Ted's Top 5 Mirrorless Cameras
Once upon a time, mirrorless cameras lagged behind DSLRs - but now, they’re the fastest growing category of cameras. And for good reason! The newest generation of models are packed with high-performing features to produce high-quality images and videos to match.
If you’re looking to add a camera to your collection or get a Christmas gift for your favourite photographer, a mirrorless camera is a solid choice.
To help you with your shopping, our team at Ted’s Cameras share their top 5 mirrorless cameras.
1. Canon EOS M50
- Sensor: 22.3 x 14.9mm
- Megapixels: 24MP
- Viewfinder: Electronic
- Video resolution: 4K
- Continuous shooting: 10fps
- Autofocus points: 143
- Minimum and maximum shutter speed: 30 sec to 1/4000 sec
Although the Canon EOS M50’s wonderful design makes it look like a DSLR (albeit much smaller), it’s actually one of the best mirrorless cameras on the market. Its small stature and ergonomic handgrip make this camera easy to handle and comfortable in all hands.
Canon has packed plenty of functionality into this compact body, including a 24MP APS-C sized image sensor and DIGIC 8 processor. Image quality is undoubtedly excellent throughout the entire ISO range, and the EOS M50 is also very capable at capturing videos, with 4K resolution available.
The Canon EOS M50 features a continuous shooting rate of 10 frames per second, while its fast and smooth autofocus system can focus on any subject and at any time. This AF system includes 143 points and Canon’s excellent dual pixel CMOS AF provides superior AF performance when shooting with the LCD screen. The LCD screen is touch-sensitive and tilting, so you can swipe through the menu quickly and easily frame selfies and vlogs. To cap it all off, the EOS M50 features built-in 5-axis Image Stabilisation to keep camera shake at bay.
There’s no doubt that this compact mirrorless camera will make a great Christmas gift for photographers and videographers alike.
1. Nikon Z FC
- Sensor: 23.5 x 15.7mm
- Megapixels: 20.9MP
- Viewfinder: Electronic
- Video resolution: 4K
- Continuous shooting: 11fps
- Autofocus points: 209
- Minimum and maximum shutter speed: 4 sec to 1/4000 sec
The Nikon Z FC is a portable and stylish mirrorless camera that is perfect for beginner users but also holds appeal for enthusiasts. Externally, this camera owes more than just a little bit to Nikon's classic film cameras of the past, thanks to its retro design and textured leather-like cover. This cover is available in a huge range of colours, with more added just recently, so it is easy for users to find the perfect camera that suits their character.
On the inside, the Nikon Z FC has the functionality to provide the impressive results that you would expect of a Nikon mirrorless camera. A 20.9MP DX-format sensor produces stunning image quality, from stills to 4K resolution video recording, while with a fast and accurate AF system and speedy continuous shooting abilities, this camera can be turned on a variety of subjects with success.
The lightweight build of this camera makes it a viable option for vloggers and other video enthusiasts, and it delivers on this potential thanks to the inclusion of a tilting LCD screen for easy framing, as well as a microphone input for improved audio quality.
2. Nikon Z6 II
- Sensor: 36 x 24mm
- Megapixels: 24.5MP
- Viewfinder: Electronic
- Video resolution: 4K
- Continuous shooting: 14fps
- Autofocus points: 273
- Minimum and maximum shutter speed: 30 sec to 1/8000 sec
This much anticipated camera has everything you could hope for in a portable body. The Nikon Z6 II is capable of capturing pin-sharp, detailed still images and cinematic 4K UHD video, features built-in VR stabilisation which guarantees blur-free photos and videos. It features a full-frame 24.5MP image sensor and dual EXPEED 6 processors, allowing it to excel in dimly lit conditions and to function at breakneck speeds - the Z6 II features 14 frames per second continuous shooting and a fast and accurate 273-point hybrid AF system.
Video lovers will love the 4K resolution capture, the headphone and microphone port, and the large 3.2-inch tilting LCD screen for easy framing. Plus, it features a range of advanced video capture options.
The dual memory card slots are great for storing a large number of files, and the Z6 II can be USB powered, which is perfect for long days of shooting and advanced shooting techniques such as time-lapse and similar.
This nifty mirrorless camera is a great all-rounder for photographers of all levels, and would make an amazing Christmas gift.
3. Canon EOS M50 II
- Sensor: 22.3 x 14.9mm
- Megapixels: 24.1MP
- Viewfinder: Electronic
- Video resolution: 4K
- Continuous shooting: 10fps
- Autofocus points: 143
- Minimum and maximum shutter speed: 30 sec to 1/4000 sec
The Canon EOS M50 II is a jack of all trades, perfect for everyday shooting and travelling. It is capable of consistently brilliant photographs and 4K videos, no matter the circumstances, and it is slim and lightweight, so it will never get in the way or make you feel like taking it along for a day trip is too much effort.
Canon has packed plenty of functionality into this compact body, including a 24MP APS-C sized image sensor and DIGIC 8 processor, resulting in image quality being undoubtedly excellent throughout the entire ISO range. The EOS M50 II is speedy, both in terms of focus performance and continuous shooting, while it also ticks many boxes for vlogging, including a tilting LCD screen, microphone input and a handy vertical video function.
There’s no doubt that this compact mirrorless camera will make a great Christmas gift for photographers and videographers alike.
3. Canon EOS R10
- Sensor: 22.3 x 14.9mm
- Megapixels: 24MP
- Viewfinder: Electronic
- Video resolution: 4K
- Continuous shooting: 23fps
- Autofocus points: 651
- Minimum and maximum shutter speed: 30 sec to 1/4000 sec
With this EOS R10, Canon makes its hugely popular EOS R range more accessible to a beginner audience. Thanks to using a smaller APS-C format sensor, the EOS R10 is portable and lightweight, so it is a perfect option for daily photography, as well as for taking travelling. The 24MP resolution and 4K60p video recording that the EOS R10 has to offer means that wherever you are in the world, and whatever is before your camera lens, you will be able to replicate it with stunning imagery.
The help you tackle a wide range of subjects, the Canon EOS R10 include a fast and incredibly accurate AF system and astonishing 24 frames per second continuous shooting rate. An EVF is available for those that prefer the old-school approach of composing through a viewfinder, while for vlogging and shooting from inventive angles, enjoy the touch-sensitive, vari-angle LCD screen.
The Canon EOS R10 includes a range of features and functions that both beginner and experience video users will enjoy, from its top 4K resolution recording, to slow-motion suitable Full HD video recording, as well the ability to output clean 4K footage via the Micro HDMI port. Thanks to a microphone port and hot-shoe, users can pair the EOS R10 with their favourite microphone to improve the sound quality of their video footage.
4. Canon EOS R5
- Sensor: 36 x 24mm
- Megapixels: 45.7MP
- Viewfinder: Electronic
- Video resolution: 8K
- Continuous shooting: 20fps
- Autofocus points: 5,940
- Minimum and maximum shutter speed: 30 sec to 1/8000 sec
The Canon EOS R5 has taken the most demanding mirrorless users by storm thanks to its mix of full-frame performance and exhilarating speed. As with other cameras in the EOS R range, this incredible camera comes in a compact body that’s very user-friendly.
The EOS R5 features a super high-resolution 45.7MP full-frame image sensor and Canon’s high-performance Digic X processor, which allows it to capture stunningly clear and detailed images, throughout the entire ISO range. This exciting camera is also great for video capture, capable of 8K ultra hi-def video. It includes a versatile tilting screen and both headphone and microphone ports for attaining superior audio quality in vlogs and videos.
Sports photographers and action lovers will love the Canon EOS R5, thanks to its ability to capture up to 20 frames per second in a continuous burst. It features a suitably fast and accurate AF system, so you can make the most of this speedy burst, which features an amazing 5,940 selectable AF points, as well as advanced subject tracking features. The EOS R5 features built-in Image Stabilisation which is great for limiting blur and allowing confident handheld shooting. Plus, this feature can work in unison with the stabilisation of select Canon RF lenses for even greater protection from camera shake.
4. Sony A7C
- Sensor: 36 x 24mm
- Megapixels: 24.2MP
- Viewfinder: Electronic
- Video resolution: 4K
- Continuous shooting: 10fps
- Autofocus points: 693
- Minimum and maximum shutter speed: 30 sec to 1/4000 sec
For anyone who had been drawn to the wonderful Sony A7 series of cameras but was waiting for something a little more portable, the Sony A7C is made for you. A travel-friendly mirrorless camera, the Sony A7C is the smallest stabilised full-frame camera available at the time of writing.
Great for content creation on-the-go, this camera features a 24.2MP full-frame sensor and is capable of 4K resolution video capture. The A7C is great for improving the quality of your vlogs, with a quick movie button and side-tilting LCD screen, as well as the ability to capture superior quality audio, thanks to its microphone and headphone ports.
No matter your photography style, the Sony A7C’s 10 frames per second continuous shooting and fast and accurate Phase Detection AF system of 693 points will allow you to capture a variety of subjects. While the portability of the A7C means it’s missing a couple of features compared to other models in this range, including a single SD card slot and the absence of the popular joystick feature, the A7C features both 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi connectivity, which is great for advanced image sharing purposes and remote control functionality. Content creators will absolutely love this new model from Sony.
5. Sony A7 Mark IV
- Sensor: 36 x 24mm
- Megapixels: 33MP
- Viewfinder: Electronic
- Video resolution: 4K
- Continuous shooting: 10fps
- Autofocus points: 759
- Minimum and maximum shutter speed: 30 sec to 1/8000 sec
The Sony A7 Mark IV features a 33MP full-frame image sensor and a rugged yet compact build. The camera also includes Sony's high-performance BIONZ XR processor, which helps it to reach excellent performance speeds, as well continue to blow us away with its impressive image quality. The A7 Mark IV is brilliant throughout its extended ISO range and Sony is not exaggerating when they say it captures 15-stops of dynamic range.
As well as brilliantly detailed images and 4K video, the A7 Mark IV includes built-in stabilisation and fast continuous shooting. This continuous shooting speed can be maintained while the A7 IV produces plenty of high-resolution files, so users will be pleased that dual memory card slots are available to manage the load. As well as a bright and vibrant EVF, the weather-sealed Sony A7 Mark IV includes a large, tilting and touch-sensitive LCD screen for versatile image composition and playback.
To make sure this speed and video prowess does not go to waste, the Sony A7 Mark IV includes an advanced AF system that is notable for its speed, accuracy and versatility. It makes use of 759 AF points that cover a large area of the sensor, so users can focus on subjects throughout the frame, while various tracking modes are available for selection.
A multimedia-friendly body, the A7 IV includes various high-end video features, as well as a heat-dissipating structure to allow for longer filming times and high-res live video output, so users can create world-class streams. Needless to say, this camera includes both headphone and microphone ports, so consider adding an external microphone to your vlogging kit, to help the camera reach its full potential.
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Whether you’re looking for a model that will help you to sharpen your photography skills or the perfect Christmas present, browse the best mirrorless cameras to suit every budget.
For expert advice (and more gift ideas), check out our blog or drop by your local Ted’s store to chat with our friendly team.
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