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Best Mirrorless Cameras for Beginners in 2022 | Top Review Picks

A camera is a must-have for people on travel. However, it is not all cameras that are kind to the skills of beginners. The functionality and controls of some of them are just too complicated for them that they end not taking enough pictures. Mirrorless cameras are the new trend and are especially suited for travel.

The best mirrorless camera for beginners is easy to use, comes with simple instructions and is a source of quality images – just because you are a novice doesn’t mean the quality should be any low.

What are Mirrorless Cameras and how do they Work?

The typical DSLR cameras employ a mirror mechanism to transmit light to the optical viewfinder. Just as the name suggests, the mirrorless does not make use of mirror mechanism. The light just goes directly to the sensor from the lens.

And in the place of the optical viewfinder, the mirrorless rely on LCDs and viewfinders to help see the quality of the final image. This absence of mirror mechanism makes the cameras lighter and less bulky – qualities that make them ideal for travel.

Your first thought on encountering a mirrorless is that they are mechanically complicated, but nothing could be farther from the truth. The camera shutter remains open and is only used at the final phase of exposure. And because the mirrorless does not have pentaprism and the mirror, the distance to the sensor is significantly shortened. This fact alone makes them shorter and thinner – and hence their portability.

Using the viewfinder directly helps you as the user access such settings as the saturation and live histograms. As a beginner, this capability allows you to see the quality of photos beforehand – you can try again if not satisfactory providing adequate room for improvement in the process.

The colorless varieties have potent features such as the contrast detection to zoom in and validate focus. This allows you to achieve precise focus. You can directly use the electronic viewfinder in sufficient lighting conditions without the need for the LCD – this may be battery saving.

The Pros and Cons of Mirrorless Cameras you should know about

One of the most vital selling points of the mirrorless cameras is its compact size and lightweight. The lack of the mirror mechanisms takes the bulk of the weight away from what their counterpart the DSLRs have. These mirrorless varieties are actually a favorite for any level of user as they are easy to carry around.

Their compact size and relatively easy operation also mean they are also quieter. They have less moving mechanisms and parts compared to DSLRs, and so they are less intimidating. Beginner photographers are more likely to feel intimidated by large noisy machines. The only varieties that may be said to better than the mirrorless regarding operation are the point-and-shoot cameras. But the former better their point-and-shoot counterparts in other many areas.

The majority of contemporary mirrorless cameras have high-quality video functionality as a mainstay feature. This actually betters DSLRs in a way as the only way you will access high-resolution videos is by going for the high-end DSLRs.

Their video autofocusing is also unmatched. This allows the capture of motion pictures without so much fuss. Many DSLRs are quite weak in video autofocusing, and that doesn’t help matters considering their big size.

And there are several shortcomings that you should probably be aware of. Among them is their high rate of battery draining. Basically, the mirrorless utilizes the LCD screen and EVF which significantly drain the battery. The LCD and viewfinder are only active when the device is turned on. Their small size also means smaller cells with a lower capacity which is not always good.

High dependence on the electronic viewfinder has such associated problems as high contrast, lag, and blackouts which, as a beginner, will take some time to get used to. Their autofocus is also not out of the woods, especially in low lighting conditions.

The mirrorless is relatively new in the market, and that has its own shortcomings that include the availability accessories. The selection of interchangeable lenses is not that wide like that of DSLRs.

And the price of mirrorless cannot be said to be better than DSLRs. If anything, the pricing is almost similar. Now, taking into account that you are a beginner, entry-level DSLRs may offer you a better deal than their mirrorless counterparts. You will get specs and features that dwarf anything you can get from entry level mirrorless cameras. Their portability and discreetness are what ultimately steals the show.

Reviewing Beginner-Friendly Mirrorless Cameras

#1: Canon EOS M5 Mirrorless Camera Body – Wi-Fi Enabled & Bluetooth


This small EOS mirrorless features a 24.2 Megapixel capacity for top of the range images – you may never have to be embarrassed to show the photos to everyone. You can also choose to enlarge and print out the images should you deem it necessary. As a beginner, you will also find the fast and precise autofocus quite useful in capturing great images.

The mirrorless can also take up to seven frames within a single second allowing you to make several attempts for the perfect shot.

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Pros

  • Has a high capacity sensor for crisp, clear images you will be proud of
  • The high-resolution images make it possible to enlarge the photos to your benefit
  • Its autofocus is both fast and precise for probably accurate video picture quality
  • Up to seven shots within a second for the ideal shot
  • Has a high-quality full HD video functionality in an easy to store MP4 format
  • Wireless connectivity for convenient transfer of files across devices

Cons

  • May have slow and sluggish autofocus which gets worse with deteriorating lighting
  • The images may not be ideal for printing

#2: Sony Alpha a5000 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm OSS Lens


This aesthetically appealing camera has a 20.1 MP sensor for the production of the top of the range images. And after capturing the perfect photos, you can use the available wireless connectivity to transfer the images to your social media account or other devices for storage.

And if you are among those that are in love with videos, this Sony Alpha provides the full HD video functionality to your benefit. The mirrorless also comes with a pop-up flash for those low lighting moments that you just can’t let pass.

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Pros

  • A 20.1 megapixels sensor for high-quality images
  • Has NFC and Wi-Fi connectivity for easier transfer of files
  • Full HD video functionality
  • A pop-up flash for low lighting situations
  • Has camera apps you can efficiently use to customize the images

Cons

    It may not entirely be the most durable camera

  • Their customer service may need a bit of improvement

#3: PANASONIC LUMIX G7 4K Mirrorless Camera, with 14-42mm MEGA O.I.S. Lens, 16 Megapixels


This 16 MP-sensor mirrorless camera works almost the same way as the traditional DSLR regarding image quality. It also allows the extraction of high-quality 4K photos from the video as it is playing. And what’s more, you can get up to 30 frames in second so you can choose the ideal photo.

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Pros

  • Allows the extraction of high-quality 4K photos to your benefit
  • Up to 30 frames within a second to get probably the ideal image
  • 4K video functionality for capturing the precious motion picture moments
  • Has three 4K photo modes you can choose from for the right image capture

Cons

  • The quality of the autofocus is probably not the best
  • It’s stabilization of images, not the best

#4: Canon EOS M10 Mirrorless Camera Kit with EF-M 15-45mm Image Stabilization STM Lens Kit


Image stabilization is a common problem with mirrorless camera users. This Canon EOS M10 comes with STM Lens Kit for that purpose. It also has a high-quality image processor that works well even in low lighting conditions. The mirrorless has a low noise 18-megapixel camera that captures a high amount of detail.

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Pros

  • Comes with STM Lens Kit the stabilization of images
  • A sophisticated image processor that works pretty well even in low lighting conditions
  • The camera is lightweight and has a compact design for easy travel
  • Has a low noise 18-megapixel camera that captures a significant amount of detail
  • Tilt and touch LCD monitor that makes using the device pretty easy

Cons

  • The focus speed is probably not the best

#5: Sony a5100 16-50mm Mirrorless Digital Camera with 3-Inch Flip-Up LCD


With up to 179 autofocus points, this might as well be one of the fastest mirrorless digital cameras. And if you are in low lighting conditions, this mirrorless digital camera has a high image processing capacity for crisp, clear images. The device also has wireless connectivity in the form of NFC and Wi-Fi for easier sharing.

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Pros

  • Fast autofocus for clear moving images
  • Has up 24.3MP image processing capacity even in poor lighting conditions
  • Comes with an excellent wireless connectivity for easier sharing
  • It has a full HD video capability for capturing moving objects
  • Easy to use flip-touch for great looking selfies

Cons

  • LCD may not be bright enough to see in the full glare of the sun
  • The touchscreen functionality is low quality

As a beginner, you will be looking for a camera that isn’t too hard to handle. The controls should be a breeze so you can start capturing images from the word ‘go’. It should also be durable and produce good quality images to make you proud. All the above-reviewed cameras would make an excellent choice for a beginner photographer. However, we will have to stick with the Canon EOS M5 Mirrorless Camera.

The mirrorless has one of the highest image resolutions, fast autofocus and captures up seven shots in a second and has wireless connectivity for easier sharing of photos. With this camera, we may easily say that you are well covered as a beginner.

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