The best mirrorless cameras

First up, the price of this camera is very attractive for a mirrorless newbie. At just under £700 — and often found on sale with more than £100 off — the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV(opens in a new tab) is one of the most affordable options on this list. It’s not going to compete with the spec of higher-end models, but there’s plenty to get excited about.

It's has a Micro Four Thirds system, which means it balances portability with image quality by using a smaller sensor that shoots in a 4:3 ratio — in this case a 20-megapixel sensor. The image quality is well-rated — as good as higher-spec cameras, according to some reviewers. This continuous autofocus isn’t always perfect, but as long as you’re not expected to capture major action shots, it will more than suffice. It also has a well-reviewed in-body stabilisation, which is actually a step up from some more expensive mirrorless cameras. Some don’t have any type of stabilisation.

This Olympus is perhaps better geared towards stills than shooting video, though it has 4K capabilities and an articulated LCD monitor for helping film yourself vlog-style. It’s a beginner-friendly camera, certainly, but we can’t help but recommend it.

Here’s a term you’ll see a lot when researching cameras: enthusiast. It means a step-up from beginner but not quite pro-level — a keen photographer who knows their stuff but isn’t ready to shell out for the best-of-the-best (or the most expensive-of-the-most-expensive). With that level in mind, the Canon EOS R10(opens in a new tab) is a clearcut top pick. Some reviewers have labelled it as a beginners’ camera but its spec is just a little too impressive for that. Entry level, sure — it’s accessible to all photographers — but it’s a camera that someone with a decent knowledge and eye for details will appreciate.

The Canon EOS R10 packs in a 32.5 image sensor, a second-gen Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus system, and Digic X processor. The autofocus is sharp and fast, with deep-learning AI that recognises faces and eyes and the smarts to also track animals or vehicles. It also has a hi-res viewfinder and vari-angle touchscreen for live view.

It shoots 4K video though at 60fps you’ll have to settle for cropped video, but that's largely the case in this price range (you do get uncropped at 30 fps or in HD 1080p, however). It's not a dealbreaker for everyone but certainly worth noting. There’s also no in-body image stabilisation, in case that’s a must-have feature.

It’s easy to get lost in Sony’s range of similarly-named cameras. And the top end, such as the almighty, pro-level Sony A1(opens in a new tab), packs major power. Seriously, the Sony A1 can do it all. Check it out if you’re professional or want the absolute best of the best.

But we’d like to recommend another model: the Sony A7 IV(opens in a new tab). It’s slightly lower down the Sony scale. But only in price, really. It’s pushing towards the quality of its big brother, but at a much lower price point.

The Sony A7 IV is a full-frame mirrorless camera with a solid 33-megapixel sensor, five-axis stabilisation, a range of video options, a burst speed of 10 fps, a near-endless buffer capacity, and an astonishingly good autofocus with eye and real-time tracking. Eye tracking includes animals and birds — ideal for nature and pet photography. Other bonuses include WiFi connection, which allows you to live stream, plus support from Sony’s Imaging Edge app for remote sharing.

The biggest niggle is that 4K video at 60p is cropped, which Sony has dressed up by calling it cropped video Super35 mode. You get full frame at 30p and video features such as Active Mode stabilisation, autofocus assist, and corrective breathing compensation. Above all else, however, the quality of photographs is incredible.

Let’s not beat around the bush here: The Fujifilm X-H2S(opens in a new tab) is a serious piece of kit. Which means a serious price tag. But what it brings to the table makes it well worth the money — particularly if action photography and rapid-fire fps is your thing.

It has a mega-fast fifth generation sensor and has burst shooting speeds of 40fps. You can keep track of fast-moving subjects with an upgraded subject detection autofocus. Subject detection can be set to a range of subjects, including animal, bird, automobile, bike, aeroplane, or train — which should give you some idea of the kind of photographer this camera is specifically made for.

This camera also delivers amazing video, with a 6.2K resolution, which you shoot in live view on a fully articulating screen. Add to that in-body stabilization, a 5.76-million dot OLED viewfinder, and a handily-placed autofocus joystick.

The truth is, with all that spec and muscle, the Fujifilm X-H2S is probably for photography professionals only (who are surely the ones forking out the big bucks). If you’re just out there having fun, maybe look elsewhere. But it you are serious about having this level of kit, it’s another kind of serious: seriously superb.

If you want even sharper video, the Fujifilm X-HS(opens in a new tab) has 8K video. It has slower burst speeds but it’s also cheaper (if you can call £1,900 cheap, that is).

There are plenty of good cameras out there for vlogging, but the Sony Alpha ZV-E10(opens in a new tab) just about takes the top spot. This is not a camera with vlogging features tacked on. It’s a camera made especially for vlogging and content creation.

Not only is it pocket-sized — handy for taking anywhere and everywhere — it has a fully-articulated flip-out touchscreen monitor, which allows you to easily frame yourself within shot, and a three-capsule directional microphone with an included wind muffler.

If you like to vlog about products influencer-style, there’s a product showcase feature that automatically focuses on products when you hold them up – whether it’s a nice bit of tech, a fashion item, or something else — and if you want to make yourself the star of the show you can blur the background with the press of a button.

The real star of this little package is the impressively-fast autofocus, which locks onto your eyes and face. That means the 4K video looks good, though there’s no in-body stabilisation, so it may take a little time to master those smooth shots. That’s also not an issue if you’re vlogging with a tripod.

Calling £500 “cheap” is a stretch, we know. But in the world of mirrorless cameras it’s a bargain — at least, it’s a bargain when you’re getting value for money. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7(opens in a new tab) certainly offers that, making it a well-recommended budget buy.

It’s a great option for beginners, or anyone making a tentative jump from DSLR to mirrorless. Some reviewers have noted that this camera feels and handles like a DSLR, so it could be a good in-between point — though it also feels plasticky, which is the mark of buying at the budget end of the market.

It has a 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor, plus all the features you need at this level: a max burst speed of 8 fps, built-in WiFi, and a vari-angle touchscreen for shooting 4K video. In fact, video is where this one excels — arguably the thing, features-wise, that really sets it apart from similarly-priced DSLRs. The video autofocus and exposure control are highly rated, certainly for the price.

The still photography autofocus is where this camera is most lacking. It may struggle to keep up with anything too complex or fast, and tracking focus can slow down the burst shooting rate. But you’re unlikely to be buying this camera for anything more demanding that entry-level photography. Overall, there's a lot to like. It’s a camera that’s opens up the creative potential of the mirrorless system.