Best Mirrorless Cameras | 2026

The best mirrorless cameras are, in many ways, the best cameras you can buy, full-stop. Most manufacturers are putting the most attention and resource into their flagship mirrorless ranges, and these days mirrorless shooters have ample choice when it comes to high-resolution sensors, super-fast burst rates, sophisticated video modes and more. 

As such, the cameras on this list are standing out in a crowded field, and as such they are the models that have truly impressed our technical team. This isn’t just a list of the most expensive professional models, as there are many affordable mirrorless cameras that have truly surprised us in recent months with just how much they offer for the money. Whatever your budget, and whatever you like to shoot, there should be a great camera here for you.

Scroll to the bottom of this page if you need some explanation of what a mirrorless camera is, and how it differs from other types of camera — and see our more general guide to the best digital cameras if you also want to consider DSLR and compact options.

Best all-rounder mirrorless camera

Best mirrorless camera for photography

Canon’s EOS R6 Mark II camera was already near the top of the pile in terms of fully featured full-frame mirrorless cameras for enthusiasts. Nevertheless, the EOS R6 Mark III has arrived to improve upon it, and make a very good case for itself as one of the best cameras that serious photographers can buy.

Pairing a high-quality 32.5MP sensor with the powerful DIGIC X processor, the Canon EOS R6 Mark II delivers a scintillating combination of quality and speed. Need 40fps continuous shooting? You got it. Need a powerful, tried-and-tested autofocus system that can keep up with fast action? No worries. And while this camera is predominantly aimed at stills shooters, Canon has made sure to kit it out with open-gate 7K video, so you’re covered in that department too should the need arise.

The only real negative we can say about the EOS R6 Mark III is that it may be a little more camera than your practice really needs. If that’s the case, don’t worry — Canon is also keeping the more affordable EOS R6 Mark II in production.

Best mirrorless cameras for beginners

We’ve long held that Fujifilm’s smaller X-T cameras, a range that began with the X-T10, are some of the best and most enjoyable mirrorless cameras for beginners. The X-T30 III is a recent update and the finest model yet, delivering one of the most tactile and fun photographic experiences around thanks to its dial-based controls and Film Simulation modes.

Capable of producing images of sublime quality straight out of camera, the X-T30 III is a great choice for photographers who enjoy shooting a lot more than they enjoy editing images. The range of Fujifilm X-mount lenses offers immense quality, and the XC 13-33mm f3.5-6.3 OIS bundled in with the camera is a fun, versatile optic that’s an excellent starter option. 

Small and travel-friendly, the Fujifilm X-T30 III is a likeable camera for beginners — and if you decide you want to upgrade, the Fujifilm X range offers plenty of more advanced models to trade up to.

Best mirrorless camera for video

The Panasonic Lumix GH7 comes with the latest suite of video options, with the ability to shoot in ProRes joining the huge range of codecs and formats available. However, it’s also no slouch for stills, producing brilliant, punchy images from its Four Thirds sensor, and offering the capability to burst-shoot at up to 75fps with fixed focus.

The big upgrade on this camera from the previous GH6 is something that a lot of Panasonic releases have been gaining over the past few years — phase-detection autofocus. As Panasonic waves an arguably overdue goodbye to its contrast-based “Depth from Defocus” system, the result has been cameras that can acquire and track focus much more effectively. This has also coupled well with a must-have feature from the past few years of camera development — intelligent, AI-powered subject-recognition autofocus. With tons of lenses available for its Micro Four Thirds lens mount, the Lumix GH7 is a compelling proposition for video shooters.

Best professional hybrid mirrorless camera

Best mirrorless camera for vlogging

Best outdoor mirrorless camera

Best mirrorless camera for travel

The Canon EOS R7 is not only an ideal gateway drug into the wonders of the EOS R mirrorless system – it’s also a great choice of travel camera. Lightweight and easy to handle, the EOS R7 boasts an impressively high-spec 32.5MP APS-C sensor. In many ways, it can be considered a spiritual successor to Canon’s popular EOS 7D Mark II DSLR (that “7” in the name feels like a clue).

It’s a capable camera for the vast majority of subjects, and any travel photographer will find it handles itself well in a broad range of shooting situations. It’s no slouch for video either, with uncropped 4K 60p and a mic port if you want to bump up tour audio quality. For roaming photographers and vloggers alike, the EOS R7 is a fully featured camera. The RF lens range is still a little limited, but it’s only set to expand in years to come.

Glossary

If you’re new to photography and videography and find all the technical terms hard to keep up with, we’ve put together this quick guide to help you with some of the jargon.

Aperture

The aperture of a lens is the opening that allows light to access the camera sensor. It is expressed as an f-number, generally formatted as f/4, f2.8, F1.8 or similar. The lower the number, the wider the aperture, and the more light gets in. This is useful both for shooting in low light and for creating a shallow depth of field (more on which below). 

A lens’s maximum aperture will generally be listed in its name. Shooting at the widest setting a lens can go is referred to as “shooting wide open”. The trade-off is that the optics required to give lenses large maximum apertures are both large and costly, so these lenses tend to weigh and cost more. Shooting wide open can also result in a loss in sharpness, though this is becoming less of an issue as optical technology improves.

Depth of field

Depth of field refers to how much of an image is in focus. A shallow depth of field means that a very narrow plane of an image is in focus, with the rest blurred. This is good for portraits, where you want your subject to stand out from their background. In an image with a larger depth of field, more of the scene is in focus. This is ideal for landscapes, where there tends to be a lot of interest at different distances from the camera.

Dynamic range

This refers to a camera sensor’s ability to handle different shades of light and dark. A sensor with poor dynamic range will lose detail in the brightest highlights and darkest shadows of an image. The more dynamic range, the more detail you can retain in an image.

Electronic viewfinder (EVF)

Many mirrorless cameras possess electronic viewfinders, commonly referred to as EVFs. These are mini-LCD screens designed to simulate the optical viewfinders found on DSLRs. Once derided as laggy and poor quality, EVFs have improved greatly, and have the advantage of being able to display settings information alongside the image the camera is pointed at. 

ISO

On a digital camera, you have the ability to set the ISO. This determines how sensitive the sensor is to light – a higher ISO setting means the sensor will take in more light, meaning it sees better in the dark. The trade-off is that this causes an increase in unwanted image artefacts, generally referred to as “noise”. If a camera is described as having good high-ISO performance, it means that it can produce images at high ISO settings with minimal noise. 

Kit lens

You may hear this term banded about when referring to entry-level cameras. A kit lens is essentially an entry-level lens, affordable and practical and often available as part of a kit with an entry-level camera – hence the name. Kit lenses tend to cover standard focal ranges like 18-55mm and have maximum apertures that top out at around f/3.5.

Phase-detect / contrast-detect / hybrid autofocus

Phase-detect and contrast-detect are the most common types of autofocus, and you’ll likely hear these terms crop up in a discussion about mirrorless cameras. One could write reams explaining the difference between the two, but let’s quickly run over the basics as that’s all you really need.

Phase-detection autofocus is a newer technology that uses the camera sensor. It effectively splits the image into two “phases”, measures the difference in point of focus between them and calculates accordingly how much to move the lens. It was most commonly found in DSLRs initially and is a fast way to find focus.

Contrast-detection measures contrast through the lens, and adjusts the optical system until it detects the optimal contrast level between pixels that means the image is in focus. It is slower than phase-detect, but tends to be more accurate.

Hybrid autofocus, as you might have guessed, uses both of these at once. This allows for faster-than-ever autofocus performance. The fastest autofocus camera right now is the Sony A6600, which in optimal conditions can achieve focus in as little as 0.02 seconds.

FAQs

What’s the difference between a mirrorless camera and a DSLR?

Key Difference: The key difference between a mirrorless camera and a DSLR is that a DSLR has an internal mirror mechanism that allows for an optical viewfinder. Mirrorless cameras have a digital light-sensitive sensor that displays an image through the electronic viewfinder.

Framing the Subject: Mirrorless cameras might just have an LCD screen, which could be fully articulating, tilting, or fixed in place. Some also include an electronic viewfinder, which is essentially a mini-LCD for the eye.

Build and Design: DSLRs tend to be more ruggedly weatherproof and have a pronounced handgrip. Mirrorless cameras, however, are usually smaller and lighter

Handling: Although mirrorless cameras are generally lighter, the Canon EOS R5 is a good example of a mirrorless camera that resembles a DSLR in build and handling, making the difference less noticeable to the untrained eye.

Video Performance: Mirrorless cameras tend to be better for video, especially in terms of video autofocus, thanks to their on-sensor phase-detection autofocus. DSLRs, on the other hand, struggle with this due to their mirror mechanism.

What is a mirrorless camera? 

A mirrorless camera is a type of digital camera that doesn’t use the internal mirror mechanism found in DSLRs. This allows for a more compact design and uses electronic viewfinders or LCD screens to frame images instead of optical viewfinders. It’s called "mirrorless" because it doesn’t require the mirror system to reflect light onto the sensor.

How does autofocus work on a mirrorless camera? 

Mirrorless cameras typically use on-sensor phase detection or contrast detection for autofocus. This allows them to provide fast and accurate focusing, especially in video recording. On-sensor phase detection is particularly advantageous for continuous autofocus during video, making mirrorless cameras excellent for filming.

Are mirrorless cameras better than DSLR cameras? 

Mirrorless cameras have advantages such as being more compact and lightweight, with faster autofocus in video and real-time exposure preview. However, DSLRs may offer a more rugged build and an optical viewfinder. The choice depends on your needs. Mirrorless is ideal for portability and video, while DSLR might suit those who prefer an optical viewfinder.

Do mirrorless cameras have better image quality than DSLRs? 

The image quality in mirrorless cameras can be just as good as in DSLRs. Both types typically feature similar sensor technologies, such as CMOS sensors, that offer high resolution and excellent low-light performance. The key factor is the lens system, which can influence the overall image quality.

Are mirrorless cameras good for video? 

Yes, mirrorless cameras are well-suited for video due to their advanced autofocus systems and electronic viewfinders. They excel in continuous autofocus, face-tracking, and 4K video recording, making them a popular choice for vloggers, filmmakers, and content creators.