Top 5 best mirrorless camera 2025

The top mirrorless cameras from Nikon, Canon, Sony, and other manufacturers

Mirrorless cameras set the bar for photography in 2025, regardless of your level of experience. Since we first began evaluating cameras 20 years ago, a lot has changed. The greatest mirrorless models are currently at the forefront of performance in every category, from professional flagships to video hybrids.

One such example is the Nikon Z6 III. It is a modern full-frame hybrid with outstanding subject recognition autofocus and exceptional 6K video specifications. The top mirrorless cameras for novices also benefit from this technology: the Canon EOS R10 boasts remarkable focusing and quick burst speeds.

Over the past 20 years, we have evaluated over a thousand cameras, and we have used that knowledge to compile this guide. All of the suggestions listed below are based on input from our knowledgeable staff. Every mirrorless camera has undergone rigorous testing under various shooting scenarios to evaluate handling and image quality. We’ve condensed the findings and segmented our guide according to the requirements and spending capacities of several purchasers.

• Best overall:Nikon Z6 III
• Best beginner:Canon EOS R10
• Best for pros:Canon EOS R5 Mark II
• Best for video:Panasonic Lumix S5 II
• Best APS-C:Sony A6700

The best mirrorless cameras for 2025

Complete reviews of each of the top mirrorless cameras on our list can be found below. You may be confident that our recommendations are reliable because we have thoroughly examined each one.

Over Top Picks:

The best mirrorless camera overall

1. Nikon Z6 III

With a major improvement over the Z6 II, Nikon’s third-generation Z6 III gives it an advantage over competitors like the Canon EOS R6 II. It’s a mid-range all-arounder that met several testing requirements. Its 24.5MP full-frame sensor doesn’t provide the best detail in the class, but we liked the view through its best-ever EVF (5.76m-dot number). Additionally, burst speeds are quick—up to 60 frames per second at full quality for JPEG. In our assessment, however, the autofocus really stood out as the best system in low light, and the most recent subject detection modes were appropriately sticky.

The video specifications of the Z6 III are particularly noteworthy. As well as conventional 4K at 120 frames per second and 10x slow motion up to 240 frames per second in Full HD, you also get 6K footage up to 60 frames per second in-camera and oversampled 4K raw. Even without a cooling fan, the record times of 120 minutes are astounding. There’s a case to be made for the now-less expensive Z6 II if you don’t do a lot of action or video photography. But the Z6 III is an attractive hybrid due to its excellent overall performance.

The best mirrorless camera overall: Amazon, Best Buy, or Wallmart.

The best mirrorless camera for beginners

2. Canon EOS R10

Although there are less expensive mirrorless cameras for novices, none of them can compare to the Canon EOS R10’s versatility. According to our tests, the Canon EOS R10 stands out for novices because to two features: its strong subject-tracking autofocus, which works over 651 AF points, and its 15 fps burst shooting rate. Together, these two characteristics make the R10 an excellent performer in a variety of situations, especially when subjects are moving quickly. It was especially effective in tracking subjects’ eyes, in our opinion.

It isn’t the ideal camera for novices: we thought the EVF was a bit small, and we also noticed that it didn’t have image stabilization, a feature that competitors like the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV (below) had. However, we also discovered that the R10 is a camera that is easy for beginners to use because of its deep grip and low weight. In our evaluation, we also praised the usefulness of the AF joystick. The absence of native lenses for Canon’s RF mount at the moment is the sole significant disadvantage. The R10 is a flexible choice for beginning photographers in every other way.

The best mirrorless camera for beginners at: Amazon, Best Buy, or Wallmart.

The best mirrorless camera for pros

3. Canon EOS R5 Mark II

The EOS R5 Mark II, Canon’s most adaptable camera to date, was chosen as the 2024 Camera of the Year by both our knowledgeable staff and TechRadar readers. By adding a new stacked sensor that almost eliminates the negative effect of rolling shutter and a second CPU that increases the camera’s overall performance, it improves upon the excellent 45MP and 8K video-toting EOS R5, making it a lot faster camera for action photography.

Along with being a lot faster, the EOS R5 Mark II also has new autofocus modes. Some of these modes can identify sports like basketball and soccer and can intelligently choose where to focus based on the subject’s posture and the position of the ball, including for one of up to ten stored faces. Another revelation is Canon’s eye control AF, which tracks your gaze in the viewfinder to determine which subject you want to focus on.

Additionally, in-camera image upscaling can produce quite spectacular results by increasing the size of your photos by 400%, or 180MP. All things considered, testing the EOS R5 Mark II was a highlight of 2024; the camera constantly amazed us, and even if the test period was long, we felt like we were only scratching the surface. The more expensive EOS R1 is the camera to choose for serious athletes. The EOS R5 Mark II, however, is the wise option for almost all other professionals. It’s even more appealing because it’s significantly less expensive than Sony’s A1 II.

The best mirrorless camera for video

4. Panasonic Lumix S5 II

The Panasonic Lumix S5 II is a deserving replacement for the S5, one of our preferred video cameras. Similar to the S5, the S5 II is marketed as a hybrid, although its strongest suit is video. Our tests revealed that the 6K/30p footage had a broad dynamic range and was rich and detailed. 10-bit recording at nearly all resolutions and the capability to capture uncropped video utilizing the sensor’s entire 3:2 aspect ratio—useful for cropping content—bolster its video skills. During testing, we also discovered that it was comfortable to hold while still being durable. Thankfully, the physical controls are unaffected by its small size.

Panasonic’s first mirrorless camera incorporating phase detection autofocus for video is the S5 II. Although the 1.5x reduction on 4K/60p video is unfortunate, we discovered that it produces crisp, steady video even when shooting handheld when combined with efficient picture stabilization. The Lumix S5 IIX will appeal to dedicated videographers, while the Panasonic Lumix GH6 is a more portable video powerhouse with a Micro Four Thirds sensor. However, for high-quality video, the S5 II is an excellent full-frame hybrid.

The best mirrorless camera for video at: Amazon, Best Buy, or Wallmart.

The best crop-sensor mirrorless camera

5. Sony A6700

There is a compelling argument for the Canon EOS R7 as the best mirrorless camera with a crop sensor. A significant drawback, similar to the Nikon Z50 II, is that there aren’t many native lenses for it, and none of them are especially interesting. That leaves us with cameras like the Fujifilm X-T5 and Sony A6700, which are both capable cameras in their own right and feature an impressive selection of lenses. With a 26MP APS-C sensor equipped with five-axis stabilization and a 759-point phase detection system using Sony’s Real-time Recognition AF, the Sony A6700 is a potent hybrid camera for enthusiasts.Throughout our review, the camera continuously produced crisp, well-balanced photos and demonstrated class-leading AF accuracy in identifying and tracking a variety of targets. We were also delighted by the video quality; in clear settings, the 4K 60p oversampled from 6K looked sharp.

The A6700 isn’t flawless; on cloudy days, its metering system suffered with underexposure, and we experienced noise when shooting at higher ISOs. Regarding video, Sony’s intricate menu system is lacking, and 4K 120p footage has an unsatisfactory 1.6x cut. Nevertheless, Sony has enhanced the handling compared to earlier A6000-series devices, providing direct-access controls and a deeper grip while keeping the device’s small size. We believe the A6700 is still a fantastic option if you’re looking for a clean APS-C hybrid with the newest focusing capabilities. Check out the X-T5 if you prefer a vintage look with exposure settings; if you want the fastest performance, the EOS R7 is the best option.

The best crop-sensor mirrorless camera at: Amazon, Best Buy, or Wallmart.

How to choose the best mirrorless camera for you

The best way to pick a mirrorless camera

It’s a bit intimidating, but it’s a perfect moment to get a mirrorless camera. Photographers and videographers have never had more options because to the proliferation of options at all price points from companies like Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, Panasonic, and a resurgent Olympus (formerly known as OM System).

So, where do I begin? A camera’s personality and shooting style may frequently be inferred from its sensor size. Professional and enthusiastic amateur models will either use a full-frame sensor or a slightly smaller APS-C chip. While not nearly as portable as cameras with Four Thirds sensors (from Panasonic and Olympus), the latter are typically more compact and reasonably priced than full-frame cameras.

Electronic viewfinders (EVFs), which increase the cost but are practically necessary for the majority of photographers, are another crucial characteristic to watch out for. You should also think about the type of lenses you will require.

Make sure the system you’re considering has the features you need if you like to specialize in a certain field (such as macro or wide-angle architecture). Sony currently has the most alternatives in the full-frame mirrorless market, while Fujifilm offers a large selection at most focal lengths for crop-sensor APS-C cameras.

What distinguishes a DSLR from a mirrorless camera?

Since the introduction of the first mirrorless cameras, the argument between mirrorless and DSLR cameras has been quite popular. Although the majority of manufacturers are now concentrating on putting their best technology into mirrorless versions, the decision of which is ideal for you will always be personal. There are a few significant differences between the two formats, but our in-depth guide on mirrorless vs. DSLR should help you choose the one that best suits your needs.

Like DSLRs, mirrorless cameras let you switch out the lenses. However, they don’t use a mirror to shine light onto the internal sensor like a DSLR does. Rather, the sensor immediately receives and processes light. They can be smaller than a conventional DSLR because they don’t require a large mirror. Faster shutter speeds are also possible as there is no mirror to move.

The viewfinder is the other significant distinction. Mirrorless cameras either employ an electronic viewfinder or require you to compose using their rear screen, whilst DLSR cameras use an optical viewfinder to assist you in framing scenes. While the latter can be problematic in bright situations, the former is no longer the dealbreaker it once was: current EVFs are bright and sharp, providing you a realistic preview in real-time, with the bonus of data readouts.

Originally having smaller sensors than DSLRs, mirrorless cameras now come in a variety of models with full-frame and APS-C sensors. This indicates that the top DSLR and mirrorless cameras do not significantly differ in terms of image quality.

For what reason are mirrorless cameras superior?

Is a DSLR superior than a mirrorless camera? Read our guide on mirrorless vs. DSLR cameras to learn more about the many advantages and disadvantages of both designs.

There are undoubtedly more options with mirrorless cameras. There are just two major companies to consider when purchasing a DSLR: Canon and Nikon. The selection of brands is far greater if you choose a mirrorless camera; companies like Canon, Panasonic, Fujifilm, Sony, Olympus, and Leica all have a variety of cameras to fit most price ranges.

Every significant camera manufacturer has something to brag about at the moment, and their most recent models differ from their competitors sufficiently to make a statement.

Although choosing ten expensive models to fill up our list of the best mirrorless cameras would be quite simple, we have also made an effort to find some less expensive possibilities. Despite their lack of capabilities, these devices are excellent choices for novice users and those on a tight budget. Nevertheless, check out our top beginning mirrorless camera guide if you’re specifically searching for a low-cost model.

Read on to discover the top mirrorless cameras available on the market, regardless of whether you want a better camera than the one on your smartphone or a more sophisticated, expensive model to unleash your creativity even more.

Are novices able to use mirrorless cameras?

The greatest entry-level mirrorless cameras provide all a novice may want when they first start taking pictures, even if flagship models may be made to satisfy the demands of experts and enthusiasts.

While still providing the kind of performance that will help you advance as a photographer, several of our top picks for beginner mirrorless cameras are small and manageable for novices. Although each camera will have different specifications, a competent sensor and dependable focusing are typically the main elements.

In addition to finding a balance between cost and functionality, the majority of mirrorless cameras have touchscreen interfaces that make them easy for novices to operate. If you’re switching from a smartphone, they should feel familiar even if you’re a total beginner.

You won’t typically get all of the more sophisticated capabilities featured on more expensive models if you choose a novice mirrorless camera. Burst shooting rates, in-body image stabilization, or even the frame rate at which a camera can capture 4K video could be sacrificed. For novice photographers, mirrorless cameras are still a flexible option. Additionally, when your talents advance, you will be able to upgrade to different glasses because their lenses are interchangeable.

In the “Novices” section above, we’ve highlighted a few of our top picks for mirrorless beginners cameras, but our comprehensive list of the top beginner mirrorless cameras offers a wider range. From the greatest entry-level all-arounders to video-focused mirrorless hybrids for aspiring vloggers, there are alternatives to suit every taste and budget.

How mirrorless cameras are tested

Since purchasing a mirrorless camera these days is expensive, we have thoroughly examined each camera in this guide. Along with standardized tests for things like ISO performance, we place a lot of emphasis on real-world tests because they are currently the most illuminating method to comprehend a camera’s performance and character.

We start by examining the camera’s handle, functions, and design to determine the type of photographer it is intended for and who might find it most enjoyable to use. In order to determine its strengths and test its startup speed, we will use it both handled and on a tripod when we go on a shoot.

To measure performance, we shoot in both raw and JPEG (if available) on a formatted memory card (the fastest supported type being UHS-I, UHS-II, CFexpress A or B, and so on). To ensure consistency, we examine the actual performance of the camera’s continuous high burst mode for high speed photography using the identical camera settings (1/250 sec, ISO 200, continuous AF). We’ll run the test for both raw and JPEG files and examine how quickly the buffers clear.