If you are planning to explore the field of photography or if you are a pro looking for another camera unit, a mirrorless camera is a good choice. This is why more and more individuals are turning to this kind of camera due to the number of advantages it offers.
Compared to its rival, the DSLR camera, a mirrorless camera can also provide a handful of convenient features that can aid your photography profession and passion.
With this, we are here to present to you the 5 best mirrorless cameras available on the market. Through the aid of our photography expert and SolidSmack editor, Evangeline Summers, we will highlight the best points you should consider before picking the mirrorless camera of your choice.
Best Mirrorless Cameras Comparison & Rating
Mirrorless Cameras | Features |
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1. Fujifilm X-S10 Mirrorless Camera
Sensor | APS-C |
Megapixels | 26.1 MP |
Viewfinder | EVF (2,360 k dots) |
Video Resolution (Max) | 4K |
Besides the build quality of the camera that is really striking, it has new features that can attract the market looking for the latest mirrorless cam models.
“The first is that it X-S10 now features PASM dial controls. Though it might sound a bit of a concern to those who are still in love with the manual dials, it is actually a great benefit for beginners as it is more modern and easier to control,” said Summers.
With this, according to Summers, buyers who are open to changes and innovations would love it, especially those who are already used to the PASM features of Canon, Nikon, and Sony.
Furthermore, it offers more features that will allure you such as the integration of in-body stabilization and an awesome vari-angle rear screen! Most of all, it still has the color that Fujifilm is known for!
2. Nikon Z5 Mirrorless Camera
Sensor | Full frame CMOS |
Megapixels | 24.3 MP |
Viewfinder | EVF (3,690k dots) |
Video Resolution (Max) | 4K UHD (30 P) |
By its features, Nikon Z5 is an entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera. You can compare it directly to its Z-mount relative, Z6, which almost shares the same attributes as Z5. Nonetheless, the best thing about it is that it comes with the best price, given that it is a full-frame camera.
“Just like Z6, Z5 can offer you great features from 3.69 M-dot OLED viewfinder to Expeed 6 processor and 273-point hybrid AF system,” said Summers, “However, it is undeniable that its sensor is quite different from what Z6 has.”
According to Summers, Z5 uses a stabilized non-BSI 24MP CMOS sensor which is more related to the brand’s D750 DSLR. Also, its continuous shooting rate of just 4.5 FPS is considered way slower if compared to Z6’s 12 FPS. However, Summers underscored that Nikon still did a great job as it still has a lot of things to brag about.
“There selling point of Z5 is its dual memory card slot which every photographer would love,” she said, “and another good thing is that it has a new EN-EL15c battery which outperforms the battery of Z6.”
Summers also added that for its price that is $400 lower than Z6, it is still amazing that you can still enjoy a considerable number of features from Nikon! What can we say but it is such a great steal!
3. Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III Mirrorless Camera
Sensor | MFT |
Megapixels | 20.4 MP |
Viewfinder | Electronic |
Video Resolution (Max) | c4K/4K |
Olympus presented a new masterpiece after its well-loved OM-D E-M5 Mark II through the form of OM-D E-M5 Mark III. Though it has retained some of the features of its predecessor (such as the silent operation, 5-Axis Sync IS, and the weather-sealed body), OM-D E-M5 Mark III added some new updates. This includes its resolution that now comes at 20 MP and 4K and so as the improved image stabilization and continuous speed.
“OM-D E-M5 Mark III has really met our expectations when it comes to what it is offering now,” started Summers, “It is currently boasting of Olympus's latest 20.4 megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor which is smaller than APS-C but still delivers almost the same quality as the latter. If you would compare it to Mark II, you would notice the great dynamic range and stunning improvement of its low light capabilities and stabilization.”
With the things mentioned, we are confident to offer you the OM-D E-M5 Mark III which contains the perfect set of features from performance to appearance. And for its size, we’re pretty sure that it can be a pretty handy camera whether you are a pro or a beginner!
4. Panasonic LUMIX S5 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera
Sensor | Full frame CMOS |
Megapixels | 24.2 MP |
Viewfinder | EVF (2.36m dots) |
Video Resolution (Max) | 4K (60P) |
Panasonic LUMIX S5 is based on Panasonic’s monumental Lumix S1 and S1R. Comparing the two, you’ll notice that it offers the same features S1 offers.
“LUMIX S5 comes with S1’s same 35 mm full-frame CMOS, pixels, video record time, headphone and mic sizes,” Summers explained, “but it still got some updates that are enough to overwhelm you and say that S5 is worthy of its price.”
According to Summers, LUMIX S5 comes with more powerful video specs that are inspired by the proven excellence of the GH line. LUMIX S5 can deliver 4K/60p 10-Bit 4:2:0 videos and great dynamic range. As for the stills, it boasts of a 6K Photo mode that can deliver a great 30 FPS burst shooting.
“The thing about LUMIX S5 is that it specifically designed to match other models like GH5 and S1,” she said, “It is a model that can compete with a lot of Panasonic’s creation due to the great improvements it has in various sections from updates to stills and AF system to its full-frame. Most of all, it comes with a smaller body which is something photographers and videographers would love.”
5. Canon EOS RP Mirrorless Camera
Sensor | Full frame CMOS |
Megapixels | 24.2 MP |
Viewfinder | EVF (2.36m dots) |
Video Resolution (Max) | 4K (60P) |
EOS RP is designed by Canon to give the market a smaller and cheaper version of EOS R, which makes it really desirable given that it has a set of alluring features.
“EOS RP gives you a 4K video, vari-angle touchscreen LCD, 4,779-point Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus, and 26.2 MP full-frame sensor,” Summers said, “But it is important to mention that all of these come at an affordable price, give that it is a modern full-frame camera model.”
According to Summers, EOS RP is one of the greatest offers Canon has ever made as it is an effective model to attract audiences in need of affordable full-frame models.
It can also be compared to EOS 6D Mark II due to the number of things it presents such as the 26.2 MP sensor and ISO range of 100-40,000 which is expandable up to 102,400.
Moreover, it offers new features like the Focus Bracketing. It is perfect for getting multiple shots you can merge to get that perfect depth of field. With these things, it is safe to say that Canon EOS RP is a great mirrorless camera investment that can satisfy your basic photography needs.
Best Mirrorless Camera - Buyer's Guide
We all love a viewfinder that can produce images with more natural colors and realistic details. This is only possible if there are sufficient million-dot units in the camera. With this, we suggest looking for a mirrorless camera with at least 3.69 million dots. You can have them with models like Nikon Z5. A model like Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 contains 2.36 million dots and still capable of providing excellent results but if you have the means to go for something higher, it will be better.
It is not undeniable that mirrorless cameras are still in the procedure of climbing their peak. With this, you can still expect that there are still a lot of updates that will come. This includes the stabilization feature that is sensor-based. Newer versions of mirrorless cameras don’t offer it. So, it is better if you could find a model with in-camera image stabilization. This will save you some cost and will prevent you from purchasing lenses that have the said feature.
Having a great quality of autofocus seems enough for any mirrorless camera. However, if you want the best performance out of your unit, it is recommended to look for autofocus with a mixture of contrast-detect AF and phase-detect AF.
With the combination of the two, you both have the power over the accuracy and speed of the AF system. With this, whatever scene you’re shooting, you can expect a great-performing AF system that will make your experience better.
It is also advisable to get a model with an eye-detection feature. Though Face AF seems already handy, an Eye AF gives you a better tracking system even if the subject is moving and provides a better emphasis to the eyes.
Sensors don’t just affect the size of the camera and compatible lenses. It can also affect the image quality and the camera’s performance in low-light conditions. You can choose among APS-C, full-frame, and medium format.
Medium format is a less common sensor that comes between 36 x 24 mm and 127 x 101.6 mm. It is a big sensor so you can expect the best from it but it is not as affordable as other sensors... it is extremely pricey! Nonetheless, it has been gaining popularity in recent years and performs just really well, so you might want to consider it.
On the other hand, 35 mm format or full-frame comes at 36 x 24 mm. This sensor provides rich details to your shots since it can manage a lot of pixels. This results in high-quality images and perfect for portraiture subjects since it offers excellent depth of field with any given focal length and aperture.
Lastly, the APS-C that is commonly present in cameras with smaller bodies. With this, it offers fewer details to the images that can affect the quality of your shots.
Best Mirrorless Camera - FAQs
The difference between a mirrorless camera and a DSLR lies in how they project the image. A DSLR camera uses a mirror that reflects or bounces the light it gains to the optical viewfinder. On the other hand, a mirrorless camera doesn’t have the same mirror but instead directly uses the sensor to project images on the LCD or viewfinder.
The million-dot unit affects the quality of images on the viewfinder. So, it is advisable not to go lower than 2.36 million dots and get at least 3.69 million dots or higher.
Yes, Eye AF is available in various models now. Some of the models that offer this feature are Nikon Z5, Z6, Z7, Canon EOS RP, Sony A7C, and more.
A mirrorless camera has its own advantages that set it apart from a DSLR such as being more compact, lightweight, and better in video performance. Nonetheless, it also has some disadvantages where DSLR excels.
