Best mirrorless camera 2018: 10 top models to suit every budget

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Authors: JordanMirrorless cameras have become hugely popular in recent years
This is thanks to the fact that they keep the big sensors and interchangeable lenses of DSLR cameras, but ditch the mirror mechanism,
allowing camera manufacturers to produce smaller and lighter, and often simpler cameras. Mirrorless cameras are also known as compact
system cameras or CSCs, and there's now never been more choice, with a model to suit everyone
From simple to use entry-level models to sophisticated full-frame monsters to rival the very best DSLRs, there's bound to be a camera to
suit your needs. Is a mirrorless camera better than a DSLR then There are still pros and cons to both designs, so if you want to find out
more, read this: Mirrorless vs DSLR cameras: 10 key differences   Some mirrorless cameras have a compact, rectangular body, some are
styled like DSLRs with a 'pentaprism' on the top – though this houses an electronic viewfinder rather than the optical viewfinder you get
with a DSLR.Be aware, too, that most cheaper mirrorless cameras don't come with viewfinders at all – instead, you compose the photo on the
rear screen, just as you do with a compact camera or a smartphone
(If you're still not sure what kind of camera you need, read our easy to follow guide: What camera should I buy)What is the best mirrorless
camera No two photographers are exactly the same – we're all looking for slightly different things from are photography
Some us might want a better camera than the one built into our smartphone, while others will want a high-end camera that has a range of
creative controls and features, so we've ranked the 10 best mirrorless cameras you can buy right now based not just on specs, handling and
performance, but size, simplicity and value for money too.1
Sony Alpha A7 IIINo longer the poor relationSensor size: Full-frame | Resolution: 24.2MP | Viewfinder: EVF | Monitor: 3.0-inch tilt-angle
touchscreen, 1,440,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 10fps | Movies: 4K | User level: Expert693-point AF system10fps burst
shootingLimited touchscreen controlSlight 'tearing' in EVFThe Alpha A7 III may sit on the bottom rung of Sony's full-frame mirrorless camera
range, but it's no longer the poor relation to its pricier siblings
A brilliant choice for the enthusiast photographer or pro looking for a second body, Sony has taken some of the best bits from its flagship
Alpha A9 and A7R III cameras, and distilled them into a single camera that offers a fantastic mix of performance and image quality
The full-frame 24.2MP sensor is excellent, while the advanced 693-point AF and 10fps burst shooting should mean you'll never miss another
shot
For the price, there's nothing that can touch it.Read our in-depthSony Alpha A7 III review2
Sony Alpha A7R IIISony's megapixel monster gets a performance boostSensor size: Full-frame | Resolution: 42.2MP | Viewfinder: EVF | Monitor:
3.0-inch tilt-angle touchscreen, 1,440,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 10fps | Movies: 4K | User level: Expert10fps at
42.2MPFast AF performanceLimited touchscreen controlBattery life could still be betterWith the Alpha A7R III, Sony has taken one of our
favorite mirrorless cameras and bolstered the performance to make it one of the most complete and versatile cameras available today
With a brilliant full-frame 42.2MP sensor that's supported by and advanced AF system and 10fps burst shooting, you no longer have to
sacrifice performance for resolution or vice versa
This is a camera that would be equally at home perched on a mountain as in a studio or on the sidelines of a football match.Read our
in-depthSony Alpha A7R III review3
Fujifilm X-T2A stunning camera perfect for enthusiast photographers Sensor size: APS-C | Resolution: 24.3MP | Viewfinder: EVF | Monitor:
3.0-inch tilt-angle display, 1,040,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 8fps | Movies: 4K | User level: ExpertPolished handlingFast
autofocusNo touchscreenNot much elseFujifilm's update to the X-T1 may look similar at first glance, but there have been some big
improvements and perhaps the biggest of all is the autofocus system
It's a huge leap forward compared with the system found in the X-T1, with AF tracking of moving subjects now much more precise and swift,
while the level of sophistication and customisation is impressive too
Add in 8 frames per second burst shooting, a clever double-hinged rear display, bright EVF, Fujifilm's excellent 24.3MP X Trans III CMOS
sensor and plenty of body mounted controls that's all wrapped-up in a tactile body, and you're left with a brilliant camera. If you want
something a larger, especially if you want to use larger lenses, take a look at the X-H1
A very good camera, but we still think the X-T2 is the better all-round option.Read our in-depth Fujifilm X-T2 review4
Panasonic Lumix G9Meet the photographer-focused Lumix GH5Sensor size: Micro Four Thirds | Resolution: 20.3MP | Viewfinder: EVF | Monitor:
3.0-inch tilt-angle display, 1,040,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 60fps | Movies: 4K | User level:
Intermediate/advanced6.5-stop image stabilizationUp to 60fps burst shootingISO range could be broaderBattery level not as a percentageAimed
at enthusiast and semi-professional photographers, the Lumix G9 is certainly very competitively priced; you get a lot of camera for your
money. Some might view the smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor as a bit of a compromise, but the pay-off is a compact and well-balanced
system, and we were thoroughly impressed when we paired the G9 with the 200mm f/2.8 telephoto prime
Throw in 60fps shooting, polished handling and a wealth of advanced features and the Lumix G9 is a brilliant all-round mirrorless camera
Not to mention Panasonic's best mirrorless camera to date.Read our in-depthPanasonic Lumix G9 review5
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIThe brilliant E-M10 Mark III is a little powerhouse of a cameraSensor size: Micro Four Thirds | Resolution:
16.1MP | Viewfinder: EVF | Monitor: 3.0-inch tilt-angle display, 1,037,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 8.6fps | Movies: 4K |
User level: Beginner/intermediateCompact size, lenses tooExcellent viewfinderSmaller sensor than someFocus tracking could be betterThe OM-D
E-M10 Mark III might not be a massive leap forward over the Mark II, with much of the camera's specification remaining the same
However, Olympus has refined and tweaked one of our favorite mirrorless cameras to make it an even more tempting proposition for new users
and enthusiasts alike
Some will criticise the smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor format (roughly half the area of APS-C) but the effect on image quality is minor
and it means that the lenses are as compact and lightweight as the camera itself
Sporting a 5-axis image stabilization system, decent electronic viewfinder, an impressive 8.6fps burst shooting speed and 4K video, it's no
toy – the E-M10 Mark III is a properly powerful camera.Read our in-depth Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III review6
Fujifilm X-T20All the good bits of the X-T2 in a more affordable bodySensor size: APS-C | Resolution: 24.3MP | Viewfinder: EVF | Monitor:
3.0-inch tilt-angle touchscreen display, 1,040,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 8fps | Movies: 4K | User level:
Beginner/intermediateExcellent build and designRich and detailed imagesLimited touchscreen controlEVF magnificationLike the look of the X-T2
at the top of our list, but don't quite want to shell out that much for it Fuji has the answer in the shape of the X-T20, which manages to
distill many of the key features of the X-T2 including the excellent 24.3MP sensor and advanced AF system, but into a slightly more compact
and affordable camera
The X-T20 feels very similar to its bigger brother in terms of build quality, while the tactile controls and polished handling make it a
very satisfying camera to shoot with
The X-T20 will certainly hit the sweet spot for many photographers
If you like the look of the X-T20, but want something a little more compact, take a look at the X-E3
Sharing virtually the same specification, it has a more compact design. Read our in-depth Fujifilm X-T20 review7
Sony Alpha A9Taking the fight to Canon and NikonSensor size: Full-frame | Resolution: 24.2MP | Viewfinder: EVF | Monitor: 3.0-inch
tilt-angle touchscreen, 1,440,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 20fps | Movies: 4K | User level: ExpertBlistering
performanceHighly effective AF systemLimited touchscreen controlNo XQD card slotsThe Alpha A9 doesn't fail to impress
The AF system Sony has blessed its flagship camera with is not only incredibly quick, the tracking performance needs to be seen to be
believed
Partner that with incredibly fast 20fps burst shooting, and a large and bright EVF that doesn't blackout when you're shooting, and you've
got a camera that can mix it with the best that Canon and Nikon have to offer when it comes to shooting action.Read our in-depthSony Alpha
A9 review8
Panasonic Lumix GH5SOne uncompromising video toolSensor size: Micro Four Third | Resolution: 10.2MP | Viewfinder: EVF | Monitor: 3.2-inch
display, 1,040,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 12fps | Maximum video resolution: 4K | User level: ExpertMulti-aspect sensor
designBrilliant pro-spec video featuresAbsence of IS not for everyoneBattery life could be betterThe Lumix GH5S is the latest in the line of
Panasonic's top-of-the-range GH series of mirrorless cameras, which over the years have carved out a niche for themselves among
videographers thanks to their breadth of movie-making features
While it can shoot stills quite happily (although at a pretty limited 10.2MP resolution), this should be seen first and foremost as a video
camera – if you want to do both you've got the Lumix GH5 to fill that brief
While the absence of built-in image stabilization might be a disappointment for some, that issue aside the breadth of video features is
incredibly impressive
It's certainly the best 4K camera out there before you start considering dedicated professional video cameras.Read our in-depth Panasonic
Lumix GH5S review9
Sony Alpha A6500Forget any worries about slow focusing with this little beaut Sensor size: APS-C | Resolution: 24.2MP | Viewfinder: EVF |
Monitor: 3.0-inch tilt-angle touchscreen, 921,600 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 11fps | Movies: 4K | User level:
Intermediate/expertVery capable autofocusing systemExcellent electronic viewfinderNo headphone portTilting rather than vari-angle screenYou
don't have to go full-frame to get the benefit of Sony's great camera technology and this APS-C format model makes a great choice for
enthusiasts looking for an alternative to big, heavy DSLR
One of the challenges for CSC manufacturers has been to make their autofocus systems as good as the ones in DSLRs
The A6500's comes very close, especially in bright light; it's able to track moving subjects around the frame and as they move towards or
away from the camera
There's also an excellent electronic viewfinder that makes it easy to see when the subject is sharp and correctly exposed
Image quality is very high and there's built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity to allow to share images via a connected smartphone.Read our
in-depth Sony Alpha A6500 review10
Panasonic Lumix G80 / G85Big features squeezed into a small bodySensor size: Micro Four Third | Resolution: 16MP | Viewfinder: EVF |
Monitor: 3.0-inch display, 1,040,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 9fps | Maximum video resolution: 4K | User level:
Beginner/intermediateExcellent EVF and touchscreenGreat 4K videoOnly 16MP resolutionInterface could be betterWhile not quite perfect, the
Lumix G80’s (known as the Lumix G85 in the US) feature set and performance make it one of the most compelling mid-range mirrorless
propositions around
Autofocus is very good, whether you’re using it for static or moving subjects, and processing speeds are fast, while the image
stabilisation system is very effective whether you’re recording stills or movies
Image quality is generally very good, with the removal of the low-pass filter making a positive difference overall, and this is matched by
strong 4K video quality, with plenty of video-related options
Together with a great EVF and LCD partnership, plenty of options over customisation and a broad range of compatible lenses, the G80 is a
smash on a number of levels.Read our in-depthPanasonic Lumix G80 / G85 reviewMirrorless or DSLR Check out our guide video
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