Have you ever wondered why people use mirrorless cameras? It’s because of several reasons. First, mirrorless cameras are much more lightweight and compact than DSLRs. Despite their small size, they provide features and results that are similar to those of the average DSLR. You can even change their lenses for better results!
Many people prefer compact mirrorless cameras over others because they’re easy to carry around in their backpack. Whether you’re traveling, hiking, or camping, mirrorless cameras offer all the qualities of a professional camera with less weight and more compatibility.
We surveyed the market to find out the best compact mirrorless cameras for beginners as well as for connoisseurs. Companies like Sony, Fujifilm, and Panasonic have manufactured some of the best compact mirrorless cameras. Here are the best ones that you can buy!
1. Panasonic LUMIX G7 (Overall Winner)
Panasonic has manufactured some of the most famous photography equipment. The LUMIX G7 is one of those remarkable products from their collection. For those with a low budget, this one is the go-to option.
This device has a lightweight mirrorless body for secure handling. It features a 16 MP sensor for a next-level photography experience and a high-quality camera resolution. With an interchangeable lens facility, you can explore various photography options for different modes and purposes.
Whether it’s landscape photography or portrait mode, the G7 offers crisp, vibrant, and rich images. It also provides 4K HD video recording with three modes; a 4K Burst mode for continued shots, a 4K S/S mode to start and stop the burst, and a 4K Pre-burst with 60 fps.
2. Fujifilm X-T3
The Fujifilm X-T3 offers a resolution of 26.1 MP with an APS-C sensor. It also has a 4K ultra high definition video quality and a three dimensional LCD. It provides a 425 point Face and Eye autofocus. A viewfinder displays with 3.6K+ dots for real-time, high definition image display.
The camera can support a Type-C USB charger that can charge batteries as well as transfer files on the spot. Combine these features with a super-fast X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor, and you have the perfect compact mirrorless camera! The X-Processor Pro 4 Engine produces high definition images that are rich in color and details.
And for the cherry on top, the noise minimization is done by this camera enhances your creative photography skills! A 30 fps shooting with an electronic shutter gives highly detailed burst shots for video recording. The camera can hold two separate SD cards, which give you more space for storing your high-quality photographs without compromising on their quality!
3. Panasonic LUMIX S1
The LUMIX S1 from Panasonic is an excellent full-frame camera for those who can afford to invest more. With its 24.2 MP CMOS sensor and a 35mm full-frame LCD, it can capture some of the best shots in even extreme conditions. It has a high-speed processor for fast file transfer.
The Image Stabilizer helps you capture eight consecutive images, while an ultra-fast frame rate can capture up to 180 fps in FHD mode! It has a highly sensitive autofocus feature that can capture high quality and rich images in low light.
The camera body weighs around nine pounds and is made to survive extreme conditions and accidental impact without compromising on the quality of your clicks. Its shutter unit has a cycle of up to 400,000 shutter releases.
4. Sony a7R III
The a7R III is part of Sony’s Alpha Series of cameras. It is one of the most popular high-end mirrorless cameras manufactured by Sony. It goes all out to give you a mind-blowing image quality with high speed and resolution. It’s 42.2 MP sensor captures clicks with intricate details.
Moreover, its 4K HD video recording feature has a 15 stop dynamic range and top-notch noise reduction. This enables you to record better videos than most other cameras. It has one of the best Autofocus modes for portraitures and landscapes, both.
With a ten fps AF/AE continuous shooting, this camera is great for adventure and wildlife photographers. Another great feature of the Sony a7R III is that it supports a high-speed PC Remote transfer with a USB for handling large files.
5. Nikon Z7
High-resolution and ultra-sharp images make the Nikon Z7 the best one for all the pros and enthusiasts who are big on image quality. This compact mirrorless camera’s 493 Point-On sensors can take your photography game to a whole new level. With a customizable and simplified menu in your viewfinder, you can adjust your camera settings without taking your eyes off the frame.
Its large Z-Mount Adapter can work with 90 Nikkor Z lenses to gather more light and give a brilliant exposure and resolution to your images. Each pixel on your click will appear super sharp in even the widest aperture! Its hybrid autofocus features can focus on moving objects as well as lowlight photography.
Whether you’re at a crowded place or just want the perfect shot with minimal noise, the Nikon Z7 will never disappoint you with its results!
6. Sony a9
The Sony a9 has a remarkable shutter speed that ensures its best performance without any noise, distortion, or vibration. With the advanced AF/AE tracking, this camera won’t miss a moment while capturing your best clicks. The camera comes with a full-frame 35mm sensor with 24.2 MP resolution that gives crisp and color-rich images.
The camera functions are easy to control using dials. With a joystick, you can easily adjust the autofocus to suit different camera modes. A wireless LAN transfer and an Ethernet port for file transfer allow professionals to quickly transfer data when they’re covering large and important events. This camera also features two SD card slots which allow commendable storage capacity.
7. Olympus O-MD E-M10 Mark III
The Olympus E-M10 Mark III has a stylish and compact design that’s perfect for outdoor and travel photography. It has an image stabilization of four EV, a 16 MP resolution and a TruePic VIII Image Processor that can capture high-quality images in different modes.
It’s enabled with a Live View feature so that you can get a sharp, focused preview of your footage. It can record 4K HD videos with 120 frames per second. Sharp pixels allow beautiful nightscape photography.
The camera is easy to control using a three-inch tilting touchscreen LCD monitor, two metal dials, and a one-touch button for changing settings. The camera is compact and lightweight. So, you can click perfect, shake-free stills anywhere, anytime!
8. Sony a6000 (Budget Winner)
The Sony a6000 presents to you the fastest autofocus feature with 179 AF points and 11fps for continuous shooting. It can capture your fast-moving subjects with unmatched clarity and resolution. Being fitted with a BIONZ X image processor allows the camera to create high-quality footage in a short time with rich tones, remarkable details, and texture.
The 24 MP APS-C HD image sensor outperforms most other DSLRs. Nighttime and lowlight photography done through the Sony a6000 produces better results than most other cameras. This is because it has a pop-up flash and an ISO of 200-25600, which allows 20 percent higher sensitivity to light.
An OLED Electronic Viewfinder gives you complete frame coverage with great details and visibility, even at the corners. NFC and Wi-Fi sharing allow quick and smooth files transfer! This camera is also quite easy to control. With most functions similar to DSLR cameras, it allows you to change the settings using two dials manually.
A rear-mounted control wheel can change the camera modes, and several other customizable buttons are also within easy access of your hands. The Sony a6000 offers just as many possibilities as an average DSLR with half of the weight and bulkiness, so it’s a great investment for travel photographers!
Choosing Compact Mirrorless Cameras
Compact mirrorless digital cameras are steadily giving DSLRs and other digital cameras a fierce competition. They offer just as many features and functions as bulkier camera models and require less storage space. Photography lovers of all sorts can use these cameras easily due to the easy placement of their dials, interactive LCD screens, and attractive camera results.
The compact mirrorless cameras mentioned above are suitable for people with different budgets, purposes, and levels of expertise. For people who have low budgets and are inexperienced photographers, the Panasonic LUMIX G7 and Sony a6000 are ideal investments. However, if you’re willing to invest heavily, we recommend you go for the Nikon Z7!
