TOP 5 BEST BUDGET MIRRORLESS CAMERAS OF 2025

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The best mirrorless cameras from Sony, Canon, Nikon and more

Mirrorless cameras set the bar for photography in 2025, regardless of your level of experience. Since we first began evaluating cameras 20 years ago, a lot has changed. The greatest mirrorless models are currently at the forefront of performance in every category, from professional flagships to video hybrids.

One such example is the Nikon Z6 III. It is a modern full-frame hybrid with outstanding subject recognition autofocus and exceptional 6K video specifications. The top mirrorless cameras for novices also benefit from this technology: the Canon EOS R10 boasts remarkable focusing and quick burst speeds.

Over the past 20 years, we have evaluated over a thousand cameras, and we have used that knowledge to compile this guide. All of the suggestions listed below are based on input from our knowledgeable staff. Every mirrorless camera has undergone rigorous testing under various shooting scenarios to evaluate handling and image quality. We’ve condensed the findings and segmented our guide according to the requirements and spending capacities of several purchasers.

Table of Contents

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1. Nikon Z6 III

With a major improvement over the Z6 II, Nikon’s third-generation Z6 III gives it an advantage over competitors like the Canon EOS R6 II. It’s a mid-range all-arounder that met several testing requirements. Its 24.5MP full-frame sensor doesn’t provide the best detail in the class, but we liked the view through its best-ever EVF (5.76m-dot number). Additionally, burst speeds are quick—up to 60 frames per second at full quality for JPEG. In our assessment, however, the autofocus really stood out as the best system in low light, and the most recent subject detection modes were appropriately sticky.

The video specifications of the Z6 III are particularly noteworthy. As well as conventional 4K at 120 frames per second and 10x slow motion up to 240 frames per second in Full HD, you also get 6K footage up to 60 frames per second in-camera and oversampled 4K raw.

Even without a cooling fan, the record times of 120 minutes are astounding. There’s a case to be made for the now-less expensive Z6 II if you don’t do a lot of action or video photography. But the Z6 III is an attractive hybrid due to its excellent overall performance.

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2. Canon EOS R10

Although there are less expensive mirrorless cameras for novices, none of them can compare to the Canon EOS R10’s versatility. According to our tests, the Canon EOS R10 stands out for novices because to two features: its strong subject-tracking autofocus, which works over 651 AF points, and its 15 fps burst shooting rate. Together, these two characteristics make the R10 an excellent performer in a variety of situations, especially when subjects are moving quickly. It was especially effective in tracking subjects’ eyes, in our opinion.

It isn’t the ideal camera for novices: we thought the EVF was a bit small, and we also noticed that it didn’t have image stabilization, a feature that competitors like the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV (below) had. However, we also discovered that the R10 is a camera that is easy for beginners to use because of its deep grip and low weight.

In our evaluation, we also praised the usefulness of the AF joystick. The absence of native lenses for Canon’s RF mount at the moment is the sole significant disadvantage. The R10 is a flexible choice for beginning photographers in every other way.

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3. Canon EOS R5 Mark II

. By adding a new stacked sensor that almost eliminates the negative effect of rolling shutter and a second CPU that increases the camera’s overall performance, it improves upon the excellent 45MP and 8K video-toting EOS R5, making it a lot faster camera for action photography.

Along with being a lot faster, the EOS R5 Mark II also has new autofocus modes. Some of these modes can identify sports like basketball and soccer and can intelligently choose where to focus based on the subject’s posture and the position of the ball, including for one of up to ten stored faces. Another revelation is Canon’s eye control AF, which tracks your gaze in the viewfinder to determine which subject you want to focus on.

Additionally, in-camera image upscaling can produce quite spectacular results by increasing the size of your photos by 400%, or 180MP. All things considered, testing the EOS R5 Mark II was a highlight of 2024; the camera constantly amazed us, and even if the test period was long, we felt like we were only scratching the surface. The more expensive EOS R1 is the camera to choose for serious athletes. The EOS R5 Mark II, however, is the wise option for almost all other professionals. It’s even more appealing because it’s significantly less expensive than Sony’s A1 II.

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4. Panasonic Lumix S5 II

The Panasonic Lumix S5 II is a deserving replacement for the S5, one of our preferred video cameras. Similar to the S5, the S5 II is marketed as a hybrid, although its strongest suit is video. Our tests revealed that the 6K/30p footage had a broad dynamic range and was rich and detailed. 10-bit recording at nearly all resolutions and the capability to capture uncropped video utilizing the sensor’s entire 3:2 aspect ratio—useful for cropping content—bolster its video skills. During testing, we also discovered that it was comfortable to hold while still being durable. Thankfully, the physical controls are unaffected by its small size.

Panasonic’s first mirrorless camera incorporating phase detection autofocus for video is the S5 II. Although the 1.5x reduction on 4K/60p video is unfortunate, we discovered that it produces crisp, steady video even when shooting handheld when combined with efficient picture stabilization. The Lumix S5 IIX will appeal to dedicated videographers, while the Panasonic Lumix GH6 is a more portable video powerhouse with a Micro Four Thirds sensor. However, for high-quality video, the S5 II is an excellent full-frame hybrid.

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5. Sony A6700

There is a compelling argument for the Canon EOS R7 as the best mirrorless camera with a crop sensor. A significant drawback, similar to the Nikon Z50 II, is that there aren’t many native lenses for it, and none of them are especially interesting. That leaves us with cameras like the Fujifilm X-T5 and Sony A6700, which are both capable cameras in their own right and feature an impressive selection of lenses. With a 26MP APS-C sensor equipped with five-axis stabilization and a 759-point phase detection system using Sony’s Real-time Recognition AF, the Sony A6700 is a potent hybrid camera for enthusiasts. Throughout our review, the camera continuously produced crisp, well-balanced photos and demonstrated class-leading AF accuracy in identifying and tracking a variety of targets. We were also delighted by the video quality; in clear settings, the 4K 60p oversampled from 6K looked sharp.

The A6700 isn’t flawless; on cloudy days, its metering system suffered with underexposure, and we experienced noise when shooting at higher ISOs. Regarding video, Sony’s intricate menu system is lacking, and 4K 120p footage has an unsatisfactory 1.6x cut.

Nevertheless, Sony has enhanced the handling compared to earlier A6000-series devices, providing direct-access controls and a deeper grip while keeping the device’s small size. We believe the A6700 is still a fantastic option if you’re looking for a clean APS-C hybrid with the newest focusing capabilities. Check out the X-T5 if you prefer a vintage look with exposure settings; if you want the fastest performance, the EOS R7 is the best option.

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It’s a bit intimidating, but it’s a perfect moment to get a mirrorless camera. Photographers and videographers have never had more options because to the proliferation of options at all price points from companies like Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, Panasonic, and a resurgent Olympus (formerly known as OM System).

So, where do I begin? A camera’s personality and shooting style may frequently be inferred from its sensor size. Professional and enthusiastic amateur models will either use a full-frame sensor or a slightly smaller APS-C chip. While not nearly as portable as cameras with Four Thirds sensors (from Panasonic and Olympus), the latter are often more compact and reasonably priced than full-frame cameras.

Electronic viewfinders (EVFs), which increase the cost but are practically necessary for the majority of photographers, are another crucial characteristic to watch out for. You should also think about the type of lenses you will require.

Make sure the system you’re considering has the features you need if you like to specialize in a certain field (such as macro or wide-angle architecture). Sony currently has the most alternatives in the full-frame mirrorless market, while Fujifilm offers a large selection at most focal lengths for crop-sensor APS-C cameras.

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