The 5 Best Mirrorless Cameras
If you’ve used the camera on your cell phone, then you’ve used a mirrorless camera. Basically, a mirrorless camera is one that doesn’t use an internal mirror to reflect the image from the lens up into the viewfinder. Instead, the lens image is transmitted digitally, directly to the viewfinder. In the past, this mirror has been one of the largest components in a DSLR camera (Digital Single Lens Reflex - the “reflex” being the reflective aspect of the mirror). Mirrorless cameras have been a photographic revolution, allowing designers to utilize the space once occupied by the mirror with other components that increase the camera's speed, depth of field, resolution and more. This explosion in technological advancement has resulted in a market inundated with quality - and not-so-quality - mirrorless cameras. Here are the 5 best we’ve found on the market today.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II
The Top of the Mount
Having been in business for over a hundred years, Olympus has produced some of the most iconic cameras in history. With the recent boom in mirrorless cameras, it’s no wonder that Olympus remains on the forefront. With its fast-touch auto-focus, 8.5 frames-per-second burst shooting, easy lens switch-out, and built-in 5-axis image stabilization, the Mark II has all the features that pros demand; meanwhile, it is simple and intuitive enough for a beginner just making the jump to mirrorless camera photography. Both Olympus and Panasonic lenses can be used with the body, giving an added element of flexibility – and potential savings if you already own one of those lenses. With a price of less than $450, it’s a professional-grade camera for a third of the typical professional-grade price.
Pros:
- Large, bright, low-latency viewfinder
- Shoots crisp video
- Available lenses equally well-priced
Cons:
- Short battery life
- Auto-focus difficult with moving targets
Panasonic Lumix G85
Putting the "Gee!" in G85
Most camera companies have their own lens mount, requiring the photographer to purchase lenses exclusively from the manufacturer. Micro Four Thirds lenses, on the other hand, are shared by both Panasonic and Olympus, along with a few specialty companies like Blackmagic Design and drone maker DJI. This wide variety of interchangeable lens options makes the Lumix G85 one of the most versatile mirrorless cameras on the market today. But the features don’t stop there: the G85 comes with dual image stabilization, 4K video capture, an integrated eye-level OLED viewfinder, and a 10% greater fine detail resolving power than existing 16-megapixel sensors.
Pros:
- Electromagnetic shutter shock reduction
- Splash- and dust-proof body
- Optional Power Grip doubles battery life
Cons:
- Plastic hinge on articulating screen can wobble
- Autofocus in video mode is problematic
Canon EOS Rebel T6
For The Rebel Photographer
The Canon Rebel has been one of the most trusted brand names in digital photography for over fifteen years. For ease of use, simplicity, durability and reliability the Canon EOS Rebel T6 is an industry leader. Now, you can pick up this camera along with a bundle of lenses, filters, memory cards and more for less than the cost of most mirrorless camera bodies alone. If you’ve been considering getting into professional digital photography and don’t know where to start, well, start here. You’ll get all the items listed plus a tripod, camera bag, camera case, filter cleaner, USB stick and manual slave flash as well. All you need is something to shoot!
Pros:
- Full 360-degree horizontal and 240-degree vertical view
- Wireless integration for easy photo sharing
- 18-megapixel sensor
Cons:
- Not as feature-rich as other cameras
- Tripod shorter than some pro models
Sony a9
Say Fast Five Times Fast
The Sony a9 fulfills the promise of the digital camera revolution. Built with the world’s first full-frame stacked CMOS sensor with integrated memory, the a9 provides blackout-free, continuous shooting up to an incomparable 20 frames per second. And you get all that with silent, anti-distortion, vibration-free shutter speed up to 1/32,000th of a second. If you’re trying to shoot fast-moving action, you can’t be changing your battery while the action continues, so the Sony a9 battery provides approximately 105 minutes through the viewfinder and 120 minutes with the LCD monitor. This kind of cutting-edge technology is going to set you back about a monthly paycheck, but for action photography, there’s simply no equal.
Pros:
- Zero viewfinder blackout
- No-noise, no-vibration shutter
- Rugged magnesium alloy body
Cons:
- No in-camera applications or profiles
- SD card needs reformatting with each use
Nikon Z 50 DX-Format
Selfie, Meet Professional
Small, tough and easy-to-use, the Nikon Z 50 is the camera you need if you’re looking to take your digital content creation out of the world of handheld cell phones. The Z 50 features Nikon’s revolutionary Z mount, the widest lens mount of any comparable camera system. This allows you to use lenses that provide more light, which in turn means more contrast, sharpness, focusing speed, image quality and low light performance. Additionally, the Z 50 not only has one of the best 4K video systems for the price, but also has in-camera video editing features, so you can shoot a video, trim it and send it to the Internet all from your camera. And of course, what content creation camera would be complete without a flip-down LCD screen to instantly switch to Selfie Mode?
Pros:
- Lightweight and highly portable
- Built-in WiFi and bluetooth
- Smallest interchangeable lens DX-format camera ever
Cons:
- Small grip not optimal for big hands
- Not optimal for low-light action photography
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between a “base” camera and a regular camera?
A base camera is simply a camera without a lens. If you’re just starting out with your first mirrorless camera, you’ll need a base and a lens. Fortunately, most mirrorless cameras come this way. Photographers who, for example, love their Olympus lenses but want to upgrade to the new Olympus camera can simply buy the new base camera and continue to use their existing lenses.
Can I put my Olympus lens on the Nikon camera I’m considering?
No. Though some after-market companies have developed lens mount adapters, most professional lenses only fit the camera base made by the same manufacturer. Therefore, your Olympus lens will not fit your Nikon camera. If this is your first mirrorless camera purchase, we suggest you consider both the base camera, the lenses and the other accessories provided by the manufacturer before making your commitment.
When will I know that I need a camera that’s better than the one on my phone?
If you’ve been considering upgrading to a mirrorless camera, our suggestion is to go borrow one from a friend or rent one for the weekend. Watch some photography basics tutorials on YouTube, then go out and experiment. If you see the difference – and like what you see – then you’ll know that it’s time for an upgrade.
About the Author
Why Trust Us
With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.