The best mirrorless cameras are powerful, detailed and keep up with you whatever shooting scenario you're in. Despite being around for quite some time now, mirrorless cameras continue to be the weapon of choice among amateurs and professionals. They're also replacing the DSLR camera, with many manufacturers now discontinuing DSLR lines.
Mirrorless cameras, as the name suggests, don't have a mirror or a viewfinder prism-like SLRs and DSLRs do. Instead, they operate with a small electronic screen as the viewfinder. By reducing the hardware, mirrorless cameras are inherently lighter and more compact, making them a convenient, more portable, lighter-weight option than DSLRs.
There are three main image sensor sizes in mirrorless cameras: Micro Four Thirds (MFT), APS-C, and full-frame sensors. MFT are generally the smallest, then APS-C crop sensors with full-frame sensor camera bodies being the largest but most capable.
For astrophotography, the best mirrorless cameras aren't your only, or necessarily the best option. For astrophotographers who want camera equipment that will maximize detail in the stars and beyond, check out the best cameras for astrophotography and consider the best lenses for astrophotography. Or for our picks of the best cameras overall, including DSLRs, take a look at our guide to the best camera for photos and videos.
Best mirrorless cameras deal June 2023
Best mirrorless cameras 2023
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Best mirrorless cameras 2023 ranked
If you want to capture unmatched detail, take a closer look at this record-breaking Sony mirrorless camera. The image sensor in the Sony A7R IV is capable of capturing huge 61MP stills images, which, at the time of writing is the highest resolution stills in a full-frame camera. Strangely, this doesn't apply to video because it can only record 4K UHD footage at a maximum resolution of 30 frames per second, although the majority of shooters still find that to be enough.
We tested the capabilities of this camera in our hands-on Sony A7R IV review, and we were very impressed with the autofocus which performed faultlessly, including eye detection. Even when we tried this feature with a black cat as our subject. Where many cameras wouldn't even detect that there was a face in the image — it tracked the cat's eyes flawlessly — that is impressive.
The A7R IV also performs very well in low light, making it a great option for astrophotography, but be mindful that the ISO range tops out at about 32,000. That said, the A7R IV will provide a larger and more detailed view of the galaxies than anything else.
- Read our full Sony A7R IV review
For experienced and professional users who want exceptional picture and video image quality, the Canon EOS R5 is a fantastic choice — it captures 45MP stills and 8K DCI RAW 30p video footage.
The -6EV autofocusing detection range gives it impressive low-light performance; this camera can practically see in the dark. Thanks to the custom-designed DIGIC X image processor, there is little image noise throughout the ISO sensitivity range.
The R5 also has better dynamic range thanks to the improved Auto Lighting Optimizer (ALO) and Highlight Tone Priority + technology. This makes it easier for people with less image processing experience to capture images of dark subjects with better contrast. The EOS R5's RF mount also benefits from improved optical designs that result in better results and smaller form factor lenses, making it more portable, thanks to its wider diameter and closer flange range.
Due to in-body image stabilization (IBIS) technology, the R5's 5-axis stabilization can stabilize images up to an incredible eight stops, even on lenses without image stabilization. While this IBIS technology performs well while shooting video, it falls short of expectations when recording 8K RAW footage.
During our review of the Canon EOS R5, we found the tracking spot on and found the R5 had one of the fastest autofocus systems we've used.
- Read our full Canon EOS R5 review
We recently carried out our Nikon Z9 review, and to say we were impressed is a vast understatement. The only reason it didn't quite earn five stars is that astrophotographers may find it overkill and that there is no need to spend this much money if astrophotography is all you plan to do.
This camera is head and shoulders above the competition if you want to take images of landscapes, people, animals, and occasionally some astro (of course).
If you have $5500 to spare, it's easily one of the best Nikon cameras you can get. It is fully weather-sealed and incredibly rugged. Nikon claims it will continue to operate at -10 degrees Celsius, although we didn't test this during our review.
Remarkably, we only used 20% of the fully charged battery after three or four hours of photography in the cold, multiple long exposures, and frequent setting changes — impressive.
The autofocus is very fast, even in low light, giving you the best opportunity to capture fleeting moments at special occasions such as weddings or sporting events. Why is it in our number two spot? It's a professional-use camera so while it's built to last, it's out of many photographers' price range.
- Read our full Nikon Z9 review
The Nikon Z7 II turned things up a notch from the Z7 with more advanced compatibility and better image processing. It was first introduced in 2020 and offers incredibly sharp 45MP stills and excellent, smooth 4K UHD 60p video.
Thanks to more effective energy use, longer periods of shooting are possible, which is fantastic for astrophotography. Its durable magnesium alloy body and full weather sealing allow it to be exposed to just about any weather condition without concern. Though, if you exclusively shoot astro, bad weather is rarely an issue anyway. Paired with the razor-sharp Z series lenses, it's priced mainly at serious and professional shooters.
In our Nikon Z7 II review, we noted that it feels like a mini Nikon DSLR, with similar button placement, controls and command dials, so it should feel familiar if you're making the switch between the two.
We were particularly impressed with its low light capabilities and how good it was when shooting astro. Although the screen is tilt-only, we didn't mind, as it means all of the buttons are still at a fingertip's reach in the dark, so no need for headlamps or flashlights. It handled image noise exceptionally well, and we found that noise was almost unnoticeable until we raised the ISO to 2500.
- Read our full Nikon Z7 II review
If you were searching for the one camera to rule them all, the Sony A1 may just be it. However, as we discussed in our hands-on Sony A1 review, it has a hefty price tag and is most likely only accessible to professional photographers or those with a very big budget. With a massive 50.1MP stills resolution, 8K 30p video, a class-leading electronic viewfinder, and in-body image stabilization of 5.5 stops, you'll be able to capture every star in the sky. Not to mention this menu system is one of the best and easiest to navigate that we've seen from Sony, who are notorious for having confusing menus.
It has incredible specs and is ideal for astro work. The camera's extended ISO range of up to 102,400 makes for some amazing astrophotography, and its 15 stops of dynamic range ensures that even the tiniest celestial specks can be captured.
Another neat feature is lossless compressed files. The file size of a lossless compressed image is roughly half that of an uncompressed raw file because the camera finds clever ways to eliminate some unnecessary information. This is not a particularly exciting feature, but your storage system and computer processor will appreciate it.
- Read our full Sony A1 review
Think of the Canon EOS R6 as the R5's little sibling — naturally, there is going to be a drop in both image quality and price. However, despite a lower image resolution (20.1MP compared to the R5's 45MP) and less detailed electronic viewfinder, during our Canon EOS R6 review, we found it actually performs better when being used for astrophotography.
It can autofocus down to an outstanding -6.5EV which is 0.5EV lower than the R5. With a maximum ISO sensitivity that is double that of the R5, it is better suited for recording the aurora and other night sky objects. In addition to being cheaper, lighter, and smaller than the R5, it also has fewer photosites (pixels), which makes it less susceptible to producing unwanted image noise.
- Read our full Canon EOS R6 review
The most recent model in Fujifilm's X family of APS-C cameras is the highly stylish Fujifilm X-T5. It has a 40.2MP sensor and a new X-Processor 5 that provides twice as fast processing as the Fujifilm X-T4 (which was previously featured in this guide).
In our Fujifilm X-T5 review, we liked that the new processor afforded a longer battery life (around 700 shots) and boosted the resolution of the images. Additionally, we noticed that while the image stabilization performed admirably in low light, the image noise at higher ISOs wasn't the best we've seen. It also has subject detection modes which include tracking for animals, birds and vehicles.
It's not the cheapest choice on this list, but overall it's a really impressive mirrorless camera that you'll likely have in your kit bag for a very long time because it can adapt to a variety of photography styles. It's especially helpful for video as it's able to record 10-bit 4:2:2 video at 6.2K 30p or 4K 60p in webcam mode.
- Read our full Fujifilm X-T5 review
Despite its value as a wildlife photographer's camera, the EOS R7 is much more versatile than that. When we gave it a hands-on review, we were pleasantly surprised by this camera's low-light performance; even at ISO 6000, there was barely any discernible noise, and the images were vivid and colorful.
Because it is lightweight and small, it is a great model for travelers and vloggers. Vloggers will also benefit from its exceptional eye tracking and autofocus, as well as the fact that there is no record limit. In addition, the footage is of excellent quality.
It was only the buffer-clearing speed that slightly disappointed us, but as we noted in our full Canon EOS R7 review, 30FPS is seldom needed. If you do need this kind of speed, for photographing action such as motorsports, you'll want to check out the Canon EOS R3. This camera provides you with almost everything you'd expect from a full-frame camera but at a more reasonable price.
- Read our full Canon EOS R7 review
In our Fujifilm X-T30 II review, we found that this stylish little camera turned out to be a superb option for capturing quick action, taking pictures while traveling, and taking photos of landscapes with incredible color richness and depth, thanks to its 20FPS electronic shutter. By using the AUTO mode, you can get excellent results straight out of the box because of intelligent shooting, and it is reasonably priced when compared to other models of comparable quality.
The file transfer between the XT-30 II and a smartphone or tablet couldn't be more straightforward. It takes two clicks on the Fujifilm Camera Remote App — ideal if you want to share your photos quickly. You can use your phone to adjust the exposure settings and shutter of the camera, which might be useful if you want to get a candid shot of birds or other animals without disturbing them or for making sure everyone is in shot in a family photo without having to run back and forth. Even though the battery life is only CIPA rated for 380 shots, it is easy to keep a few spares in your kit bag for a full day of shooting as the batteries are small and light.
- Read our full Fujifilm X-T30 II review
Olympus has managed to pack a lot into this stylish little pocketable camera. We have replaced the Mark III of this model in this guide with the Mark IV due to several worthwhile enhancements, including a better sensor, quicker focusing, and generally a more refined package.
During our Olympus OM-DE E-M10 Mark IV review, we loved the well-designed and ergonomic right-hand grip since it allowed us to use the chunky camera controls with only one hand. It's easy to compose images with unique angles because of the 3-inch sensitive touch screen, which can flip down 180 degrees for vlogs and selfies. One thing we would have liked to have seen is weatherproofing; as it stands, you can't use it in poor weather conditions. That said, if you're using it for astrophotography, you'd unlikely be out shooting in poor weather, but you must be mindful of dust ingress.
A Micro Four Thirds image sensor means there's less surface area to capture light. Though 20MP stills compete with full-frame mirrorless cameras in terms of image resolution, it can even shoot 4K UHD 30p video. Despite having a smaller ISO range (200-6400) than the other cameras on our list, 6400 (or 25,600 extended) is more than adequate for astrophotographers who want to keep their ISO as low as possible to reduce image noise.
- Read our full Olympus OM-D E-M10 review
Although almost aesthetically identical to the Nikon Z6 which used to be in this guide, the Nikon Z6 II is a small but welcome enhancement. As we discussed in our Nikon Z6 II review, we wouldn't advise upgrading if you already own a Z6 because the differences aren't dazzling enough to justify the cost of switching.
The Z6 II has a second memory card slot that is CF Express compatible, which can increase file writing capacity and speed and also add peace of mind as you can use it as backup storage. It also features a dual image processor and the burst rate has been increased from (an already impressive) 12FPS to 14FPS.
The focusing on this model is much quicker and you have a wider range of shutter speeds to play with. This is especially useful for astrophotographers and creative photographers. The addition of 60FPS at 4K video capture will appeal to videographers if you don't mind a little more weight.
The Nikon Z6 II is cheaper than its direct rival, the Canon EOS R6 and so would be a good choice for intermediate and professional shooters looking to move over to mirrorless.
- Read our full Nikon Z6 II review
Best mirrorless cameras: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best mirrorless camera?
The best mirrorless camera is the Sony A7R IV which we've ranked as number one in this guide. It gives incredible detail and features a fantastic autofocusing system but it might not be for everyone. The Canon EOS R5 comes in a close second place and may be preferable if your aim is to shoot highly detailed video as it can capture 8K RAW video, too.
What's the best mirrorless camera for beginners?
The Fujifilm X-T30 II is the best beginner mirrorless camera in this guide. A detailed 26MP image sensor also captures 4K video footage and it all comes bundled in an affordable, compact design.
Photographers who like to shoot wildlife, landscapes, astrophotography, sports, portraits, and macro subjects might want to consider a mirrorless camera with a broader selection of lenses available to complement it.
What's the best mirrorless camera under $1000?
The Fujifilm X-T30 II or the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV are the best mirrorless cameras for under $1000 when purchasing new. They're small, portable and reliable but deliver high-quality images for a reasonable price.
Mirrorless camera vs DSLR which is better?
Mirrorless cameras are the way the industry is moving. They have a wealth of features that DSLR cameras don't have, such as in-body image stabilization, electronic viewfinders which make it easier to see and compose in the dark and they're inherently smaller and lighter than their DSLR counterparts.
The debate around DSLR vs mirrorless cameras for astrophotography has been vehemently argued by passionate photographers for many years now and while there's much subjectivity based on ergonomics and varying image qualities of models, on the whole, the mirrorless camera will be the one to future-proof your purchases.
What's the best mirrorless camera for video?
Are mirrorless cameras good at both stills photography and video capture?
The best mirrorless cameras for video we think are the: Sony A1, Canon EOS R5 and Nikon Z9 offering up to 8K RAW video shooting. However, they're premium models and for those that don't need 8K video resolution, then the Sony Sony A7R IV is the best overall.
All mirrorless cameras in this guide are capable of shooting at least 4K UHD 30p video. Cameras that are just as capable of professional stills photography and video footage are sometimes called hybrid cameras.
What lenses will I need for my mirrorless camera?
We'd recommend getting the best lenses for your mirrorless camera that you can afford. For many types of camera systems this means you can upgrade camera bodies over the years as technology improves but you'll be able to keep the excellent 'glass' (read: Lenses) you've invested in.
The best lenses for astrophotography are typically wide-angle and have a fast maximum aperture such as f/2.8 or f/1.4 to let in as much dim starlight as possible to the image sensor.
However, if using a star tracker it's possible to make use of a telephoto zoom lens for deep-field astrophotography, zooming into distant galaxies and star systems because the star tracker will keep the object in view during long exposures, without blurring the image.
What other accessories will I need to go with my mirrorless camera?
A camera backpack will allow you to transport your camera gear safely and comfortably. A good range of wide-angles, zoom lenses, primes, telephotos, macro, and other specialist lenses maximize the potential and keep those who like to experiment in multiple disciplines interested.
We'd also recommend one of the best tripods or travel tripods to keep the camera steady, make composition easier and this is essential for astrophotography.
Which mirrorless camera do I need?
The most decisive factor in buying the best mirrorless cameras for most people is undoubtedly price. Looking at an older model, you will typically get a lower price but miss out on newer technology, like improved image stabilization and more detailed viewfinders. However, newer models aimed at professionals will have features that outshine ones for beginner and intermediate photographers — but will also cost much more. It is important to weigh up your budget and what features you will need for your style of photography and the subjects you will be shooting in the long run. Keep an eye on our camera deals page too.
A hugely important consideration when buying a mirrorless system is how many compatible lenses there are so you're not restricted when you further your photography.
How we test the best mirrorless cameras
To guarantee you're getting honest, up-to-date recommendations on the best cameras to buy here at Space.com, we make sure to review every camera thoroughly to test each product fully. Each camera is reviewed based on many aspects, from its construction and design, to how well it functions as an optical instrument and its performance in the field.
Each camera is carefully tested by our expert staff or knowledgeable freelance contributors who know their subject areas in depth. This ensures fair reviewing is backed by personal, hands-on experience with each camera and is judged based on its price point, class and destined use. For example, comparing a 60MP full-frame mirrorless camera to a sleek little crop-sensor DSLR wouldn’t be appropriate, though each camera might be the best product in its class.
We look at how easy each camera is to operate, whether it contains the latest up-to-date imaging technology, whether the cameras can shoot high-quality stills photos and high-resolution video, and also suggest if a particular camera would benefit from any additional kit to give you the best viewing experience possible.
With complete editorial independence, Space.com are here to ensure you get the best buying advice on cameras, whether you should purchase an instrument or not, making our buying guides and reviews reliable and transparent.
