If you are new to photography, these entry-level mirrorless models are perfect and allow you to try different camera brands and models at relatively low costs. Since they are all guaranteed to give you entry-level DSLR performance and image quality (i.e., much better than what your smartphone camera can), buy what you fall in love with, what feels good in your small or big hands, what fits in your coat pocket, the one with the latest technology, flip up LCD and high-resolution EVF–or simply what fits your budget. Full AUTO mode, Scene Modes and lots of creative filters make it easy to transition from your smartphone camera.
FUJIFILM X-A2
The Fujifilm X-A2 features a Fujifilm X lens mount and accepts all Fujifilm XF premium lenses and the cheaper XC lenses. A large 3.0-in. 920k-dot resolution LCD tilts up 175° to face forward for easy selfies. Though there is no built-in image stabilization, many Fujifilm lenses include optical image stabilization to help reduce or eliminate blurred images due to hand shake. You can record Full HD 1920 x 1080 movies with stereo sound.
Fujifilm X-A2
As is becoming increasingly popular in mirrorless cameras, there is built-in Wi-Fi that allows you to post images to social sites and the free Fujifilm Camera app lets you remotely control the camera with your smartphone or tablet. Shooting modes include AUTO, Scene Modes, and PASM modes. Film Simulation and Art Filters allow for creative shooting. A small pop-up flash is built-in.
Read our review of the Fujifilm X-A2
Full specifications: Manufacturer’s site
Buy from B&H:
Fujifilm X-A2 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm Lens (Silver)
Fujifilm X-A2 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm Lens (White)
Fujifilm X-A2 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm Lens (Brown)
NIKON 1 J5
The Nikon 1J5 is one of the fastest mirrorless around, shooting at up to 20 fps with autofocus and 60 fps with autofocus locked on first shot. It features a smaller image sensor than the other mirrorless cameras and the Nikon 1 lens mount. A large 3.0-in. high-resolution (1.04-million-dot) Touch LCD tilts up to face forward for easy selfies. You can record Full HD 1920 x 1080 movies with stereo sound.
Nikon 1J5
Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC allow you to post images to social sites and the free snapbridge app lets you remotely control the camera with your smartphone or tablet. Shooting modes include AUTO, Scene Modes, and PASM modes. A small pop-up flash is built-in.
Full specifications: Manufacturer’s site
Buy from B&H:
Nikon 1 J5 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 10-30mm and 30-110mm Lenses (Silver)
Nikon 1 J5 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 10-30mm Lens (Silver)
Nikon 1 J5 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 10-100mm Lens (Silver)
Nikon 1 J5 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 10-30mm Lens (Black)
Nikon 1 J5 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 10-30mm and 30-110mm Lenses (White)
Nikon 1 J5 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 10-30mm Lens (White)
Nikon 1 J5 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 10-100mm Lens (White)
OLYMPUS PEN LITE E-PL7
The Olympus PEN Lite E-PL7 features a retro design that nostalgically harks back to the Olympus film PEN cameras. It is compact, light and beautifully elegant. It features a Micro Four Thirds (M43) lens mount which means that it can accept any lenses designed for that mount, e.g., M43 lenses designed for Panasonic mirrorless cameras. A large 3.0-in. high-resolution (1.04-million-dot) Touch LCD tilts down 180° to face forward for easy selfies and 3-axis in-body image stabilization helps reduce or eliminate blurred images due to hand shake. You can record Full HD 1920 x 1080 movies with stereo sound.
Olympus PEN Lite E-PL7
Built-in Wi-Fi allows you to post images to social sites and the free OI.SHARE app lets you remotely control the camera with your smartphone or tablet. Shooting modes include AUTO, Scene Modes, and PASM modes. Art Filters allow for creative shooting. A small external flash is included.
Read our QuickFact Sheet of the Olympus E-PL7
Full specifications: Manufacturer’s site
Buy from B&H:
Olympus PEN E-PL7 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera (Silver)
Olympus PEN E-PL7 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ Lens (Silver)
Olympus PEN E-PL7 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R Lens (Silver)
Olympus PEN E-PL7 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera (Black)
Olympus PEN E-PL7 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ Lens (Black)
PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-GF7
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7 features a Micro Four Thirds (M43) lens mount which means that it can accept any lenses designed for that mount, e.g., M43 lenses designed for Olympus mirrorless cameras. A large 3.0-in. high-resolution (1.04-million-dot) Touch LCD tilts up 180° to face forward for easy hands-free (just bring your two faces together or wave your hand in front of your face) selfies. Though there is no built-in image stabilization, many Panasonic lenses include optical image stabilization to help reduce or eliminate blurred images due to hand shake. You can record Full HD 1920 x 1080 movies with stereo sound.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7
Built-in Wi-Fi allows you to post images to social sites and the free Panasonic Image app lets you remotely control the camera with your smartphone or tablet. Shooting modes include AUTO, Scene Modes, and PASM modes. Art Filters and time-lapse allow for creative shooting. An electronic shutter lets you shoot unobstrusively in total silence. A small pop-up flash is built-in.
Full specifications: Manufacturer’s site
Buy from B&H:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera with 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. Lens (Pink and Silver)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera with 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. Lens (Black and Silver)
SONY ALPHA 5100
The Sony α5100 features a Sony E lens mount. It features a 179-point phase-detection AF for a fast 0.07 s autofocus. A large 3.0-in. 921k-dot resolution Touch LCD tilts up 180° to face forward for easy selfies. Though there is no built-in image stabilization, many Sony lenses include optical image stabilization to help reduce or eliminate blurred images due to hand shake. You can record Full HD 1920 x 1080 movies with stereo sound.
Sony α5100
Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC allow you to post images to social sites and share between devices. The free PlayMemories app lets you remotely control the camera with your smartphone or tablet. Shooting modes include AUTO, Scene Modes, and PASM modes. A small pop-up flash is built-in.
Full specifications: Manufacturer’s site
Buy from B&H:
Sony Alpha a5100 Mirrorless Digital Camera (Black, Body Only)
Sony Alpha a5100 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm Lens (Black)
Sony Alpha a5100 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm Lens (White)
INTRODUCTION
I. ENTRY-LEVEL MIRRORLESS
II. SERIOUS-LEVEL MIRRORLESS
III. ENTHUSIAST-LEVEL MIRRORLESS
IV. PRO-LEVEL MIRRORLESS
