Top 5 Best Mirrorless Cameras for Beginners to Buy Online 2020

If you’re buying any camera, it is because you want to take high-quality photos and videos. You are looking for more options than what your mobile phone already provides. Even if you don't plan on becoming a professional photographer, owning the right camera can make any shoot an enjoyable experience.

Mirrorless cameras support great video quality, are easy to use, and are great for beginners. However, they come with higher price tags than mirrored DSLR cameras. We’ve done our research and compiled a list of the top five best mirrorless cameras to buy online so you can make sure you're investing your money wisely.

Last updated: 01-31-2020
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Table of Contents

How is a Mirrorless Camera Different from a DSLR Camera?

In DSLR cameras, light is reflected off of a mirror and into a viewfinder. This process allows for what you see in the viewfinder to be an accurate display of the image you’re about to take, but it also has some disadvantages.

Because the mirror has to move at the time when the picture is taken, there is a temporary period where the viewfinder goes black. Also, the mechanics involved in DSLRs make it so that they are commonly bulky in design.

Although mirrorless cameras are more expensive compared to their DSLR rivals and they have shorter battery life, they do provide their advantages. Mirrorless cameras are better for recording video. They also sport more advanced features such as advanced metering and exposure control.

Stabilization is another area where these camera types differ. Mirrorless cameras use in-body stabilization as opposed to the lens stabilization commonly found in DSLRs. The image is kept stable within the camera without the need to make sure the lens has built-in stabilization features. In-body stabilization generally saves you money when buying lenses.

Top 5 Best Mirrorless Cameras for Beginners to Buy Online

We have created a list of the absolute best mirrorless cameras for beginners to buy online. Whether you are an aspiring filmmaker, wedding photographer, traveling vlogger, or you just want to take better photos of family get-togethers, we can recommend a mirrorless camera to suit your needs.

SonyA7 III Full-Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera

ILCE7M3/B

$1,798.00

View product on Amazon

The Best Overall Mirrorless Camera

This mirrorless camera is the perfect choice for beginners. Its most impressive feature is the 693 autofocus points used to capture images with 93% image coverage. Most cameras do not provide this level of accuracy in autofocus mode.

The Sony a7 III also supports continuous shooting mode, 4K HDR video, and a full-frame image sensor. You won't need to worry about sacrificing image quality when taking photos of fast-moving objects because of the camera's in-body stabilization. This camera performs well in low-light conditions too.

Even though we think this is the best mirrorless camera currently on the market, it doesn't come without flaws. The viewfinder cannot be moved, which may be a negative feature for some buyers.

And although you can use batteries that aren't made by Sony, if you do not acknowledge this in the settings, the camera will sometimes freeze unexpectedly!

Number of available lenses	7 lenses
Sensor	Full-frame sensor
Body weight	1.44 lb / 653 g
Battery life	610 - 710 shots

PanasonicLumix DMC-GX1 16 MP Micro 4/3 Mirrorless Digital Camera

DMC-GX1SBODY

$229.91

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The Most Affordable Mirrorless Camera

If you only want to dip your toes in photography and filmmaking before committing to a higher-priced camera, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 is a great pick! This mirrorless camera was designed with ease of use in mind, making it very suitable for beginners.

The Lumix DMC-GX1 is one of the lightest cameras on this list, weighing less than a pound. It supports one-area touch autofocus, shoots 1080 HD video, and has a pop-up flash.

Many buyers are attracted to the one-area touch autofocus feature, which lets you focus on any subject with the simple tap on the LCD screen. The camera follows wherever the subject moves and can refocus on subjects that go out of frame with another tap of your fingers.

One drawback is that there is no silent shutter mode. Additionally, reviewers have also reported that the camera is very delicate. If you're looking for a more durable mirrorless camera, there are certainly other alternatives.

Number of available lenses	1 lens
Sensor	Micro 4/3rds sensor
Body weight	0.7 lb / 318 g
Battery life	300 - 340 shots

FujifilmX-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera (Body only)

X-T2 Body

$1,599.95

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An Excellent Mirrorless Camera for Shooting Videos

This mirrorless camera is the ideal choice for filmmakers. The Fujifilm X-T2 has a unique trans CMOS III APS-C sensor. Unlike other mirrorless cameras that have only one sensor type, Fujifilm X series cameras support two sensor types. The X-T2's sensor helps to reduce false colors when recording.

In spite of the camera's impressive features, there are several drawbacks to consider before buying. The camera's menu can be confusing to navigate at first and requires extensive reading of the user manual if you want to use it without any hassles. It also doesn't have a touchscreen viewfinder.

Another major drawback of this mirrorless camera is that the compatible lenses are sold separately and you can only buy the body from the vendor on Amazon. Since the body itself is rather expensive, we recommend purchasing a used lens to pair with the camera if money is an issue.

Number of available lenses	Not included
Sensor	APS-C sensor
Body weight	0.22 lbs / 99.7 g
Battery life	340 shots

PanasonicPANASONIC Lumix G85

DMC-G85MK

$697.99

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A Mirrorless Camera with Some Serious Durability

This is one of the most durable mirrorless cameras on the market today. The G85 lets you use an external monitor while recording videos. The shutter is also one of the quietest of the mirrorless cameras.

What makes this mirrorless camera really stand out is that it is one of the few "weather-sealed" options available. It is both dust-proof and waterproof, giving you more options for where and when you can shoot outdoors. You should also consider buying this camera for its amazing ergonomic grip, designed for one-handed shooting.

Although reviewers have consistently reported that it has a short battery life, this issue can be solved by simply carrying around a second battery.

However, there is one major negative to this mirrorless camera. At high ISO, the colors in both videos and images become undersaturated. Lastly, reviewers report that the camera does have a slow autofocus.

Number of available lenses	4 lenses
Sensor	Micro 4/3rds sensor
Body weight	1.11 lbs / 503 g
Battery life	320 shots

OlympusOM-D E-M10 Mark III

V207072SU010

$479.99

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The Most Compact Mirrorless Camera for Travel

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III mirrorless camera may be the last one on our list, but it certainly has its own unique benefits. It sports an MOS sensor that allows for longer battery life. With its quick-sleep mode, it also provides an impressive extra 750 shots per charge.

Turning quick-sleep mode off will give you 330 shots. The OM-D E-M10 Mark III also has a Wi-Fi sync setting that allows for fast file transferring to your mobile phone.

You can forget about blurry images, because this camera supports in-body stabilization! It's rated as one of the best cameras for travel based on customer reviews. It only weighs a pound and comes with its own travel bag.

However, users report bad performance in low-light conditions, and this camera isn't weather sealed. We definitely do not recommend trying to take shots underwater!

Number of lenses	2 lenses
Sensor	MOS sensor
Body weight	1 lb / 454 g
Battery life	330 - 750 shots

Compare the Best Mirrorless Cameras

Image	1 Sony	2 Panasonic	3 Fujifilm	4 Panasonic	5 Olympus
Name	A7 III Full-Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera	Lumix DMC-GX1 16 MP Micro 4/3 Mirrorless Digital Camera	X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera (Body only)	PANASONIC Lumix G85	OM-D E-M10 Mark III
Features	The Best Overall Mirrorless Camera	The Most Affordable Mirrorless Camera	An Excellent Mirrorless Camera for Shooting Videos	A Mirrorless Camera with Some Serious Durability	The Most Compact Mirrorless Camera for Travel
Price	$1,798.00	$229.91	$1,599.95	$697.99	$479.99
Number of available lenses	7 lenses	1 lens	Not included	4 lenses	2 lenses
Sensor	Full-frame sensor	Micro 4/3rds sensor	APS-C sensor	Micro 4/3rds sensor	MOS sensor
Body weight	1.44 lb / 653 g	0.7 lb / 318 g	0.22 lbs / 99.7 g	1.11 lbs / 503 g	1 lb / 454 g
Battery life	610 - 710 shots	300 - 340 shots	340 shots	320 shots	330 - 750 shots
Link	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon

How to Choose a Mirrorless Camera - Buying Guide

Here are some factors to think about before buying your mirrorless camera. Remember that the type of lens you decide to use, the sensor within the camera, the weight of the camera, and its battery life all play a significant role in how it will perform, so check the product specs carefully!

Consider What Lenses You Want to Buy

When doing your research on lenses, we recommend asking yourself these questions to make the selection process easier.

What are you shooting? The type of subject that you’re shooting will affect the type of lens you need. For example, if you take a lot of action shots, you may consider 35mm and 85mm lenses, while a 24mm lens has too wide of a zoom and can sometimes distort moving subjects. Another example is that certain lenses are more suited to video than photography.

Where are you shooting? Two common issues are shooting in low light conditions and shooting in tight spaces. Low light conditions require lenses with a fast aperture. Tight spaces will require you to have a smaller lens.

Don't Forget to Research Lens Compatibility

After you decide what lenses you want, you still aren't ready to rush out and buy everything! Remember, not all lenses are compatible with all cameras. Most mirrorless cameras have a large selection of interchangeable lenses, but some are limited.

It's better to choose a camera that comes with a wide selection of options if you want to shoot a wide variety of subjects. However, a lens adapter can be used on any mirrorless camera to increase the availability of options to choose from.

Make Sure You Know How the Sensors Affect the Image and Video Quality

A camera sensor’s main function is to capture light. Small sensors in cellphones tend to struggle in low light settings which can be one of the main arguments for why you need a mirrorless camera. In general, bigger sensors result in better quality images. There are several types of sensors in mirrorless cameras, including full-frame sensors, APS-C sensors, micro four-thirds sensors and CMOS sensors.

Micro four-thirds sensors are great for lens customization and are a good compromise between DSLR and point-and-shoot cameras.

APS-C sensors provide better control for depth of field, providing more focus for objects in the background of the main subject. Although it isn’t really a disadvantage, APS-C sensors do magnify the lens you are using. So if you attach a 50mm lens, the sensor will magnify it to seem as if you’ve attached an 80mm lens.

Full-frame sensors are the largest and capture the most light. This is useful for people who shoot landscapes and want to capture detailed shots of their surroundings. Full-frame sensors also provide a higher brightness in your mirrorless camera’s viewfinder, which lets you get an even more accurate depiction of what you are shooting.

Finally, CMOS sensors have the lowest power consumption, which will lead to longer battery life in your mirrorless camera.

Think about How Much Your Camera Will Weigh

The reason your camera's body weight is important is that you want to make sure it is easy to pack and travel with. Having a heavy camera will also make long photoshoots more difficult. For beginners, having a heavy camera can be a deterrent to using it on a regular basis.

We recommend using a lightweight, compact mirrorless camera that weighs as close to a smartphone as possible when starting out (around a pound). This will make it comfortable to use for long periods and a give you a more enjoyable experience overall.

Your Camera’s Battery Life Will Determine How Much You Can Shoot

Mirrorless cameras are unfortunately notorious for having short battery lives. Due to mirrorless cameras being smaller than their DSLR counterparts, they tend to have smaller batteries.

Certain settings specifically included in mirrorless cameras drain your battery without you even taking photos! Automatic EVF eye activation is one example. When it's activated, battery life can deplete simply by being jostled around. You can always carry extra batteries, though!

Here's More Gear You Might Need for Your Photography

my-best.net

After buying your mirrorless camera, you are going to need gear to manage your videos and images. Accessories will make taking photos easier and more enjoyable!

Top 10 Best Micro SD Cards to Buy Online 2020 | mybest

Top 10 Best External Hard Drives to Buy Online 2020 | mybest

Top 10 Best Travel Messenger Bags to Buy Online 2020 | mybest

Summary

Picking the right mirrorless camera isn't difficult, regardless of what your specific needs may be. Keep your goal in mind when choosing a camera. We recommend considering the following questions before purchasing your camera:

Are you going to mainly shoot video or take photos?
Do you plan on using the mirrorless camera for work or are you going to use it in a more casual way?
Do you plan on traveling with your camera?
What other gear are you going to consider adding to your camera toolkit?

Once you have a clear answer for each of these questions, deciding which mirrorless camera to buy will become easier. We hope that one of the cameras listed above helps you on your journey from starting as a beginner to becoming a mirrorless camera enthusiast!

Author: Kenny Soto