Like other camera manufacturers, Canon has rapidly expanded its mirrorless range. Canon mirrorless cameras offer a much smaller and lighter build size than their traditional DSLR counterparts. The design of mirrorless cameras means that the body can be much smaller, due to the absence of the mirror that is present in DSLR models.
Currently, Canon has two main mirrorless camera series: the Canon EOS R series and the Canon EOS M series. Canon EOS R cameras are mirrorless full-frame models and usually offer better image quality and features. Alternatively, Canon EOS M cameras are mirrorless APS-C cameras with a smaller sensor.
Both types of Canon mirrorless cameras offer great image quality, a compact design, and a solid set of features for amateur or professional usage. In this guide we look at five of the current best Canon mirrorless cameras for your benefit.
1. Canon EOS R5
The top choice for Canon mirrorless cameras is the newly-released Canon EOS R5. This represents the next generation in mirrorless technology and provides astounding quality. There is a steep price tag, but for serious photographers, this is the ultimate mirrorless camera.
It boasts a 45MP full-frame CMOS sensor and uses the latest DIFIC X processor. This means that the image quality is sublime and it also has an impressive ISO range of 100-51,200, which can be expanded to 1,024,001.
The autofocus system is highly advanced and uses Dual Pixel CMOS technology, but it also covers 100% of the viewing area with a total of 1,053 AF areas. This takes autofocus technology to the next level and you can even benefit from special AF features like animal tracking.
This is one of the best Canon mirrorless cameras released in a while, and a top choice for professional photographers. Get the full story in our Canon EOS R5 review.
2. Canon EOS R
The Canon EOS R was the first generation of Canon full-frame R mirrorless cameras. It still holds up today and provides great image quality via its 30.3MP CMOS sensor. It also uses the DIGIC 8 processor.
For autofocusing, the Canon EOS R uses Dual Pixel CMOS AF which has 5,655 manually-selectable autofocus points. This means the camera is easy to use for both photography and videos, and you can quickly switch focus on different objects, both moving and stationary.
You can use either the EVF (which has 3.69 million dots), or the LCD touchscreen for compositions. Both offer great functionality and quality. The touchscreen rotates and fully flips out, which makes it great for recording videos or taking selfies.
The design of this mirrorless camera follows the traditional Canon layout but has a few extra features. For example, it has a multi-function bar, and a top-facing LCD matrix panel that shows current image settings. We talk about the rest in our official review of the Canon EOS R.
3. Canon EOS M5
The Canon EOS M5 is currently the best quality camera in the Canon EOS M range. It offers superior image quality via its 24.2MP CMOS sensor and uses Canon’s DIGIC 7 processor. This is not the latest image processor, but it still provides excellent image quality and performance.
The camera has an ultra-fast AF system and is capable of shooting in burst mode at up to 9fps. For video recording and improved performance, the EOS M5 also has 5-axis digital image stabilization. When combined with built-in IS from the EF-M lenses, you can create ultra-smooth video footage with ease.
In terms of design, the Canon EOS M5 is slightly larger than other EOS M models, but it is comfortable to use and still smaller than traditional full-frame DSLR cameras. It has an electronic viewfinder and a high-quality LCD touchscreen.
This camera is compatible with the Canon EF-M lens mount, but can accept EF lenses using the Canon EF lens adapter. We cover everything else in our Canon EOS M5 review.
4. Canon EOS M50
The Canon EOS M50 is one of the best Canon mirrorless cameras for both photography and video. For video, it records in 4K and benefits from a fast autofocus system that allows you to easily track moving objects. It can record HD at 120p, and also has slow-motion recording capabilities.
For photography, the EOS M50 has a 24.1MP CMOS sensor and benefits from the advanced DIGIC 8 processor. This means that your images will be sharp and have brilliant detail. You can also benefit from a range of quality EF-M lenses like the Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM, which is a fantastic wide-angle lens.
The design of this mirrorless camera looks more like a traditional DSLR. It features a large finger grip on the right-hand side. Also, it has a high-quality electronic viewfinder and an LCD touchscreen. This means you can control the camera the traditional way via the EVF, or use the touchscreen if you wish. We talk more about it in our Canon EOS M50 review.
5. Canon EOS M200 (Budget Winner)
If you don’t want to spend a fortune and are perhaps entering the world of photography, the Canon EOS M200 is a great option. This one of the cheapest Canon mirrorless cameras available and suitable for beginners, due to its simple design and features.
It still offers excellent image quality with a 24.1MP sensor and has a fast, dual-pixel CMOS autofocus. One of the main differences from other EOS M cameras is that it does not have an electronic viewfinder. Instead, users must utilize the touchscreen for changing camera settings and creating compositions.
Aside from great photography, this entry-level mirrorless camera also has 4K video recording capabilities. Your videos will look fantastic and you can create professional-grade results due to the effective autofocus system. The rotating touchscreen helps with difficult camera angles. Moreover, for connectivity, the Canon EOS M200 has both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology.
If you’re hoping our budget option will suit your needs, check out our review of the Canon EOS M200.
Save on Size with Canon Mirrorless Cameras
When looking at Canon mirrorless cameras, be sure to consider your main purpose. If you want a camera primarily for videos, you should look at the overall video quality, but also the LCD screen configuration and the autofocus system.
Alternatively, if you want a mirrorless camera primarily for photography, check the image sensor, megapixel resolution, and image processor used. Whichever purpose, the above Canon mirrorless cameras offer a great space-saving option compared to traditional DSLRs.
