Best Mirrorless Cameras 2022

” Healthy Food Near Me” together with the photographer collected the best mirrorless cameras – from affordable for amateurs to expensive for pros

In 2022, a mirrorless camera is an easy, affordable entry into advanced photography. In fact, the general principle of operation of such a camera is no different from the camera in your phone. That’s just not one, even the most expensive smartphone, will give you the functionality of a mirrorless camera (UPC). With a device that is slightly larger than a modern phone, you can use any lens, from wide-angle (for shooting landscapes) to telephoto (for shooting distant objects).

Together with wedding photographer Adelina Minibayeva KP has collected 10 of the best mirrorless cameras of 2022 on the market. For convenience, we have placed them in the list – from the most affordable to advanced models. Note that we have collected “camera + lens” kits on the official market. If desired, you can always buy the necessary lenses separately.

Top 10 rating according to KP

1. Olympus PEN E-PL8 Kit 14-42mm IIR 

Один из самых доступных лучших беззеркальных фотоаппаратов. Можно выбрать себе модель из двух контрастных цветов корпуса — черный и белый. Несмотря на то, что камера сделана из металла, ее лучше беречь от воды, дождя и снега. Из беспроводных интерфейсов на борту только Wi-Fi, который нужен для работы с фирменным приложением. Батарейки хватит на 350 снимков в теплое время года. На холоде аккумулятор проживет гораздо меньше, так что лучше запастись резервным.

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Advantages and disadvantages

2. Fujifilm X-A5 Kit 15-45mm

An affordable option from another legendary camera manufacturer from Japan. The camera is not so fast in operation, but it has a good matrix – the images will be bright and clear. The camera can also record 4K videos. But don’t count on it much, because there will be only 15 frames per second – this feature was added here rather for marketing. The manufacturer installed a good battery in the camera, fans of long walks will like it.

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Advantages and disadvantages

3. Canon EOS M100 Kit 15-45mm

The plastic body looks a bit flimsy A mirrorless version from one of the world’s most famous camera makers. Canon decided not to flirt with the anatomical grip of a light camera and made the body in the form of a compact “brick”, which even a miniature girl’s hand can easily handle. The camera has Bluetooth, through which photos can be quickly sent to a smartphone or computer. Those who like to delve into the settings will appreciate the manual shooting mode. By the way, you can get very decent quality pictures on it. Of course, if you know what you are doing.

Main characteristics

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4. Sony Alpha ILCE-5100LT Kit 16-50mm

The list of the best mirrorless cameras includes the “holy simplicity” from Sony. Most of the back of the case is occupied by a huge touchscreen rotary display. There are a minimum of physical buttons on the camera and they are strongly pressed in to prevent accidental pressing. The camera does not shoot video in fashionable 4K resolution, but it records FullHD videos with real 60 frames per second. Perfect for bloggers who no longer have enough mobile phone camera to create content.

Main characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages

5. Canon EOS M50 Kit 15-45mm IS STM

Small battery capacity An advanced version of the mirrorless camera from the Japanese from Canon. Externally, a mirrorless camera is similar to any Canon DSLR. It gives out only significantly reduced dimensions and not the most comfortable grip. The camera is capable of shooting video in 4K format, transfers pictures via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The Canon EOS M50 also features Canon’s Dual Pixel autofocus system, which allows you to achieve excellent results when shooting video. But be warned, it doesn’t work in 4K.

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6. Nikon Z 50 Kit 16-50mm DX VR

The first camera in our selection from the manufacturer Nikon. The manufacturer packed the powerful stuff from an advanced SLR camera into a compact and rugged body of a mirrorless camera. The comfortable ergonomics of the camera will negate its weight, which may seem large to someone for a mirrorless camera. But keep in mind, the mount is completely new and there are very few lenses for it. True, you can always use an adapter, but that’s a completely different story.

Main characteristics

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7. Sony Alpha ILCE-7KBFE 28-70mm 3.5-5.6

An excellent full-frame workhorse from Sony. Of course, it does not reach the level of top cameras, but for the money it is an excellent camera. On board is a high-quality matrix with pleasant color reproduction, not the fastest, but reliable processor and an electronic viewfinder. The body is made of durable metal. Battery power is enough for about 350 shots, so stock up on removable batteries.

Main characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages

8. Sony Alpha ILCE-7M3K Kit 28-70mm

The flagship model from the Japanese manufacturer of mirrorless cameras. It has everything a photographer might need. It doesn’t matter if you shoot portraits in the studio or outdoor sports – the Japanese “seven” of the third series will suit everyone. Unless, of course, the photographer has enough money to buy a camera and lenses for it. The metal case of the camera will protect it in any conditions – the model is not afraid of snow, rain and water. And yet, this camera is suitable for a professional videographer. Let’s tell you a secret that many top YouTubers write their vlogs specifically for the “seven”.

Main characteristics

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9. Fujifilm X-T20 Kit 18-55mm

Advanced cropped camera, the body of which is made of durable composite material. The camera has a proprietary matrix from Fuji, a good touch screen and a built-in advanced flash that can be configured. On the miniature camera itself, the manufacturer has placed several additional buttons at once, which can also be customized. Anyway, check out this great retro design!

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10 Nikon Z6 Kit 24-70mm

Nikon created this camera as a response to such giants as Sony and Fujifilm. Nikon Z6 rightly tops the list of the best mirrorless cameras of 2022. Despite not having much experience in building mirrorless systems, Nikon Z6 turned out to be an excellent full-frame camera. It is noteworthy that since the start of official sales of the camera, the manufacturer has been constantly updating the device software in order to correct even minor flaws in the firmware.

Main characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages

How to choose a mirrorless camera

Mirrorless cameras favorably differ primarily in their compact size. Judge for yourself, an entry-level mirrorless camera with a basic lens weighs about 350 g. An analogue with a mirror will be 150 grams more, and somewhat larger. The lenses of mirrorless devices also weigh 20-30% more.

Another important plus of mirrorless cameras is the high shooting speed and advanced autofocus system. The camera itself can tightly focus on the desired point, which can move at high speed. In SLR cameras, this is only possible in advanced models. By the way, some photographers find it much more convenient to look at the subject through a large screen located on the body of the device, rather than trying to see something through the electronic viewfinder.

Of the critical disadvantages of mirrorless cameras, one can note a small margin of operation from one battery. Also, someone may not like the so-called Shutter lag – image delay on the display in cheap camera models. When you jerk the device sharply to the side, the image on the screen seems to tilt slightly in the opposite direction.

A good battery is important for a mirrorless camera

Due to the lack of a mechanical part, all images in mirrorless cameras are displayed on displays. It can be a large screen or a miniature viewfinder – either way you will be looking at a “fake” image. Each display in the camera needs power, so the battery in mirrorless cameras runs out much faster than in mirrorless counterparts. Therefore, when buying a mirrorless camera, it is important to pay attention to the battery capacity. It should not be less than 1000 milliamp-hours, this will allow you to make at least 200-250 frames on a single battery charge. Also, it will not be superfluous to always have a good powerbank on hand, modern cameras can be charged right in the course of shooting. But not all.

What is a bayonet and how to choose it

Every manufacturer of interchangeable lens cameras makes it so that buyers are only on their system. Because of this, giants such as Sony, for example, use their own lens format – a bayonet mount, unique only to their technology. Now, perhaps the most versatile is the Micro 4/3 mount. Also popular are the Sony E, Fuji X, Canon EF-M and Nikon-Z “proprietary” formats. For the sake of experiment, you can buy a small adapter that will turn your Micro 4/3 lens into, for example, a lens for Canon.

But, as you understand, the more elements in the system, the higher the chance that something may not work in it at the most important moment. Relying on a bunch of “non-native lens + adapter” during important shootings is not worth it.

Какая матрица лучше?

As in the case of their SLR counterparts, mirrorless cameras use matrices on which the image from the lens falls. That’s just in mirrorless devices, the light falls straight into the device, bypassing the “barrier” in the form of the same mirror. Accordingly, the matrices themselves in mirrorless cameras are of several types – reduced or cropped (from the English verb to crop – crop) and full-frame.

For those buying their first mirrorless camera, it doesn’t make sense to splurge on an expensive full-frame option. For novice users, this category is not critical. Moreover, the vast majority of cameras presented in the price category up to 100 thousand rubles are cropped. Such a mirrorless camera is much easier to sell if one day you play enough or want to switch to something more expensive.