Best Buy Mirrorless Camera 2017
You'll find that mirrorless cameras are also known as compact system cameras (or CSCs for short), with models ranging from the simple beginner models to sophisticated full-frame monsters that rival the very best DSLRs out there.
best buy mirrorless camera 2017
Mirrorless cameras certainly offer more choice. If you're looking to buy a DSLR, there's only really two main players in the shape of Canon and Nikon. If you opt for a mirrorless camera, the choice is much broader, with the likes of Canon, Panasonic, Fujifilm, Sony, Olympus and Leica all offering a wide range of cameras to suit most budgets.
While it would be very easy to select 10 high-end models to make up our pick of the best mirrorless camera, we've tried to pick out some more affordable options as well. These models might not be dripping with features, but they represent great options for new users and those on a budget. That said, if you're looking specifically for a budget mirrorless camera, take a look at our best beginner mirrorless camera guide.
So whether you're after a better camera than the one featured on your smartphone or are looking for an advanced, high-end model to push your creativity even further, read on to find out what are the best mirrorless cameras you can buy right now.
In 2023, mirrorless cameras enjoy the lionshare of R&D in the camera divisions of the likes of Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, Panasonic and OM System (Olympus), and hybrid photo and video creators reap the benefit.
In our tests, we found the A7 IV to have class-leading autofocus skills, plus a seemingly endless buffer depth, which means the camera can almost indefinitely maintain its maximum burst speeds without any slowdown. When using a CFexpress card, it swallowed 9fps for over a minute (or 6-7fps when continuously shooting raw). The A7 IV's new 33MP full-frame sensor doesn't dramatically improve image quality over the A7 III (the higher resolution also means fairly prevalent noise above ISO 6400), and there's a heavy crop on 4K footage. But as a complete package, the Sony A7 IV is a solid all-rounder which could be the only mirrorless camera you'll ever need.
For a long time, the full-frame Nikon Z6 reigned as our number one camera. This successor remains an excellent performer, particularly for those looking to upgrade from Nikon DSLRs, but the Z6 II's modest updates mean it's fallen slightly behind the very best mirrorless cameras. It still comes highly recommended, though, thanks to its consistency in most areas, with the addition of a second Expeed 6 processor bringing a range of performance improvements that include a new 14fps burst shooting speed.
Disguised as an old-school DSLR, the Canon EOS R3 is actually at the cutting-edge of mirrorless performance in 2022. Combining hybrid skills with a chunky form factor, it harbors a host of imaging innovations. Chief among them is a new 24.1MP CMOS sensor: though its resolution might seem low, a stacked design delivers rapid 30fps raw burst shooting. Paired with enhanced AF tracking (including Eye Control AF that follows your gaze to select focus points through the viewfinder), the EOS R3 shapes up as one of the most advanced fast-action cameras ever.
It might not be as great for video as the Lumix GH5, but the G9 prioritizes stills. Like Olympus OM-D E-M1X, the smaller MFT sensor size is made up for by a camera that is packed full of features. Its high resolution combines eight images into a single 80MP photograph, while its amazing image stabilization allows you to shoot handheld for about a second with sharp results. Throw in 60fps shooting, polished handling and a wealth of advanced features and the Lumix G9 is a brilliant all-round mirrorless camera that's now also great value.
It's a great time to buy a mirrorless camera, but also a slightly overwhelming one. An explosion in the number of options available at all price points from the likes of Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, Panasonic and a reborn Olympus means that photographers and videographers have never had more choice.
If you like to specialize in a particular area (for example, wide-angle architecture or macro), then check the system you're looking at to make sure it has the right options for you. In the full-frame mirrorless space, Sony offers the most choice right now, while on crop-sensor APS-C cameras Fujifilm has a wide range of options at most focal lengths.
Buying a mirrorless camera these days isn't cheap, so every camera in this guide has been tested extensively by us. These days, real-world tests are the most revealing way to understand a camera's performance and character, so we focus heavily on those, along with standardized tests for factors like ISO performance.
This year, Best Buy has a large selection of Black Friday photography bargains, offering big discounts on some of the most popular cameras and accessories. As usual, many of the best deals come as bundles with accessories and memory cards thrown in, but also look out for substantial-value gift cards which can be redeemed against future purchases. There are always offers on memory cards, but claimed savings are often exaggerated compared to current regular street prices. This can also apply when calculating the savings made on bundles including memory cards.
In another exciting year for mirrorless cameras, we have seen the arrival of several models that continue to raise the bar for photo and video performance. With options ranging from compact retro designs to rugged SLR-style powerhouses, there has never been a better time to take the leap to a mirrorless system.
One of the pioneers in the mirrorless segment, Sony has delivered two professional full-frame models this year. The company made a big splash with the Alpha a9, its new sports-oriented flagship full-frame camera that leaves little to be desired. A back-illuminated stacked CMOS sensor is capable of 24.2MP raw stills and UHD 4K 30p video, and offers 5-axis image stabilization to compensate for camera shake. This is paired with an updated BIONZ X processor to achieve 20 fps continuous shooting with continuous AF via the 693-point hybrid system. Mind you, this is with an electronic shutter, which causes no blackout on the electronic viewfinder and allows you to set the shutter speed to values up to 1/32000. Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are available on the a9, as well as an Ethernet port that allows for wired FTP and FTPS file transfers at fast speeds.
Canon has released two mirrorless models which take cues from the M5 to produce compact, affordable packages for both entry-level and advanced photographers. The M6 uses a 24.2MP APS-C sensor and the DIGIC 7 processor to create images, shooting as fast as 9 fps and using Dual Pixel AF for quick and accurate autofocus. With a 3" tilting touchscreen, built-in flash, Full HD video at 60 fps, and 5-axis image stabilization for video, this camera is able to pack a little bit of everything under its hood for a versatile offer. The M100 is a very similar camera to the M6, with an even lower price tag that is achieved by removing image stabilization, stripping the hot shoe and microphone jack, and reducing the continuous shooting speed to 6.1 fps. Of note, both cameras offer great wireless connectivity with Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth options.
In a quieter year for Olympus, the company has one new SLR-styled mirrorless camera called the OM-D E-M10 Mark III. A significant update to the previous model, it keeps the 16.1MP Micro Four Thirds sensor with 5-axis stabilization but incorporates the TruePic VIII processor to achieve UHD 4K video at 30 fps. The camera also ups its contrast-detect autofocus system to 121 points, and can shoot stills as fast as 8.6 fps. A 2.36m-dot built-in EVF with an improved 1.23x magnification is used for viewing, with the 3" touchscreen LCD also available for use.
I agree. I think the TG-5 is the best 2nd or 3rd camera to buy. I would prefere a 3x or 4x zoom over a 10x zoom. The less a lens has to do the better. I am willing to bet that the 3x-4x zooms are much sharper, and cost less.
I wonder: do these newest Sony cameras still exhibit that pesky Sony harsh highlight rolloff and excessive noise reduction in video that smudges away detail? Every Sony camera I've seen so far from the cheapest action cam to the expensive full-frame mirrorless stuff has these problems. I am amazed at how Panasonic seems to blow away all of its competitors in video quality.
Hello Jody, thanks for your comment. I do not have any personal experience with the new Sony mirrorless cameras, so I can't speak for their effectiveness in the video department. Panasonic still attracts a large video crowd for sure, and the GH5 packs lots of interesting features that are rarely found in other mirrorless models (the 6K Anamorphic mode comes to mind). 041b061a72