The best mirrorless camera for 2023: top picks for every budget
The best mirrorless cameras from Sony, Canon and more
- Quick list
- Best overall
- Best crop-sensor
- Best for Nikon
- Best in the hand
- Best for video creatives
- Best for beginners
- Best retro modern fusion
- Best low cost starter
- Best smartphone upgrade
- Best for pros
- Best for action
- Best high-res full-frame
- Best pro video
- Best pro hybrid
- Best medium format
- How to choose
- How we test
1. The list in brief
2. Best overall
3. Best crop-sensor
4. Best for Nikon
5. Best in the hand
6. Best for video creatives
7. Best for beginners
8. Best retro modern fusion
9. Best low-cost starter
10. Best smartphone upgrade
11. Best for pros
12. Best for action
13. Best high-res full-frame
14. Best for pro video
15. Best pro hybrid
16. Best medium format
17. How to choose
18. How we test
Whether you’re new to photography or a long-term enthusiast, the best mirrorless cameras have the features and performance to take your shooting to the next level. We’ve extensively tested all of the top mirrorless cameras and put together this guide to help you decide which one is right for you.
We think the best mirrorless camera for most people right now is the Sony A7 IV, which we also consider to be the best camera overall. With a sharp full-frame sensor and fantastic autofocus capabilities, it’s a hybrid that handled almost every shooting scenario during our review. But there are options below for all levels of experience and budget.
Our ranked selection draws on the results of our in-depth reviews. We comprehensively test every mirrorless camera to see how well it handles, and how its features and performance stack up in the real world. We assess each model on its individual merits, then compare it to the closest competition in its category.
Our in-depth guide is organized to help you quickly find the top options for your needs. We keep it regularly updated with the latest releases, and we’ve also outlined some expert buying tips at the bottom of the page.
Tim is TechRadar's Cameras editor, with over 15 years in the photo and video industry, and most of those in the world of tech journalism. Tim has developed a deeply technical knowledge and practical experience with all things camera related, which today is dominated by mirrorless cameras from the likes of Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, Panasonic and OM System (Olympus). Those that like to shoot both photo and video have the most powerful hybrid cameras at their disposal to date.
The quick list
Want to get straight to the best mirrorless camera for your needs? Use our quick round-up below to immediately find a mirrorless camera that suits you – and you can read more about it by jumping to our full write-ups and explanations using the links.
The best overall for enthusiasts
With class-leading autofocus, superb stills and serious video abilities, the Sony A7 IV does everything - and does it all brilliantly.
The best crop-sensor camera overall
The EOS R7 is like one of Canon's full-frame EOS R cameras, but with a smaller APS-C sensor. Impressively powerful for the price.
The best for Nikon enthusiasts
The successor to the excellent Nikon Z6 remains an excellent performer, particularly for those looking to upgrade from a DSLR.
The best in the hand
Taking all that made the X-S10 one of our favorite mirrorless hybrids, the Fujifilm X-S20 adds beginner-friendly features while still satisfying advanced users.
The best for video creatives
It's billed as a hybrid, but with its rich and detailed 6K/30p footage, the S5 II excels at video. Creatives will struggle to get better bang for buck.
The best for most beginners
The E-M10 Mark IV lacks advanced features such as phase-detection autofocus and a mic input, but it's a great choice for stills-focused beginners.
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The best retro modern fusion
A gloriously retro take on the Nikon FM2 from the early 1980s, the Nikon Z fc is a great choice for casual shooters who want a fun camera for travel and everyday shooting.
The best low cost starter
If you're looking for a low-cost entry-level camera, you can't do better than the A6100. With excellent stills and incredible autofocus, it's far better than its price would suggest.
The best for stepping up from a smartphone
A fine choice for anyone moving up from smartphone shooting, the X-T200 combines a large, sharp 3.5in touchscreen with a lovely design and handling.
The best for photography pros
Canon really pulled out all the stops with the EOS R5. Lightweight yet substantial, it’s the company’s best high-res mirrorless camera so far.
The best for action photographers
With a rapid stacked sensor, the X-H2S delivers burst speeds of up to 40fps and is one of the best mirrorless cameras for both action and pro-quality video.
The best high-resolution full-frame
At 61MP, the Sony A7R V has the same class-leading resolution as the A7R IV. But a new sensor and processing engine make it a better camera overall.
The best for serious video power
The robustly built and relatively compact GH6 is first and foremost a video tool – and it proves Micro Four Thirds still has plenty to offer filmmakers.
The best hybrid for pros
The Z8 doesn’t do much that we haven’t already seen in the Z9. But as a smaller, cheaper version of our 2022 camera of the year, it’s one of the most capable models you can buy.