5 Best Mirrorless Cameras for Beginners in 2022 (Concert & Travel Photographer-Reviewed)

Melissa Castor is a concert photographer who enjoys traveling for the music, and taking photographs of the sights along the way. There are so many places to see, and she's trying to share a little of what she sees with the world. 

We asked her for some expert insight on how to choose the best mirrorless camera for you. You can check out her Flickr to see some of her work!

In order to create this list of the best mirrorless cameras for beginners, we took into consideration the following factors: 

• The weight, battery life, and resolution of the camera
• Deciding between four types of sensors: micro four thirds, APS-C, full-frame, and medium format
• Whether it has useful features like vari-angle screen and strap

To know more about those factors, take a look at our buying guide! 

We have created a list of the absolute best mirrorless cameras for beginners. We made our choices based on the points listed in the buying guide below, as well as reviewer comments when available.

*Number of available lenses, in this case, means compatible lenses.

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!

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. Using WiFi, recording a video, or using continuous shooting mode can reduce your battery life, too. 

Those battery-draining functions can be turned off easily. Moreover, some cameras have a power-save mode to help you expand the battery life. You can also carry extra batteries to prolong the usage time! 

A camera sensor’s main function is to capture light. In general, bigger sensors result in better quality images. There are several types of sensors in mirrorless cameras, so keep reading to know the strengths and weaknesses of each type of sensor. 

Micro four-thirds sensors are great for lens customization and are a good compromise between DSLR and point-and-shoot cameras. They have a small size, making the camera bodies compact. So for travel photography, go for a camera with a micro four-thirds sensor! 

APS-C sensors provide better control for depth of field, offering more focus for objects in the background and foreground as well as the main subject. If you tend to do street photography, a camera with an APS-C sensor might be the right choice for you.

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. 

The size of a full-frame sensor is about 36 millimeters by 24 millimeters. Due to the sensor's big size,  full-frame cameras are usually quite bulky. However, they 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. So if you usually shoot in low light conditions, pick a full-frame camera!  

Medium format sensors are the largest, measuring approximately 43.8 by 32.9 millimeters to 53.7 by 40.2 millimeters. Thanks to the larger sensor size, the images produced are of better resolution. 

There are some cons, however. Medium-format cameras tend to be heavier and bulkier than other types. They are also the most expensive type of sensors available right now.

Yet, if you like outdoor portraiture, a medium-format camera might come in handy. This is because a medium-format camera can help you capture photos with a shallower depth of field.

Image resolution is an important factor when looking for a camera, as it affects the print size, cropping options, and image quality. As a rule of thumb, the higher the resolution, the sharper and more detailed your photos turn out. It's easier to crop a photo with high resolution, too! 

Image resolution is measured by the number of megapixels (MP). If you want to print an image in a large size, you'll want it to have high resolution. 

Currently, most mirrorless cameras have a resolution of 20 megapixels, which allows you to make 16- by 20-inch prints. To produce 20- by 25-inch prints, you might need more than 25 megapixels. So think about what print size you want, and choose a resolution that can help you achieve that! 

Resolution also affects the quality of your videos. The units of video resolution are pixels. Nowadays, many cameras offer 4K recording.

However, shooting a video at 4K resolution might drain the battery quickly. A 4K video requires a lot of memory as well. So if you don't need the highest quality possible, then 1080 pixels or 720 pixels should be enough. 

Even if you're new to mirrorless cameras, there are many functions and accessories that will make using a camera enjoyable. A lot of mirrorless cameras are designed with a flip screen to help you take selfies or film vlogs. Some products have a touch screen for easy operation. 

Also, you can purchase a kit lens since the pricing is typically cheaper than when you buy them separately. However, the lens selection may be quite limited. We also suggest getting a camera strap as it can support your camera while you're walking around to take photos. 

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.

As for where you're 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.

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.

Choosing a mirrorless camera is not an easy task, and you probably still have many questions even after reading our buying guide. In this section, we'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions online. 

Since mirrorless cameras use a sensor to autofocus instead of relying on an autofocus chip, you don't have to calibrate the camera's autofocus system at all. 

Still undecided about what type of camera to invest in? Having a good understanding of the differences between DSLR and mirrorless cameras will really help you make your decision! Learn about them through this video by Sony.

Some accessories will make taking photos easier and more enjoyable. Check out these indispensable items for digital photographers.

If you haven't found a mirrorless camera for yourself after reading our list, check out Amazon's best sellers! 

Author: Kenny Soto

Updated by: Thuy Nguyen, 1/20/2022

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