

For beginner photographers who want to dive into the world of advanced photography, it's a great option.

The built-in stabilization is a great feature, allowing you to take sharper photos and videos. The autofocus and exposure performance is not out of the world but does a decent job. 

It's one of the best micro four thirds cameras out there.

Because of the micro four thirds sensor and a TruePic VIII image processor, the camera's lens selection is unrivaled, featuring hundreds of native and third-party lenses.

Since it's a beginner-friendly camera, it lacks some advanced features, including microphone input and phase-detection autofocus. 

Best Alternative to Full-Frame Cameras: Fujifilm X-T4

The Fujifilm X-T4 follows in the footsteps of the excellent X-T3 and improves upon it in several areas. It's a brilliant all-rounder of a camera that's equally at home shooting stills or 4K video. 

It's arguably the best APS-C mirrorless camera that produces excellent results in capturing details in low-light environments. The 4K video footage shot on it looks stunning, thanks to the 4K/60p 10-bit recording. 

Another area where the X-T4 shines is in its autofocus system. The hybrid AF system combines phase-detection and contrast-detection autofocus and is incredibly fast and accurate.

Whether you're shooting stills or video, the X-T4 can keep up with whatever you're trying to capture. 

The only con is the high price tag, which is almost equal to its full-frame competitors.

Most Affordable Mirrorless Full-Frame: Canon EOS RP

The Canon EOS RP is an ideal option for anyone looking for a high-quality, mirrorless full-frame camera on a budget. It offers superior image quality, easy-to-use controls, and several other features, all at less than $1,000.

Most full-frame mirrorless cameras start from $2,000, so you can save a considerable amount. 

Affordability is just one of the great things about this camera. It has a 26-megapixel sensor, making it capable of capturing stunning detail in your images.

It also has a fully articulated touch screen, so users can easily navigate the camera's menus and settings. 

The Canon EOS RP can shoot video at 4K resolution, making it an excellent option for those who want to capture high-quality video footage.

However, the camera's battery does not last long, and its 5-fps shooting speed is slower than its rivals. And the absence of an in-body image stabilization feature could be a deal-breaker for some people. 

Perfect for Travelers: Nikon Z fc

The Nikon Z fc is a stills-focused, crop-sensor mirrorless camera that's been designed with casual shooters in mind. It's a fantastic choice for travel photography, thanks to its lightweight and compact camera body.

Its retro design is based on the Nikon FM2 from the early 1980s and is an excellent throwback to that classic camera.

The camera also has some great features that make it ideal for everyday shooting. It uses the same 20.9-megapixel APS-C sensor as the Nikon Z50 and can deliver some top-notch image output.

The autofocus tracking of moving objects is quick and reliable, and the 4K video recording at 30fps is a great bonus.

Unfortunately, the Z fc does not have many native lenses. If APS-C lenses are on your priority list, go with Fujifilm's X-series.

Best for Video Shooting: Sony A7S III

Regarding hybrid video cameras, the Sony A7S III is in a class of its own. It's undoubtedly one of the best options if you want top-notch video quality in a mirrorless camera. 

It's got a 12.1MP back-illuminated sensor that allows you to capture images at an outstanding quality, even in low-light conditions.

The noise management on this camera is top-notch, so you can shoot at high ISO levels without worrying about the quality of your footage. You also don't have to experience any aliasing or moiré effects.

The camera is equipped with IBIS and Active stabilization, which work together to produce smooth, stable footage even when shooting handheld.

It also features a fully articulating screen, which makes it easy to frame and compose shots, and an excellent autofocus system that tracks subjects accurately and reliably.

The A7S III is head and shoulders above the competition in terms of pure image quality. Thanks to its high-resolution sensor and powerful image-processing engine, it can take stunning stills.

The only limitations of the A7S III are its card capacity and battery life. Still, even those are pretty good compared to other mirrorless cameras on the market.

Shooting in 4k will give you 75-minute of footage in a single go.

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Conclusion

It is safe to say that mirrorless cameras are the future of photography. With their compact size, powerful features, and interchangeable lenses, they offer photographers a lot of control and flexibility.

And, with more and more manufacturers coming out with new and innovative mirrorless cameras, the competition is only getting tougher. Our recommendations will help you get the best ones in the market.

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