Just over ten years ago, the first mirrorless cameras started hitting the market. They delivered the flexibility of an interchangeable lens system, but in a more compact form factor compared to DSLRs. Unfortunately, the early generations lagged behind their DSLR cousins, hindered by performance issues like slow autofocus and poor battery life.

Fast-forward and mirrorless cameras have changed the game. Not only are they as strong as DSLRs, but if you look at certain reports, they are outperforming them in sales as well. For you, this means there are far more appealing options than before. Whether you’re looking for something that’s capable enough for studio work or compact enough for travel, many models will fit the bill. Here are our current favourites for best mirrorless camera in a number of categories.

The Sony Alpha 7 III, or A7 III, helps you capture your subject in full colour and better details with its 24.2-megapixel sensor and high ISO capabilities. You can achieve clear pictures even in low-light environments thanks to the BSI tech that allows the A7 III’s full-frame sensors to capture more light. The A7 III also delivers a great low-light performance because of its extended light sensitivity levels that can go as low as ISO 50 to a high of ISO 204,800.

This mirrorless camera is equipped with 5-axis stabilisation, fast AF speed, and dependable tracking — all of which help you capture subjects moving at an unpredictable pace. You can also capture high-definition videos with this camera’s 4K HDR recording.

Why we love it:

— Fast continuous shooting — Steady, wide coverage — Has a great battery life

If you’re looking for a high-end starter camera with great photographic and video features, the Panasonic LUMIX DC-S5 might be the camera for you. It has a full-frame 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor optimised to produce high-quality images and reels. This mirrorless camera is also programmed with Dual Native ISO so you can shoot even in low-light conditions without any visible noise.

With its L-mount compatibility, you can mix and match the LUMIX DC-S5 to lenses made by Leica, Panasonic, and Sigma so you can build the ideal hybrid camera. This camera also has various 4K recording modes with no limitations on recording time so you can create professional-looking videos.

Why we love it:

— Upgraded focus system — Ergonomic body design — Splash- and dust resistant frame

The Canon EOS M200 is the ideal camera for people who want to move on from taking snaps on their smartphones. It works similar to a smartphone camera except your photos will come out more like it was shot by a professional thanks to the M200’s user-friendly guided interface, creative assist mode, and 24-megapixel APS-C sensor. This mirrorless camera also comes with a 15-45mm kit lens that offers impressive soft shots.

Why we love it:

— Ideal for beginners and casual photographers — Lightweight and slim, even with the kit lens — Has an easy-to-understand guide

Aspiring content creators and photographers will love the features packed inside the Canon EOS M50 Mark II. It has a vertical-only shoot video mode suitable for posting or live streaming on social media platforms and a movie self-timer that lets you prepare for 2-10 seconds before the camera begins recording. The M50 Mark II also allows for the recording of videos of up to 1080p and supports wireless live streaming.

For photographers, this mirrorless camera produces great image quality with its 10 fps burst speed, a 24.1-megapixel APS-C sensor, and a Digic8 imaging engine. It also has an expandable ISO sensitivity range of 100 up to 51,200.

Why we love it:

— Supports wireless Wi-Fi connection — Touchscreen controls — Smooth eye and face tracking

A mirrorless camera is a type of camera that uses interchangeable lenses, also called (to a lesser extent) a Compact System Camera. It’s related to the digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera, but do not confuse the two as the same. DSLRs use mirrors to reflect light from the lens to the optical viewfinder (OVF). When the shutter button is pressed, a mirror flips up to allow light to hit the sensor.

Mirrorless cameras do away with the mirror system and OVF (hence the name), allowing for lighter and smaller designs (although professional models can be somewhat bulky and heavy). But like DSLRs, mirrroless cameras let you attach a variety of lenses and typically use larger sensors than point-and-shoot, fixed-lens cameras, which leads to superior image quality.