Choose the best mirrorless camera for beginners from this list and take your photography professionally. Forget about compact cameras and smartphones, start taking high-quality photographs with a full frame mirrorless camera with an interchangeable lens.
What Is the Best Mirrorless Camera for Beginners?
Mirrorless cameras are equipped with the HDR electronic viewfinder and usually have APS-C or smaller Micro Four Thirds sensors.
You won’t find any optical mechanism with mirror focus. That’s why, mirrorless cameras are lightweight, easier to use on the go, offer interchangeable lenses, have touchscreens, and don’t produce loud sounds while shooting.
Best Mirrorless Camera for Beginners in 2021
Got interested? Here are 20 different mirrorless camera models for any budget.
The mirrorless cameras we have chosen for this list are well suited for newbies because of their price, size, ease of use, and additional features. Most of them come with APS-C sensors, but some have slightly smaller Micro Four Thirds sensors.
1. Fujifilm X-T20
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What you will notice is this camera’s great automatic mode, built-in flash and touch screen. Very useful features for beginners. This is a slightly advanced Fujifilm X-model. 24.3MP resolution is what differs it from the X-T10. X-T20 is the best mirrorless camera with viewfinder that significantly smaller than the flagship model, has a less distinctive grip.
Recommended camera lens:
Fujinon XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS
The maximum aperture of this single functional zoom is F2.8. The focal length ranges from 27mm* wide angle to the 84mm* telephoto mode. This makes it a universal lens for absolutely different environments. The compact format makes it quite portable while you don’t have to compromise on functionality. The autofocus is linear, fast and efficient. The four-step stabilization process guarantees that you’ll be able to make impressive shots under the challenging location circumstances.
Photo by Fujifilm X-T20
- Choose the latest best camera for photography to take high-quality studio photos.
2. Nikon 1 J5
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The Nikon 1 J5 has a big CMOS sensor and is compatible with the 1 NIKKOR lens. This is a perfect camera to bring your most challenging and creative ideas to life. The CX matrix equals 4 of the average-sized conventional matrices that you’ll find in the compact cameras. This Nikon mirrorless camera supports the Wireless Mobile Utility app that makes it possible to transfer photos to a smartphone or share them with friends, as well as adjusting the camera settings.
Recommended camera lens:
Nikon 1 NIKKOR 10-100mm f/4.0-5.6 VR
The zoom range is very versatile so that you feel like owning the all-in-one lens. It works for every purpose, be it picturesque landscapes, group photos, dramatic portraits or intimate close-ups. The Vibration Reduction is a wonderful add-on that allows you to get the sharp and accurate photos.
Photo by Nikon 1 J5
- Read more about the best mirrorless cameras under 1000 dollars.
3. Olympus E-M10 III
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The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III offers a compact and appealing system that is characterized by a set of powerful features and, equally important, comes with a low price tag. The Four Thirds-format Live MOS image sensor provides a 16 MP resolution for great images. Beginners will appreciate the camera due to the presence of well-loved ART shooting modes, as well as the ability to control each of the characteristics directly on the camera body. This is probably the best Olympus mirrorless camera in my list.
Recommended camera lens:
Olympus 45mm f/1.8 ED M.Zuiko Digital
Olympus 45mm ƒ/1.8 m.Zuiko is a must-have telephoto lens for any event photographer and videographer. The 2x crop function and 90mm allow you to capture thin-depth portraits, even in the low-light conditions. F1.8 aperture makes amazing bokeh.
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Photo by Olympus E-M10 III
- View more best beginner mirrorless cameras for all photography styles.
4. Sony A7
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This is one of the best full frame mirrorless cameras produced by Sony. The Exmor CMOS full-frame sensor provides the extremely high resolution of 24.3 MP while BIONZ X graphics processor is responsible for delivering great photos and videos. All you need to do is to point and shoot, keeping the viewfinder at the level of your eyes, even if the sun is shining. The viewfinder gives you a clear picture with HD resolution to enjoy the filming process. It is an ideal choice for a beginner who wants to prefer full-frame cameras.
Recommended camera lens:
Sony Alpha E-Mount Vario-Tessar T 16-70mm f/4.0
This is a good choice if you want to use the lens for the standard portraits as well as for macro shooting. The aperture is circular, which results in a beautifully customized defocusing look and bokeh effect.
Photo by Sony A7
- Check out my review of 10 best Sony cameras.
5. Sony A7 III
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This is best Sony mirrorless camera for beginners who want to take studio photos. The 24.2 MP full-frame sensor with the backside-illuminated construction show great quality images. The ISO figures of 50-204,800 and quick continuous burst filming up to 10fps allows to focus and to customize the exposure. There’s also an electronic shutter integrated, which will remain silent if take newborn photos.
Recommended camera lens:
Sony 85mm f/1.8 GM
It takes fantastic images and has fast autofocus. This telephoto lens is perfect for any style. With the Sony 85mm f/1.8 lens you receive a fascinating bokeh effect, richness and depth of the natural colors. Besides, it is weather-resistant.
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Photo by Sony A7 III
- View more about the best mirrorless cameras for video.
6. Sony Alpha a6000
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This seemingly compact camera can compete with many DSLR cameras in shooting features and is referred to as one of the best mirrorless cameras in 2021. The mix of the OLED Tru-Finder viewfinder, small weight, and manual adjustment settings are everything a beginning portrait photographer needs. HD resolution transforms the camera into one of the best and affordable options on the market. The brilliant OLED Tru-Finder captures the scene as vivid and beautiful as it is that is great for night photography.
Recommended camera lens:
Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS
Placed on the body in a couple of movements. Due to its small weight, it’s comfortable to use. It is made from the glass with ultra-high and ultra-low dispersion – it means you will get the best quality shots, with bright colors and perfect contrast even at an open aperture.
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Photo by Sony Alpha a6000
- Read more about the best mirrorless cameras for travel.
7. Fujifilm X-T3
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The most important update of Fujifilm mirrorless X-T3 is a sensor with the so-called backlight photodiodes, with a resolution of 26 million pixels. The camera may not have an automatic mode, but it is ideal for amateurs since all of the settings are visible. There is an excellent video recording feature – the ability to record 4K 60 frames per second, although with a small crop and Full HD without a crop. If you are a beginning vlogger, you should think about this Fujifilm camera body.
Recommended camera lens:
Fujinon XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS
Its main characteristics are swift AF performance and optical design which provides the highest aperture. It is often praised for the linear motor and image stabilization feature enables the shutter speeds to be used 4.5 stops slower.
Photo by Fujifilm X-T3
- Check out my review of 16 best mirrorless cameras.
8. Fujifilm X-T2
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This is an early version of the previous camera body. The stylish-looking camera combines 325-point autofocus system with a great electronic viewfinder while having a high-quality sensor as well. All of these features make it a good camera for portrait photography. There is also the Advanced SR AUTO mode for the newcomers to ensure an intelligent and fully automatic shooting. This is one of the best mirrorless camera under 1500 that is equipped with an APS-C X-Trans CMOS III matrix of 24.3 million pixels without a low-pass filter, which has the highest performance in the X-series.
Recommended camera lens:
Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2 R XF
It’s a good lens for close portraits if you want to show a skin texture and a soft background blur. Separating the subject from the background and shooting at the open F1.2 aperture occurs very smoothly. In conjunction with Fuji's top mirrorless cameras, built on the basis of a low-noise X-Trans format of the sensor, the lens allows you to get a high- quality result even when shooting in very difficult lighting conditions (for example, by candlelight).
Photo by Fujifilm X-T2
- Read my review of 15 best Fujifilm cameras.
9. Sony A5000
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This is a budget small camera that is very user-friendly for beginning photographers. The Exmor APS HD CMOS matrix creates bright shots with a rich range of colors and adds light to the detailed pictures. The super-fast BIONZ X processor improves the image quality and reduces noise for a more natural look (when you take night images). According to almost any Sony A5000 review, a built-in flash ensures optimal lighting for people and subjects and helps you create an ideal shot for printing.
Recommended camera lens:
Sony 55mm F1.8 Sonnar T FE ZA
The lens is lightweight, with a secure case made of aluminum alloy and convenient manual focus ring. It shows high sharpness across the entire field even at maximum disclosure. The highly performing Carl Zeiss optics provide excellent resolution, and the dust- and water- proof body allows you to confidently shoot in the rain or snow.
Photo by Sony A5000 10. Panasonic DMC - GF7
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The iconic feature of this camera is the Face Shutter and Buddy Shutter self-portrait modes, which are capable of taking portrait pictures without any contact with the camera, only by using gestures. There’s no need in the hands’ movement for a group portrait. Just bring your faces closer to each other, and Panasonic GF7 will create a cool shot for you. In addition, there is a smoothing mode that is an amazing feature for the skin retouching.
Recommended camera lens:
Panasonic Lumix G 25mm F1.7 ASPH
The high-aperture lens with a focal length of 50 mm (taking into account the crop factor of the standard cameras Micro 4/3, equal to two) is a good budget lens. The lens is aimed at a target with a minimum focusing distance of 25 cm. Small size (61x52 mm) and weight (only 125 g) are great.
Photo by Panasonic DMC - GF7 11. Fujifilm X-A5
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This is another best mirrorless camera for beginner that may boast of an APS-C type CMOS sensor with a classic Bayer RGB filter. It is equipped with a powerful processor so you can take pictures with 24.2MP resolution. Phase automatic focusing and a system of contrast could definitely come in handy for any amateur. What is more, this particular model is the first one among cameras of the X-A series with such a set of helpful functions and for affordable price.
Recommended camera lens:
Fujinon XF 50mm f/2 R WR
With this lens even a total newbie will be able to take high-quality images. Its maximum aperture of F2.0 ensures fantastic bokeh. It looks quite sleek, small and lightweight (200g).
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Photo by Fujifilm X-A5 12. Samsung NX3000
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This model can’t be named the best mirrorless camera for beginners. It’s slightly better than compact cameras. This is a user-friendly model for those who don't want to go deep into the complicated settings or compromise on quality. Now you are free to send photo albums to any device thanks to the MobileLink feature. What is more, its selfie function is good, so you can take pictures with +/- side buttons or use the "Wink" mode which reacts to winking and makes your skin smooth.
Recommended camera lens:
Samsung NX 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 Power Zoom ED OIS
It is a good lens to record qualitative videos thanks to automatic and fast controls. With the Optical Image Stabilization, you’ll forget about get blurred shots.
Photo by Samsung NX3000 13. Panasonic GX850
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It is a very small and compact camera which is easy to operate for beginners, especially because of the simple touch control. The integrated flash and the rotatable selfie screen are great if you are a portrait photographer. With Panasonic Lumix GX850, you can transfer images from a camera to a smartphone in a matter of minutes via built-in Wi-Fi.
Recommended camera lens:
Panasonic 42.5mm f/1.7 ASPH POWER OIS LUMIX G
The lens has the Micro Four Third's 2x crop multiplier, thus will satisfy portrait photographers. Quick f/1.7 aperture speed and powerful 85mm field of view (in the 35mm film format) are also significant advantages. Moreover, in 2015, it was claimed to be the Lens of Distinction among notable mirrorless camera lenses of the year.
Photo by Panasonic GX850 14. Canon EOS M50
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This model could be a great choice for those, who need the best mirrorless camera for video from Canon, which might compete with DSLR cameras but is more compact. Canon mirrorless cameras were the first ones to feature the 4K shooting format. Any videographer would surely appreciate the upgraded video settings and in-camera image stabilization. An APS-C sensor along with the swift and precise autofocus make the model a worthy addition to the photo gear too.
Recommended camera lens:
Canon EF-M 15-45mm F3.5-6.3IS STM
You can retract the lens to 44.5mm (1.76 inches) which ensures easy transportation and storage. EF-M 15–45mm f/3.5–6.3 IS STM is absolutely suitable for EOS M series cameras.
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Photo by Canon EOS M50
- View more about the best Canon cameras.
15. Canon EOS M5
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It is the first mirrorless camera from Canon which features a built-in electronic viewfinder. I can't but mention an effective “touch-and drag mode”. It enables selecting focus points on the screen when you look through the viewfinder. For this beginner mirrorless camera, you may buy regular EF lenses with an adapter or small Canon EF-M lenses designed for M system.
Recommended camera lens:
Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM
This lens is universal for photographers and videographers. Its noiseless and smooth autofocus along with the circular and bright aperture make it the perfect match any Canon mirrorless camera. Another key feature of this wide angle lens is its lightweight and compact.
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Photo by Canon EOS M5
- Check out my review of 10 cheap Canon cameras.
16. Fujifilm X100F
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This is a simple camera in the classic Fujifilm style. You can adjust camera settings on the side wheels. This mirrorless camera focuses very quickly and has an APS-C sensor with 24.3 MP. It will be suitable for those, who want to try rangefinder cameras but don't want to compensate on the modern camera capabilities.
Photo by Fujifilm X100F 17. Olympus PEN E-PL8
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You may rotate the monitor 180 degrees down which is great for “Selfie” fans. When this mode is switched on, the display turns into a mirror image and you could see a number of self-regulating features on the right side of the touch screen. This is one of the best mirrorless camera under 500 that has a rotatable touch monitor and the resolution of 1.04 Mtoch with a 3” diagonal. The device can boast of a TruePic VII processor, a 16MP Live MOS matrix and three-axis image stabilization on a matrix shift.
Recommended camera lens:
Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.8
This fast lens has 100% metal body. The wide-angle model gives you a chance to take qualitative landscape and street shots even in poor lighting. A snap ring provides you with an opportunity to pan focus with the help of a distance indicator.
Photo by Olympus PEN E-PL8 18. Panasonic Lumix G9
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Panasonic Lumix G9 is one of the best mirrorless camera under 1500 that can produce top- quality pictures thanks to the upgraded 80MP high-resolution mode. You don't have to worry about camera shake when recording videos or shooting stills, it is neutralized with the help of 6.5 stops of compensation. Besides, the camera body is equipped with the G9’s modern 5- axis Dual I.S II image stabilizer.
Recommended camera lens:
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6
Even though it is a real state-of-the-art lens for the top mirrorless cameras, still it's quite compact and lightweight. With this model you are sure to take truly qualitative shots and even videos.
Photo by Panasonic Lumix G9 19. Canon EOS M10
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This is another best budget mirrorless camera with the autofocus hybrid system and a rotatable 180° upwards screen which simplifies the process of taking selfies. The points cover approximately 70% of the matrix space. You may select 49 points maximum. You can also benefit from a remarkably sensitive, precise and responsive 3-inch sensor LCD screen. The significant drawback is the absence of electronic viewfinder which is common for all mirrorless cameras.
Recommended camera lens:
Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM
The key features are STM focusing mechanism and 8.3x optical zoom. The lens provides optical image stabilization equivalent to 4 exposure steps. It is a versatile lens for EOS M cameras that can help realize the most unique and original ideas in the studio and outdoors.
Photo by Canon EOS M10 20. Panasonic G85
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The camera is a good mirrorless camera body for beginning travel photographers. Lightweight moisture and dust protected body make it the best weather sealed mirrorless camera. There is a separate ring for quick access to the serial shooting and timer on the body. Adding the rotary screen for selfie mode and you will get a camera with the simplest controls.
Recommended camera lens:
Panasonic Lumix 42.5mm f/1.7
The lens can take very detailed and sharp portraits. You may take breathtaking images with magnificent bokeh and defocus effect thanks to the bright and large F1.7 aperture.
Photo by Panasonic G85
- Check out this review of 12 best travel cameras.
20 Best Mirrorless Cameras for Beginners
| Image | Camera | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Fujifilm X-T20
OUR CHOICE |
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Nikon 1 J5
BEST NIKON |
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Olympus E-M10 Mark III
BEST OLYMPUS |
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Sony A7
|
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Sony A7 III
FOR PROFESSIONALS |
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Sony Alpha a6000
UNDER 500 |
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Fujifilm X-T3
FOR VIDEO |
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Fujifilm X-T2
WEATHER SEALED |
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Sony A5000
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Panasonic Lumix DMC - GF7
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Fujifilm X-A5
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Samsung NX3000
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Panasonic GX850
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Canon EOS M50
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Canon EOS M5
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Fujifilm X100F
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Olympus PEN E-PL8
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Panasonic Lumix G9
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Canon EOS M10
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Panasonic G85
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How to Choose Mirrorless Camera if You’re a Beginner?
1. Think about the features that are important for you
Before making a purchase, decide what exactly you are looking for in a mirrorless camera. Remarkable image quality? Many megapixels? Take a sequence of shots with the maximum frame rate? Think these details over.
2. Test the camera before buying
Modern mirrorless cameras have many models and functions. If you believe you’ve found the best mirrorless camera for beginners, take your time to test it. You may do it in a store or borrow from a fellow who owns this particular model.
3. Be attentive with sales
If you plan on buying the camera in a large electronics retailer store, I suggest not to rely on the recommendations of sales managers. In most cases, they don't really specialize in the peculiarities of the equipment sold. They falsely believe that the key factor is the number of megapixels. In reality, while choosing the best full frame mirrorless camera, it isn't the primary feature to draw your attention to.
4. General characteristics
Before you start examining the camera specifications, be mindful of such characteristics as the type of sensor, the speed of the processor (opt for the fastest one), the number of megapixels (minimum 16.0MP). In addition, don't forget about the ISO range (how sensitive the model is to the light) along with the capability and the type of an autofocus system. Typically, mirrorless cameras are equipped with exceptional autofocus, but the maximum number of autofocus points is desirable.
5. Extra features
The camera manufacturers may integrate such useful, but not obligatory features as specific LCD screens, NFC and Wi-Fi modules, different filters or effect, etc.
6. Video
The majority of mirrorless cameras offer this important feature. Still, I suggest you invest into the best mirrorless camera for video, as it might come in handy later. In case you aim precisely at getting a video camera, the worthy models feature 1080p HD resolution. However, in case you need 4K resolution, be prepared to spend more money.
7. Don’t chase pixels
The thing is that the size of a sensor affects the photo quality more than the number of pixels on it. That’s why, a point-and-shoot camera with a 1/2.3-inch sensor can never compete with a DSLR that features a bigger APS-C or full-frame sensor, even if the former one has a bigger number of pixels.
Difference Between Mirrorless and DSLR
Weight and size. Mirrorless cameras are becoming more and more widespread due to their small dimensions. If we take DSLRs, they are rather bulky and, as a result, less convenient.
Lenses. Renowned camera manufacturers like Nikon and Canon provide users with a wide array of lenses for all DSLR cameras. Such companies as Pentax and Sony attempt to follow along. Unfortunately, the same can't be said about mirrorless models.
Battery. If we speak about mirrorless camera vs DSLR in terms of battery life, the latter one is the winner. DSLRs can take from 600 to 800 pictures within one charge. With the more expensive options, the number of pictures is accordingly higher. With a mirrorless camera, you can take no more than 400 pictures, but you may always use extra batteries for more frames.
Viewfinder. The primary part of the mirror mechanism is the viewfinder. Therefore, each and every DSLR camera features an optical viewfinder. Talking about mirrorless models, cheap ones are equipped just with LCD display. If you check more expensive options, the majority offers the electronic viewfinder. Thus, you can view a picture not via the mirror system but straight from the matrix.
Autofocus system. DSLR cameras are primarily known for an impressive, competitive and reliable autofocus system. The top mirrorless cameras may boast of on-sensor hybrid (phase detect) autofocus system along with the contrast detect.
Fast work. Using mirrorless cameras, you are sure to take high-quality action shots. Nevertheless, the shooting process is way quicker because there is no mirror and less moving parts.
Ann Young
Hi there, I'm Ann Young - a professional blogger, read more
