如果you’re shopping for a mirrorless camera, you’ve come to the right place! Mirrorless is the most exciting development in cameras since the birth of digital photography, and on this page I’ll highlight my favourite models! Mirrorless cameras can pack the quality, control and flexibility of a DSLR with their large sensors, exposure adjustment and interchangeable lenses, but by dispensing with the mirror, have the potential to be smaller, lighter, quieter and faster. Since they use their main imaging sensor for focusing, they also have the potential to track and focus subjects right into the corners while also exploiting face and eye-detection, sometimes even for animal subjects. With 100% electronic composition, you’ll also be able to use a viewfinder for everything you’d see on the screen, including playing images, assisting focus, previewing effects, white balance and colour adjustments, as well as filming and playing movies, and even navigating menus – all much easier in bright conditions than using the screen, not to mention more comfortable for those who are longer-sighted.

The best mirrorless cameras have also banished performance issues of early models and now boast viewfinders with large, detailed images, not to mention focusing and burst shooting capabilities that most DSLRs can only dream of. Compared to a DSLR there’s inevitably greater power consumption, so batteries won’t last as long, but the latest models are certainly catching-up. For me, mirrorless cameras are more compelling than DSLRs in almost every category and price-point, and I personally made the switch ten years ago when Panasonic and Olympus launched Micro Four Thirds, later supplementing my collection with Fujifilm and Sony gear. Here are my recommendations!

Mirrorless系统

Like DSLRs, most manufacturers have developed their own mirrorless system with a lens mount that’s not compatible with rival systems. There’s Sony’s e-mount which is designed for APS-C or full-frame bodies. There’s Fujifilm’s X-mount, designed for APS-C bodies only. Canon has RF for APS-C or full-frame, as well as the older EF-M mount for APS-C. Nikon has the Z-mount for APS-C or full-frame bodies.

The exceptions are two alliances: Micro Four Thirds and L-mount. The former employs a Four thirds sensor that’s a little smaller than APS-C and was co-developed by Panasonic and Olympus who share the same mount, allowing them to use each other’s lenses, as well as third party models designed for the system. The second alliance is L-mount, based on Leica’s full-frame system, but now partnered with Panasonic and Sigma who have both released full-frame bodies and lenses, all of which are compatible with each other. I’ll be recommending a mix of all formats in each category.

Best budget mirrorless cameras

New mirrorless cameras start around the $500 price, for which you’ll get a camera with an APS-C or Four Thirds sensor, a basic kit zoom lens and manual control; most will also have wifi to connect to your phone, but at this price you won’t generally get a viewfinder, so you’ll be composing with your screen only. If your budget is lower than $500, look for a second hand model or an entry-level DSLR instead. One of the cheapest budget mirrorless cameras worth having is theCanon EOS M200which sports a 24 Megapixel APS-C sensor, confident focusing, Wifi and a tilting touchscreen which can tilt-up to face you – not only is it a solid all-rounder, but it’s also an ideal entry-point for vlogging; see myCanon EOS M200 reviewfor more details.

Above: TheCanon EOS M200is one of my favourite budget mirrorless camera, but if you can stretch a little higher, theEOS M50is a much more capable camera.

如果your budget can stretch to around $650, one of my favourite mirrorless cameras is theCanon EOS M50这包24Megapixel APS-C sensor with great autofocus, a fully-articulated touchscreen, built-in viewfinder, Wifi and microphone input into a very compact body – a great all-rounder that’s ideal for vlogging and YouTube videos, although think of its video quality as being 1080 only as its 4k mode is too cropped to be useful; see myCanon EOS M50 reviewfor more details. Note the more recent Mark II version is a very mild update, so go for whichever is cheapest.

Note: now that Canon has EOS R cameras in both full-frame and APS-C versions, it’s unlikely we’ll see any new EOS M cameras or EF-M lenses added to the existing collection – this is in turn why you can often find them discounted. But you can still adapt any EF DSLR lens to EOS M cameras if desired.

Above:Canon’s EOS M50is still one of the best affordable mirrorless cameras around.

Priced a little higher still is the富士胶片X-T200这包24Megapixel APS-C sensor with good autofocus, a large touchscreen which angles-out to face you, as well as being one of the cheapest models you’ll find with a built-in viewfinder and a microphone input (albeit one which will need an adapter plug for most microphones). As a Fujifilm X camera, you’ll also enjoy their lovely photo processing as well as access to a wide selection of native lenses.

最好的中档mirrorless相机

The mid-range category, starting at around $800 for a body without a lens, is where things start to get more interesting as they normally include tougher bodies with a larger and more detailed viewfinder, faster shooting, better quality movies, more controls and improved connectivity including microphone inputs and sometimes headphone outputs which can greatly improve your audio quality for movies. Interestingly, the actual still photo quality may not be significantly improved over budget models though.

The first model to mention is theSony A6100, sporting a 24 Megapixel APSC sensor, 4k video, 11fps shooting, viewfinder and tilting touchscreen. Indeed it may also make potential A6400 buyers question if they really need weather-sealing, an XGA viewfinder and S-Log profiles, or if they should save around $150. If you like Sony but your focus is on vlogging, consider theZV-E10instead.

Another compelling model in this category is the富士胶片X-T30, a classy-looking retro-styled model with a 26 Megapixel APS-C sensor, excellent autofocus, a built-in viewfinder and Wifi; there’s also a mic input although you’ll need an adapter for it to work with popular models. There’s no built-in stabilisation, the screen won’t flip to face you, but you do get Fujifilm’s lovely photo processing, most of the video and AF capabilities of the flagship X-T4, as well as access to the best selection of native APS-C lenses – it’s a great choice for someone who wants to start building a serious system without breaking the bank; see my富士胶片X-T30审查for more details. Note the more recent Mark II version represents a mild update so go for whichever is cheapest.

Above:富士胶片’s X-T30is a compact but powerful camera that’s ideal to start building a system. Also consider theX-S10which trades the retro styling and slimmest body for built-in stabilisation and a flip screen.

如果you love the quality and features of the X-T30 but wish it had built-in stabilisation, a flip-screen and more modern PASM exposure control, look no further than the富士胶片X-S10, a newer model that’s already a popular choice in the mid-range category.

For much the same price as the two Fujifilms, you could alternatively get theSony A6400with a 24 Megapixel APS-C sensor. The body is essentially the same as the earlier A6300, so sadly there’s still no built-in stabilisation, but the screen can angle up by 180 degrees to face you for vlogging or selfies. Video shooters will also appreciate the unlimited recording time, as the A6400 was one of the first models to allow clips longer than half an hour even in 4k. There’s also a mic input, although if you mount it on the hotshoe, you’ll block the flip-up screen. Check out mySony A6400 reviewfor more details. Do remember though, if you don’t need the weather-sealed body or picture profiles for grading video, and can put up with a lower resolution viewfinder, you can save a bit of cash and go for theSony A6100instead, which is otherwise identical.

Canon’s EOS R10is another good option around this price point, with a 24 Megapixel APS-C sensor, great autofocus, side-hinged flip-screen, mic input and built-in stabilisation.

An older favourite that i’m still very fond of is theOlympus OMD EM5 IIIwhich brings confident autofocus to a compact but ergonomic body that also features fantastic built-in stabilisation, a fully-articulated touchscreen, weatherproof body and a raft of cunning image processing and long exposure modes. Sure, the sensor remains smaller than APSC, but it remains a very well-featured and attractive camera overall, especially if you can get a good deal on one. See myOlympus OMD EM5 III reviewfor more details.

Also keep an eye open for deals on theCanon EOS M6 IIwhich offers uncropped 4k video with decent autofocus, albeit with an optional removable viewfinder and a screen that only tilts vertically. See myCanon EOS M6 II reviewfor more details.

Best high-end mirrorless cameras

Spend over $1000 on a body and you’ve entered the high-end category where cameras with Four Thirds or APS-C sensors become tougher and faster, targeting sports and action, or at least very active kids and pets. Built-in stabilisation becomes more common, video features become better too with less cropped footage and higher frame rates. You can also expect twin card slots on many models, and also begin to see older models with larger full-frame sensors, discounted to clear stocks. Most notably, keep an eye on theCanon EOS RP, essentially a full-frame version of the EOS M50 with the 6D Mark II’s sensor – a good option for existing Canon owners looking to go full-frame or mirrorless, albeit only sporting a single card slot and cropped 4k; see myCanon EOS RP reviewfor more details.

For around the same price as the RP you could get thePanasonic Lumix G9, an older camera which may have a much smaller 20 Megapixel Four Thirds sensor, but still manages to deliver decent quality at all but the highest sensitivities. The continuous focusing isn’t quite as confident as its rivals, but it sports a bunch of modes which can capture action before you fully depress the shutter, not to mention a fully-articulated screen, built-in stabilisation, twin card slots, an enormous viewfinder image and 4k up to 60p, now in 10-bit internal thanks to a firmware update – indeed it’s one of the cheapest cameras to offer 4k 60p, making it a tempting choice for film-makers who can’t stretch to the GH series, or who like having the greater photo capabilities. See myLumix G9 reviewfor more details.

Above:Panasonic’s Lumix G9is an older but powerful option for photo and video – one of the cheapest with 10 bit 4k 60p.

如果your focus is pro video around this price point, consider thePanasonic Lumix GH5 II, costing a little more than the G9, but delivering more professional movie capabilities to high-end film-makers. It’s arguably the best pro video camera at its price, although the G9’s firmware updates make it good enough for most.

Also look out for deals on theOlympus OMD EM1 III, another camera with a 20 Megapixel Four Thirds sensor and fully-articulated screen, but this time with more confident autofocusing for sports and wildlife, as well as excellent weather-sealing. While the video isn’t quite as good as the Panasonics at this price, the EM1 III still captures very respectable footage and still has the one of the best built-in stabilisation systems around.

Another model to consider is theSony A6600, the flagship in the company’s APSC series, which takes the great autofocus, burst shooting and movie capabilities of the A6400, but adds built-in stabilisation, a much longer life battery, headphone jack and eye detection in movies. The stabilisation may not be as effective as the Micro Four Thirds bodies in this category and there’s only one card slot, but the bigger battery gives the A6600 the longest lifespan of its rivals which is great when coupled with unlimited recording times. See mySony A6600 reviewfor more details.

Above:富士胶片’s X-T5combines retro aesthetic with cutting-edge technology.

Arguably the best-featured camera with an APS-C sensor is the富士胶片X-T5, which takes the already desirable X-T3 but adds the 40 Megapixel sensor with built-in stabilisation and larger battery from the X-H2, but packs it into the vintage-styled body many Fujifilm owners love. It may be priced uncomfortably close to the cheaper full-framers out there, but provides a higher-end feature-set that would cost considerably more on bodies with bigger sensors, coupled with a design aesthetic that will win many over. See my富士胶片X-T5 reviewfor more details. If you want all the bells and whistles from Fujifilm, consider the flagshipX-H2orX-H2S.

As you approach a body price of $2000, the full-frame market really opens-up. Arguably the most capable full-framer without breaking the bank is thePanasonic Lumix S5which delivers a lot of the higher-end S1H at a much more affordable price. Budget film-makers will love the quality for the money, and it also has arguably the best ‘affordable’ kit zoom of any in this category with the 20-60mm. See myLumix S5 reviewfor more details.

Also look out for deals on the now-replacedSony A7 III, the previous winner in this category, packing a 24 Megapixel full-frame sensor with excellent autofocus, built-in stabilisation, fast burst shooting, great quality 4k video, eye-detection, twin card slots, decent battery life and a tilting touchscreen. It’s no longer the newest model around which has resulted in discounts maintaining its desirability; see mySony A7 III reviewfor more details. Note if you have an existing collection of Nikon F-mount lenses though, you will prefer theNikon Z6which, for roughly the same money, also has a 24 Megapixel full-frame sensor, decent 4k (now with support for 10-bit) and built-in stabilisation. Firmware updates from Nikon are steadily improving its Z-series to become a serious rival to Sony, and they’ll focus adapted Nikon DSLR lenses better too.

The two big players at around the $2500 mark are theCanon EOS R6andSony A7 IV, both offering pretty much everything anyone could ask for without becoming too specialist or pricey. The EOS R6 delivers a lot of bang for the buck too, over-shadowed by the more expensive R5 at launch but becoming one of the more compelling models in the series – so long as you’re happy with the 20 Megapixel sensor (which you should be given it’s inherited from the 1Dx III flagship DSLR). The R6 gives you built-in stabilisation, a flip screen, 12fps bursts, excellent autofocus, good controls, excellent 4k video (albeit limited to 30 minute clips) and low noise images. See myCanon EOS R6 reviewfor more details.

Above: Canon’s EOS R6 offers a compelling combination of features.

Meanwhile the newerSony A7 IVmay be classified as the entry-level model in Sony’s full-frame lineup, but like its predecessors, will more than satisfy the majority of photographers, videographers and hybrid shooters. The Mark IV boosts the resolution to 33 Megapixels without compromising noise levels, enhances an already excellent autofocus system, sports 10 bit, 4k at 50 or 60p (albeit with a 1.5x crop), a flip screen, improved stabilisation and the ability to record clips longer than 30mins without overheating. It’ll even work as a standard USB webcam. The top burst speed of 10fps reduces to 8 when shooting RAW or even 6fps depending on compression and there’s still no focus bracketing or bulb timers, but it remains one of the most feature-packed and capable cameras at this price. See mySony A7 IV reviewfor more details.

Above:Sony’s A7 IVis one of the most capable cameras at its price point, but watch for deals on theA7 III.

Beyond here we hit the $3000-plus mark with full-frame models like theCanon EOS R5,Sony A7r IVandNikon Z7which all capture stills with over 40 Megapixel resolution, plus are packed with other features I’ve detailed in my reviews – see myCanon EOS R5 review,Sony A7r IV reviewandNikon Z7 reviewfor more details. All are extremely powerful cameras.

Above:Sony’s A7R IVis one of the best high-end mirrorless cameras if you desire very high resolution photos. Compare with the newestA7R V.

Finally at the very top-end of the market are theCanon EOS R3andSony Alpha 1, the former aimed at pro sports and the latter aimed at pretty much anything you care to throw at it. They’re the most expensive full-frame mirrorless cameras to date, but extremely capable, especially the Alpha 1 which combines high res photo and video with pro-sports level burst speeds. See myCanon EOS R3 reviewandSony Alpha 1 reviewfor more details. PS – if you’re a sports or wildlife shooter who can’t stretch to either of these flagship models, consider theSony A9 IIor look for deals on theOlympus OMD E-M1X, which may use a smaller Four Thirds sensor, but packs it in a tough and fast body that handles very well; see myOlympus OMD E-M1X reviewfor more details.