What are the best small mirrorless cameras?

The best small mirrorless cameras are a lot more portable than a DSLR. Yes, the top-line mirrorless cameras are literally expanding to the point of negligible difference in size between the two formats; but there are still plenty of mirrorless options that are of great quality in a small package.

Smaller mirrorless cameras have practical advantages, of course. They can be used more easily one-handed, which is ideal for spontaneous street photography, for a start. We’ve drawn on the expertise of our review team to come up with a quick list of smaller mirrorless cameras that have impressed us, with options from across the major manufacturers.

Note that, in general, we’ll be looking at smaller sensor sizes as these allow for smaller bodies, though we have included full-frame options for those who want a large-sensor option.

You can scroll to the bottom of this page for a quick explainer section on how to choose a small mirrorless camera. For more affordable choices, check out our guides to the best cheap full-frame cameras, as well as the best cameras under £500 / $500. And, if you’re looking for a small camera because you’re interested in vlogging, take a look at our guide to the best cameras for vlogging and how to get started.

The best small mirrorless cameras: our quick list

Want to cut right to it? Here’s a quick list of the small mirrorless cameras we’ve included on this list, along with links to get the best prices for each one:

• Best small Fujifilm: Fujifilm X-E5 – Buy Now
• Best small Sony camera: Sony A6700 – Buy Now
• Best small full-frame camera: Sony Alpha A7C II – Buy Now
• Lightest Olympus: Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV – Buy Now
• Smallest weather-sealed mirrorless: OM System OM-5 Mark II – Buy Now
• Panasonic’s smallest current camera: Panasonic Lumix G100/D – Buy Now
• Lightest Nikon mirrorless camera: Nikon Z30 – Buy Now
• Canon’s best small mirrorless camera: Canon EOS R10 – Buy Now

Read on to learn more about why we picked each of these cameras, as well as key specs and how they perform…

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Best small Fujifilm: Fujifilm X-E5

Sensor	40.2MP APS-C X-Trans sensor
Lens mount	Fujifilm X-Mount
ISO	ISO 125-12,800 (standard) ISO 64-51,200  (extended)
Video resolution	6.2K 30p, 4K 60p, and Full HD 240p video
Viewfinder	2.36m-dot, 0.62x viewfinder
Display	3in, 1.04m-dot tilting touchscreen
Dimensions	1125mm x 73mm x 39mm, 445g (without a lens)

The Fujifilm X-E5 is an APS-C format compact camera suited for anyone looking to buy a ‘proper camera’ that’s fully featured yet small and lightweight. It would be a particularly fine choice for travel or street photography.

As an X-series camera, the X-E5 benefits from Fujifilm’s superb colour science and there’s an extensive collection of Film Simulation modes. The camera notably has a film simulation mode dial as previously seen on the X-T50 and entry-level X-M5. However, the big deal on the X-E5 is you can save your own favourite Film Simulation ‘recipes’ onto the dial.

Thanks to the latest X-Processor 5 it uses subject-detection autofocus seen in more expensive hybrid models, like the X-S20. The X-E5 is the first model in the X-E series to include in-body image stabilisation.

The X-M5 is capable of 6.2K 30p ‘open gate’ recording, in this mode the camera uses all the pixels in the sensor, so you can crop later to different aspect ratios. There is also a unique vertical Full HD video recording option that will appeal to content creators.

Read our full Fujifilm X-E5 review. 

Sensor	26MP APS-C
Lens mount	Sony E
ISO	100-32,000 standard, 50-102,400 (extended)
Video resolution	4K 120fps
Viewfinder	2.36M-dot
Display	3in, 1.04M-dot vari-angle LCD
Dimensions	122 x 69 x 75.1mm, 493g (with battery and memory card)

The Sony A6700 is the latest and most powerful model in the Sony APS-C mirrorless line-up. It succeeds the previous flagship A6600 and brings vastly improved video features, a new 26MP sensor first seen in the Sony FX30 cinema camera, and a slightly thicker body.

Its rectangular rangefinder-style design means that there’s no protruding viewfinder housing on the top, so it’s still a pretty compact and pocketable camera, especially when used with the Sony 16-50mm power zoom kit lens. It’s not the best optically, but for a small camera-lens combination, it’s terrific. The A6700 can, of course, take the full range of Sony E and FE lenses.

The 26MP sensor might only be a small increase over the previous model’s 24MP, but photographers do get Sony’s latest and most advanced subject recognition AI autofocus, and it even incorporates the dedicated AI processor first seen in the Sony A7R V.

The headline news with this camera, though, is its 4K 30p, 60p and 120p (cropped) video recording capability, together with improved file format and compression options. This is the ideal camera for hybrid content creators who need to shoot both stills and video, and for whom the cheaper Sony ZV-E10 or more expensive ZV-E1 are just too video-focused.

Read our full Sony A6700 review.

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Best small full-frame camera: Sony A7C II

Sensor	33MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS
Lens mount	Sony FE
ISO	ISO 100-51,200 (standard), ISO 50-204,800 (extended)
Video resolution	4K 30p video (4K 60p with ‘Super 35’ 1.5x crop)
Viewfinder	2.36M-dot
Display	3in, 1.04M-dot fully articulating LCD
Dimensions	124 x 71.1 x 63.4mm, 525g (with battery and memory card)

Sony’s penchant for making small and powerful cameras includes some attractive full-frame models for those looking for lightweight mirrorless cameras. The Sony A7C II is a refinement of the original A7C, which met some criticism from reviewers and punters alike due to its awkward handling. Does the A7C II do enough to right the ship?

It’s definitely an improvement. The Sony A7C II brings the gorgeous image quality of the A7 IV in a commendably tiny package. It also comes with the latest autofocus advancements for unparalleled focusing speed and accuracy. A new front control dial improves handling – giving the A7C II one more dial than the A6700, featured above, though the APS-C models benefit from a larger handgrip. It’s not entirely clear why – the same handgrip could have been used for both cameras – but that’s Sony!

How the Sony A7C II compares to the A7CR

Something else to note is that the A7C II was released at the same time as the A7CR, which has essentially the same camera body with an ultra-high resolution 60MP sensor packed in. We’ve picked the A7C II for this compilation, being a more affordable all-rounder that renders it a viable option for most people. But the A7CR is the one for greater resolution.

Small full-frame mirrorless cameras are a funny old thing. While the technical achievement here is undeniable, we’re less convinced by the user benefit of the A7C II, particularly as the weight of full-frame E-mount lenses is likely to negate the weight saving of the smaller camera. Still, for a small full-frame mirrorless camera, this is one of the most capable you can buy right now.

Read our full Sony A7C II review. 

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Lightest Olympus: Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

Sensor	20.3MP Four Thirds Type Live MOS
Lens mount	Micro Four Thirds
ISO	ISO 200-6400, ISO 80-25,600 (extended)
Video resolution	4K 30fps video recording
Viewfinder	2.36M-dot
Display	3in, 1.04M-dot two-way tilting LCD
Dimensions	121.7 x 84.4 x 49mm, 383g (with battery and memory card)

As a Micro Four Thirds camera, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV has a smaller than APS-C format sensor, which gives it an advantage for size and weight. Indeed, with the Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ lens mounted, it could easily pass for a compact camera.

The sensor size brings a 2x focal length multiplication factor making the 14-42mm lens produce framing like a 28-84mm lens on a full-frame camera. That’s a nice everyday option.

The E-M10 Mark IV doesn’t have phase detection autofocusing and relies on contrast detection alone. This is pretty dependable for still and slow-moving subjects, but it’s not ideal for sport and action photography – though it is still surprisingly fast for its type.

Despite its entry-level status, the E-M10 IV has Olympus’s excellent Live Time and Live Composite modes, which take the sweat out of long exposure images, with Live Composite mode being especially useful for light painting, traffic trail and firework images.

There’s also a very good image stabilisation system, a long list of Art Filters, which are of use for stills and video, and a screen that can flip through 180° to be visible from in front of the camera. Best of all, it usually comes with a 14-42mm EZ pancake zoom, which is the smallest and slimmest kit lens on the market.

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

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Smallest weather-sealed mirrorless camera: OM System OM-5 Mark II

Sensor	20.4MP Four Thirds sensor
Lens mount	Micro Four Thirds
ISO	ISO 200-6400 (standard); ISO 64-25600 (extended)
Video resolution	4K4K 30/25/24p video, Full HD 120p
Viewfinder	2.36M-dot
Display	3in, 1.04M-dot vari-angle LCD
Dimensions	125.3 x 85.2 x 52.0mm, 418g (with battery and memory card)

The OM System OM-5 Mark II isn’t much heavier than the E-M10 IV shown above, yet offers a weather-sealed camera body and, when combined with a weather-sealed Micro Four Thirds lens, offers a completely weather-sealed camera system with an IP53 rating. This makes it a great choice for anyone planning on going out in challenging weather, and this new model fixes many of the complaints we had about the original.

The camera is full of advanced photo features as well, including Live ND (for slow shutter speed shots of water etc), a high-res multi-shot mode for static scenes (for up to 80MP images), and other features that you rarely get on cameras from other brands, including Starry Sky AF. In testing, we found the camera performed admirably, and gave excellent colour reproduction.

For recording video, there is a microphone socket, as well as unlimited video recording at resolutions up to CINE 4K. The camera also benefits from a 5-axis in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) that’s one of the best around. If you’re looking for a particularly compact camera, then the Olympus/OM System f/4 PRO lenses combine small size with big performance, as the 12-45mm f/4 PRO (shown above) demonstrates.

Read our full OM System OM-5 Mark II review.

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Panasonic’s smallest current camera: Panasonic Lumix G100/D

Sensor	20.3MP Four Thirds sensor
Lens mount	Micro Four Thirds
ISO sensitivity	100-25,600 (extended)
Video resolution	4K video recording
Viewfinder	3.68M-dot 0.73x magnification electronic viewfinder
Display	3inch 1.84M-dot vari-angle touchscreen
Dimensions	115.6 x 82.5 x 54.2mm, 345g (with battery and memory card)

Designed for vlogging and video recording, the Panasonic Lumix G100 is a compact, neat little camera, that also represents excellent value for money, particularly if you can find it in-store body only, if you have a lens available. This camera is particularly lightweight, but features a high-resolution electronic viewfinder, as well as a high-resolution 3inch vari-angle touchscreen.

The Micro Four Thirds camera features a 20MP image sensor, and gives good image quality, with great looking stills images. As part of the Micro Four Thirds system, there are a wide range of Micro Four Thirds lenses to choose from, including budget options, as well as premium optics.

The camera records 4K video, and the screen can be turned forwards to use as a selfie screen for vlogging, although the crop is worth noting, particularly if video is your main focus.

The battery life is a little on the short side as well, so packing a spare battery, or a portable power bank is definitely recommended, although this could also be said for some of the other mirrorless cameras here. The tiny Panasonic 12-32mm (24-64mm equivalent) pancake zoom is the perfect lens to go with it.

Check out our Panasonic Lumix G100 review.

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Lightest Nikon mirrorless camera: Nikon Z30

Sensor	20.9MP APS-C CMOS
Lens mount	Nikon Z
ISO	100-51,200
Video resolution	4K at 30fps and Full HD at 120fps
Viewfinder	No viewfinder
Display	3–inch 1.04M-dot vari-angle touchscreen
Dimensions	128 x 73.5 x 59.5mm, 405g (with battery and memory card)

Nikon’s Z series now boasts three cameras with APS-C sensors, in addition to the full-frame flagship line-up. The Nikon Z30 is the smallest and lightest of the lot, weighing in at a slender 405g, and it’s also the cheapest at launch. While it’s comprehensively equipped for both stills and video, the Nikon Z30 has clearly been designed with vloggers in mind – it shoots uncropped 4K video, and it has a fully articulating screen that can be set to pretty much any angle.

The video focus doesn’t mean it skimps on stills. Having an ISO sensitivity range of 100-51,200 gives you real flexibility in low-light situations, especially given how good the performance is up to ISO 6400, as we found out in our testing.

Lack of viewfinder

The only thing that stills photographers are likely to take exception to is the very thing that has allowed Nikon to keep the cost and weight of the camera down – the lack of a viewfinder. This makes total sense on a vlogging camera, but if it’s a deal-breaker, then try one of the other Nikon Z APS-C cameras like the Z50 or the Z fc. Just be aware they’re a little heavier and more pricey.

It’s also worth noting that the majority of Z-Mount lenses have been designed for full-frame cameras, so finding a compact lens to go with this camera may be an issue once you grow beyond the compact zoom kit lens – though if you intend using the Z30 as a pocket camera, the retracting 16-50mm kit lens will be perfect.

Read our Nikon Z30 review.

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Canon’s best small mirrorless camera: Canon EOS R10

Sensor	24.2MP Dual Pixel APS-C CMOS sensor
Lens mount	Canon RF (APS-C)
ISO	100-32,000, expandable to 51,200
Video resolution	4K 30p, 4K 60p with crop, Full HD 120p
Viewfinder	2.36M-dot EVF
Display	Vari-angle 3-inch, 1.04M-dot LCD
Dimensions	122.5 x 87.8 x 83.4mm, 429g (including battery and memory card)

Canon arguably sounded the death knell for its APS-C EOS M cameras when it introduced the crop-sensor EOS R7 and EOS R10. The latter is the smaller of the pair, comparable in size and weight to an EOS M camera, and bursting with plenty more features.

With sophisticated autofocus, impressive shooting speed and DSLR-style handling, the EOS R10 is a comprehensive photographic package. As we found in our full test of the camera, the subject-detection autofocus is particularly impressive, making the camera a real contender for sports and action shooting on a budget. The viewfinder is perhaps a little small in use, but some some cutbacks are going to be necessary in making a fully featured camera as small as this.

The RF-mount lens range for APS-C RF cameras is pretty restricted currently – though, unlike the EF-M range, it’s likely to expand in the future. For the moment, as we said in our review of the EOS R10, the Fujifilm X-S10 is probably a better buy simply for its greater lens options. However, this is something we can expect to change as the EOS R series matures. The EOS R10’s body is not quite as pocket-friendly as some of the other cameras here, but Canon’s 18-45mm kit lens is pretty compact.

Read our full Canon EOS R10 review.

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How to choose the best small mirrorless camera

Small cameras inevitably come with compromises, so it’s worth weighing up what you can live without. Sensor size is a big factor: the small mirrorless cameras have small sensors, particularly Micro Four Thirds but APS-C too. Bigger sensors do have advantages in dynamic range and ultimate image quality. However, small sensors are still very capable and many professional photographers and content creators swear by MFT cameras; plus they give your lenses greater effective telephoto reach.

For more on sensor size, have a look at our guide to APS-C, MFT and Full-Frame sensors.

Also, do you need a viewfinder? For manufacturers, this the first thing to go when they set about making a small mirrorless cameras. Some photographers simply can’t imagine life without one, but if you’re happy composing images on the LCD screen, it’s a great way to save some weight and bulk.

Lens selection is another key consideration. The lens you fit to your camera will have a big impact on its weight and balance, not to mention image quality. Again, Micro Four Thirds is an attractive system for this, offering a huge range of slim, pancake lenses that are perfect with small cameras.

Also, with their 2x crop factor you can achieve long telephoto focal lengths without the lenses being massive. The classic example here is the OM System 300mm f/4 which gives an effect of 600mm in the full-frame format, but it comes in a very compact form.

Recent updates

• April 2026: Fujifilm X-M5 replaced with X-E5; Fujifilm X-T30 II and Panasonic GX880 removed.
• January 2026: Olympus OM-5 replaced by OM-5 Mark II. Have a look at the OM-5 if you want to buy second hand. Specifications tables added for additional clarity.

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Further reading

• Can’t find the Fujifilm X100V? Here are some retro alternatives
• Classic compact cameras to buy
• See our latest buying guides

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