Smartphones and compact cameras are fine for casual photography, but theyre limited by their small sensors and fixed lenses and they dont really offer the kind of control you need when you want to take your photography that little bit further.So an interchangeable lens camera makes the perfect upgrade, and weve picked out the ten best entry-level mirrorless cameras that can fit your budget, fit your pocket and wont fry your brain as you learn how to use them.Most mirrorless cameras in this group have APS-C sensors, but some of our favourites have slightly smaller Micro Four Thirds sensors.
Both offer such a big improvement over smartphones and compacts that really theres little to choose between them.
To find out more about sensor sizes, take a look at our sensor guide.Mirrorless cameras also offer interchangeable lenses.
They usually come with a general-purpose 3x kit zoom lens, but you can also get telephotos, macro lenses, super-wide-angles and more.
Its worth checking the lens ranges on offer, particularly if you might want to upgrade to a better camera in the range later on.Value for moneyLastly, theres value for money.
There are some very inexpensive cameras here that will do a good job, but this inevitably means they cut back on features and controls and you need to make sure youre not missing out on something you really need just to save a little money.Wed always recommend stretching to a camera with a viewfinder if you canFor example, the cheapest mirrorless cameras dont usually have viewfinders, but these can be invaluable for shooting in bright light, when the screen on the back can easily get swamped, so wed always recommend stretching to a camera with a viewfinder if you can.Check out the specs of the rear screens, too.
The size and resolution are not so important since theyre all quite similar these days, but a touchscreen display will make the camera feel more like a phone.
Many new users will be bewildered by screens they cant tap or swipe, but there are still a few cameras around which dont have touchscreens.Finally, if you like to shoot video, you might want a camera that can shoot 4K, and not all of them can.
This is a relatively new area for entry-level mirrorless cameras, and they dont all do it (though they do all offer regular 1920 x 1080 Full HD).All the mirrorless cameras weve chosen for this list are well suited to beginners because of their price, size, ease of use, features or all of those things.You can also take a look at our other buying guides below if you're still undecided.
Otherwise, read on to see the 10 best entry-level mirrorless cameras you can buy right now.1.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIThe E-M10 III is small, powerful and beautifully designedSensor size: Micro Four Thirds | Resolution: 16.1MP | Viewfinder: EVF, 2,360,000 dots | Monitor: 3-inch tilting touchscreen, 1,040,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 8.6fps | Movies: 4K | User level: Beginner/IntermediatePremium finishGreat in-body stabilizationOnly 16 megapixelMinor update to Mark IIThe jewel-like E-M10 Mark III is styled like a DSLR, with a viewfinder mounted on the top, but this camera is so small it scarcely takes up more space than mirrorless cameras with no viewfinder at all.
It has a Micro Four Thirds sensor a little smaller than the APS-C sensors used by rival makers, and 16 megapixels rather than the usual 24, but the smaller sensor means smaller, faster-focusing lenses, and youre not likely to notice the difference in megapixels in real-world shooting.
What you will notice is this cameras great build quality and finish, its responsiveness, its excellent built in Art Filters and the rather clever shooting options in its Advanced Photo mode.
Olympus offers a good range of lenses, too.
Read our in-depthOlympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III2.
Panasonic Lumix GX80 / GX85A lot of features for a great priceSensor size: Micro Four Thirds | Resolution: 16MP | Viewfinder: EVF, 2,764,800 dots | Monitor: 3-inch tilting touchscreen, 1,040,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 8fps | Movies: 4K | User level: Beginner/intermediateBuilt-in viewfinder5-axis dual ISFunctional not stylishStill only 16 megapixelsThe Lumix GX80 (known as the Lumix GX85 in the US) from Panasonic is great value given the features on offer.
These include a built-in viewfinder and 5-axis dual image stabilisation which combines in-body stabilisation with lens-based stabilisation.
As usual with Panasonic cameras, this one offers 4K video and 4K Photo modes.
These include a Post Focus mode where the camera rapidly captures a series of images at different focus points so that you can choose the one you want later.
With the 12-32mm kit lens, the Lumix GX80 / GX85 is both powerful and affordable.Read our in-depthPanasonic Lumix GX80 / GX85 review3.
Sony Alpha A6000Its a high-spec camera at a low-spec priceSensor size: APS-C | Resolution: 24.3MP | Viewfinder: EVF, 1,440,000 dots | Monitor: 3-inch tilting, 921,600 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 11fps | Movies: Full HD | User level: IntermediateGood specs even todayValue for moneyNo touchscreenFull HD onlyDont let the price fool you.
The A6000 costs the same as other entry-level mirrorless cameras, but its an advanced and powerful and has only dropped to this price through being on the market since 2014! Despite this, its specs still look good today, including a 24 million pixel sensor, a fast hybrid 179-point autofocus system and continuous shooting at 11 frames per second.
Its age shows in other areas, though; it only shoots full HD video not 4K, and the screen isnt touch sensitive.
And while its cheap enough, the A6000s high-end features make it a little advanced for beginners.Read our in-depthSony Alpha A6000 review4.
Canon EOS M5At last, an affordable Canon mirrorless EOS M with a viewfinderSensor size: APS-C | Resolution: 24.1MP | Viewfinder: EVF, 2,360,000 dots | Monitor: 3-inch vari-angle, 1,040,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 10fps | Movies: 4K | User level: Beginner/IntermediateGreat viewfinderEasy to useHeavy crop on 4K videoPlasticky feelUntil the release of the M50, only one of Canons mirrorless EOS M cameras had a viewfinder, and that was the pricey EOS M5.
All the more affordable models just had the rear screen for composing pictures.
The EOS M50 could be Canons most important EOS M model yet, then, offering a viewfinder and a host of other tempting features including 4K video at a far more beginner-friendly price.
Its not perfect the 4K video mode doesnt use the full frame and the camera does have a somewhat plasticky feel but its still a good camera.Read our in-depth Canon EOS M50 review5.
Panasonic Lumix GX800 / GX850This little mirrorless camera is cheap, compact and built for bloggingSensor size: Micro Four Thirds | Resolution: 16MP | Viewfinder: No | Monitor: 3-inch tilting touchscreen, 1,040,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 5.8fps | Movies: 4K | User level: BeginnerCompact 12-32mm lensVery good value16MP only average these daysNo viewfinderOlympus is not the only company to make Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras.
Theyre also made by Panasonic and, in fact, the lenses are interchangeable.
Where Olympus cameras are all about style and creativity, Panasonic cameras are at least as technically capable but a little more down to earth.
And they dont come much more down to earth than the Lumix GX800 (known as the GX850 in the US), which combines small size with powerful features and exceptional value.
You dont get a viewfinder, but you do get 4K video and Panasonics 4K Photo modes, a 180-degree selfie screen, touch control and a terrific little 12-32mm retracting kit lens.6.
Fujifilm X-A5Fujifilms latest entry-level CSC brings great looks and great photosSensor size: APS-C | Resolution: 24.2MP | Viewfinder: No | Monitor: 3-inch tilting touchscreen, 1,040,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 6fps | Movies: 4K | User level: BeginnerNew 15-45mm retracting kit lensConsistently sharp shotsNo viewfinder4K video is only 15fpsFujifilm has made its reputation with its high-end X-mount mirrorless cameras, but it also makes a series of simpler X-A cameras for novices.
The X-A5 is the latest addition, and sports a brand new retracting 15-45mm kit lens which makes the camera far easier to cram into a bag.
Theres no viewfinder, but the touch-screen display works very well and flips through 180 degrees for selfies.
The image quality is terrific, even though its regular CMOS sensor rather than Fujifilms special X-Trans sensor, though the 4K video mode only works at 15fps, which is a let-down.Read our in-depthFujifilm X-A5 review7.
Sony Alpha A5100Its like the A6000 but simpler, cheaper and designed for novicesSensor size: APS-C | Resolution: 24.3MP | Viewfinder: No | Monitor: 3-inch tilting, 921,600 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 6fps | Movies: Full HD | User level: BeginnerSophisticated autofocusFlip-up selfie screenNo viewfinderNow four years oldLaunched in the same year as the A6000, the A5100 is also a highly competent camera whose price has dropped to seriously tempting levels.
Its a lot cheaper than the A6000, but theres no electronic viewfinder and the external controls are simpler.
Sony has done an amazing job to make a camera this small but it does leave it feeling slightly dwarfed by the 16-50mm kit lens.
The A5100 does, however, have a 180-degree selfie screen.
Worryingly, Sony has not launched a new APS-C mirrorless camera since 2014, and few new lens for these APS-C cameras.
The A5100 is a bargain, but is it the end of the lineRead our in-depthSony Alpha A5100 review8.
Canon EOS M100Canons cheapest mirrorless camera offers value and simplicitySensor size: APS-C | Resolution: 24.2MP | Viewfinder: No | Monitor: 3-inch tilting touchscreen, 1,040,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 6.1fps | Movies: Full HD | User level: Beginner180-degree selfie screenResponsive touchscreen controlFew external controlsAwkward handlingCanons cheapest EOS M model is very competitively priced and offers an easy introduction to interchangeable lens cameras for smartphone or compact camera upgraders.
But to make it simple, Canon has taken away a lot of the external controls, which means you spend more time in the menus and touchscreen interface.
The plain rectangular body is also a little awkward to hold and shoot with.
It doesnt always capture sharp shots in low light, either, when rival cameras manage this perfectly well.
The EOS M100 is small, simple and affordable nonetheless.Read our in-depthCanon EOS M100 review9.
Olympus PEN E-PL8Its not the latest PEN, but its cute and its cheaper!Sensor size: Micro Four Thirds | Resolution: 16.1MP | Viewfinder: No | Monitor: 3-inch tilting touchscreen, 1,037,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 8.5fps | Movies: Full HD | User level: BeginnerStylish, premium designPerfectly pocketableNo viewfinderOnly 16 megapixelsThe Olympus PEN series is aimed squarely at beginners and smartphone upgraders, catering specifically for fashion-conscious bloggers and Instagramers.
It does this with a blend of style, responsiveness and image quality thats instantly endearing.
Olympuss EZ pancake lens is a must-have companion for this camera, offering a 3x zoom range in a super-slim retracting design that means the PEN takes up little space in your bag.
So why get the older PEN E-PL8 rather than the new E-PL9 The E-PL9 brings 4K video and better image stabilisation, but the E-PL8 is almost as good, a lot cheaper and we think the older design looks better!10.
Fujifilm X-T100We cant wait to try Fujifilms new entry-level DSLR-style cameraSensor size: APS-C | Resolution: 24.2MP | Viewfinder: EVF, 2,360,000 dots | Monitor: 3-inch 3-way tilting touchscreen, 1,040,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 6fps | Movies: 4K | User level: IntermediateBuilt-in viewfinder3-way tilting rear screen4K video only at 15fpsNot particularly compactThe brand new Fujifilm X-T100 was not available for review when this guide was being prepared, but all the signs are that this will prove to be an important camera in the beginners marketplace.
Styled like a DSLR (but much smaller), it has a viewfinder on the top, it uses the same sensor as the X-A5 and the same 15-45mm retracting kit lens, so we have high hopes.
The 4K video mode is hampered by its 15fps frame rate, which makes it next to useless, but the X-T100 also shoots Full HD video, so its not a deal-breaker.GpMYSYS29o7tf9DgT95UeX.jpg#