The best mirrorless cameras you can buy right now

It’s now a fact that the best mirrorless cameras are the best cameras, full-stop. Almost all the major manufacturers are pouring their resources into their mirrorless ranges. Those looking for the fastest burst speeds, the highest resolutions or the most accurate autofocus will be buying a mirrorless camera.

Of course, not all mirrorless cameras are ultra-expensive professional models. The ranges from Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fuijfilm, Panasonic and OM System offer great beginner and enthusiast options as well as the top-end stuff. There are plenty of budget-friendly mirrorless cameras, too — though if you’re looking for more cheap options, check out our guide to the best second-hand cameras and lenses.

This guide consists of the best mirrorless cameras we’ve reviewed, at all price points, including beginner, enthusiast and professional models. We have a primer on how to choose the right camera for you at the bottom of this page, and our DSLR vs mirrorless guide is also well worth a read. For something more advanced, we have a dedicated guide to the best full-frame mirrorless cameras.

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The best mirrorless cameras – our quick list

For the best deal on mirrorless cameras:  Not only will you find the best mirrorless cameras, but also some of the best camera deals, as our ‘Buy now’ buttons are setup to automatically take you to the best prices from trusted retailers. Plus you’ll find a list of other retailers below each camera, so you can find the right deal for you.

Here’s are our picks of the best mirrorless cameras you can buy, from beginner options to top-end pro shooters…

The best mirrorless cameras for beginners:

• Canon EOS R7 – Buy now
• Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV – Buy now
• Fujifilm X-S20 – Buy now
• Nikon Z50 – Buy now

The best mirrorless cameras for enthusiasts:

• Nikon Z6 III – Buy now
• Fujifilm X-T5 – Buy now
• Panasonic Lumix G9 II – Buy now
• OM System OM-5 – Buy now
• Panasonic Lumix GH6 – Buy now
• Fujifilm X-H2S – Buy now
• Sony A7 IV – Buy now
• Nikon Z7 II – Buy now
• Canon EOS R6 Mark II – Buy now

Best mirrorless cameras for professionals:

• Sony A7R V – Buy now
• Canon EOS R5 – Buy now
• Nikon Z9 – Buy now
• Canon EOS R3 – Buy now
• Sony Alpha 1 – Buy now

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The best mirrorless cameras for beginners

If you’re just getting started with photography or videography, a mirrorless system is an excellent choice. This first section contains the mirrorless cameras that offer a solid foundation for any beginner. They’re lightweight enough to take anywhere, are affordable, and most users can pick them up and learn how they work. They also offer a very tempting upgrade path.

It’s worth giving an honourable mention to some cheaper models that are perhaps too basic to make our list, but could still be great options if money is tight. These include the vlogging focused Nikon Z30 and retro-styled Nikon Zfc, together with the new Canon EOS R100 and EOS R50 models. And if you’re keen to get started in content creation with a camera that has a solid lens line-up behind it, it’s hard to do better than the Sony ZV-E10 or the Panasonic Lumix G100.

Best for enthusiasts who want to try the R system: Canon EOS R7

At a glance:

• $1,300 / £1,449 body-only
• 32.5MP APS-C sensor
• Canon RF lens mount
• 30 fps shooting
• 4K 60p video

The Canon EOS R7 was a long-expected addition to the flagship EOS R line-up, pairing the RF lens mount with an APS-C sensor. This is more sophisticated than its release partner, the EOS R10. With 32.5MP of resolution, it’s ambitious. On paper, it out-specs all of Canon’s APS-C DSLRs, as well as the entire EOS M mirrorless line, with up to 30fps continuous shooting, 5,915 AF points, and dual UHS-II SD card slots.

In our review, we were highly impressed with the EOS R7’s capabilities. Its extensive feature-set has been packed into a body that’s pleasingly light and handles well. The 2.36m-dot electronic viewfinder and a 3in, 1.62m-dot vari-angle touchscreen are both excellent, and the weather sealing is equivalent to the EOS 90D, which is highly welcome.

Canon RF-S lenses

Really, the only strike we had against the EOS R7 is something that should correct itself with time – the limited selection of native RF-S lenses. So far, there are still only three dedicated RF-S lenses. It started with the RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM and RF-S 18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM and was followed by the RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM. Full-frame RF lenses are fully compatible with the camera, but their size and price don’t balance well with it.

Canon’s entry-level stable for the EOS R system includes several models that sit beneath this one – the aforementioned EOS R10, EOS R50 and the ultra-cheap EOS R100. We reckon the EOS R7 provides the best bang-for-buck for beginners, but if your budget is limited, these cameras are also well worth considering.

Read our Canon EOS R7 review

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Best for travel: Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

At a glance:

• $700 / £649 body-only
• 20MP Four Thirds sensor
• Micro Four Thirds lens mount
• 15fps shooting
• 4K 30p video

Based around a 20MP sensor, this attractive compact mirrorless model offers excellent JPEG image quality with extremely attractive colours. Paired with the TruePic VIII processor, it provides a sensitivity range of ISO 200-6400 as standard, with extended settings equivalent to ISO 80-25,600 available.

The design is stylish and the ergonomics are well laid-out, while extremely effective in-body stabilisation keeps pictures sharp. One of Olympus’s key technologies is its 5-axis in-body image stabilisation, which works with practically any lens you can fit onto the camera, aside perhaps from very long telephotos. The E-M10 IV promises 4.5 stops benefit when shooting hand-held. This allows you to keep your ISO setting down in low light, offsetting the noise disadvantage of the smaller sensor, or to use slow shutter speeds hand-held for creative motion-blur effects.

JPEG output

The camera’s automated systems work very well. Metering, auto white balance and colour rendition all come together here to give consistently attractive JPEG output. It’s also easy to judge in the viewfinder when you might want to lighten or darken an image for aesthetic effect, and apply the requisite level of exposure compensation.

You also get a good set of useful advanced features and the camera is supported by a fine set of small, affordable Micro Four Thirds lenses. You’ll also find the camera offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, as well as 4K video recording. With In-Body Image Stabilisation, it offers great value for money.

Travelling? Check out our selection of the 20 Best Travel Accessories For Photography.

Read our Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV review

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Best for vlogging and mirrorless beginners: Fujifilm X-S20

At a glance:

• $1,299 / £1,129 body only
• 26.1MP sensor
• 30 fps shooting
• 6.2K 30p video
• 1.84m-dot vari-angle touch-screen
• AI-based autofocus

The Fujifilm X S-20 is an update to the company’s previous mini-DSLR styled camera, the Fujifilm X-S10. It is designed to be easy to use, so if you are new to mirrorless technology, the X-S20 is a great choice. It is an impressive, feature-packed little camera with in-body image stabilisation and AI based subject-detection auto-focus that detects a wide variety of options, including animals, birds, automobiles, motorcycles and bikes, airplanes and trains. The popular film simulation modes found in other X-series cameras are available here too, now providing 19 different styles.

Video features have been significantly upgraded over its predecessor, now allowing up to 6.2K 30p recording and raw video output. Also, a new Video vlog mode has been added that’s designed to record yourself as well as giving quick on-screen access to product priority focus, as well as a background defocus mode, face/eye detection, self-timer, IS mode, and high-speed mode.

It delivers exceptional image quality from the 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor, the X-S20 builds on this success by providing a camera that is highly skilled for stills photography, as well as videography.

Read our Fujifilm X-S20 review

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Best for beginners and travel: Nikon Z50

At a glance:

• $757 / £899 body-only
• 20.9MP APS-C sensor
• Nikon Z-mount
• 11fps continuous shooting
• 4K 30p video

Nikon’s entry-level mirrorless model produces fine images and is a delight to use. The Nikon Z50 was Nikon’s first shot at creating a DX-format mirrorless camera with an APS-C sensor. It shares the large Z mount and, as well as accepting new DX-format Z mount lenses, it can be used with Nikon’s ever-growing range of full-frame Z mount optics. Nikon F-mount lenses can also be paired via the FTZ mount adapter.

It has a purposeful design, good-sized handgrip and well thought through layout of controls. Part of the Z50’s excellent feel comes down to the fact it has a magnesium-alloy top and front chassis that gives it added strength and robustness. Handling is impressive, as you would expect from Nikon, with the camera having excellent ergonomics.

Shooting experience

The excellent electronic viewfinder and responsive touchscreen enhance the shooting experience, and with 11fps continuous shooting and a responsive autofocus system, the Z50 rarely feels out of its depth when challenged by fast paced subjects. Whether it’s used to capture stills or snippets of video, the Z50 produces satisfying results.

Overall, it’s a marvellous little APS-C format camera that offers great value for money. You can’t fail to fall in love with when you’re using it and if you’re considering shooting within Nikon’s DX-format mirrorless system the Z50 is worth a long, hard look.

Read our Nikon Z50 review

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The best mirrorless cameras for enthusiasts

This is where the fun begins. Here, we’ve compiled some of our favourite mirrorless cameras for enthusiasts, intermediate users; those with some experience and know-how. These cameras offer a level of depth and control exceeding that of most mirrorless models, without the huge price tags of the pro cameras (they’re next up). These cameras can be a great upgrade for anyone already invested in a particular system or brand, but sometimes they are good enough to tempt users to switch brands altogether.

Best all-rounder for enthusiasts: Nikon Z6 III

At a glance:

• $2,297 / £2,299 body-only
• 24.5 MP partially-stacked full-frame CMOS sensor
• Nikon Z lens mount
• Up to 20fps shooting
• 6K 60fps raw video recording

The Nikon Z6 cameras have always been designed to sit in the middle of the range. Rather than the resolution-focused Z7 cameras, the speedster Z8 or the top-end Z9, the Nikon Z6 cameras have been designed as mid-range (well, upper mid-range) full-frame mirrorless cameras that do a bit of everything. The Nikon Z6 III is the latest in the line, and the first thing you’ll likely notice is that the price has been hiked right up — at $2500 / £2699 body-only, it costs about a grand more than the previous Z6 II did. That’s quite an ask — does the camera justify it?

Having completed our review, we can say that it does. While the price hike is painful, the Z6 III currently outclasses pretty much everything else at its price point, and boasts the kind of features you’d normally have to spend a lot more to get. With a partially stacked sensor design greatly improving readout speeds, the Z6 III boasts autofocus speeds that far outstrip those of its predecessor, and are even nipping at the heels of the speedy Nikon Z8.

The best viewfinder ever?

In our review, our technical editor Andy Westlake afforded special mention to the Z6 III’s electronic viewfinder. Nikon’s mirrorless cameras have consistently sported excellent EVFs, but the specimen on the Z6 III really is something. It’s ultra-bright at 4000 nits, offers high resolution and covers the full DCI-P3 colour gamut. Combine this with a fully articulating screen and you have a camera that’s an utter pleasure to use no matter how you like to shoot.

In terms of raw image quality, the Z6 III isn’t much of an upgrade over the Z6 II. It’s everything else that makes it so special — all the improvements around it that make it such a special camera to use. With impressive capabilities and no significant weaknesses, it’s the camera that’ll tackle anything.

Read our Nikon Z6 III review.

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Best for an analogue-style experience: Fujifilm X-T5

At a glance:

• $1,599 / £1,449 body-only
• 40.2MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor
• Fujifilm X lens mount
• 15fps shooting (mechanical shutter); 20fps (electronic shutter, 1.3x 24MP crop)
• 6.2K 30p / 4K 60p video

With the X-T5, it felt like Fujifilm was returning to its roots. A succession of video-leaning cameras for hybrid shooters had left purist stills photographers feeling a little left out; so it came as a thrill when the firmly stills-oriented X-T5 made its debut in 2022. While everyone was pleased to see it sport the classic top-dial control system that has been wowing X-T enthusiasts since 2014, the real headline feature was the sensor.

The X-T5 arrived with the same 40MP sensor as the Fujifilm X-H2, providing a serious resolution upgrade over the 26.1MP Fujifilm X-T4. Along with this, it gained sophisticated subject-detection autofocus, capable of picking out and locking onto specific subjects like humans, animals and vehicles.

A true enthusiast’s camera

Like many Fujifilm models, the X-T5 is just a downright enjoyable camera to use. Its 3-way tilting screen and high-quality viewfinder provide plenty of image composition options, and image quality is terrific both in raw and JPEG formats. Fuji’s excellent Film Simulation modes are present and correct, allowing you to imbue your images with the specific character of analogue stocks like Velvia and Astia. For producing great images straight out of camera – that are ready to share without serious editing, no one does it better than Fujifilm.

More reasonably priced than either of the Fujifilm X-H2 cameras, the Fujifilm X-T5 is an exceptional enthusiast’s camera. It’s fully featured across the board, with fast burst rates, plenty of resolution and… well, we could go on. A resounding home run by Fujifilm.

Read our Fujifilm X-T5 review.

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Best for wildlife and action: Panasonic Lumix G9 II

At a glance:

• $1,698 / £1,689 body-only
• 25.2MP Four Thirds sensor
• Micro Four Thirds lens mount
• Up to 75 fps shooting (AFS + electronic shutter)
• 5.7K 60p and 4K 120p video recording

One of Panasonic’s newest releases, the Lumix G9 II came as welcome assurance that the manufacturer is still committed to the Micro Four Thirds format, even with the increased focus on its newer line of full-frame Lumix S cameras. Indeed, it appears that some developments made in the full-frame line are finding their way into the Lumix G series. The Lumix G9 II inherits significant DNA from the Lumix S5 II, which debuted at the start of 2023.

For a start, there’s the body design; the Lumix G9 II looks a lot more like the Lumix S5 II than it does the previous Lumix G9 from five years ago. There’s no cooling fan, and the smaller mount allows the design to squeeze in an extra function button, but otherwise this model handles pretty much exactly like its full-frame sibling. The placement of the 8-way AF joystick is well-chosen, making for intuitive operation. There’s a lovely big 3.68m-dot OLED viewfinder, and a 3in, 1.84-dot vari-angle touchscreen, providing additional options for composition.

Phase-detection autofocus

Probably the most significant addition to the Lumix G9 II is the phase hybrid autofocus. It is the first Panasonic-made Micro Four Thirds camera to have this, finally replacing the ageing, contrast-based Depth from Defocus system the firm had stuck by for years.

Boasting 779 phase-detect focus points that cover the entire frame, this system promises to be faster and more accurate. It also benefits from AI-powered subject-detection system that’s able to recognise and lock onto specific subjects like humans, animals and vehicles.

The Lumix G9 II is a tremendous boost for Micro Four Thirds as a system for serious enthusiasts, and a compelling alternative to cameras like the OM-System OM-1. It’s built for speed, with 8-stop stabilisation and burst mode that can reach speeds of 75fps.

Have a look at our list of 16 essential wildlife photography accessories

Read our full Panasonic Lumix G9 II review.

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Best for travel and outdoors: OM System OM-5

At a glance:

• $1,000 / £1,199 body-only
• 20.4MP Four Thirds sensor
• Micro Four Thirds lens mount
• 30fps shooting (10fps with C-AF)
• 4K 30p video

The second camera out of the gate in OM-System’s regeneration of the Olympus brand, the OM-System OM-5 can be seen as a replacement for the enthusiast-focused Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, with a few replacements and updates that make it especially appealing as a travel camera.

For a start, it’s got the feature that is fast becoming ubiquitous on all OM-System cameras and lenses – IP53 weather sealing. This is some of the most comprehensive weather sealing you can get on any camera in this class, and means you can take the OM-5 into basically any shooting situation without worry.

In addition to a full review, we also had our editor Nigel Atherton conduct an OM-System OM-5 field test on an extended trip to Cape Town in South Africa to see how it fares as a travel camera. With features like Starry Sky AF for night-time photography, as well as intuitive touchscreen AF-point selection and 10fps shooting with continuous autofocus, it proved itself adept in numerous shooting situations. The only sticking point was the battery life – while Nigel never quite hit the 300-shot stated limit in a day’s shooting, he still felt obliged to carry a spare.

A real all-rounder

The selection of Micro Four Thirds lenses is one of the most expansive in the business, and will allow you to kit yourself out for any situation. With excellent stabilisation, beefed-up video features and superb JPEG output straight out of camera, the OM-System OM-5 is a camera for doing a bit of everything, and doing it well.

Read our full OM-System OM-5 review.

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Best for filmmakers: Panasonic Lumix GH6

At a glance:

• $1,258 (used) / £1,099 body-only
• 25.2MP Four Thirds sensor
• Micro Four Thirds lens mount
• 75fps shooting (electronic shutter, fixed AF), 8fps (with C-AF)
• 5.7K 60p video

Rumours of the death of Micro Four Thirds proved greatly exaggerated when Panasonic dropped this rip-roaring update to the video-focused GH series. The Panasonic Lumix GH6 builds on the legacy of the GH4, which was one of the first consumer cameras to offer 4K video, and is one of the best vlogging and filmmaking cameras you can buy right now.

Filmmaking codecs

The big upgrade here is codecs – the Lumix GH6 offers pretty much every filmmaking codec that anyone could desire, including Apple ProRes, as well as the V-Log colour profile. You can shoot Full HD at up to 300fps, and 5.7K video at up to 60fps, and really, do just about anything else you want to do, video-wise.

It’s such a full featured cine camera that it’s incredible it only comes with a price tag of $1,698 / £1,399 body-only, just now. It goes toe-to-toe with full-frame cameras of twice the price.

In our review, we found little to criticise. It’s slightly disappointing that Panasonic stuck with the dated contrast-based Depth From Defocus autofocus system, and maybe 6K Photo Mode would have been nice. But this is a hell of a camera, especially for filmmakers.

Update: Panasonic has since released a successor to this camera, the Lumix GH7. We’re still finishing up our review of this camera, and once we’ve completed our testing we’ll see if it makes it onto this list.

Read our Panasonic Lumix GH6 review

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Best for action shooters who want a light setup: Fujifilm X-H2S

At a glance:

• $2,499 / £2,139 body only
• 26.2MP APS-C stacked BSI CMOS sensor
• Fujifilm X lens mount
• 40fps shooting
• 6K 30p video recording

The high-spec, high-performance Fujifilm X-H2S absolutely shows off what’s best about APS-C. It’s great for sports, great for wildlife and great for action, with a stacked 26.2MP X-Trans CMOS sensor that enables super-fast readout speeds. It’s an incredibly ambitious camera, capable of shooting at up to 40fps in full-resolution raw format, and boasting AI-powered subject-recognition autofocus.

As noted in our review, the Fujifilm X-H2S eclipses other APS-C models with its control layout. Immensely customisable, and robust-feeling in the hand, it’s streets ahead of APS-C contemporaries like the Sony A6000 series for handling. The move away from the dial-led controls of other Fujifilm cameras also makes it handle more like a professional model from Canon or Nikon. It really comes into its own when paired with a good telephoto lens like the XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 – you get shooting speeds and real reach in an incredibly lightweight package.

Hefty price

The Fujifilm X-H2S is gunning all-around for a professional user, or at least a serious enthusiast, and this is reflected in the price. At $2,499 / £2,499 body only just now, it’s among the most expensive APS-C cameras ever released. The price is justifiable in terms of what the camera offers – stacked sensors are just expensive to make – but how many people are going to pay it?

Read our Fujifilm X-H2S review

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Best for hybrid photo/video content creators: Sony A7 IV

At a glance:

• $2,500 / £2,149 body-only
• 33MP full-frame sensor
• Sony FE lens mount
• 10fps shooting
• 4K 30p video

While many of Sony’s full-frame Alpha mirrorless cameras are specialists, the A7 models are good at a bit of everything. And the A7 IV is really, really good at a bit of everything. Its 33MP sensor captures a generous level of detail; its 10fps burst-rate, while not class-leading, is more than enough for a lot of users. ISO performance is generally very good, with even images at 25,600 being usable with a bit of processing. Good work across the board.

There’s plenty more we could heap praise on here, and it’s worth reading our full review to get a detailed understanding of this camera, as you start to get a sense of how it comes together. That 10fps burst rate, for instance, is paired with a buffer depth that’s effectively unlimited if you’re using a memory card that’s fast enough to keep up.

Really, our only bugbear with the A7 IV is something that’s common to pretty much all Sony cameras – the convoluted, unintuitive menu systems that make it needlessly hard to navigate. It’s just something you’ll need to get used to.

Read our Sony A7 IV review

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Best for weddings and events: Nikon Z7 II

At a glance:

• $1,997/ £2,199 body-only
• 45.7MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor
• Nikon Z lens mount
• 10fps shooting (Single AF)
• 4K 60p video

The Nikon Z7 II improves over the original Nikon Z7 in a number of subtle but important ways, making an already very good camera, even better. The camera now features improved continuous shooting, dual card slots, and face/eye/animal detection AF.

There’s a 45.7MP full-frame sensor that provides stunning image quality, backed up by 5-axis in-body image stabilisation and fast, accurate autofocus. The viewfinder is superb, and F-mount SLR lenses can be used via the FTZ adapter. The high-resolution sensor and fast autofocus will be appealing to wedding photographers or anyone that craves speed paired with a serious amount of detail. It’s also useful for cropping if you want to shoot from a distance, too.

A sheer delight to use

You get up to 10fps shooting which, while not superb for action, isn’t too bad if it’s not something you shoot relatively often. But if you’re frequently shooting action, the Z6 II and certainly the Z9 cameras are probably better choices within Nikon’s mirrorless range. It can also shoot 4K video, albeit with a crop.

The Z7 II feels fantastic in the hand and is a delight to pick up and use. Then there’s its fabulous image quality, which is remarkably impressive and offers magnificent latitude when processing Raw files. This is a fantastic all-rounder, which works well for professionals and dedicated enthusiasts who perhaps don’t have the need or the budget for a Z9.

Read our Nikon Z7 II Review

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Best for all-rounder for enthusiasts: Canon EOS R6 Mark II

At a glance:

• $2,000 / £2,779 body-only
• 24.2MP full-frame sensor
• Canon RF lens mount
• 40fps shooting
• 4K 60p video

The original Canon EOS R6 was already a superb full-frame all-rounder, one that scooped our Product of the Year award back in 2021. As such, you can hardly blame Canon for not exactly reinventing the wheel when it came time to bring out the EOS R6 Mark II. This version makes relatively few changes to what was already a superb camera, but the ones it does make are well-chosen, making it one of the best all-around cameras for enthusiasts and professionals.

For a start, while the previous model had a 20MP sensor, this one ups it to a 24.2MP full-frame chip. That may not sound like much, but it makes a real difference when it comes to cropping and printing, and should satisfy the stills shooters who felt that 20MP was perhaps a little on the stingy side.

Subject-detection autofocus

Elsewhere, the EOS R6 II gets what was the must-have feature of the year 2022: subject-detection autofocus, powered by AI to lock onto specific subjects with unerring accuracy. This combines beautifully with the increased burst rates – the EOS R6 Mark II can rack up to 40fps with its electronic shutter, or a still-respectable 12fps full-resolution raw with the mechanical shutter if you don’t want to run the risk of rolling shutter distortion (which can happen).

DSLR holdouts will likely find themselves mightily tempted by the EOS R6 Mark II. It’s handling is excellent, with a large, deep handgrip and loads of external physical controls. The viewfinder is lively and responsive with a 120fps refresh rate, while the LCD screen can be set to face almost any angle.

In terms of its ability to shoot, well, anything, the EOS R6 Mark II. It’s on the expensive side for an enthusiast’s camera, but at the same time, it’s difficult to think of another camera at this price point that’s this good at everything. Build up a solid set of RF lenses and you’ve get a setup to tackle all situations.

Read our Canon EOS R6 Mark II review

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Best mirrorless cameras for professionals

And at last, here we are at the best of the best. In this section, you’ll find mirrorless cameras commanding pretty serious prices – but that makes sense given that these are designed for professional photographers and videographers. Here you’ll find dazzlingly high megapixel counts, full-frame sensors (and larger), super-fast burst rate and AI-powered autofocus systems intelligent enough to recognise specific subjects.

Best for landscape shooters and print makers: Sony A7R V

At a glance:

• $3,398 / £3,689 body-only
• 61MP full-frame CMOS sensor
• Sony FE-mount
• 10fps continuous shooting
• 8K 24fps video

Sony’s A7R cameras have long led the way in terms of resolution for full-frame mirrorless, and right now if you want megapixels, the A7R V is your port of call. It sports a full-frame chip with 61MP of resolution to play with – currently only the Sigma fp L has it tied, and nobody at all in the world of full-frame has it beat.

Of course, this was also true of the previous A7R IV / A7R IVA – the Mark V version uses the same sensor as its predecessor. So, as someone staring down the barrel of that $4K price tag might reasonably ask, what exactly is new?

The short answer is everything else. Sony has sensibly decided that most people probably didn’t need many more than 61 megapixels (for now, at least), and instead set about upgrading all other aspects of the camera. As such, the A7R V benefits from such up-to-the-minute features as subject-detect autofocus, which we’ve already seen a few times in this guide. The A7R V isn’t exactly a speedster, but with this system and 10fps burst shooting, it does reasonably well with fast subjects, and certainly makes itself credible for more than stately landscapes.

What else is new?

There are external improvements too. The A7R V gets a nice big viewfinder with buckets of resolution, as well as a redesigned screen that combines an up/down tilting mechanism with a fully articulating side hinge. More? Sony also beefed up the in-body stabilisation, which is now rated up to eight effective stops, and can be used in a multi-shot composite mode to produce images up to 240MP in resolution.

The catch is, of course, the price. Sony’s line used to be made up of quite specialised models with different functions, but these days all its cameras seem to be good at everything – and come with a price tag that reflects that. Only time will tell whether this is a savvy strategy on Sony’s part – and only you can tell whether all the features of the A7R V are worth its intimidating price tag.

Read our Sony Alpha A7R V full review

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Best for video resolution: Canon EOS R5

At a glance:

• $2,799 / £3,649 body-only
• 45MP Dual Pixel CMOS AF sensor
• Canon RF lens mount
• 20fps continuous shooting
• 8K 30p video

An incredibly impressive stills camera, the EOS R5 is one of the very best mirrorless cameras ever launched by Canon to date. The combination of a multi-controller (joystick), a rear thumb dial and dual card slots help make the R5 seem like a mirrorless version of the EOS 5D Mark IV, but with the added benefit of a vari-angle touchscreen.

The EOS R5 has the ability to shoot 45MP files at a staggering 20fps in silence with full AE and AF tracking using its electronic shutter. Switch over to the mechanical shutter and the EOS R5 rattles out a burst at a brisk 12fps. It has a deep buffer to handle the high volumes of data, and records to a CFexpress B card that allows maximum transfer speeds of up to 1.97GB per second and up to 180 uncompressed Raw files to be recorded continuously at 20fps. A second UHS-II compatible SD card slot is added for backup purposes, or separating still images and video between cards but you won’t get such amazing continuous shooting capacity.

In-body image stabilisation (IBIS)

A breakthrough on the EOS R5 was the introduction of in-body image stabilisation (IBIS), which was lacking on both the EOS R and EOS RP. Canon claims it offers up to 8 stops effectiveness when paired with certain RF mount lenses, such as the RF 24-70mm F2.8L and RF 28-70mm F2L. In instances where the EOS R5 is used with Canon lenses that feature optical image stabilisation (IS), the lens corrects yaw and pitch while the body compensates for roll around the lens axis along with vertical and lateral movements.

It also has a superb AF system and, overall, is a remarkably accomplished stills camera. It’s only the much-reported overheating issue when shooting long 8K (30fps) and 4K (up to 120fps) video clips that prevented it from getting a maximum five stars in our review.

Read our Canon EOS R5 review

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Best for sports professionals: Nikon Z9

At a glance:

• $5,497 / £5,000 body only
• 45.7MP full-frame stacked CMOS sensor
• Nikon Z lens mount
• 120fps continuous at 11MP
• 8K 30p video

The Z9 is Nikon’s new flagship professional full-frame mirrorless camera. It’s capable of shooting 45.7MP images at 20 frames per second in raw (for more than 1,000 frames in a row), or 30fps in JPEG, with continuous autofocus tracking. A new AI subject detection AF system is capable of recognising multiple kinds of subjects, and the camera can also record 8K video for several hours without overheating.

In fact, the Nikon Z9 offers a combination of high-end specifications and professional-level build that simply hasn’t been seen before. Drop the resolution to 11MP, and the Z9 will run at an astonishing 120fps. Crucially, it promises the pro-level control setup and extreme durability that’s essential for photographers who make a living from their cameras.

Low-distortion electronic shutter

Technically, the Z9 breaks new ground in being the first camera of its type to eliminate the mechanical shutter completely. Instead, it relies entirely on a high-speed, low-distortion electronic shutter that’s enabled by its use of a stacked CMOS sensor. Both the Sony Alpha 1 and Canon EOS R3 employ similar technology, but only Nikon has been brave enough to take it to its logical conclusion.

Previously, Nikon split its pro DSLR lines between high-speed sports and action models and high-resolution cameras for wedding, portrait and studio work. But with the Z9, Nikon has aimed to produce a single camera that can do anything a professional photographer might need. It is, arguably, the first mirrorless model to put itself forward as a complete replacement for any professional full-frame DSLR.

You could argue that the Z9 doesn’t actually do very much that the Sony Alpha 1 doesn’t already offer, but the big difference is its chunky, robust build, integrated vertical grip for shooting with large lenses, and the familiar design and handling for long-term Nikon users. It’ll also work with their F-mount DSLR lenses via the FTZ2 adapter. If it’s too rich for your blood, consider the Nikon Z8, which offers a minorly slimmed-down experience at a (slightly) more approachable price.

Read our Nikon Z9 Review

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Best for fast-paced sports: Canon EOS R3

At a glance:

• $4,499 / £5,499 body-only
• 24.1MP full-frame stacked CMOS sensor
• Canon RF lens mount
• 30fps shooting (electronic shutter)
• 6K 60p video

The EOS R3 is Canon’s new super-fast, action-focused, professional full-frame mirrorless camera. Indeed, the firm says this is the fastest and most capable camera it has ever made, being capable of shooting at 30 frames per second in full resolution 24MP raw. It can also record 6K raw video at 60 frames per second.

The EOS R3 is built around an all-new 24.1MP full-frame stacked CMOS sensor, which offers a standard sensitivity range of ISO 100-102,400 (expandable to ISO 50-204,800). The stacked architecture brings remarkable speed, including a world-record top shutter speed of 1/64,000sec, and the ability to combine flash with the silent electronic shutter at a sync speed of 1/180sec. The shutter lag is just 20ms, which is so short that Canon offers a menu option to lengthen it to match its DSLRs.

But arguably its most exciting feature is a new twist on an old Canon technology, eye-control focus. This means the camera can detect what the user is looking at in the viewfinder, and then autofocus on it. This futuristic-sounding feature was found on several of Canon’s 35mm film SLRs in the 1990s, but the big difference lies in the way it now works in concert with subject recognition technology.

Eye control AF

Eye Control AF employs an array of infrared LEDs to determine where you’re looking in the viewfinder, which is indicated by a circular blue cursor. The camera then uses this information to select a subject for tracking when the shutter button is held half-pressed. The system must be calibrated to each photographer’s eye, but this is straightforward.

As is becoming increasingly standard, 5-axis in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) is built in. This works together with optically stabilised lenses to provide up to 8 stops of stabilisation (according to CIPA standard ratings). There’s no IBIS-based high-resolution multi-shot mode, but given the camera’s target audience, that’s no great surprise (or loss).

The Canon EOS R3 is an intoxicatingly brilliant camera to shoot with. It boasts one of the most sophisticated autofocus systems around, but makes it remarkably easy to use, allowing you to change settings quickly to suit the situation. You can buy the brilliant EOS R6 II for less than half the price, and spend the money saved on some very nice lenses. But for Canon users who demand the ultimate speed and autofocus performance, the EOS R3 is the camera to get.

Read our Canon EOS R3 Review

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Best for high-end professional users: Sony Alpha 1

At a glance:

• $6,498 / £5,499 body only
• 50.1MP Exmor RS CMOS full-frame sensor
• Sony FE lens mount
• 30fps continuous shooting
• 8K 30p video

Sony’s latest flagship model, the Alpha 1, boasts the kind of spec sheet that photographers could only dream of before. Previously we’ve had to choose between resolution or speed, but it delivers both in spades. In terms of pixel count, its 50.1MP full-frame sensor is surpassed in a similar price bracket only by the firm’s own 61MP Alpha 7R IV and Fujifilm’s 102MP medium-format GFX100S…

However, this is combined with the ability to shoot at a startling 30 frames per second, which can be matched by very few other cameras, and all at considerably lower resolutions. The fact that the Alpha 1 can shoot at 50MP and 30fps while adjusting focus and exposure between frames is unprecedented. Oh, and it records 8K video at 30fps and 4K video recording at 120fps.

Stacked CMOS sensor

Sony built the Alpha 1 around an all-new Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor, in which three chips are effectively sandwiched on top of each other, with the light-sensitive photodiodes connected first to a memory layer, with a processing layer underneath. In principle, this maximises light capturing efficiency, and enables rapid pixel readout, while keeping electronic read noise to a minimum. As a result, the sensor promises an impressive 15 stops of dynamic range, while providing a standard sensitivity range up to ISO 32,000 (expandable up to ISO 102,400).

You also get an impressively quick autofocus system and 5-axis in-body image stabilisation. With the Alpha 1, Sony rewrote the rule book for what we can expect a camera to do. It offers higher resolution than almost anything else, combined with astonishing shooting speeds. This is backed up by an extraordinary AF system that can track moving subjects with unerring accuracy. The obvious people who will benefit from the ability to shoot 50MP images at 30fps are professional sports photographers. Designed to be the ultimate sports and video camera, the only thing you need to decide is if it meets your needs and is worth the price!

Read our Sony Alpha 1 review

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How to choose the best mirrorless cameras

When looking at mirrorless cameras, you want to weigh up their various specs with your shooting priorities. Having more resolution makes sense if you want to make high-quality prints of your images, but if you’re only going to be sharing images online, all those pixels will just slow down your process.

If you want to capture fast action, then a fast burst rate is a must. For low light work, a broad ISO range will help, and you may also want to consider a camera with in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) as this allows for the use of slower shutter speeds (thus gaining more light) without blurring the image. Many camera systems offer lens-based optical image stabilisation (OIS) and the two, OIS and IBIS, can work collaboratively for even greater benefit.

Also, different mirrorless cameras will use a different lens mount, so you will want to look at what lenses are available for a camera before committing, particularly as many full-frame lenses cost a lot of money.

What is the best sensor size for a mirrorless camera?

There are a range of different sensor sizes available for mirrorless cameras – the ones we’ll be dealing with are (from smallest to largest): Four Thirds, APS-C, full-frame and medium format. Larger sensors provide better image quality, but cost more, and require bigger cameras. On that subject, mirrorless cameras come in a wide range of different sizes and weights, so have a think about how much weight you’re comfortable lugging around. If you need to get your head around sensor sizes, see our guide to APS-C vs full-frame.

Finally, there’s video, which is fast becoming the driving force behind new camera development. 4K video capture has become a basic expectation, but some cameras can shoot 6K, even 8K video. Faster frame rates can offer powerful slow-motion effects, and the best cameras can achieve this even at 4K resolution.

What is the difference between a mirrorless camera and a DSLR?

If you’re not sure whether you should buy a DSLR or a mirrorless camera, then have a look at our complete guide to DSLR vs Mirrorless cameras.

In a nutshell, the future of photography is mirrorless cameras, with all major brands, including Canon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic, Fujifilm, Olympus/OM System committing themselves to mirrorless cameras. The only brand still making new DSLRs is Pentax.

Mirrorless cameras offer the latest tech, the newest sensors, and the fastest performance, as well as completely new lenses designed specifically for mirrorless cameras, and that gives them a range of benefits over older, slower DSLRs. DSLR and Mirrorless cameras are just two of the different types of camera available.

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Text by Geoff Harris, with contributions from Joshua Waller, Jon Stapley & Michael Topham.

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Further reading:

• Best lenses for mirrorless camera systems
• Why it’s time to change to mirrorless
• Best Nikon mirrorless cameras
• Best Canon mirrorless cameras
• Best second-hand full-frame mirrorless cameras

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