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Updated Nov 8, 2024
Sixteen years after Panasonic introduced the first mirrorless camera, mirrorless cameras now dominate the interchangeable lens camera market. They include cameras designed for a wide range of photo and video pursuits and models at everything from budget to professional price points.
We've used and tested just about every current mirrorless camera on the market and picked out what we think are the stand-out models. We'll start with the most affordable models, then work our way up from there. In general terms, as you move up the price ladder, you'll see larger sensors with better image quality, higher resolution, faster burst rates, or more capable video specs. We'll explain why we've chosen each camera and try to explain the advantages and disadvantages of each choice.
Our picks:
- Best value: Sony a6100
- Best APS-C mirrorless camera: Sony a6700
- Best bargain full-frame: Canon EOS R8
- Best mirrorless camera under $2000: Nikon Zf
- Best mid-priced mirrorless camera: Nikon Z6III
- Best high-end mirrorless camera: Canon R5 II
- Compact high-resolution: Sony a7CR
Best value: Sony a6100
24MP APS-C sensor | Hybrid AF with Real-time Tracking | 4K video capture
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| Photo: Richard Butler |
What we like:
- Excellent autofocus system
- 4K/30p video recording
- Tilting touchscreen LCD
What we don't:
- Less robust build quality
- Rolling shutter 'jello effect' present in 4K video
- Crop when recording 4K/30p video
The Sony a6100 is an entry-level APS-C mirrorless camera. While in 2024 it's one of the older camera still available, its 24MP sensor, touchscreen for easy focus placement and Sony's excellent autofocus tracking, which especially excels at focusing on people and pets, still make it excellent value for its price.
The a6100 is happiest if you prefer to point-and-shoot in an auto mode, supported by its very good autofocus. The wide range of lenses available for it give you somewhere to grow if you find yourself catching the photography bug.
See the Sony a6100 studio scene
Best APS-C mirrorless camera: Sony a6700
26MP BSI CMOS sensor | 4K/60p video capture | Fully articulating screen
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| Photo: Richard Butler |
What we like:
- Front and rear command dials
- Excellent AF in stills and video
- 4K/120p capture (with crop)
What we don't:
- No AF joystick
- JPEG sharpening can be aggressive
The Sony a6700 is an enthusiast-level APS-C mirrorless camera built around an image-stabilized, 26MP BSI CMOS sensor. It includes an impressive collection of features for both photo and video shooters.
The a6700 might look a lot like the a6100, but it's a much more advanced model with better build quality, greater capabilities in both stills and video, and more hands-on control points.
Read our full Sony a6700 review
See the Sony a6700 studio scene
What are my other APS-C options?
Although the Sony a6700 is the most capable APS-C camera, if you consider autofocus performance, image quality and video capabilities, there are several other worthy contenders to the title. We appreciate the combination of affordability and likeability of Nikon's Z fc, now that there are a handful of prime lenses to use with it, and we respect the Sony-rivaling capabilities of several of Canon's APS-C RF models, which you can now get some decent third-party fast zooms for. If you're willing to take a chance, Nikon's Z50II also looks to be a very interesting follow-up to the Z fc, but we haven't been able to test it enough to include it on this list.
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Fujifilm's X-T50 is also worth considering if you're looking at APS-C cameras Photo: Richard Butler |
But it's the Fujifilm X-T50 that we'd suggest considering if you don't think the a6700 is for you. We like its design – including the film simulation button that encourages you to play with different looks – and it shoots great video and attractive stills. Touches such as the AF joystick make it that bit more engaging and enjoyable to shoot with, than the Sony.
Its autofocus tracking isn't nearly as reliable as Sony or Canon's latest cameras, but where it really shines is in the selection of lenses available for it. Fujifilm makes a broad selection of prime lenses and the excellent 16-50mm F2.8-4.8 OIS zoom, which is significantly better than the lenses bundled with most of these cameras. Third party support is strong, too, meaning the camera can grow with you as your photography develops.
Full-frame mirrorless
Full-frame cameras (those with image sensors the same size as traditional "35mm" film) offer the potential for better image quality than smaller formats, simply because they have a larger area on which to capture light. However, you don't get something for nothing: even if you can find an affordable, compact full-frame camera at a good price, the lenses needed to make the most of it will be larger and will typically cost more than those for APS-C or Four Thirds sensors. Broadly speaking, there's a balance to be struck between image quality, size and price, which is worth contemplating before you make the assumption that full-frame is the best (or even 'better') format.
Best budget full-frame mirrorless: Canon EOS R8
24 MP full-frame CMOS sensor | 4K/60p 10-bit video recording | 8 fps burst shooting
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| Photo: Richard Butler |
What we like:
- Great image quality
- Very good AF subject detection and tracking
- Good starting price
What we don't:
- No in-body image stabilization
- Short battery life
- No AF joystick
The Canon EOS R8 is a surprisingly capable compact full-frame mirrorless camera that has the features and image quality of Canon's EOS R6 II at a much lower price.
Read our full review of the Canon EOS R8
See the Canon EOS R8 studio scene
What are the other entry-level full-frame options?
We also think the Nikon Z5 is worth considering if you're looking for a comparatively affordable full-frame camera. It's older than the Canon and its autofocus tracking and video capabilities lag significantly behind as a result. Like Canon's RF system, Nikon's Z-mount lens ecosystem is also somewhat short on affordable lenses to pair with an entry-level camera, though Nikon has allowed a couple of other brands to make selected lenses for the system.
Its usability is really what earns it a place in this guide, though. The Z5 has a larger, higher-resolution viewfinder than the EOS R8, much longer battery life, in-body image stabilization and an AF joystick, all of which can make it a rather more enjoyable camera to shoot with. Definitely worth a look.
Best mirrorless camera under $2000: Nikon Zf
24MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor | Full-width 4K/30 video, cropped 4K/60 | Stabilization rated to 8EV
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| Photo: Richard Butler |
What we like:
- Distinctive design with direct controls
- Effective subject recognition
- Strong stills and video features
What we don't:
- Weight and minimal grip can become uncomfortable
- Slow MicroSD second slot
- Few custom buttons
There are some exceptionally good cameras in the $2000-$2500 price category, but few of them are as eye-catching as the Nikon Zf. While the styling is distinctly 1981, the performance is much more contemporary, with very competitive autofocus and the strong balance of stills and video capabilities that we've come to expect from a camera at this price.
Read our review of the Nikon Zf
Best mid-priced full-frame mirrorless: Nikon Z6III
25MP full-frame 'Partially Stacked' CMOS sensor | 6K/60p N-Raw video | 5.76M dot OLED 0.8x EVF
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| Photo: Richard Butler |
What we like:
- Very good image quality
- Good autofocus tracking with auto subject recognition mode
- Extensive choice of video resolutions and codecs
What we don't:
- Peak dynamic range lower than peers
- N-Raw video format has limited support
- Nikon controls 3rd-party lens options
The Nikon Z6III represents a significant step up for the Z6 series, and from the Zf, becoming a very capable camera for both stills and video. Its autofocus has caught up to the pack, and its sensor readout speeds – and, therefore, rolling shutter performance in video – are among the best in its category.
Read our full review of the Nikon Z6III
See the Nikon Z6III studio scene
The mid-priced rivals
There are plenty of other cameras worth considering, in the around $2000 price category. Canon's EOS R6 II is probably the strongest competitor to the Z6III. It has a slightly smaller viewfinder, and its video specs aren't as good, but if you're just looking to shoot stills, your choice between the two should be dictated purely by which system has the lenses you want at prices you're happy with.
If you shoot outside a lot and need a compact system with excellent weather sealing, the OM System OM-1 II is worth considering; outside of that use case, it's probably worth considering other options unless you're heavily invested in Micro Four Thirds lenses.
Sony's a7 IV is also not a bad choice, with capable autofocus and slightly higher resolution capture than its peers, though its video suffers as a consequence. However, we'd strongly recommend the smaller, less expensive a7C II instead. Its autofocus is a generation newer, and it's appreciably smaller than its rivals. The viewfinder is small, and there's no AF joystick, though, which are the main reasons it's not one of our main picks.
Best high-end mirrorless camera: Canon EOS R5 II
45MP Stacked CMOS sensor | Eye-controlled AF subject selection | Up to 30fps continuous shooting
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| Photo: Richard Butler |
What we like:
- Excellent image quality in a range of circumstances
- Very fast autofocus with great subject tracking
- Good video support tools, including waveform display
What we don't:
- Slight reduction in dynamic range in extreme scenarios
- Eye control can be tempermental
- Temperature limits require considered shooting in heaviest video modes
The Canon EOS R5 II is one of the most capable cameras we've ever tested and will almost certainly be up to any task that most photographers can throw at it. It shoots at high resolution, has an excellent autofocus system and sports plenty of video features.
Read our Canon EOS R5 II review
See the Canon EOS R5 II studio scene
A worthy competitor
The strongest competitor to the EOS R5 II besides the original EOS R5 is Nikon's Z8. Canon's high-end entry does have some features that could be useful to certain photographers, like Action Priority AF and Eye Control, but outside of that your choice should again be dictated by lens selection, as they're both supremely capable cameras.
Compact high-resolution: Sony a7CR
61MP BSI CMOS sensor | 4K/60p video with 10-bit color | Dedicated ‘AI’ processor for AF system
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| Photo: Richard Butler |
What we like:
- Big camera features in a small body
- Outstanding AF performance
- Auto Framing video mode
What we don't:
- Small, low-res viewfinder
- No joystick control
- No fully mechanical shutter
The Sony a7CR takes most of the features of the more expensive a7R V and provides them in a smaller package. The viewfinder is disappointing for such an expensive camera, but nothing gives you so much image quality in such a small, capable package.
Read our Sony a7CR initial review
What are the other high-end options?
Just about all the cameras that cost $2500 and up are, unsurprisingly, rather good. We go into a little more detail about their relative merits in our 'High-end camera buying guide.' As at any price, the key things to consider are what types of photography you plan to do (and hence, which features and capabilities are most important to you), and whether the lenses you need are available at a price you're willing to pay.
Why you should trust us
This buying guide is based on cameras used and tested by DPReview's editorial team. We don't select a camera until we've used it enough to be confident in recommending it, usually after our extensive review process. The selections are purely a reflection of which cameras we believe to be best: there are no financial incentives for us to select one model or brand over another.
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