The best mirrorless camera for 2024: top picks for every budget

PRICE
VERDICT
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
VERDICT
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
Nikon Z6 III on a blue background
(Image credit: Nikon)

If you're keen to level-up from your smartphone with a dedicated camera, then you're best bet is one of the best mirrorless cameras. That's because almost all of the leading camera brands are focusing their efforts in this space, and it's where the cutting edge camera tech is at.

We've conducted in-depth tests of the latest and greatest models from Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm and more, covering every budget and every type of photographer and movie-maker, and hand selected our top picks below, from entry-level stills cameras to flagship hybrids.

Our personal favorite overall is the Nikon Z6 III. Its performance and features seriously impressed us, including its assured handling and bright viewfinder, powerful 6K specs and precise subject detection autofocus, which also makes it one of the best Nikon cameras. However, not everyone can afford it or even need its sophisticated features

We've compiled this guide to make it easy for you to get honest answers when deciding which mirrorless camera to buy. We've shot with each model to get a genuine understanding of how they feel and perform in a range of photography scenarios. You'll find the results summarized here, explaining exactly what makes these mirrorless cameras worthy of a recommendation.

Top 3 picks

The summary below will give you an instant overview of the best mirrorless camera options for every photographer. When you find one that ticks the right boxes, you can follow the links beneath each entry to jump down to our full write-ups.

Best by use-case

Written by
Tim Coleman
Written by
Timothy Coleman

Tim is TechRadar's Cameras Editor. With more than 15 years' experience as a photographer and tech journalist, Tim has shot with many of the best mirrorless cameras. As a result, he has a deep knowledge of what to look for when selecting a mirrorless camera. He notes, "with new models coming from Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, Panasonic and more, the mirrorless camera market has never been healthier. From entry-level hybrids to high-res workhorses, competition is fierce across all categories. When putting together this list, we've tried to cater to every kind of photographer."

The best mirrorless cameras for 2024

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Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best mirrorless cameras in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

The best mirrorless camera overall

The best mirrorless camera for enthusiasts

Specifications

Sensor size: Full-frame
Resolution: 24MP
Viewfinder: 5,760K dots
Monitor: 3.2-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 2,100K dots
Autofocus: Hybrid AF
Maximum continuous shooting rate: 20fps no restriction, up to 120fps in APS-C crop
Movies: 6K at 60p
User level: Intermediate

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent autofocus
+
Great handling
+
Particularly fast frame rates
+
Impressive video specs
+
New MP4 Lite file format is smaller and quicker to process

Reasons to avoid

-
No improvement in resolution
-
Somewhat expensive
-
Battery charger not supplied

Nikon Z6 III sample images

Buy it if:

✅ You shoot a lot of video: The Z6 III is a true all-rounder, however, many of its upgrades are video focused, including 6K up to 60fps and excellent color profiles. 

✅ You photograph moving subjects: The Z6 III has much better subject detection autofocus than the Z6 II, and fast frame rates.

Don't buy it if:

You want the best detail: Nikon's 45MP cameras have almost twice the number of pixels as the Z6 III, giving you finer detail and better cropping capabilities.

❌ You want the best budget full-frame Nikon: Since the Z6 III launch, the Z6 II has gone down in price and is considerably cheaper.

Nikon's third-gen Z6 III is a significant upgrade from the Z6 II, giving it the edge over  rivals like the Canon EOS R6 II. It's a mid-range all-rounder that ticked a lot of boxes in testing: you don't get best-in-class detail from its 24.5MP full-frame sensor, but we did appreciate the view through its best-ever EVF (a 5.76m-dot number). Burst speeds are rapid too, with up to 60fps at full resolution for JPEG. But it's the autofocus that really shone in our review: it's just about the best system in low light, while the latest subject detection modes proved suitably sticky.

The Z6 III's video specification also stands out. You get 6K video up to 60fps in-camera, and oversampled 4K raw, plus regular 4K at 120fps and 10x slow motion up to 240fps in Full HD. Record times are impressive too, at 120 minutes even without a cooling fan. If you don't shoot a lot of video or action photography, there's an argument that the now-cheaper Z6 II could serve you well for less. But strong performance across the board makes the Z6 III a compelling hybrid.

Read our in-depth Nikon Z6 III review


The best mirrorless camera for beginners

The best mirrorless camera for most beginners

Specifications

Sensor size: APS-C
Resolution: 24.2MP
Viewfinder: 2,360K dots
Monitor: 2.95-inch articulated touchscreen, 1,040K dots
Autofocus: 651-area AF
Max continuous shooting rate: 15fps (mechanical), 25fps (electronic)
Video: 4K at 60p
User level: Beginner

Reasons to buy

+
Compact and lightweight
+
Impressive autofocus smarts
+
Speedy burst mode
+
Good value

Reasons to avoid

-
No in-body image stabilization
-
Cropped 4K/60p video
-
Single card slot
-
Small viewfinder

Canon EOS R10 sample images

Buy it if:

✅ You're shopping for your first proper camera: From its versatility to its handling, the EOS R10 ticks all the right boxes for beginners buying their first serious camera.

✅ You want an affordable camera for action stills: Despite its mid-range price, the EOS R10 benefits from top-tier autofocus performance and burst shooting speeds.

Don't buy it if:

You want a wide choice of native glass: One of the major drawbacks of the EOS R10 right now is the lack of native lenses for Canon's RF mount.

❌ You mainly record video: Though the R10 can produce nice uncropped 4K/30p video, the lack of audio port and image stabilization mean this isn't a vlogging camera.

There are cheaper mirrorless camera for beginners, but none that can match the versatility of the Canon EOS R10. From our tests, two features set the Canon EOS R10 apart for learners: its 15fps burst shooting rate and powerful subject-tracking autofocus, which operates across 651 AF points. These two features combine to make the R10 a fantastic performer in a range of scenarios, particularly when subjects are fast moving. We found it particularly good at tracking the eyes of subjects.

It’s not a perfect camera for beginners: we found the EVF a little small and also noted the lack of image stabilization, a feature which is offered on rivals like the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV (below). Then again, we also found that the R10’s low weight and deep grip make it a forgiving camera for novices to use. We also noted positively in our review the helpful presence of an AF joystick. The only major drawback is the lack of native lenses currently available for Canon’s RF mount. In all other respects, the R10 is a versatile option for photographers getting started.

Read our in-depth Canon EOS R10 review


The best mirrorless camera for pros

The best high-resolution workhorse for professionals

Specifications

Sensor size: Full-frame
Resolution: 61MP
Viewfinder: 5,760K dots
Monitor: 3-inch tilt-angle touchscreen, 21,400K dots
Autofocus: 567 PDAF + 425 CDAF
Maximum continuous shooting rate: 1fps
Movies: 4K at 30p
User level: Expert
Sensor size: Full-frame
Resolution: 61MP
Viewfinder: 9,440K dots
Monitor: 3.2-inch articulating touchscreen, 2,100K dots
Autofocus: 693-point AF
Maximum continuous shooting rate: 10fps
Movies: 8K at 24p
User level: Advanced

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent autofocus
+
Impressive ISO handling
+
Versatile 4-axis touchscreen
+

Reasons to avoid

-
It’s expensive
-
Requires high-quality optics
-
4K video only up to 60fps
-

Sony A7R V sample images

Buy it if:

✅ You're a landscape, portraits or studio photographer: With class-leading full-frame sensor resolution, image quality is excellent.

✅ You need Sony's best autofocus: AI subject detection AF provides more reliable autofocus for more subjects in more scenarios.

Don't buy it if:

You don’t own the best lenses: A 61MP sensor is unforgiving of any lens deficiencies, so you'll also need expensive high-end pro lenses.

❌ You don’t need 61MP: Do you need 61MP? If not, you'll save a packet by opting for the A7 IV instead. 

At 61MP, the Sony A7R V has the same class-leading resolution as the A7R IV before it. But thanks to a new sensor and powerful Bionz XR processing engine, our review found that the A7R V is a better camera overall. Paired with high-quality optics and up to eight stops of image stabilization, we found it capable of capturing outstanding detail. We found image quality to be excellent when shooting detailed subjects, making the A7R V a fantastic choice for landscape or studio pros. 

In our tests, its AI-powered Real-time Recognition AF wasn’t foolproof, but it could reliably lock onto a range of subjects, working particularly well with people – even in wider scenes. Its articulating touchscreen provides useful flexibility when it comes to framing, while the EVF is as sharp here as on the A7S III. If you want a high-spec full-frame powerhouse and don’t mind paying for it, the A7R V is a serious step up from its predecessor. But if you can’t afford the best glass, want to shoot slow-mo 4K video or simply don’t need such high resolution, you might find better value in the A7 IV.

Read our in-depth Sony A7R V review


The best mirrorless camera for video

The best compact full-frame hybrid for video

Specifications

Sensor size: Full-frame
Resolution: 24.2MP
Viewfinder: 2,360K dots
Monitor: 3.0-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 1,840K dots
Autofocus: 225-area AF
Maximum continuous shooting rate: 7fps
Movies: 6K at 30p
User level: Enthusiast

Reasons to buy

+
Uncropped video is versatile for social
+
Super-effective image stabilization for handheld work
+
Phase detection AF completes the video package
+

Reasons to avoid

-
Slow-motion, wide-angle 4K video hampered by 1.5x crop
-
No tally light
-
AF subject detection simpler than rivals
-

Panasonic Lumix S5 II sample image

Buy it if:

✅ You want to accelerate your video prowess: The S5 II is feature-packed for video, with open gate 6K 30p recording, a range of codecs, and superb image stabilization. 

✅ You make video for social, too: The S5 II's uncropped video is perfect for multi-aspect videos for social.

Don't buy it if:

You love slow-motion video: The S5 II's 4k / 60p video incurs a 1.5x crop, which is a little restricting for wide angle slow motion video.

❌ You love a good-looking camera: Design aesthetics are subjective, but we think the S5 II’s DSLR style is dated. 

The Panasonic Lumix S5 II is a worthy successor to one of our favorite video cameras, the S5. Like the S5, the S5 II is ticketed as a hybrid, but video is where it excels. In our tests, we found its 6K/30p footage rich and detailed, with wide dynamic range. Its video chops are bolstered by 10-bit recording across almost all resolutions, plus the ability to record uncropped footage using the sensor’s full 3:2 aspect ratio – useful for cropping content. We also found it sturdy yet comfortable to handle during testing. Happily, its compact design doesn’t compromise the physical controls.

The S5 II is Panasonic’s first mirrorless camera with phase detection AF for video. Combined with effective image stabilization, we found it produces sharp, stable video even when shooting handheld, although the 1.5x crop on 4K/60p video is a shame. The Panasonic Lumix GH6 is a more travel-friendly video powerhouse with a Micro Four Thirds sensor, while serious videographers will be drawn by the Lumix S5 IIX. Nevertheless, the S5 II is a fantastic full-frame hybrid for high-quality video.


The best crop-sensor mirrorless camera

The best APS-C mirrorless camera from Canon

Specifications

Sensor size: APS-C
Resolution: 32.5MP
Viewfinder: 2,360K dots
Monitor: 3.0-inch tilt-angle touchscreen, 1,620K dots
Autofocus: 5,915-point AF
Maximum continuous shooting rate: 15fps (mechanical shutter), 30fps (electronic)
Movies: 4K at 60p
User level: Hobbyist / professional

Reasons to buy

+
Fast burst shooting
+
Great value
+
Good handling
+
Excellent autofocus and stabilization

Reasons to avoid

-
Lack of native APS-C lenses
-
Average electronic viewfinder
-
Lack of 4K/120p video

Canon EOS R7 sample images