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Mirrorless cameras have all but won the camera technology wars. For some, that may mean there's no better time to get a DSLRas their prices drop. Butif you want to enjoy the best that camera tech has to offer today—and tomorrow—getting a mirrorless camera is the way to go.
While we firmly believe that you don't need the latest or greatest camera to take good photos or enjoy photography—and we even think DSLRs can besome of the best cameras for beginners—mirrorless cameras have a few advantages.They're typically moreportable than traditional DSLRs,feature precise and responsiveautofocus systems, and have electronic viewfinders that let you preview your exposurein real-time. They've come a long way in a short period, witha constantly expanding market that catersto a range ofbudgets and experience levels.
The good news is you can't go wrong with any modern camera released within the past few years. But we've boughtover 100cameras and tested them in our lab to help you narrow down your options. Below, you'll find our top mirrorless camera recommendations for most people.If you're specifically looking for a full-frame model, check out thebest full-frame mirrorless cameras we've tested instead. Alternatively,if you're buying your first camera, you might also want to look atourtop mirrorless cameras for beginnersor the best budget mirrorless cameraswe've tested. If you're more interested in video, you can look at our favorite vlogging orvideographycameras.
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Best Mirrorless Camera
Canon EOS R6 Mark II 8
Current Deal: The Canon EOS R6 Mark II has dropped in price by $500 at Amazon.com.
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Travel Photography
7.9
Landscape Photography
8.2
Sport & Wildlife Photography
8.3
Raw Photo Performance
8.6
Vlogging
7.8
Studio Video
9.2
Action Video
5.8
Body Type
SLR-StyleMirrorless
YesSensor Size
Full FrameSee all our test results
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is the best mirrorless camera we've tested. This enthusiast-level hybrid cameracan handle a wide range of photography and video work, whether you're a pro or a hobbyist. It's fitted with a high-resolution full-frame sensor with plenty of dynamic range and good low-light performance, not to mention in-body image stabilization (IBIS) and a highly effective autofocus system. On top of that, it offers very quick burst shooting, with up to 40 fps shooting in its e-shutter mode,and advanced video features like10-bit 4:2:2 4k recording at up to 60 fps without a crop.
The biggest downside of going with the R6 Mark II is that Canon is still building out its RF lens lineup, and third-party options are not yet available. If you'd prefer to invest in a more established lens ecosystem, the Sonyα7 IV is the way to go. It's very evenly matched with the R6 Mark II, with a slightly higher-resolution sensor and an AF system that's just as reliable. However, it has a slower max burst rate, particularly when shooting uncompressed RAW files, and can only record4k 60 fps video with a Super35 crop.
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Best Mirrorless Camera For Video
Panasonic LUMIX S5 II 15
Travel Photography
8.0
Landscape Photography
8.7
Sport & Wildlife Photography
7.7
Raw Photo Performance
8.9
Vlogging
7.7
Studio Video
9.4
Action Video
5.6
Body Type
SLR-StyleMirrorless
YesSensor Size
Full FrameSee all our test results
The Panasonic LUMIX S5 II is one ofthe best mirrorless cameras for video work,thanks to high-end video specs like internal 10-bit 4:2:2 colorand support for a wide range of recording formats. The original Panasonic LUMIX S5 still offers incredible value for its price, so it's a great alternative if you need to save some money, but the S5 II improves upon the formula with a new phase-detection AF system that offers quicker and smoother autofocusing for those that need it.
On top of that, the camera has a fantastic IBIS system, and its full-frame sensor is well-suited to shooting in less controlledlighting situations. Alternativeslike the Fujifilm X-H2S and Panasonic LUMIX GH6 offer some extra features for even more advanced filmmaking, like internal ProRes codecs, but the S5 II's larger sensor and overall feature set make it a fantastic option for the money.
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Best APS-C Mirrorless Camera
Fujifilm X-T5 11
Travel Photography
8.2
Landscape Photography
8.1
Sport & Wildlife Photography
8.3
Raw Photo Performance
8.1
Vlogging
7.4
Studio Video
8.9
Action Video
6.9
Body Type
SLR-StyleMirrorless
YesSensor Size
APS-CSee all our test results
If you prefer the portability and smaller lenses offered by the APS-C format,the Fujifilm X-T5 is the best enthusiast-oriented APS-C camera. It has one of the highest-resolution crop sensors on the market, with a 40-megapixel resolution that captures stunning detail and gives you more leeway to crop your images. The camera's relatively portable design, tilting screen, and dedicated exposure dials are great for street photographersand make it easy to changesettings on the fly. The camera also boasts impressive video features, like 10-bit internal recording and 4k capture at up to 60 fps.
Another fantastic crop sensor camera is the X-T5's flagship sibling, the Fujifilm X-H2S. It's a more expensive camera, so the X-T5 is a better deal for most shooters, but thepro-centric design of the X-H2Sand its stacked sensor make it a great fit for high-level action photography and video work. It has slightly better internal recording specs, including support for ProRes formats, and suffers much less rolling shutter distortion. However, the X-T5 is a bit cheaper, is more portable, and has a higher-resolution sensor.
See our review
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Best Mid-Range Mirrorless Camera
Sony α6700 17
Travel Photography
8.3
Landscape Photography
8.2
Sport & Wildlife Photography
8.3
Raw Photo Performance
7.9
Vlogging
7.8
Studio Video
8.3
Action Video
7.6
Body Type
SLR-StyleMirrorless
YesSensor Size
APS-CSee all our test results
TheSonyα6700 is the best mid-range model we've tested. It's an impressive upgrade from the older APS-C cameras Sony has to offer, with a new sensor and processor, as well as a new AI-driven autofocus system—in fact, it's one of the most effective AF systems on the market.The camera is alsorelatively portable, has in-body image stabilization, and includes some fairly advanced video features, including 4k at 120 fps(albeit with a significant crop) and internal 10-bit 4:2:2.
Another great choice in this price range is the Fujifilm X-S20. Its autofocus system isn't quite as reliable as the Sony's, and it can't record 4k video at 120 fps. However, it's still a very impressive hybrid camera, with 4k 60 fps recording, open gate 6.2k video capability, and RAW video output to an external recorder. Those who prefer a more hands-off approach to editing will also love Fuji's JPEG colors and film simulation profiles.
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Best Entry-Level Mirrorless Camera
Canon EOS R10 9
Travel Photography
7.8
Landscape Photography
7.8
Sport & Wildlife Photography
8.4
Raw Photo Performance
7.5
Vlogging
7.6
Studio Video
8.3
Action Video
4.9
Body Type
SLR-StyleMirrorless
YesSensor Size
APS-CSee all our test results
The Canon EOS R10 is one of the best entry-level cameras you can buy. If you're looking for a well-rounded model that's accessible enough for newcomers but still offers more advanced features, this camera nails that balance. It has great ergonomics, an intuitive user interface, and a highly effective autofocus system, plus quick burst shooting and excellent image quality for its class. Vloggers and aspiring videographers can take advantage of 4k recording at up to 60 fps (with a crop), as well as a dedicated high frame rate mode for slow-motionrecording at up to 120 fps in 1080p.
The Fujifilm X-S10 is another great choice that sits around the same price point. Unlike the R10, it features IBIS,which can help smooth out camera shake when shooting handheld. The X mount also has a more established lens lineup than Canon's RF mount. The Canon has a significantly betterautofocus system and more frame rate options.
See our review
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Best Budget Mirrorless Camera
Canon EOS R50 10
Travel Photography
7.9
Landscape Photography
7.5
Sport & Wildlife Photography
8.0
Raw Photo Performance
7.4
Vlogging
8.0
Studio Video
8.1
Action Video
4.9
Body Type
SLR-StyleMirrorless
YesSensor Size
APS-CSee all our test results
If you're on a tighter budget but still want to buy new rather than dip into the used market, the Canon EOS R50 is one of the best bang-for-your-buck mirrorless cameras you can get. Sitting below the Canon EOS R10, this is a great entryway into "serious" photography for those who've never used a camera. It has a highlyportable body that makes it easy to grab and go, along with dead-simple controls and a range of intuitive, creative shooting modes.Plus, its APS-C sensorcaptures excellent-quality images, and it has a highly effective autofocus system and good video specs for the price.
Lens options for Canon's RF mount are still limited,but on the upside, the camera iscompatible with both APS-C and full-frame RF lenses, which makes it easier to upgrade to a full-frame body down the line if you want to. If you'd like a more compact camera kit with more lens options available, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a great alternative. However, its Four Thirds sensor isn't as well-suited to low-light shooting, and its autofocus system isn't as reliable.
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Recent Updates
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Apr 30, 2024: We replaced the OM SYSTEM OM-1 with the OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II as a Notable Mention. We also re-ordered the picks slightly so that similarly-priced products are closer together.
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Apr 02, 2024: We've replaced the Sony α7 IV with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II as the best overall pick since the Canon is on sale at the time of writing and offers a few small advantages over the Sony. We also renamed the Fujifilm X-T5 to 'Best APS-C Mirrorless Camera' to better reflect its market position and added both the Nikon Z 6II and Nikon Z f to the Notable Mentions.
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Mar 04, 2024: We've reviewed the article to ensure that the picks and text are up to date.
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Feb 08, 2024: Replaced the Fujifilm X-H2S with the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II as the top video pick because of the value it offers for its price. Also replaced the Fujifilm X-S10 with the Canon EOS R10 as the entry-level pick since it has a more beginner-friendly design and better overall video specs.
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Jan 10, 2024: Replaced the Nikon Z 6II with the Fujifilm X-T5 because it has more well-rounded features for video and hybrid shooters.
All Reviews
Our recommendations aboveare what we think are currently the best mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras for most people to buy, according to their needs. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability (no cameras that are difficult to findor almostout of stock in the U.S.).
If you would like to choose foryourself, here's the list of all our reviews for interchangeable-lens mirrorless cameras. Be careful not togetcaught up in the details. There is no single perfect camera. Personal taste, preference, and shooting habits will matter more in your selection.
