Best Mirrorless Camera: Check Out Our Top Picks This Year

The first model on our list is an entry point camera great for anyone ready to try out a mirrorless model but not entirely wanting to make a hefty investment. It works great for beginners as well, even if it isn't the latest model from Sony's A6000 line. You can expect this camera to give you a solid all-rounder performance at a reasonable price.

One of the stronger aspects of this camera is in its powerful autofocus features, which quickly and accurately zooms on your target for timely images – and it's suitable for fast action shots with its 11fps burst shooting capabilities. With a high-resolution viewfinder, tilting LCD screen, wi-fi, and NFC capabilities, most functions you could ask for are in one unit.

However, while the screen is quality in its resolution and tilting capacity, it isn't a touchscreen, which can be inconvenient if you're used to those controls. It also only can record video up to 1080p, rather than the higher quality 4K.

Another Sony model the A9 is a bit more on the powerful end of the spectrum. This model is best suited to professionals and enthusiasts seeking a high-quality camera. The speed of this model takes full advantage of the lack of a mirror, allowing for fantastic shots in different realms, especially for sports and wildlife photographers.

The electronic viewfinder on this model stays active, even when the camera is shooting at high fps rates. If you are a wildlife photographer (or just someone who needs to keep quiet as you work), the electronic shutter means you can have complete silence during operation. This camera even has dual SD slots, allowing for fantastic memory options without needing to switch out your cards at a critical moment.

Because the A9 is easily a top line model, it has a price tag to match that can give you a case of sticker shock when you see it. And while this camera allows for swapping out lenses, there aren't as many options out there as you'll find with other brands.

As a follow up to Fujifilm's existing X-T2 mirrorless model, the X-H1 is an upgrade in many ways. While both cameras take advantage of the same high-quality 24MP APS-C sensor, the X-H1 steps up the game to have better grip and other changes. You can also count on this model to shoot at 8fps or 14fps, depending on whether you use the mechanical or electronic shutter.

The 5-axis sensor stabilization helps extensively in the round of taking clean shots. The X-H1 is also versatile for video, thanks to its 200 Mbps 4K video and log video profile feature. Other features include the tilting and monochrome information LCD, dual card slots, and weather sealed body, enabling ongoing photos and video, no matter the weather.

On the downside, video recording can quickly tank your battery life. When combined with the lack of headphone jack, the X-H1 may not be the best choice for people looking for a video-focused camera. The price is also on the higher end, though this model isn't as nearly as expensive as the Sony A9.

Panasonic's G85 is another camera that, while more expensive than Sony's A6000, has an excellent price to features ratio. This camera delivers strongly on both image and video quality, being able to function at 4K for the later. The anti-aliasing filter also helps in the realm of providing images with sharp detail for impeccable quality across the board.

Continuing with the range of positives, the G8-also delivers with its responsive touchscreen and high-resolution OLED viewfinder. The built-in image stabilization is also robust, and it only becomes even more powerful when you incorporate lens-based stabilization as well. There's also the Post Focus feature, which lets you vary the point of best sharpness when you've completed with shooting pictures.

While we think the anti-aliasing filter more than makes up for it, the 16MP sensor isn't as powerful as it could be. There's also the issues with noise reduction, which can add that grainy tint to your pictures if you're not careful.

If the G85 sounds appealing but you'd rather have a more compact body, you can always for Panasonic's LUMIX DC-G9. This model delivers on features much in the same way that the G85 does, but it is in a micro four-thirds package, making it easy to transport. The sturdy weatherproof body means that street and outdoor photographers can have a model that meets their transporting needs.

The sensor is still modest, but it's 20MP in comparison to the G85's 16. The in-body stabilization system is just as capable, and the 20 fps speed with continuous autofocus is some of the best you can ask for – not to mention the 60 and 30 fps speed available in the constant 4K and 6K photo modes, and 80MP from the High-Resolution Mode. Video mode is also capable, and there's no recording time limit.

While it's hard to find flaws in this camera, there are a few. The burst rate has strange limitation ranges, and the sensor is overall smaller to other cameras of similar size and price.