The best mirrorless cameras of 2024

Want to boost the speed, accuracy and quality of your photography? Go mirrorless

a collection of some of the best mirrorless cameras

by Chris Duffill |
Updated on

Every photographer has a wishlist stacked with some of the best cameras known to man, and dream equipment like mirrorless cameras too. Despite sounding like it's lost something, the lack of a mirror is what makes it the camera of choice for many professionals.

And there's a lot more to it than just stripping components out of a budget DSLR camera and rebadging it. Making this investment is a serious step up for any photographer. As camera innovations go, this is right up there with other major milestones. Budget-wise, they may not be the best cameras for beginners; but if you can stretch to it you'll really be giving your photography a chance to bloom. So, what are mirrorless cameras, and what makes them so popular?

The best mirrorless cameras are fundamentally the same as Digital Single Lens Reflex models; based on exactly the same kind of DSLR cameras made by Canon, Nikon and the like. The Reflex is the movable mirror inside. That mirror sits in front of the sensor and reflects light through to your viewfinder. When you snap the shot, you'll hear the mirror's reflex action as it moves out of the shutter's way. In removing the mirror, they generally have a higher continuous shooting rate. Most importantly, unlike a viewfinder, what you see on the camera's screen is what you're actually going to get. It can also bring enhanced autofocus points, and improved tracking systems.

Best mirrorless cameras of 2023 at a glance:

• Best overall mirrorless camera: Nikon Z6 II - View at Amazon
• Best budget mirrorless camera: Sony Alpha 6400 - View at Amazon
• Best Canon mirrorless camera: Canon EOS 90D - View at Amazon
• Best Sony mirrorless camera: Sony Alpha 7 III - View at Amazon

You still have a range of sensor options to choose from too, from full-frame to APS-C and Micro Four Thirds. Sounds like a jargon minefield? We have you covered with our guide at the end of the article. So, whether you’re upgrading or starting afresh, our experts have selected the best mirrorless cameras for various budgets and uses. So, let's snap to it.

Best mirrorless cameras of 2024

Best overall mirrorless camera

Nikon Z6 II Body Mirrorless Camera and NIKKOR Z 24-200mm lens - one of the best mirrorless cameras

Rrp: £3048.00

Price: £2371.25

Description

As a brand familiar to many 35mm aficionados, Nikon is a welcome presence in the full-frame

Pros

  • 24.5MP full-frame sensor with excellent image quality
  • Two EXPEED 6 processors
  • Terrific high ISO performance
  • In-body image stabilization
  • Dual memory card slots (XQD/SD)
  • 4K video recording at up to 60fps

Cons

  • No built-in flash
  • No eye-tracking autofocus feature

Best budget mirrorless camera

Sony Alpha 6400 - one of the best mirrorless cameras

Rrp: £999.00

Price: £699.00
Alternative retailers
Currys£899.00View offer
Scan Computers£972.49View offer

Description

Sony left quite a gap between the A6500, its flagship APS-C mirrorless, and the A6400, but it was

Pros

  • Highly advanced autofocus
  • Amazing resolution and detail
  • 180-degree tilting touchscreen
  • Built-in flash and hot shoe for external flash
  • Compact and lightweight

Cons

  • No built-in image stabilization

Best Canon mirrorless camera

Canon EOS 90D - - one of the best mirrorless camerasLR cameras

Rrp: £1699.00

Price: £1699.00
Alternative retailers
Currys£1679.00View offer
Canon£1699.99View offer
Argos£1699.99View offer

Description

Although you could spend an awful lot more on a mirrorless Canon camera, this mid-range DSLR is

Pros

  • Great battery life
  • Excellent range of lenses available
  • High resolution for an APS-C

Cons

  • AF tracking isn't class-leading
  • ISO is respectable, though isn't the best on this list

Best Sony mirrorless camera

Sony Alpha 7 III - one of the best mirrorless cameras
Price: £2170.23

Description

The A7 III has earned several camera of the year awards since launch and it's easy to see why. The

Pros

  • 24MP full-frame CMOS sensor
  • 693-point phase-detection autofocus system
  • 5-axis in-body image stabilization
  • 4K video recording at up to 30fps
  • Great range of lenses available

Cons

  • Only one card slot is UHS-II
  • No built-in flash

Best Fujifilm mirrorless camera

Fujifilm X-S10 Mirrorless Digital Camera - one of the best mirrorless cameras

Rrp: £1299.00

Price: £1299.00
Alternative retailers
JD Williams£1299.00View offer
John Lewis & Partners£1299.00View offer
Currys£1299.00View offer

Description

The Fujifilm X-S10 is one of those cameras that blends traditional 35mm looks with the

Pros

  • Great low-light performance
  • High-speed burst modes
  • 5-axis in-body image stabilization 
  • Vari-angle touchscreen
  • Compact and lightweight 
  • Plenty of lens choices

Cons

  • No weather sealing
  • Some users say the autofocus tracking performance could be better

Best Olympus mirrorless camera

Description

Olympus is another camera brand that will evoke all sorts of nostalgia for old-school

Pros

  • Incredible image stabilization for both still and video
  • Excellent image quality, even in low light
  • High-speed continuous shooting up to 15 fps
  • Weatherproof and dustproof design

Cons

  • Uses a somewhat dated 20MP sensor

Best Panasonic mirrorless camera

Panasonic LUMIX DC-G9LEB-K G9 - one of the best mirrorless cameras

Rrp: £1199.00

Price: £1199.00

Description

Continuing on the Micro Four Thirds trail, the G9 from Panasonic has built a reputation that

Pros

  • 20.3-megapixel sensor
  • Dual I.S. 2 image stabilization
  • 20 fps continuous shooting with electronic shutter
  • 4K/60p video recording
  • Dual UHS-II SD card slots
  • Tilting touchscreen
  • Weather-sealed body

Cons

  • No in-body flash

Best full-frame mirrorless camera

Sony Alpha 7 IV Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera - one of the best mirrorless cameras

Rrp: £2600.00

Price: £2299.00
Alternative retailers
John Lewis & Partners£2599.00View offer

Description

There's only one reason this stellar shooter didn't sweep the board in our rundown of the best

Pros

  • 33MP BSI CMOS sensor
  • Excellent in low light
  • Improved dynamic range
  • 4K 60p recording
  • Tilting touchscreen LCD and electronic viewfinder
  • 5-axis in-body image stabilization

Cons

  • Only one card slot is UHS-II compatible
  • Relatively slow continuous shooting speed (10 fps)

Best mirrorless cameras of 2024: Buyer's guide

Mirrorless cameras VS DSLRs

Is a mirrorless camera better than DSLR? In purely mechanical terms, yes. Doing away with the mirror means a lighter body and faster operation. After that, it all depends on how and where you will be using your camera. After all, you may not need the benefits that mirrorless can bring depending on your shooting style and subject matter.

Although DSLR cameras are renowned for their high-quality shots and optical viewfinders, the advancements in this new technology are mind-blowing. You can now buy a mirrorless camera that is far lighter, faster, more compact and with much higher video quality. There are far more lenses on the market than a couple of years ago too, and the selection is only growing.

When to opt for a mirrorless camera

Obviously, the key benefits (speed, weight and size) make them great for travel shoots or any kind of fast and agile photography. If you're the sort of snapper who likes to keep up with the latest tech, mirrorless isn't a fad. It's here to stay. It modernises the build, speed and size of traditional DSLRs. And all of that changes the way photographers use their cameras. The space and weight savings also open up new opportunities for further enhancements - like speedy eye-tracking autofocus and more.

Choose your lenses wisely

It's best not to assume that your existing lens collection will be usable on your new mirrorless camera body. Always double-check that there are compatible adapters available. And, if you're moving wholeheartedly into the world of mirrorless, choose a camera with a great range of available lens types that suit what you love to shoot.

Accessorise your new kit

After splashing out on one of the best mirrorless cameras, don't skimp on essential accessories, particularly if you're buying gear for a beginner photographer. You'll probably already have a vast collection of memory cards, but high-speed cards are essential, particularly if you're going to take advantage of that increased continuous shoot rate or 4K video. One potential downside of this technology is that battery life is shorter than some DSLRs, simply because the screen is used much more than any viewfinder. And don't forget extra batteries for those longer photography excursions out and about.

Plus, of course, if you're lugging your new kit around on adventurous shoots (or even on city breaks or day trips) don't forget a weatherproof camera bag or backpack.

Best mirrorless cameras of 2024: FAQs

How do mirrorless cameras work?

As mentioned briefly above, the fundamental change between a standard DSLR and a mirrorless camera is just what you'd expect: there's no mirror between the lens and the sensor. The mirror would normally reflect what the lens sees up and through to the viewfinder. That would give the photographer a naked-eye view of what lies in front of the lens. But, as with most digital cameras, how that shot would actually turn out once the camera takes the shot is not necessarily the same as the image in the viewfinder.

A mirrorless setup will show you, live on screen, exactly what your lens is pointing at plus any settings you've made to affect the image. This takes the guesswork out of tweaking ISO, depth of field and more as you shoot. Also, a DSLR must move that mirror out of the way of the sensor and synchronise with the shutter. But with no mirror to move, a camera's continuous shooting rate can be a lot faster. With no mirror, continuous autofocus and other features have also seen some enhancements. They're quieter and a little lighter too.

Are mirrorless cameras better for video?

As these cameras use the display screen by default, this can be a little more convenient than a DSLR. DSLRs often put the screen into standby mode in preference of the viewfinder. Given that many of these cameras come with the same APS-C or full-frame sensors as DSLRs, video image quality is top-notch. Although there are dedicated video cameras, such as action cameras, they often simply can't compete with the combination of lenses and sensors to be found in DSLR or mirrorless models.

But, the main reason why mirrorless takes the videography crown is those advances in lightning-fast, smooth autofocus and tracking systems. Anyone who has shot video on a DSLR with a stepper motor lens will appreciate how important the accuracy and reaction time is of any AF system.

Do mirrorless cameras need special lenses?

The answer will vary over time as camera designs develop. In short, if you have a collection of DSLR lenses all is not lost. Many adapters exist to mount these onto your mirrorless camera. However, the reverse is not an option. Most models come with specially designed lenses to suit that type and brand of body, and those cannot currently be adapted for use on a standard DSLR.

Camera jargon explained

If you're looking for a mirrorless camera, odds are you probably know a thing or two about photography, but here's a short overview of the more technical terms used in this article.

CSC (Compact System Camera)

This is another term for a mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses. The compact mirrorless form factor often necessitates a matching range of lenses and accessories that support the system.

Zoom and prime lenses

Some lenses can be zoomed between two focal lengths, such as 18-55mm. Others are fixed to one, like 50mm, which is a prime lens. The best prime lenses tend to be on the expensive side. Users are often professionals, so the quality of the lens and advanced manufacturing methods is where the budget goes.

Full-Frame sensor

These sensors are able to capture more light per-pixel thanks to their increased size. They're the same size as a traditional 35mm film, making them the choice of many professionals. Their size also means a wider field of view, as the light reaches right to the edge of the sensor.

APS-C sensor

Despite being around 1.6 times smaller than Full-Frame, they can capture the same number of megapixels. The key difference is the physical size of the sensor. Smaller means two things: firstly, a full-frame lens will deliver a larger internal image than the sensor can see. That means the image you get will appear cropped - handy for distant objects and wildlife photography. Secondly, as it's smaller you get a lighter and more compact camera.

Micro Four-Thirds sensor

Micro Four Thirds is a system created by Kodak and Olympus. It essentially shrinks a full-size DSLR a little, whilst keeping the benefits. This means the sensor is smaller than the usual APS-C sensor, again to save space; but will retain as much professional image quality and pixel density as possible. The range of compatible lenses is excellent, as it's an open standard.

Chris Duffill is a Tech Product Writer for What's The Best. He specialises in audiovisual, computing, and gadgets. He also writes for Yours.

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