Mirrorless Cameras
Mirrorless cameras are a photo camera with a single, removable lens and a digital display. You may find them with different nomenclatures such as MILC (mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera), DSLM (digital lens mirrorless), and EVIL (electronic viewfinder interchangeable lens.
The mirrorless cameras don’t have an optical viewfinder or reflex mirror. This is the main difference from a digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR). Nowadays, some mirrorless cameras still use a mechanical shutter. They accept compatible interchangeable lenses, the same as the DSLR cameras.
What Makes Mirrorless Cameras Unique?
First, mirrorless cameras are simpler mechanically speaking than DSLR. They are usually small, light, and quiet because of not having a moving mirror. Also, the shutter is more silent. Many mirrorless cameras have both shutters, mechanical, and electronic. Using the latter allows for almost zero noise photo shooting.
Until recently (the mid-2010s), mirrorless cameras couldn’t provide the same photo quality when compared to DSLRs. The DSLRs were faster and showed clear photos. The electronic viewfinder was not advanced enough to show focus-peaking. They couldn’t show clearly poorly illuminated subjects or bright sunlight exposure.
The latest phase-detect autofocus function available on some mirrorless cameras has eliminated most of the above-mentioned issues. The autofocus speed and accuracy has been proven to have the same output quality as the DSLRs.
One negative point would be the shorter battery life of mirrorless cameras. They use LCD and OLED displays, so they consume more battery than their DSLR counterpart.
The recent mirrorless cameras can shoot with phase-detect autofocus at up to 20 frames per second using 693 focus points. These stats are far greater than those of the DSLR. On the negative side, the on-sensor phase-detection repurposes pixel sites. This could affect the final image quality, and produce some banding artifacts.
Best 3 Mirrorless Cameras in 2020
We have compiled the top best 3 mirrorless cameras in 2020. The criteria we have used relates to the design of the camera. The specifics, photo quality, and lastly their price.
Fujifilm X-T30
- This camera has a great lens system and a classy design. Users don’t need to be experts in order to make the best of this camera. The X-T30 is compact and light in size, very portable, and easy to use. The camera has a powerful AF and video.
- The Fujifilm X-T30’s resolution APS-C sensor is second in the market. It is only defeated by the 32.5MP of the Canon EOS M6 Mark II. The camera also features one of the most sophisticated autofocus systems. The X-T30 sells for $799. This is overall one of the best mirrorless cameras in the market.
| Fujifilm X-T30 | |
| Type | Mirrorless |
| Sensor | APS-C |
| Megapixels | 26.1MP X-Trans sensor |
| Lens Mount | Fujifilm X |
| Screen | 3-inch tilting touchscreen, 1,040,000 dots |
| Viewfinder | Electronic |
| Continuous shooting speed | 30fps (electronic shutter) 1.25x crop 8fpt (mechanical shutter) |
| Max Video resolution | 4K |
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
- This Olympus model has a Stunning Pro Capture Mode and an exceptional 152 raw file buffer. It is suitable for both amateur and experts alike. The camera has a compact size easy for handling.
- A wide range of lenses can be used with the Mark III. Although this camera uses an MFT sensor smaller than APS-C it has other great utilities to brag about. This model of Olympus is an exceptional and worthy successor to the well regarded Mark II.
- This latest model uses the innovative 20.4 megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor. That while smaller sensor has a similar picture quality to the APS-C ones. This feature is what allows Olympus Mark III to be portable.
- This new model has outstanding body stabilization, Live Composite, and Live Bulb mode, amongst others. You can buy this camera for as low as $899. All in all the Olympus Mark III is a great choice for its portability, features, and performance.
| Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III | |
| Type | Mirrorless |
| Sensor | MFT |
| Megapixels | 20.4MP |
| Lens Mount | NFT |
| Screen | 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 1.037,000 dots |
| Viewfinder | Electronic |
| Continuous shooting speed | 30fps (Pro Capture mode), 10fps (mechanical shutter) |
| Max Video resolution | c4K/A |
Canon EOS RP
- The Canon EOS RP is the smallest full-frame model within the brand. It is a perfect fit for enthusiasts. It offers incredible value for its price of $999 due to its appealing design, small size, and vari-angle screen. It offers a fully-articulating screen and feels quite small for its lenses.
- The Canon RF lens range has been built nicely by Canon in the last few years. This model sports a great model with a price below most APS-C models. With the Canon EOS RP, you get a 26.2-megapixel full-frame sensor. It features 4,799-point Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus and 4K video quality output.
- The Canon EOS RP is the cheapest full-frame camera on the market that sports a current model. Even when we include the 24-105mm STM kit lens, it is quite affordable for all its features.
| Canon EOS RP | |
| Type | Mirrorless |
| Sensor | Full frame |
| Megapixels | 26.2MP |
| Lens Mount | Canon RF |
| Screen | 3-inch articulating touchscreen, 1,040,800 dots |
| Viewfinder | Electronic |
| Max burst Speed | 5fps |
| Max Video resolution | 4K |
The Bottom Line
There are plenty of good value mirrorless cameras in the market. Often, these cameras have a small size with a stylish and classy design. The easy to handle cameras come in 2020 with excellent photo quality and affordable prices. They are favorite to both enthusiasts and professionals due to their cheap price, many features, and portability. The three cameras that stood out in 2020 are the Fujifilm X-T30, Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, and Canon EOS RP. Each camera has great capabilities. They are amongst the same price range and any would be a great pick for any keen on photography and videography.
