The best mirrorless camera for one person means the best specifications on the market. For someone else, it might mean the best mirrorless camera to get started with. Other users, meanwhile, will be looking for the best combination of features for the least money! Our list covers every angle – it's not just about the 'best' camera, but the best value and the best price too.
You have to weigh a few things up when choosing a mirrorless camera. Do you want to shoot stills or video or both? Almost all of the cameras in our list can shoot 4K video, but some have in-body stabilization for smoother footage, professional 'log' modes for color grading, and higher frame rates or capture quality. If video is a priority, you should also check out our guides to the best cameras for vlogging, the best 4K cameras for filmmaking, and the best cinema cameras
And for stills photography, how much resolution do you need? It's tempting to assume that the higher the resolution the better, but this does bump up the costs. A 20MP Micro-Four-Thirds camera may have all the resolution you need, even for big prints for wall hanging, and while a 40MP+ full frame camera may be very tempting, both the cameras and the lenses cost a lot more – and you'll end up with a pretty heavy kit too.
Sensor size is actually a key decision in choosing the best mirrorless camera for your needs. Here's a run-down of the main sizes available:
Mirrorless sensor sizes:
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Micro Four Thirds is the smallest sensor format, but the image quality is surprisingly close to that of larger APS-C cameras – and these cameras are small, powerful, and affordability.
APS-C cameras provide a good balance between quality and price, with a sensor roughly twice the size of Micro Four Thirds cameras. Canon has just launched brand new EOS R10 and EOS R7 APS-C mirrorless cameras.
Full frame mirrorless cameras have sensors the same size as 35mm film negatives, and about twice the size of APS-C. This gives them better quality, but they are also bigger and more expensive. However, the Nikon Z5 and Panasonic Lumix S5 are really good introductions at a very competitive price.
Medium format cameras have sensors even larger than full frame. We don't include any in this list but we have a separate guide to the best medium format cameras.
Now that's all taken care of, let's get to the best mirrorless cameras you can buy right now!
Best mirrorless camera: our top picks
I understand that picking a new camera is never easy, and while one thing may be great for me, it might not be for you. So we have picked out our top picks and split them into the most affordable mirrorless camera, and the mirrorless camera offering the best price-to-performance ratio.
Currently, we think the best price for performance mirrorless cameras is the Fujifilm X-S10, this compact camera offers great still and video capabilities in a sleek package making it perfect for travel, vlogging, or those that love to document their life.
We picked the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV for the most affordable mirrorless camera, this sleek retro style design packs a big punch at an affordable price point, making it a great camera for beginners or those stepping away from their trusty DSLR.
Best price for performance
The Fujifilm X-S10 doesn't have the external exposure controls of the higher-level X-series cameras, but that's the only thing we can find to complain about, and it's clear this is no 'amateur' camera, as its build quality and handling stand out straight away.
Most affordable
The E-M10 series has always been designed for value, but this Mark IV version adds power and sophistication too, with a 20MP sensor, improved in-body image stabilization, and a new flip-down and tiltable monitor.
Best APS-C camera
The Nikon Z fc is, without a doubt, one of the coolest-looking mirrorless cameras around right now. It's a retro-styled mirrorless machine with dial-based controls, and it's a joy to handle, use, and be seen using. Internally, it's basically the same deal as the Nikon Z50, with the same APS-C sensor and processor and many of the same specs.
The best mirrorless cameras in 2023
The Fujifilm X-H2 is an extremely compelling camera at an equally compelling price. This camera has the highest resolution yet in an APS-C camera, its 40-megapixel sensor surpassing that of all but a handful of full-frame cameras. With 8K video and 5-axis IBIS to boot, you get impressive performance for an impressive price!
The design and handling are identical to the X-H2S and the X-H1 before. The status display panel on the top of the X-H2 is especially good and worth giving up the shutter speed and ISO dials.
Theoretically, the Fujifilm X-H2’s responses will be slower than those of the X-H2s, but it's still a very snappy performer with fast and accurate AF. Vs the Fujifilm X-H2S below, the X-H2 offers greater resolution but slightly lower continuous shooting bursts, so for any genre offer than action, it's the best Fujifilm camera yet.
Read our full Fujifilm X-H2 review for more details
The E-M10 series has always been designed for value, but this Mark IV version adds power and sophistication too, with a 20MP sensor, improved in-body image stabilization, and a new flip-down and tiltable monitor.
Retaining the 4K video and attractive styling that made the Mark III so attractive, the Mark IV is an ideal choice for anyone looking for an entry-level camera that can do pretty much everything.
The E-M10 series has long consisted of our favorite pint-sized cameras ever, so we're really pleased that the Mark IV, AT LAST, got Olympus's latest 20MP sensor. Even better, at today's prices, it's one of the cheapest mirrorless models on the market too, which is pretty amazing considering what it can do.
Read our full Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV review for more details
Only just announced, the Fujifilm X-H2S is the new flagship camera in the Fujifilm X-mount range. We thought the X-T4 had it all, but the X-H2S goes further, with a chunky pro-spec body and handling, a top-mounted status panel, and a fifth-generation sensor offering four times the speed of its predecessor.
The X-H2S can shoot at 40fps with minimal screen blackout, capture 6K video or 4K at up to 120p, has in-body stabilization, a flip-out vari-angle screen, and a 5.76m dot electronic viewfinder.
So why isn't it right at the top of this list? Because there's so much power here that only a professional photographer or videographer will need it – and it comes at a price. The X-H2S is the ultimate professional APS-C camera. Or at least it is for now because we believe a 40MP X-H2 is coming later this year.
Read our full Fujifilm X-H2S review for more details or read Fujifilm X-H2S vs X-T4
The X-T4 was a model in Fujifilm's X-mount camera range until the arrival of the Fujifilm X-H2S, but we've yet to test that camera thoroughly, so for us, the X-T4 remains the definitive pro-APS-C mirrorless camera. The X-T4 has in-body stabilization, a vari-angle touchscreen display, and a fast burst mode.
The X-T4 isn't just a terrific stills camera, of course. It also has cutting-edge 4K video performance, with 60p 10-bit internal recording. It's just a shame Fujifilm dropped the headphone socket (you'll need an adaptor now).
The only thing stopping this camera from climbing higher in our list is its price, which has stayed high and is only a notch below that of some very good full frame rivals.
Read our full Fujifilm X-T4 reviewfor more details
The Fujifilm X-S10 doesn't have the external exposure controls of the higher-level X-series cameras, but that's the only thing we can find to complain about, and it's clear this is no 'amateur' camera, as its build quality and handling stand out straight away.
The swap to a conventional mode dial might disappoint Fujifilm fans, but the excellent finish, build quality and handling, and the inclusion of IBIS (in-body stabilization) give this camera a very broad appeal, especially in this price sector, to produce perhaps the best combination of performance, quality, and value in the APS-C mirrorless camera market right now. It even has a vari-angle rear screen, which is another reason why we rate this new camera above our previous favorite, the X-T30/II.
Read our full Fujifilm X-S10 review for more details
Nikon might've been late to the game in launching its professional, top-spec mirrorless but the Nikon Z9 was definitely worth the wait. It's an absolute beast of a camera when it comes to video, knocking the Canon EOS R3 out of the park.
It's capable of 8K 60p video recording or 8K 30p with an enormous 2-hour record limit. Nikon decided to remove the mechanical shutter completely which means the Z9 is capable of 120fps continuous shooting and has a max shutter speed of 1/32,000 which makes it perfect for sport and bird photography.
The Z9 is powered by Deep Learning AF which makes the camera capable of nine kinds of recognition: human eyes, faces, heads, and upper bodied; animal eyes, heads, and bodies; and cars, planes, trains, and motorbikes.
It has the same 493 AF points as the Nikon Z7 II which seems impressive until you find out that the Canon EOS R3 has a whopping 4,779 AF points. The Z9 comes in quite a bit cheaper than both the Sony A1 and the Canon EOS R3 and it has a lot of advanced features.
Read our full Nikon Z9 review for more details
The Sony A1 is everything that Sony says it is. It’s a technological triumph, a camera that really can do everything. Previously, cameras might offer speed, resolution, or video capability, but the A1 offers all three and even beats dedicated sports and video cameras at their own game.
However, good as it is, the price is, and will remain a major obstacle, and its appeal is limited to photographers who need everything it does, not just one or two of those things. Sony has also practically killed two of its other cameras by making this one! The Sony A9 Mark II is a terrific camera for sports, but beaten by the A1, while the Sony A7S Mark III's excellent 4K video capabilities pale against the A1's 8K capture.
Read our full Sony A1 review for more details
The original Lumix S1 and S1R are impressive and powerful cameras... but big. Panasonic has taken this on board and somehow (we're still not sure how) came out with the Lumix S5, a camera that offers basically all the same imaging power as the hefty 24-megapixel Lumix S1, but in a body weighing about 300g less.
It's also something of a spiritual successor to the video-oriented GH line, with best-in-class video specs. It shoots 4K/60p 10-Bit 4:2:0 video, and in terms of dynamic range, on paper, only the pro-level Sony A7S III can lay any claim to matching or beating it.
The color science is finely optimized for a beautiful image. Stills shooters can also make use of 6K Photo mode for effective 30fps burst shooting, ensuring they never miss a moment. As hybrid full frame cameras go, this is extremely tough to beat, especially at today's prices.
Read our full Panasonic Lumix S5 review for more details
The Nikon Z fc is, without a doubt, one of the coolest-looking mirrorless cameras around right now. It's a retro-styled mirrorless machine with dial-based controls, and it's a joy to handle, use, and be seen using. Internally, it's basically the same deal as the Nikon Z50, with the same APS-C sensor and processor and many of the same specs.
A few extra features like a built-in flash have been shaved off, and it is more expensive than the Z50, so if you don't care about aesthetics then Nikon's other DX-format camera is the smarter choice.
But if you're the sort of person who can't resist the siren song of the best retro cameras, the Nikon Z fc will be right up your alley. The only thing we've got against it – and it is a pretty major thing, to be honest, is that there are still only two Nikon Z DX lenses to go with it. However, many photographers just want a kit lens and no more, so for them, it's not a problem.
Read our full Nikon Z fc review for more details
As a stills camera, the Canon EOS R5 is simply Canon's finest product ever. It’s the perfect amalgamation of the EOS R’s form, the EOS 5D’s function, and the professional-grade autofocus of the EOS-1D X.
If you're a stills or hybrid shooter who flits between photography and videography, it's one of the best cameras you will ever have the pleasure of using. Alas, we can’t recommend the R5 if your primary interest is pure video shooting.
Don’t get us wrong, its video is incredible – but having to navigate the overheating restrictions prohibits it from being your A-camera (unless you only shoot 4K 30p, in which case you don’t need this anyway). It's not perfect at everything, but it's so good at so much that it's still a landmark camera. The Sony A1 sneaks ahead on specifications, but the Canon is A LOT cheaper.
Read our full Canon EOS R5 review for more details
While Nikon has done a solid job with filling out the very upper end of its Z range of full-frame mirrorless cameras with the flagship Z7 II and even found room for a cheeky APS-C offering with the Z50, it was arguably lacking an entry-level gateway to full frame. That has come in the form of the Nikon Z5, a stylish little shooter that offers full-frame features at an attractive price.
With twin card slots and 4K UHD video, it takes a few cues from professional bodies, though you won't be burst-shooting at anything higher than 4.5fps. Still, with full weather-sealing, five-stop image stabilization, and a spectacular electronic viewfinder, anyone making their first jump to full frame is going to find themselves absolutely spoiled for features. What we like most about this camera is its keen pricing – well below the Nikon Z6 II – and its neat retracting kit lens.
Read our full Nikon Z5 review for more details
One of the cheapest cameras on our list is also one of the best for beginners, bloggers, and travel photographers. For many of us, video is just as important as still images, if not more so, and it's these vloggers and content creators that the Lumix G100 is aimed at.
It makes it easy to capture high-quality video and stills with its approachable button layout. Even people uninterested in the technicalities of capturing great-looking videos will be able to get results with this camera.
By giving it a decent viewfinder and “proper camera” ergonomics, Panasonic has given the G100 an edge in a highly competitive market. This is a great camera to start with if you're more interested in vlogging than regular photography and a useful step up from the GX80/85 both on resolution and video features.
Read our full Panasonic Lumix G100 review for more details
What is the best mirrorless camera, if money is no object?
The Nikon Z9: capable of 8K 60p video recording or 8K 30p with an enormous 2-hour record limit. Nikon decided to remove the mechanical shutter completely which means the Z9 is capable of 120fps continuous shooting and has a max shutter speed of 1/32,000 which makes it perfect for sport and bird photography.
What's the most affordable mirrorless camera?
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is currently, in our opinion, the most budget mirrorless camera, this sleek retro style design packs a big punch at an affordable price point, making it a great camera for beginners or those stepping away from their trusty DSLR.
How we test cameras
We test camera resolution, dynamic range, and noise under scientifically controlled conditions using two key testing tools: Imatest Master and DxO Analyzer. All DSLRs and mirrorless cameras are subjected to these tests and, in some instances, high-end compact cameras.
We use these real-world testing and lab results to inform our comments in buying guides.
1. Resolution (ISO-12233): We use a resolution chart based on ISO-12233 from Applied Image inc to indicate the limit of the camera’s vertical resolution at the centre of the frame. The higher the value, the better the detail resolution.
2. Dynamic range (DxO Analyzer): This is a measure of a camera’s ability to capture detail in the highlights and shadows. We use DxO’s transmissive chart, which enables us to test a dynamic range of 13.3 stops.
3. Noise (DxO Analyzer): We use the dynamic range transmissive chart to analyze the signal-to-noise ratio for RAW and JPG files at every sensitivity setting using DxO Analyzer. A higher value means the signal is cleaner.
