The 5 Best Beginner Mirrorless Cameras in 2024

When you’re looking for the best beginner mirrorless camera, things can seem a little overwhelming.

There are so many brands, makes and models to choose from.

In this article, I’m going to narrow it down to just five best mirrorless cameras from four brands.

The best mirrorless cameras on this list are all reasonably priced for beginners and are the perfect way to get into ‘real’ photography. They are all interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras and have the features you need to master if you want to become a fully-fledged photographer, whether that’s as an enthusiast or a pro-in-the-making.

WHY MIRRORLESS?

Why should you consider a mirrorless camera, especially for travel photography?

Well, primarily because of their size.

Smaller size and less weight

They are smaller and lighter than DSLRs which is essential for anyone who travels. If you follow travel photographers on social media, you’ll probably see that most of them are shooting on mirrorless cameras.

Not only are they smaller and lighter, but the image quality modern mirrorless camera produce is every bit as good as DSLRs. In some cases even better.

But there’s more.

More frames per second (FPS)

Mirrorless cameras, unsurprisingly, don’t have a mirror inside them. In DSLRs, there is a mirror mechanism that flips up every time you take a photo. The mirror basically allows you to look in the viewfinder and see through your lens. Obviously, it needs to move out of the way when taking a photo so you sensor can ‘see’ through the lens.

This diagram shows a cross section of a typical DSLR. Number 1 is the lens, 2 is the mirror that flaps up and down, and 8 is the optical viewfinder itself. Credit: Colin M.L. Burnett

Mirrorless cameras don’t have this mechanism. When you look through the electronic viewfinder part of a mirrorless camera you are effectively looking at a tiny screen.

By doing away with a mechanical mirror that needs to physically flap open and closed every time you take a shot, means mirrorless cameras can shoot more images quicker.

For example, one of Canon’s top-of-the-line DSLRs, the 5D Mark IV, can shoot up to 7 fps. Whereas Sony’s top of the line mirrorless camera, the A1, can shoot up to a blistering 30 fps (that’s pretty much video!).

So, anyone who is interested in shooting sports or fast-paced action should really consider going mirrorless.

Electronic viewfinders

This one divides photographers.

Mirrorless cameras have electronic viewfinders (EVFs) which, as I mentioned earlier, are like little screens that you put your eye up to. The light coming into the lens isn’t actually being reflected up into your eye as it would be on a DSLR.

This has two benefits.

The first benefit is that you get a preview of things like exposure in real-time as you are seeing the image.

And the second is that it reduces, or totally eliminates, viewfinder blackout. Viewfinder blackout is when the screen goes black for a second while taking a photo. The blackout is caused by the mirror in a DSLR flapping up and down. When you’re shooting lots of photos in quick succession it gets very irritating.

Silent shooting

Another advantage of mirrorless cameras is that they give you the ability to shoot in total silence.

Mirrorless cameras do still have a physical shutter that flips open and closed, but you also get the option to shoot using what is called an electronic shutter.

Using the electronic shutter mode, as well as not having the clunky mirror flapping up and down, means that each time you take a photo it’s total silent. Great for event photographers and particularly useful for weddings when you don’t want to ruin the moment by making lots of noise.

THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN CHOOSING THE BEST BEGINNER MIRRORLESS CAMERA

When you’re on the hunt for the best beginner mirrorless camera there are a few important things to look out for.

Manual mode

The first thing any digital camera should be able to do if you really want to learn and become better at photography is give you manual access to all of the settings.

In order to become a fully fledged photographer you need to practice setting things like aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance and focus yourself.

Ability to change lenses

Different lenses yield different results. When people ask what camera you used to take a certain photo, a more appropriate question should be what lens did you use?

To get the best results in any kind of photography, you need to be able to use the right interchangeable lens camera for the job. You should only consider mirrorless or DSLR interchangeable lens cameras as a beginner.

Price

It might seem obvious but when you’re first starting out in photography you probably don’t want to spend thousands on a camera. Not until you know you like it anyway.

Finding the right balance between price and features is all part of the game as a beginner in photography. But that’s why I’m writing this article, to help you decide.

We’ll get onto specific cameras in a minute.

Sensor size

For shooting stills, in other words photography, your best option is either what’s called a full-frame or APS-C camera.

This refers to the size of the sensor. Full-frame sensor cameras have larger sensors than APS-C cameras. The full-frame vs APS-C debate has been raging on for quite some time now but, personally, I prefer modern APS-C cameras.

Full-frame cameras tend to be more expensive and their lenses tend to be bigger and heavier than their APS-C counterparts.

Which is why for beginners, particularly beginners who are interested in travel photography, I always recommend APS-C cameras.

And if you get a good modern APS-C camera, in most circumstances there isn’t really a need to go full-frame, ever.

For me, the space and weight saving totally outweighs any benefits full-frame cameras bring to the table.

Even smaller sensors, like Micro Four Third ones, can get the job done. So long as you understand its limitations, particularly in low-light situations.

Battery life

Battery life obviously varies from camera to camera. But, in general, battery life in mirrorless cameras tends to be better than the battery life in DSLR cameras. This could be because mirrorless cameras have fewer moving parts inside them, but is also probably down to the fact battery technology has improved in recent years and most manufacturers have stopped (or slowed down) developing their DSLR ranges.

HERE ARE THE BEST BEGINNER MIRRORLESS CAMERAS CURRENTLY ON THE MARKET

The following five mirrorless cameras are the five I would recommend to beginners looking to get into photography.

Each camera body also has its pros and cons, but they would all be great as first cameras to help you learn photography. Not only will they help you learn though, but they actually produce stunning images.

1) Fujifilm X-S20

The Fujifilm X-S20 is a great small, compact and lightweight camera. It packs a real punch.

Fujifilm design all of their mirrorless cameras in a retro style that you’d be forgiven for thinking meant they were outdated. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. 

The X-S20 is built like a tank from a mixture of metal and high-quality plastics, has great battery life and superb ergonomics. The dials give you full control of the camera’s settings without having to dive into the menu which is why most Fuji shooters fell in love with the brand.

In the meantime, you can’t go wrong with the Fujifilm X-S20!

Overall
Features
Travel Convenience
Value for Money

Some of the Fujifilm X-S20’s important specs

Type	Mirrorless
Sensor Size	APS-C
Megapixels	26
Total Autofocus Points	425
Max Frames Per Second	20 fps
Build Material	Metal and plastic
Video Resolution	4K

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2) Fujifilm X-T100

The next camera on this list is another Fuji, the Fujifilm X-T100.

Although it is a step down from the X-S20 in terms of performance, its price reflects that. While the image quality isn’t as good as its cousin, the X-S20, it still has all of the features you need to master on your journey to becoming a travel photographer.

Like all Fujifilm cameras, it looks cool and its build quality is second to none.

The X-T100 does have one main feature the X-S20 doesn’t have though. A flip-out screen. Great for people who like to take selfies and vloggers.

While we’re talking about vloggers we should mention its video capabilities. Vloggers might get excited about its ability to shoot in 4K, and then quickly disappointed to find out it only does that in 15p. The 4K footage it produces is pretty much unusable in most cases. Just something worth noting.

Overall
Features
Travel Convenience
Value for Money

Some of the Fujifilm X-T100’s important specs

Type	Mirrorless
Sensor Size	APS-C
Megapixels	24.2
Total Autofocus Points	91
Max Frames Per Second	6 fps
Build Material	Metal and plastic
Video Resolution	4K

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3) Canon EOS R10

The Canon EOS R10 is an entry-level mirrorless camera that is often described as a gateway into the world of Canon.

Canon does now offer full-frame mirrorless cameras but even the cheapest is outside of most beginner photographers’ budgets.

The build quality of the R10 is good, not quite like the Fujis, but it feels solid.

Canon’s EOS R10 is an affordable entry-level mirrorless camera with a 24MP APS-C sensor, designed to attract aspiring photographers and videographers. It offers greater creative control over exposure, focal lengths, a robust autofocus system and burst rates, making it an appealing choice for those looking to move away from smartphones, but with a simple, easy-to-use interface for beginners.

Like the Fujifilm X-T100, it also has a flip out screen which, as well as having an external microphone input, is why it has become a firm favourite with YouTubers.

Overall
Features
Travel Convenience
Value for Money

Some of the Canon EOS R10’s important specs

Type	Mirrorless
Sensor Size	APS-C
Megapixels	24
Total Autofocus Points	651
Max Frames Per Second	15 fps
Build Material	Plastic
Video Resolution	4K

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4) Sony a6600

Sony has historically dominated the beginner mirrorless camera market.

The Sony a6600 is one of the more expensive mirrorless cameras on this list and is Sony’s flagship model in their beginner-friendly a-series lineup. There are cheaper options in this lineup, such as the Sony a6400, but the a6600 delivers so many pro-level features I think the additional cost is justified in this case.

The a6600 originally came out in 2019 so it’s not a new camera, far from it. And there have been newer versions released since then. But it was a great camera in 2019, and it’s still a great camera today.

In terms of upgradability (that’s a word, right?) the Sony a6600 is on to a winner. It uses the E-mount, which means any lens that you buy for the a6600 will work on any other Sony E-mount camera.

And there are A LOT of them!

If you buy this camera as a beginner camera and then decide to upgrade to one of Sony’s full-frame cameras like the beast that is the Sony A7R IV, you’ll be able to use all of the lenses you have collected.

Overall
Features
Travel Convenience
Value for Money

Some of the Sony a6600’s important specs

Type	Mirrorless
Sensor Size	APS-C
Megapixels	24
Total Autofocus Points	425
Max Frames Per Second	11 fps
Build Material	Metal and plastic
Video Resolution	4K

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5) OM System OM-5

Like the Fujis, the OM System OM-5 goes for the retro look, and I personally love it.

The difference between this camera and the other four cameras on this list is the sensor size. The OM System OM-5 uses a Micro Four Thirds (M4/3) sensor which is smaller than the APS-C sized sensors in the others I’ve mentioned.

The main drawback to micro four thirds sensor cameras is the reduced dynamic range meaning they are generally inferior in low-light situations.

However, the size and weight of their interchangeable lenses, are considerably less than other cameras. Making them great cameras for travel photography.

The OM System OM-5 also features 5-ixis in-body image stabilization (IBIS) which, for a camera in this price range, is a luxury you don’t often get.

Overall
Features
Travel Convenience
Value for Money

Some of the OM System OM-5’s important specs

Type	Mirrorless
Sensor Size	Micro four thirds
Megapixels	20
Total Autofocus Points	121
Max Frames Per Second	30 fps
Build Material	Metal and plastic
Video Resolution	4K

IF I HAD TO PICK JUST ONE OF THESE AS THE BEST BEGINNER MIRRORLESS CAMERA, I WOULD CHOOSE THIS ONE…

I would personally choose the Fujifilm X-S20 as the best beginner mirrorless camera.

Everyone is different but in my opinion, the Fuji is the perfect balance between price and specs.

The physical dials that allow you to control its settings really help people who are learning. It allows you to take a more hands-on approach instead of spending time flicking through complicated menus.

Fujifilm is known for producing some of the best lenses on the market. When you pair Fuji glass with a camera as capable as the X-S20, you get results even pros would be happy with.

Image quality is tack sharp and dynamic range is great for an APS-C camera.

Being able to record 4K video internally is another powerful feature of this lightweight camera. On top of that, battery life is excellent!

All-in-all, any camera on this list would make a great first entry-level mirrorless camera for beginners.

But for me, the best beginner mirrorless camera top spot goes to the Fujifilm X-S20.

BEST MIRRORLESS CAMERAS FOR ALL LEVELS

Feel like you’re ready to take a step up and want an intermediate or professional mirrorless camera? Check out this article where I cover cameras for beginner, intermediate and professional photographers.

Best full-frame mirrorless camera for beginners

In this article I’ve talked about APS-C cameras only, as they allow beginners to get into photography with the latest technology at a lower price point. But, when it comes to the best full-frame mirrorless camera for beginners, the Canon EOS R takes the top spot. This camera is a superb choice for those just starting out in the field of photography. It offers a perfect blend of ease of use, high-quality image production, and a robust set of features that can grow with you as you develop your photography skills.

The Canon EOS R is built around a 30.3 megapixel full-frame sensor, providing stunning image quality that surpasses many of its competitors. It also features an impressive autofocus system with 5,655 manually selectable AF points, ensuring sharp and accurate images every time.

BEST OVERALL TRAVEL CAMERA

In this article we’ve talked about what I think are the top mirrorless cameras for beginners. But, if you want a HUGE in-depth look at the best travel cameras, from DSLR cameras to mirrorless cameras, action cameras, micro four thirds sensor cameras and more, I’ve put together the ultimate guide you wont want to miss.

Check out my Best Camera for Travel (Every Budget and Type) guide to find out more.

Thanks for reading, and good luck in your search for your next camera!