If your smartphone or compact camera is struggling to keep up with your photographic ambitions, it might be time to upgrade. Mirrorless cameras can offer a huge step up in image quality and performance, but choosing the right one can be difficult. Here Gizmag looks at six of the best mirrorless cameras for beginners.
Some of the reasons to make the switch to an interchangeable lens camera are the improvement in image quality and low light performance that a bigger sensor allows, the artistic freedom that different lenses give, and a general boost in photographic performance, including burst shooting and autofocus speed.
However, you'll also want to consider things like increased size and weight, which might limit when you have your camera with you. There's also the learning curve involved in getting used to a new system, how you intend to use the camera, and the cost of additional lenses.
In this guide we'll focus on some of the best beginner mirrorless cameras available, though we'll also be producing a beginner DSLR article for those who don't mind a bigger camera, or already have lenses they want to use. All of the selected cameras come in at around the US$500 mark, have a number of available lenses, and feature articulated screens and built-in Wi-Fi. If you want more detail about each camera, just hit the included links to our more detailed camera-specific articles.
Nikon 1 J5This little Nikon was released earlier this year and packs a powerful punch into a surprisingly small package. With 20.8-megapixels on a 1-inch-type (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor it can shoot detailed images and will deliver much better image quality than your smartphone, especially in lower light conditions.
The J5 is also no slouch when it comes to speed, it can rattle off 20 frames per second, while a hybrid autofocus system, which combines 105 phase-detection AF points and 171 contrast focus areas, will keep things sharp. It can shoot 4K video, but this is limited to 15 fps, so for most of the time the Full HD 1080p 60 fps option is going to be better.
A tilting 3-inch rear touchscreen makes it easy to compose shots at awkward angles or shoot a selfie, which thanks to built-in Wi-Fi with NFC, could be on Instagram almost as fast as if you'd taken an inferior shot with your phone. The camera itself measures 98.3 x 59.7 x 31.5 mm (3.9 x 2.4 x 1.3 in) and weighs 265 g (9.4 oz) before you add a Nikon 1 mount lens. Nikon F lenses can also be used with an adapter.
The Nikon 1 J5 costs US$500 with a 10-30-mm kit lens.
Fujifilm X-A2The Fujifilm X-A2 is probably the most stylish camera in our selection, but it's not just about its good looks. Inside there's a 16-megapixel APS-C (23.6 x 15.6 mm) CMOS sensor, which is the same size found in many DSLRs. This allows the camera to perform well in darker situations, and it has a maximum burst speed of 5.6 fps for keeping up with faster action.
Selfie shooters will again be pleased to see the inclusion of a tilting LCD screen which moves upwards 175 degrees, at which point it will also activate an Eye Detection AF mode for focusing on your eyes. Full HD 1080p video recording is also possible at 30 fps and the camera has built-in Wi-Fi.
In addition to those retro looks, the camera, which measures 117 x 67 x 40 mm (4.6 x 2.6 x 1.6 in) and weighs 350g (12.3 oz), has easy access to manual settings, so you can really feel like you are in control. The X-A2 uses the same Fujifilm X mount lenses as the firm's higher-end models.
The Fujifilm X-A2 sells for $500 with an image stabilized 16-55-mm kit lens.
Canon EOS M10Canon was late to the mirrorless party and its first couple of cameras failed to chime with their intended markets. But the Canon EOS M10 looks like it could be a good entry-level option for beginners who want to keep things simple. The camera packs a large 18-megapixel APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm) CMOS sensor to ensure great quality images, but isn't intimidating in the way some other cameras can be, with controls kept to a minimum.
Autofocus is dealt with by a Hybrid CMOS AF II autofocus system, while on the video front the EOS M10 can record Full HD 1080p footage at 30/24 fps. On the rear is a 3-inch touchscreen monitor which can be tilted 180 degrees for awkward (or self obsessed) shooting. Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC are also there for easy sharing and remote control featuring live view.
Measuring 108 x 67 x 35 mm (4.2 x 2.6 x 1.3 in), and weighing 301 g (10.6 oz) the camera is smaller and lighter than most mirrorless shooters. It can use Canon EF-M mount lenses, or EF and EF-S lenses using an optional adapter.
A Canon EOS M10 will set you back $450 with a 15-45-mm kit lens.
Panasonic Lumix GF7The Panasonic GF7 is another novice-friendly mirrorless camera, this time packing a 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) MOS sensor which sits between a 1-inch-type and a APS-C size-wise. This allows an ISO range of 200 to 25,600, and the camera boasts burst speed shooting at up to 5.8 fps, and Full HD 1080p video recording at 60/50 fps.
An interesting aspect of the GF7 is how it makes it simple to shoot quality images. For example, there are hands-free selfie modes which can be used in conjunction with the adjustable 3-inch touchscreen. This includes the ability to remotely take a photo by waving a hand in front of your face, two people putting their faces together, or by jumping with a smartphone in your pocket.
Measuring 107 x 65 x 33 mm (4.2 x 2.6 x 1.3 in) and weighing 266 g (9.4 oz) the GF7 also features built in Wi-Fi for easy sharing or remote shooting using the Panasonic Image App. Using the Micro Four Thirds lens mount, there are plenty of lens options available. If you want a camera to match your outfit, the GF7 is available in black, brown and pink.
The Panasonic GF7 comes with a 12-32-mm kit lens for $460.
Olympus E-PL7As with the Panasonic, the Olympus E-PL7 also features a 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) sensor and the Micro Four Thirds lens mount. The stylish shooter has an ISO range of 200 to 25,600 and is capable of sequential shooting at 8 fps, or 3.5 fps with continuous autofocus. Full HD 1080p video is also possible at 30 fps.
When the camera was released, Olympus described the AF system used in the E-PL7 as its fastest ever. It also packs a three-axis image stabilization system to help reduce the blurs caused by camera shake. While the E-PL7 has the sort of physical access to manual controls which will allows photographers to grow with the camera, it also has a three-inch 1,037K dot touchscreen, which tilts 180 degrees downward.
Measuring 115 x 67 x 38 mm (4.5 x 2.6 x 1.5 in) and weighing 357 g (12.6 oz) the Olympus E-PL7 also features built-in Wi-Fi. This allows for quick sharing, along with remote shooting with Live View on a smartphone running the OI.Share app.
The Olympus E-PL7 will cost around $500 bundled with a 14-42-mm kit lens.
Sony A5100Sony's entry into this round-up comes in the form of the Sony A5100, a very capable camera which draws on the success of the firm's higher-end models. It uses a large 24.3-megapixel APS-C size (23.5 x 15.6 mm) Exmor CMOS sensor, which is paired with the same BIONZ X image processor seen in the A7 cameras, and a Fast Hybrid AF system which is up there with the best in this category.
The result is a camera which can deliver the goods in almost any situation, while being simple enough not to be overly intimidating. The A5100 has an ISO range of 100–25,600, and shoots at 6 fps in continuous mode with AF tracking, it can also record high quality Full HD 1080p video at 60/50/24 fps.
With a tilting three-inch touchscreen on the rear (yes, it again flips up for selfie shooting) the camera measures 109.6 x 62.8 x 35.7 mm (4.3 x 2.5 x 1.4 in) and weighs 283 g (10 oz). Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC makes wireless transfer and remote control simple and the camera is compatible with the Sony PlayMemories Camera Apps.
The Sony Alpha A5100 can be had for $500 bundled with a 16-50-mm Power Zoom kit lens.
Summing up…Upgrading from a smartphone or compact camera to a mirrorless shooter isn't a guaranteed way of improving your photographic output (there's the little matter of the operator). However, any of these cameras would offer more creative freedom, and the potential to take better quality images in a wider variety of lighting conditions.
While in their fully automatic modes these cameras will work much like a powerful point-and-shoot, where they come into their own is also allowing photographers to make use of different lenses and camera settings. On that note it's also worth considering what other glass you will want to get with you camera, in addition to the bundled kit lens. Luckily here's Gizmags's guide to buying your next camera lens.
If you're getting your first interchangeable lens camera, we would suggest sticking with a entry-level model like these to make the transition as smooth and simple as possible. However, if you're looking for something more powerful, want features which are missing at this price-point like an electronic viewfinder, or are upgrading from an entry-level camera, keep an eye out for our upcoming round-up of the best high-end mirrorless camera. There's also our mid-range DSLR and high-end DSLR comparisons if you don't mind a camera with extra bulk.
Source: The 6 best mirrorless cameras for beginners (2015)
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