Choosing a mirrorless camera is no easy task even for the most experienced photographers. When it comes to finding the best mirrorless cameras for beginners, there are so many things to consider.
For those of you looking to get your hands on your first mirrorless camera, we’ve created a comprehensive article that is guaranteed to offer a camera that will be perfect for your needs. Whether you’re hoping to shoot video or dive deeper into photography, we’ve got you covered!
6 Great Mirrorless Cameras for Beginners
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1. Canon EOS M50
The Canon EOS M50 offers excellent photo and video quality for beginners.
- Sensor – 24.1MP CMOS Sensor
- Lens Mount – Canon EF-M mount
- Screen – LCD touchscreen
The Canon EOS M50 is one of the best mirrorless cameras for beginners. It is an excellent camera that offers great quality photos and videos. This is enabled via a DIGIC 8 processor, 24.1MP sensor, and an effective autofocus system.
This camera has a great design and looks like a traditional DSLR. However, it has a reduced size and is easy to use. Beginners can learn how to use the EFV, or they can take advantage of the fully rotatable LCD touchscreen.
The M50 also has a simple settings menu and camera interface. The control dials and rear controls are easy to understand. For beginners, the Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM is a great kit lens but you can also benefit from an ever-increasing range of Canon EF-M lenses.
2. Nikon Z50
- Sensor – 20.9MP CMOS Sensor
- Lens Mount – Nikon Z mount
- Screen – Flip-down LCD touchscreen
The Nikon Z50 is an entry-level mirrorless camera in Nikon’s Z series. It is a little more expensive than other models on this list, but it offers fantastic image quality and features. It has a 20.9MP sensor and can capture full 4K UHD videos.
Beginners will appreciate the movable LCD screen that can also be flipped down to take selfies or record vlogging footage. It also has both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity so you can easily access your photos and videos via external devices.
This camera is incredibly small and would do well as a travel camera too. It uses the Nikon Z mount lens system which gives you access to a good choice of wide-angle, telephoto, and other specialist lenses and you can also take advantage of an adapter to utilize Nikon DSLR lenses.
3. Panasonic LUMIX GX85
The LUMIX G85 has some great features like 5 axis IS to help create quality photos easily.
- Sensor – 16MP Micro Four Thirds Sensor
- Lens Mount – Panasonic/Olympus/Leica
- Screen – Tilting LCD touchscreen
The Panasonic LUMIX series has a good selection of the best mirrorless cameras for beginners. In particular, the Panasonic LUMIX GX85 offers a good balance of compact design, ease of use, and high quality.
It has an LCD touchscreen that can be tilted but there is also a 2764K dot electronic viewfinder. This provides flexibility for beginners who want to learn different methods of photography. You can also record 4K UHD video at 30fps, and it has an interesting post-focus feature that allows you to select the video focus after recording.
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To help beginners get used to the camera and its controls, the GX85 also benefits from built-in 5-axis image stabilization. This means you can concentrate on composition and settings instead of worrying about keeping the camera deadly still.
4. Sony a6000
The Sony a6000 remains a solid choice due to its good price, solid design, and usability.
- Sensor – 24.2MP APS-C sensor
- Lens Mount – Sony E-mount
- Screen – Tilting LCD screen
The Sony a6000 is a relatively old camera but it still holds up as one of the best mirrorless cameras for beginners. This is due to its ergonomic design, lightweight size, and solid image and video quality. It has a 24.2MP sensor, and you can record video at 1080p HD.
The rear of the camera also has an intuitive interface and controls. It has a good selection of buttons and dials, and its function is clear, giving beginners great control over their compositions.
You can also either use the OLED electronic viewfinder, or the LCD screen and controls to take photos. The main downside, however, is that the Sony a6000 does not have touchscreen functionality.
5. Canon EOS M100
- Sensor – 24.2MP CMOS Sensor
- Lens – Canon EF-M mount
- Screen – Tilting LCD touchscreen
The Canon EOS M100 is another top choice and offers a cheaper alternative to the Canon EOS M50. This model is better suited for photography and has the same image sensor at 24.2MP. It doesn’t offer the same video functionality as the M50, however.
What it does have for beginners is a small, lightweight design. It is easy to hold and features an uncluttered rear panel with minimal buttons. Beginners can quickly get used to the camera and its functions, without being overwhelmed by multiple controls.
It also has a high-quality LCD touchscreen and a strong autofocus system. Beginners will also appreciate the connectivity as the Canon EOS M100 has both WiFi and Bluetooth connections. The only downside is that this mirrorless camera does not have a viewfinder.
6. Fujifilm X-T200
- Sensor – 24.2M CMOS sensor
- Lens – Fujifilm X mount
- Screen – Rotatable LCD touchscreen
The Fujifilm X-T200 has a retro design and looks fantastic. It is also available in three different colors. It has a solid set of features for beginners but still provides great image quality.
Beginners will appreciate special features like the HDR movie mode, and the accurate face and eye detection system. This allows you to easily create quality portraits.
It also has a compact design and is a highly portable camera. This is complemented by the LCD touchscreen that can be fully rotated and flipped out. It offers decent video recording at 4K UHD, and the rotatable touchscreen helps with video compositions.
How Can You Choose a Suitable Mirrorless Camera?
If you are starting out in the world of photography you may still be a little confused. The different features of mirrorless cameras can be overwhelming. To help, we have created this short buying guide to help you choose the right camera.
Consider the purpose. Do you want a camera only for photography, or do you want it to create professional videos with, too? If it is the latter, you want a mirrorless camera with 4K UHD recording and a good autofocusing system. If you just want a camera for photography, look at the camera sensor and its megapixel resolution.
Next, you must look at the design of the camera. Do you want to use an electronic viewfinder, or would you prefer to use an LCD screen? Some mirrorless cameras have a quality EVF, but you can also use the LCD screen for focusing and image composition.
Finally, look at the availability of lenses and the supported lens mounts. This depends on what type of photography you want to take and if you intend to buy multiple lenses. The Nikon Z50, for example, can take Nikon Z lenses. There is a great choice of high-quality Z lenses for wide-angle, telephoto, and macro photography.
Consider these factors and you should be able to choose one of the best mirrorless cameras for beginners.
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