The most expensive category we’ll be discussing here is full-frame, largely used by pros and serious amateurs. Models are available from all the major brands except Fujifilm, including Sony, Canon, Nikon and Panasonic. That format offers the best image quality, low-light capability and depth of field, with prices starting around $1,000. With the right lenses, you can get beautifully blurred backgrounds, but autofocus is more critical. Lenses are also more expensive.
Down one size are APS-C cameras, offered on Fujifilm, Sony, Nikon and Canon models. Cameras and lenses are cheaper than full-frame, but you still get nice blurred “bokeh,” decent low-light shooting capability and relatively high resolution. With a sensor size equivalent to 35mm movie film, it's ideal for shooting video.
Micro Four Thirds, used by Panasonic and Olympus, is the smallest mainstream sensor size for mirrorless cameras. It offers less dramatic bokeh and light-gathering capability than APS-C, but allows for smaller and lighter cameras and lenses. For video, it’s harder to blur the background to isolate your subject, but focus is easier to control.
The next thing to consider is sensor resolution. High-res cameras like Sony’s 61-megapixel full-frame A7R V or Fujifilm’s 40-megapixel APS-C X-H2 deliver detailed images – but the small pixels mean they’re not ideal for video or low-light shooting. Lower-resolution models like Panasonic’s 10.3-megapixel GH5s or Sony’s 12.1-megapixel A7S III excel at video and high-ISO shooting, but lack detail for photos.
Image quality is subjective, but different cameras do produce slightly different results. Some photographers prefer the skin tones from Canon while others like Fujifilm’s colors, for example. It’s best to check sample photos to see which model best suits your style.
What about handling? The Fujifilm X-T5 has lots of manual dials to access shooting controls, while Sony’s A6600 relies more on menus. The choice often depends on personal preferences, but manual dials and buttons can help you find settings more easily and shoot quicker. For heavy lenses, you need a camera with a big grip.
Video is more important than ever. Most cameras deliver at least 4K at 30 frames per second, but some models now offer 4K at up to 120p, with 6K and even 8K resolution. If you need professional-looking results, choose a camera with 10-bit or even RAW capability, along with log profiles to maximize dynamic range.
In-body stabilization, which keeps the camera steady even if you move, is another important option for video and low-light photography. You’ll also want to consider the electronic viewfinder (EVF) specs. High resolutions and refresh rates make judging shots easier, particularly in sunny environments.
Other important features include displays that flip up or around for vlogging or selfie shots, along with things like battery life, the number and type of memory card slots, the ports and wireless connectivity. Lens selection is also key, as some brands like Sony have more choice than others. For most of our picks, keep in mind that you’ll need to buy at least one lens.
Now, let’s take a look at our top camera picks for 2025. We’ve divided the selection into four budget categories: under $800, under $1,500, under $2,500 and over $2,500. We chose those price categories because many recent cameras slot neatly into them. Manufacturers have largely abandoned the low end of the market, so there are very few mirrorless models under $500.
Features to Consider and Top Picks in Every Budget
Mirrorless cameras are gaining popularity among both professional photographers and amateurs. With their compact size, light weight, and high-quality images, these cameras are becoming the go-to choice for many. If you are considering buying a mirrorless camera in 2025, there are several factors you should consider before making a decision. In this buying guide, we will discuss the features to consider when buying a mirrorless camera and provide top picks in every budget category.
Sensor Size and Resolution
The sensor size and resolution are important factors to consider when choosing a mirrorless camera. Full-frame cameras offer the best image quality, low-light capability, and depth of field, making them ideal for professional photographers. APS-C cameras offer decent low-light shooting capability and relatively high resolution at a lower price point than full-frame cameras. Micro Four Thirds cameras are the smallest mainstream sensor size for mirrorless cameras, offering smaller and lighter cameras and lenses but less dramatic bokeh and light-gathering capability than APS-C cameras.
Handling and Features
Handling and features are also important factors to consider when choosing a mirrorless camera. Some cameras, like the Fujifilm X-T5, have lots of manual dials to access shooting controls, while others, like Sony’s A6600, rely more on menus. Manual dials and buttons can help you find settings more easily and shoot quicker. In-body stabilization, electronic viewfinder (EVF) specs, displays that flip up or around for vlogging or selfie shots, battery life, the number and type of memory card slots, and wireless connectivity are all important features to consider when choosing a camera.
Video Capability
Video capability is becoming increasingly important for many photographers. Most cameras now offer at least 4K at 30 frames per second, but some models offer 4K at up to 120p, with 6K and even 8K resolution. If you need professional-looking results, choose a camera with 10-bit or even RAW capability, along with log profiles to maximize dynamic range.
Top Mirrorless Cameras Under $800 for Photography and Videography
When it comes to mirrorless cameras under $800, there are a few great options available in the market. These cameras offer excellent features and performance, making them a great choice for photography and videography enthusiasts who are on a budget. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the best mirrorless cameras under $800 and their key features.
Canon EOS R50: Best Overall Camera
Canon's latest mirrorless camera, the EOS R50, is an excellent choice for both photography and videography. It features a 24.2-megapixel sensor, which produces sharp and detailed images. The camera can shoot bursts at up to 15 fps in electronic shutter mode, making it great for capturing fast-moving subjects. It also offers 4K 10-bit video at up to 30p with supersampling and no crop, allowing you to capture high-quality footage. The EOS R50 has a fully articulating display and an electronic viewfinder, which makes it easy to compose shots in any situation. Additionally, it uses Canon's Dual Pixel AF with subject recognition mode, which ensures accurate and fast autofocus performance.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV: Best for Photography and Video
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is an older model, but it still offers a great mix of photography and video features. It has a 20.7-megapixel sensor, which produces excellent image quality, and can shoot bursts at up to 15 fps. The camera offers 4K 30p or HD 120p video, and it's one of the few cameras in this price category with built-in five-axis stabilization. This makes it great for handheld shooting and vlogging. Additionally, the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is portable and lightweight, making it a great option for travel. The only downside is the autofocus system, which is not as fast or accurate as some of the competition.
Sony ZV-E10: Best for Creators
If you're a creator, the Sony ZV-E10 is an excellent budget option. It has a 24.2-megapixel sensor, which produces sharp and detailed images, and can shoot 4K video at up to 30 fps with a 1.23x crop. The camera uses Sony's fantastic AI-powered autofocus system with face and eye detection, which ensures that your subjects are always in focus. Additionally, it has a few creator-specific features like Product Showcase and a bokeh switch that makes the background as blurry as possible, making your subject stand out. The ZV-E10 also has a high-quality microphone, which makes it a great option for vlogging. However, it doesn't come with an electronic viewfinder and has some rolling shutter issues.
Panasonic Lumix G100: Best for Photography
The Panasonic Lumix G100 is another great option for creators, but it's better suited for photography. It has a 20.3-megapixel sensor, which produces sharp and detailed images, and can shoot 4K video at up to 30 fps with a 1.47x crop. The camera has a 3.68-million dot electronic viewfinder and a fully articulating display, which makes it easy to compose shots in any situation. Additionally, it has 5-axis hybrid image stabilization, which ensures that your footage is smooth and steady. However, the autofocus system is not as fast or accurate as some of the competition.
Honorable Mentions
Nikon Z30: The Nikon Z30 is another great option for vloggers and creators. It has a 20.9-megapixel sensor, which produces sharp and detailed images, and can shoot 4K video.
Top Mirrorless Cameras Under $1,500 for Photography and Video
Mirrorless cameras have gained popularity in recent years, and the good news is that there are several great options available in the sub-$1,500 price range. Whether you're a photography enthusiast or a video creator, there's a model that suits your needs. Here are some of the best mirrorless cameras under $1,500, based on their features, image quality, and value for money.
Canon EOS R7: Best Overall
The Canon EOS R7 is a high-performing APS-C mirrorless camera that boasts an impressive 32.5-megapixel sensor. It has fast shooting speeds of up to 30 fps using the electronic shutter, excellent autofocus, and 5-axis in-body stabilization. Additionally, the R7 can shoot sharp 4K video with 10-bit color depth, although the rolling shutter can be a bit excessive. With dual high-speed card slots and good battery life, the EOS R7 is an excellent all-around camera that delivers great results for both photography and video.
Canon EOS R8: Best Full-Frame Camera
The Canon EOS R8 is a new addition to the market and an excellent full-frame camera option in this price range. It has Canon's Dual Pixel AF with subject recognition AI and can shoot bursts at up to 40 fps. Additionally, it delivers 10-bit 4K video at up to 60 fps and has a flip-out display, making it a great option for vloggers. However, the R8 lacks in-body stabilization, which may be a deal-breaker for some.
Panasonic GH5 II: Best for Video
The Panasonic GH5 II is a Micro Four Thirds camera that excels in video recording, offering 10-bit high data rate 4K 60p video with effective image stabilization. It also has pro inputs, dual high-speed card slots, and a flip-out screen. However, with a 20-megapixel resolution, its photo capabilities may not be as strong as its video capabilities.
Honorable Mentions:
- Canon EOS R: A solid budget option for photography and 4K video, despite being released over four years ago.
- Olympus OM-D E-M5 III: A fast and pretty camera that's great for photography.
- Sony A6600: Offers very fast shooting speeds and the best autofocus in its class.
- Nikon Z5: Another good full-frame camera option for photography with excellent image quality.
Best Mirrorless Cameras under $2,500 for Photography and Video
Mirrorless cameras have become increasingly popular among photography enthusiasts and professionals. They offer advanced features and high-quality images while being more compact and lightweight than traditional DSLR cameras. In this article, we will explore some of the best mirrorless cameras under $2,500 for both photography and video.
Sony A7 IV - The Top Pick
The Sony A7 IV is the current leader in this category. It features a 33-megapixel sensor, which is a significant improvement from its predecessor, the A7 III. The image quality is exceptional, and the camera boasts impressive video capabilities with 4K up to 60p with 10 bit 4:2:2 quality. The autofocus system is outstanding for both stills and video, and the in-body stabilization works well. However, the rolling shutter can be limiting when using the electronic shutter, and the price is relatively high.
Canon EOS R6 II - A Great All-Rounder
The Canon EOS R6 II is a great hybrid mirrorless camera that offers excellent photography and video features. The 24.2-megapixel sensor delivers more detail than the previous model, and the camera can shoot RAW stills at up to 40 fps in electronic shutter mode. The video specs are impressive, with full sensor 4K supersampled from 6K at up to 60 fps. The autofocus system is quick and versatile, but not quite on par with Sony's standards. The camera has a microHDMI port, which may not be ideal for some users, and lacks a CFexpress slot.
Fujifilm X-H2S - A Smaller Option with APS-C Sensor
For those who prefer a smaller camera with an APS-C sensor, the Fujifilm X-H2S is an excellent choice. It has a fast stacked, backside-illuminated 26.1-megapixel sensor that allows for rapid burst shooting speeds of 40 fps. The camera can capture 4K 120p video with minimal rolling shutter and has 7 stops of in-body stabilization. It even has a class-leading EVF. The autofocus system is not quite as advanced as Canon and Sony's, and the camera is relatively expensive for an APS-C option.
Panasonic S5 II - Best for Video
If video is your primary focus, the Panasonic S5 II is an excellent choice. It's the company's first camera with hybrid phase-detect AF designed to make focus "wobble" and other issues a thing of the past. The camera can shoot sharp 4K 30p video downsampled from the full sensor width or 4K 60p from an APS-C cropped size, all in 10-bit color. It even offers 5.9K 30p capture and RAW 5.9K external output to an Atomos recorder. The camera has a flip-out screen for vlogging and updated five-axis in-body stabilization, which is the best in the industry. The photo quality is also good thanks to the dual-gain 24-megapixel sensor. However, the burst speeds are relatively slow.
Fujifilm X-T5 - The Best Value
The Fujifilm X-T5 offers excellent value for its price. It features a 40-megapixel APS-C sensor, 6.2K video at 30p/4K 60p 10-bit video, 7-stop image stabilization, and shooting speeds up to 20 fps. The camera is full of mechanical dials and buttons with Fujifilm's traditional layout. However, it has a tilt-only display and autofocus system that can't keep up with Sony and Canon's systems.
Best Mirrorless Cameras for Professionals: Over $2,500
Professional photographers and videographers who demand the best in performance, speed, and image quality need a top-of-the-line mirrorless camera. In this price range, the options are plentiful, and choosing the right camera can be overwhelming. Here are some of the best mirrorless cameras over $2,500 that are worth considering.
Sony A1: The Ultimate Performer
At the top of the list is the Sony A1, priced at a whopping $6,500. It's the ultimate performer with a 50-megapixel stacked sensor, delivering excellent image quality and blazing-fast 30 fps shooting speeds. The autofocus system is equally quick, with high precision and accuracy, making it rare to miss a shot. The A1 also offers 8K and 4K 120p video shooting, built-in stabilization, and the fastest and highest-resolution electronic viewfinder on the market. The only drawbacks are the lack of a flip-out screen and the high price.
Nikon Z9: A High-End Camera with a Mechanical Shutter
The Nikon Z9, priced at around $5,500, is another top-performing camera with a 45.7-megapixel stacked sensor that's so fast that it doesn't even have a mechanical shutter. The autofocus system is exceptional, delivering outstanding image quality with 8K 30p internally and 8K 60p RAW via the HDMI port. However, the camera lacks an articulating display and is expensive, making it a great option for photographers who need speed, resolution, and high-end video capabilities.
Sony A7S III and A7R V: Two Top Performers for Different Needs
The Sony A7S III and A7R V are tied for the next positions, each priced at around $3,500. The A7R V is a high-resolution model with a 61-megapixel sensor that shoots sharp and beautiful images at a respectable speed of 10 fps. The autofocus is equally fast and reliable, with the sharpest viewfinder on the market and improved in-body stabilization. Video has also improved, with 8K and 10-bit options, but with significant rolling shutter. If video is not a priority, the Sony A7R IVa is a more affordable option that delivers the same job, photo-wise.
On the other hand, the 12-megapixel A7S III is the best dedicated video camera, with outstanding 4K video quality at up to 120 fps, a flip-out display, and category-leading autofocus. It also offers 5-axis in-body stabilization, a compact size, and excellent handling, making it a perfect camera for low-light shooting.
Canon EOS R3: The Best Mirrorless Sports Camera
If you're looking for a mirrorless sports camera, the Canon EOS R3, priced at around $6,000, is an excellent option. It can shoot bursts at up to 30 fps with autofocus enabled, making it great for capturing fast-moving action. The camera also delivers impressive video capabilities, offering 6K at up to 60 fps in Canon's RAW LTE mode or 4K at 120 fps. Canon's Dual Pixel autofocus is excellent, and it offers 8 stops of shake reduction, a flip-out display, and eye detection autofocus. However, the price tag may make it more suitable for professional photographers as a replacement for the 1DX Mark III DSLR.
Honorable Mention: Canon EOS R5 and Panasonic S1H
Finally, the Canon EOS R5, priced at around $3,900, nearly keeps pace with the Sony A1, thanks to its 20 fps shooting speeds and lightning-fast autofocus.