Top 5 Best Mirrorless Cameras for Beginners in 2021 (Sony, Canon, and More)

Although mirrorless cameras are more expensive compared to their DSLR rivals and they have a shorter battery life, they do provide their advantages. Mirrorless cameras are lighter and more compact. They don't have an optical viewfinder, so the image is shown on an LCD screen (electronic viewfinder) instead. 

This will help you see images in low light better, as an electronic viewfinder can boost brightness. You can also zoom the image to check focus. Plus, mirrorless cameras tend to shoot pictures more quickly thanks to the absence of mirrors. 

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.

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.

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

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!

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!

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, including full-frame sensors, APS-C sensors, and micro four-thirds sensors. 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 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, making full-frame cameras 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!  

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. 

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! 

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.

Starting photography may not seem difficult, but if you're planning on taking art shots or going off auto-focus, then you'll need to know about ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. Having a good understanding of these three settings will really help you improve your skills and create beautiful photos. Learn about them through this video by Tek Syndicate.

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!

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 hope that one of the cameras listed above helps you on your journey from starting as a beginner to becoming a mirrorless camera enthusiast! In closing, here's what Melissa Castor has to say:

"Many professional photographers are trading in their DSLR's for mirrorless cameras these days - that's how good mirrorless cameras are. The quality can be as good as a DSLR camera with less bulk and less weight. If you're looking to step up your photography game from using only a cell phone, a mirrorless camera will really help you get to the next level."

Author: Kenny Soto

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If you want to touch up your photos a bit, try Adobe's Photoshop Lightroom! This editing tool is recommended by photographer Michelle Tirronen and offers many useful settings that will help you make your photos pop.