Top 5 Best Budget Mirrorless Cameras in 2025

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

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

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Last update on 2025-03-30 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Top 5 Best Budget Mirrorless Cameras in 2025

1.Nikon Z6 III

Last update on 2025-03-30 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

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 many 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 resolution for JPEG. In our review, 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 regular 4K at 120 frames per second and 10x slow motion up to 240 frames per second in Full HD, you also get 6K video up to 60 frames per second in-camera and oversampled 4K raw. Even without a cooling fan, the record times of 120 minutes are impressive. 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.

You may have been tempted by the Nikon Z8 or even the Z9 if you’re searching for a fast Nikon, but you may have been quickly turned off by their size. Despite being slightly heavier than its predecessor (760g vs. 705g body only), the Z6 III is a much more manageable size than the Z8 or Z9. This is primarily due to the chunkier hand grip, which I love because it provides a secure hold.

With a mode dial to the left of the viewfinder and all of your frequently used buttons and dials on the right, the layout and button placement are essentially the same as on the Z6 II. The drive mode and playback buttons have been switched, which is a fairly small change that has a noticeable impact. Instead of using your left hand to rapidly scroll through the photos you just took, you can now press playback with your right thumb. This is especially helpful to me when I’m shooting and want to quickly verify in the viewfinder that the subject of my recent shot is in focus. If it’s not quite right, I can try again.

With everything essentially where you want it to be, the Z6 III is an all-around user-friendly camera. An “i” button contains a variety of quick settings, the front and rear dials cooperate to control shutter speed and aperture, and a handy joystick can be used to move the AF point around.

The new screen, which is now a fully articulated device made to appeal to the video crowd, is another significant difference from the previous Z6 II. Selfies and other awkwardly positioned objects that you want to frame vertically can also be captured with it. Although I personally prefer tilting displays for stills, I can understand why articulating made more sense in this all-arounder model. At 3.2″ and 2100k dots, the screen’s dimensions and resolution are identical to those of the Z6 II.

There has also been a slight improvement in the EVF. When you look through the 5,670k-dot device on the Z6 III, you may discover that the Z6 II’s viewfinder has completely ruined your experience, even though the previous 3,690k-dot resolution EVF was by no means difficult to use. The Z6 III boasts a high resolution, a fast 60 fps refresh rate for a smooth display even at high frame rates, and an ultra-wide color gamut (DCI-P3), the first of its kind in a mirrorless camera.

2.Canon EOS R10

Last update on 2025-03-30 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

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 learners due to two features: its strong subject-tracking autofocus, which works across 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 at tracking subjects’ eyes, in our opinion.

It’s not a perfect camera for beginners: we found the EVF a little small and also noted the lack of image stabilization, a feature which is offered on rivals like the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV (below). Then again, we also found that the R10’s low weight and deep grip make it a forgiving camera for novices to use. We also noted positively in our review the helpful presence of an AF joystick. The only major drawback is the lack of native lenses currently available for Canon’s RF mount. In all other respects, the R10 is a versatile option for photographers getting started.

Although the Canon EOS R10 is unlikely to take home any Red Dot Design honors, it does meet the requirements of being remarkably compact and recognizable to all users of Canon DSLRs.

When held in your hand, the small device resembles a CanThis is, in all likelihood, the smallest RF-mount camera that will be available; in other words, it is not quite as small as the Canon EOS M50 Mark II or other EOS-M series. As photographers experiment with Canon’s new APS-C darlings, the R7 and R10, those cameras will continue to exist, albeit with a longing glance through the garden fence.on EOS Rebel SL3 (or Canon EOS 250D outside of the US), which weighs 20g more than the 429g EOS R10.

With a mode dial connected by front and rear command dials, a multi-function button, and a video record button, the Canon EOS R10 resembles a Rebel SL3 or EOS 250D on top. However, Canon’s multipurpose accessory shoe, which can power and transmit data to accessories like shotgun microphones, is a helpful addition. Another reason to be proud of owning a R10 is that it has a feature that full-frame cameras like the EOS R6 don’t even have.

It has a similar setup to the more expensive Canon EOS R7 around the back. It has a useful AF joystick and a fully articulating touchscreen that can flip forward for video shooters. Affordable cameras frequently sacrifice this feature in the name of simplicity, but it’s a huge help to photographers who want to move AF points fast. And when you have a strong autofocus system with 651 AF points, like the R10, that’s probably the case.

The tiny viewfinder of the EOS R10 is one minor letdown. Although this EVF’s 2.36 million dot resolution is comparable to that of the EOS R7, its meager 0.59x magnification does come across as a little sparse. Although other cameras at this price range do provide better views of your scenes, it functions adequately in practice and can be customized with useful tools like gridlines and live histograms.

3.Canon EOS R5 Mark II

Last update on 2025-03-30 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The EOS R5 Mark II, Canon’s most adaptable camera to date, was chosen as the 2024 Camera of the Year by both our knowledgeable staff and gadgetex readers. By adding a new stacked sensor that virtually eliminates the negative effect of rolling shutter and a second processor that increases the camera’s overall speed, it improves upon the excellent 45MP and 8K video-toting EOS R5, making it a much 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 incredibly impressive 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 though 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.

While many people prefer high-resolution cameras, not everyone needs them. With 45MP available, the sensor resolution is more than sufficient for the majority of photographers, and the Canon can manage speed better than some of its rivals because it has fewer pixels than the 61MP Sony A7R V and the 45.7MP Nikon Z8.
I was able to achieve great results even on a pre-production model of the R5 II, including colors that I like and almost flawless focus and subject tracking. And when I tested the finished production model, that performance was equally impressive.

Despite the limitations of its stacked sensor design, the R5 II’s results have been extremely difficult to criticize. This gives the camera its speed, as I’ve already explained, but it also sacrifices a small amount of dynamic range. Even with the electronic shutter, I found this compromise to be so minor in my real-world testing that it’s barely worth mentioning. However, I didn’t have the older R5 with me to make a direct comparison. The resulting noise in darker areas won’t be an issue because of the lower dynamic range, unless you intend to crop the image significantly.Otherwise, images shot using the R5 II are sharp, with very reliable autofocus and subject tracking performance – meaning all a photographer needs to think about is composition.

4.Panasonic Lumix S5 II

Last update on 2025-03-30 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

I value the S5 II’s robust construction because I frequently fumble with my camera gear. I’m sure it would last me years of intensive use because it’s a small, DSLR-style mirrorless camera that’s comfortable to hold for extended periods of time.

Don’t be misled, though; the S5 II has a lot of features despite its small size and affordable price. It has all the controls a seasoned photographer and, to a certain degree, a professional filmmaker needs.There are dedicated buttons for key exposure settings, control dials, plus an AF joystick for making quick adjustments to the AF area. You also get a big shiny red button to initiate video recording, in addition to the shutter button for stills. 

The S5 II is well-equipped for professional video recording thanks to the headphone jack, microphone socket, USB-C, and full-size HDMI connectors located behind two rigid port doors. Although I’m less likely to need the camera’s screen anyway, I did find that cables significantly obstructed the vari-angle screen when it was flipped out to the side when the ports were in use. The primary culprit is the HDMI cable for an external monitor.

The viewfinder display is respectable, with a 3.69m-dot resolution and a good refresh rate, and the screen is clear and sharp, offering full touch control for menu navigation, focus point selection, and photo taking.Carefully placed on either side of the viewfinder bump, cooling vents keep the camera from overheating when using all of its video recording capabilities. Therefore, the only factors limiting video recording durations are card capacity or battery life. For testing purposes rather than for actual production, I recorded lengthy video sequences, and the S5 II handles the task without any issues.

The way the video settings are displayed on the screen is great; it clearly shows the most important information, such as the shutter speed, FPS, aperture (iris), color profile, and live audio levels, and allows you to change them with a single touch of the screen.

Olympus (now OM System) used to be the industry leader in image stabilization, but Panasonic has also done its share of magic. Slow shutter speeds and moderate handshake are easily overcome by the S5 II’s 5-axis in-body image stabilization, which produces videos with crisp detail and fluid motion, respectively.

For one test, I set the 20-60mm lens to its widest 20mm setting, at which I would expect a sharp handheld image with a steady hand at 1/30 sec with no stabilization employed. I then continually cranked the shutter speed slower until I found the camera’s breaking point – and impressively it was only at a 2.5 secs that softness crept in, and at 3 secs that blur was evident from camera shake. That works out at around six stops of effective stabilization. The reality of such tech is the ability to shoot the likes of light trails at night, handheld.

With Active IS, which Panasonic told me activates automatically when user motion is detected, the S5 II is said to be 200% more effective than the S5’s image stabilization. I can’t measure that as well as Panasonic, but I have been really impressed with the S5 II after taking it for a few brisk walks and recording handheld vlogs. You can get some incredibly smooth run-and-gun footage. A huge plus is that I was unable to see a crop of the image area.

5.Sony A6700

Last update on 2025-03-30 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The a6700’s striking resemblance to the a6600 may be its greatest surprise. All of Sony’s APS-C E-mount cameras, with the exception of the one-and-done a3000, are positioned in the corner, despite the fact that the majority of mid-tier mirrorless cameras have a central viewfinder that aligns with the lens, just like SLRs.
With a viewfinder that fits comfortably in the upper left corner, the a6700 follows the trend. Smaller lenses work well with this body style, and many photographers may find the situational awareness this viewfinder position provides to be enjoyable. However, large, heavy telephoto lenses are less desirable for this design because they are easier to hold steady when using a center viewfinder.

The overall body is smaller with a corner viewfinder. Compared to rivals, the a6700 fits more readily into smaller camera bags because its top is flat, eliminating the need for a viewfinder hump like the Fujifilm X-T5. The Sony measures 2.7 by 4.8 by 2.5 inches (HWD) and weighs 1.1 pounds, while the X-T5 measures 3.6 by 5.1 by 2.5 inches and weighs 1.2 pounds.

The a6700 makes a few ergonomic enhancements while essentially maintaining the same features as its predecessors. For example, it’s the first model in the series to have a command dial in the grip for simpler manual exposure and a front-facing display for self-recorded video.

The a6700, like the majority of cameras in this price range, has a chassis made entirely of magnesium alloy and is resistant to rough treatment. Assuming you use a sealed lens, Sony advertises dust and moisture resistance as a feature but does not provide an IP rating. Make sure to choose a G series lens (or FE full-frame lens) in inclement weather because many Sony APS-C lenses lack weather protection.

There are plenty of options because Sony has been producing E-mount cameras and lenses for almost 15 years (full-frame FE optics work just fine). Before you buy early catalog items like the E 16mm F2.8, read our reviews because while the majority of Sony’s newer lenses are excellent, there are a few bad ones that are still available.

Another advantage of E-Mount is that outside manufacturers have stepped in to cover some of the lineup’s gaps. Canon and Nikon lag behind rival Fuji, which has a fully developed APS-C lens system. Canon has so far steered R7 customers toward reasonably priced full-frame lenses, and Nikon does not have a camera that is comparable to the a6700.

The a6700 body can be purchased alone by photographers who have a large collection of Sony lenses, but if you don’t have a suitable lens, you can purchase a kit that includes the E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-F5.6 OSS or the E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS . The 16-50mm is a poor lens that does this camera no justice, so I strongly advise against starting with it. On the other hand, the 18-135mm’s small size, practical zoom range, and sharp optics make it an excellent entry-level lens.

How to choose the best mirrorless camera for you

It’s a great time to buy a mirrorless camera, but also a slightly overwhelming one. An explosion in the number of options available at all price points from the likes of Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, Panasonic and a reborn Olympus (now known as OM System) means that photographers and videographers have never had more choice.

So where to start? Sensor size is often a good barometer of a camera’s character and shooting style. Models that are built for professionals and keen amateurs will have either a full-frame sensor or a slightly smaller APS-C chip. The latter tend to be smaller and more affordable than full-frame cameras, if not quite as portable as those with Four Thirds sensors (from Panasonic and Olympus).

It’s a bit overwhelming, but it’s a great time to purchase a mirrorless camera. Photographers and videographers have never had more options thanks to the proliferation of options at all price points from companies like Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, Panasonic, and a resurgent Olympus (now known as OM System).

So, where do I begin? A camera’s personality and shooting style can often 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 quite as portable as cameras with Four Thirds sensors (from Panasonic and Olympus), the latter are typically more compact and reasonably priced than full-frame cameras.

Mirrorless or DSLR: what’s the difference?

Since the introduction of the first mirrorless cameras, the debate between mirrorless and DSLR cameras has been very popular. Although the majority of manufacturers are now concentrating on putting their best technology into mirrorless models, the decision of which is best for you will always be personal. There are a few significant differences between the two formats, but our in-depth guide to mirrorless vs. DSLR should help you choose the one that best suits your needs.

Mirrorless cameras allow you to change lenses like a DSLR. But unlike a DSLR, they don’t use a mirror to direct light onto the sensor inside. Instead, light is received and processed by the sensor directly. Because they don’t need a bulky mirror, they can be made more compact than a traditional DSLR. No mirror to move also means faster potential shutter speeds.

Why are mirrorless cameras better?

Is a DSLR superior to a mirrorless camera? Read our guide on mirrorless vs. DSLR cameras to learn more about the many advantages and disadvantages of both designs.

There are undoubtedly more options with mirrorless cameras. There are only two major companies to consider when purchasing a DSLR: Canon and Nikon. The selection of brands is considerably greater if you choose a mirrorless camera; companies like Canon, Panasonic, Fujifilm, Sony, Olympus, and Leica all have a variety of cameras to fit most price ranges.

Every significant camera manufacturer has something to brag about at the moment, and their most recent models differ from their competitors enough to make a statement.

Although choosing ten expensive models to make up our list of the best mirrorless cameras would be very simple, we have also made an effort to find some less expensive options. Despite their lack of features, these models are excellent choices for novice users and those on a tight budget. Nevertheless, check out our top beginner mirrorless camera guide if you’re specifically searching for a low-cost model.