Buying Guide: 10 best mirrorless cameras in 2016


Best mirrorless compact system camera

Once upon a time, keen photographers bought a DSLR – it was the established order of things. But the mirror mechanism of a DSLR is complex and noisy and adds to the weight of the camera, and that’s where the mirrorless camera, or compact system camera comes in. They keep the big sensors and interchangeable lenses of DSLR cameras but ditch the mirror to produce a smaller, lighter and simpler camera.

In fact, there are still pros and cons to both designs. If you want to find out more, .

Some mirrorless cameras have a compact, rectangular body, some are styled like DSLRs with a ‘pentaprism’ on the top – though this houses an electronic viewfinder rather than the optical viewfinder you get with a DSLR.

Be aware, too, that cheaper mirrorless cameras don’t come with viewfinders at all – instead, you compose the photo on the rear screen, just as you do with a compact camera or a smartphone.

No two photographers are exactly the same – we’re all looking for slightly different things, so we’ve ranked the 10 best compact system cameras you can buy right now based not just on specs, handling and performance, but size, simplicity and value for money too.

Fuji X-T10

1. Fuji X-T10

The X-T10 makes access to Fuji’s terrific X-mount system affordable

Sensor size: APS-C | Resolution: 16.3MP | Viewfinder: EVF | Monitor: 3-inch, 920,800 dots |Maximum continuous shooting rate: 8fps | Maximum video resolution: 1080p

See more Fuji X-T10 deals

Excellent build and designValue for moneyHigh ISOs are JPEG onlyLacks X-T1’s weatherproofing

At first sight the X-T10 just looks like a lower-cost alternative to Fuji’s flagship DSLR-style X-T1, and you might be expecting a whole bunch of compromises as a result. In fact, though, the X-T10 uses the same sensor and Fuji’s latest AF technology, which the X-T1 needs a firmware update to match. The X-T10 has a slightly smaller viewfinder image and simplified external controls which don’t match the retro appeal of the X-T1’s, but apart from that it’s hard to see any major benefit to the X-T1 that could justify the big price difference. We love the compact DSLR-style body, the superb Fuji image quality and film simulation modes, and Fuji’s growing range of premium lenses. This is top-quality mirrorless technology at a mid-range DSLR price point.


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2. Olympus OM-D E-M10 II

The brilliant E-M10 II ticks boxes you probably didn’t even know about

Sensor size: Micro Four Thirds | Resolution: 16.1Mp | Viewfinder: EVF | Monitor: 3-inch tilting display, 1,037,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 8.5fps | Maximum video resolution: 1080p

See more Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II deals

Compact size, lenses too Excellent viewfinder Smaller sensor than some Pricier than original E-M10

It’s a close-run thing between this and the X-T10 for the top spot in our list. We loved the original E-M10 for its size, versatility and value for money, but the E-M10 II adds features that take it to another level. The old camera’s 3-axis image stabilization system has been uprated to the 5-axis system in Olympus’s more advanced OM-D cameras, the viewfinder resolution has been practically doubled and the continuous shooting speed, already impressive at 8fps, creeps up to 8.5fps. Some will criticise the smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor format (roughly half the area of APS-C) but the effect on image quality is minor and it means that the lenses are as compact and lightweight as the camera itself. It’s small, but it’s no toy – the E-M10 II is a properly powerful camera.

Sony A7 II

3. Sony A7 II

Full-frame DSLR-style stunner with 5-axis stabilization built in

Sensor size: Full frame | Resolution: 24.3MP | Viewfinder: EVF | Monitor: 3-inch, 1,228,800 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 5fps | Maximum video resolution: 1080p

See more Sony A7 II deals

Full frame image quality Size and handling Lenses can be bulky Upstaged somewhat by new A7R II

Our next choice represents a big step up in sensor size. The full frame Sony A7 II doesn’t have the highest-resolution sensor in the A7 range – that’s the 42.5Mp A7R II – but its full-frame sensor still has 24 million pixels and, now, built-in stabilization. It’s more expensive than the A7 it replaces, but although our lab tests show it has no clear performance advantage over its best APS-C rivals, the Fuji X-T1 and Samsung NX1, the A7 II’s full-frame sensor brings a shallower depth of field and a pictorial ‘depth’ to stills and video that’s harder to achieve in a smaller format. The A7 II is an important step in the evolution of full-frame compact system cameras and is supported by a growing collection of pro-quality lenses.

Fuji X-T1

4. Fuji X-T1

Classic handling, beautiful images – the X-T1 doesn’t put a foot wrong

Sensor size: APS-C | Resolution: 16.3MP | Viewfinder: EVF | Monitor: 3-inch tilting display, 1,040,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 8fps | Maximum video resolution: 1080p

See more Fuji X-T1 deals

Classic controls Rugged build Advanced filters JPEG only Expensive compared to X-T10

Not so long back the X-T1 was our favourite compact system camera, but things change quickly in the world of cameras, and it’s been pushed out of the top spot. Price has proved the X-T1’s main enemy – it’s a great camera, but it’s held its price almost too well, so that the newer Fuji X-T10 is almost as great and much cheaper. The Olympus E-M10 II has come along too, with its brilliant blend of size, features and value, and competitive pricing means the Sony A7 II is now very good value for those who value performance above all else. The X-T1’s external manual controls for shutter speed, lens aperture and ISO setting are still a joy to use and we love the results from its X-Trans sensor, but its rivals are getting ever stronger.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II

5. Olympus OM-D E-M5 II

Amazing features, impressive results, inspired thinking… but not cheap

Sensor size: Micro Four Thirds | Resolution: 16.1MP | Viewfinder: EVF | Monitor: 3-inch articulating display, 1,037,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 10fps | Maximum video resolution: 1080p

See more Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II deals

Innovative 40M high-res mode Effective 5-axis stabilization Some fiddly and complex controls Holding its price a bit too well

The E-M5 II is another technological tour-de-force from Olympus, with a 40Mp High Res mode that produces detail far beyond the sensor’s native resolution (though only with static subjects), 5-axis image stabilization for both stills and movies (so it’s great for ‘run-and-gun’ style videography), a fully-articulating touch-screen display and some clever and exciting low-light exposure modes. It’s also small and perfectly formed – yet, for an enthusiasts’ camera it’s not cheap, and the controls can be baffling. It’s a similar price to the Fuji X-T1 and faces a similar problem – it’s desirable enough, but there’s a newer, much cheaper camera in the range (the OM-D E-M10 II) that makes you question the price.

Panasonic G7

6. Panasonic G7

If you can get past its somewhat bland styling, the G7 has a LOT to offer

Sensor size: Micro Four Thirds | Resolution: 16MP | Viewfinder: Electronic | Monitor: 3-inch articulating screen, 1,040,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 8fps | Maximum video resolution: 4K

See more Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 deals

Excellent OLED viewfinder4K video and stills modeTwo-year-old sensorPlasticky build

Panasonic’s D-SLR-style G-series cameras are easily overlooked, as the company tends to put its latest technology in its smaller, rectangular GX-series cameras – the new GX8 is the first to use Panasonic’s new 20Mp Micro Four Thirds sensor. Nevertheless, they offer a good blend of features, technology, practicality and value. Indeed, the G7 is a pretty good stills camera for the money, but it goes a whole step further, adding in Panasonic’s 4K movie capability and the option of grabbing 8Mp stills at a rate of 30fps. Interestingly, though, Panasonic has kept to its ‘old’ 16Mp sensor for this model, reserving its latest 20Mp sensor for the GX8. Nevertheless, this is a great camera, especially at today’s prices, and its 4K imaging technology is still ahead of the curve.

Panasonic GH4

7. Panasonic GH4

Is it a stills camera or a 4K video camera? The GH4 is brilliant but conflicted

Sensor size: Micro Four Thirds | Resolution: 16.1MP | Viewfinder: EVF | Monitor: 3-inch tilting screen, 1,036,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 12fps | Maximum video resolution: 4K

See more Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 deals

4K video and 14fps continuous shooting Metal chassis Some fiddly and complex controls Pro build quality and 200,000-shot shutter life

The GH4 was a terrific, ground-breaking camera and its 4K video capabilities became legendary amongst professional film-makers. It’s also a very good stills camera capable of shooting top-quality 16Mp images at up to 12 frames per second. You can even extract really good 8MP stills from 4K video shot at 30fps. But all this processing power has made the GH4 expensive, so unless shooting high-speed action stills and video is your speciality, you could be paying for power you won’t use. It’s a firm favourite amongst 4K film-makers and early adopters, however, and while prices have fallen since its launch in 2014, its reputation just seems to keep on growing. It’s been standing still just a little too long, though, and 4K video capability is becoming relatively commonplace.

Sony Alpha A6000

8. Sony A6000

Sony’s top box-shape CSC has an electronic viewfinder and super-fast AF

Sensor size: APS-C | Resolution: 24.3MP | Viewfinder: EVF | Monitor: 3-inch tilting screen, 921,600 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 11fps | Maximum video resolution: 1080p

See more Sony Alpha 6000 deals

Great electronic viewfinder Fast and sophisticated AF Frustrating AF set process No touchscreen

The A6000 was Sony’s top APC-S compact system camera up until the announcement of the A6300. We haven’t had a chance to test the new camera yet, and the A6000 is still on sale and rather good value now, so it keeps its place in our list. It has a ‘box’ design rather than the D-SLR style of the E-M10 and other enthusiast-orientated compact system cameras, but it does have an electronic viewfinder, though, mounted in the top corner and some very impressive specs, including a hybrid AF system claimed by Sony to be the fastest in the world when it was launched (February 2014), a 24-megapixel sensor and 11fps continuous shooting. At its current super-competitive prices, the A6000 is a high-end compact system camera at an entry-level price and that guarantees it a place in our list.

Panasonic GX8

9. Panasonic GX8

Panasonic’s flagship CSC has a brand new sensor, but it’s pricey

Sensor size: Micro Four Thirds | Resolution: 20.3MP | Viewfinder: Tilting EVF | Monitor: 3-inch tilting screen, 1,040,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 8fps | Maximum video resolution: 4K

See more Panasonic GX8 deals

New 20Mp sensor Mag-alloy build, dust and splash-proof Larger than the old GX7 Expensive at launch

Panasonic’s compact system camera range is pretty confusing. You might expect its DSLR-style G-series cameras to get the best and latest tech, but actually it’s the the box-shaped GX8 that’s the first to benefit from Panasonic’s new 20Mp Micro Four Thirds sensor – this has performed really well in our lab tests, putting it on the same level as a good DSLR. The GX8 also comes with 4K video and the ability to grab 8Mp stills from it (it’s like continuous shooting at 30fps). The rear screen is tilting and so, unusually, is the electronic viewfinder eyepiece. It’s a very good camera, but the price is a sticking point, and the Sony A6000 (above) gives you more for your money.

Nikon 1 J5

10. Nikon 1 J5

Nikon’s pint-sized CSC has a smaller sensor but plenty of charm

Sensor size: 1-inch | Resolution: 20.8MP | Viewfinder: No | Monitor: 3-inch, 1,037,800 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 60fps | Maximum video resolution: 4K (15fps)

See more Nikon 1 J5 deals

Compact body and lenses Great value for money Only a 1-inch sensor No viewfinder

Most mirrorless cameras use Micro Four Thirds, APS-C or even full frame sensors, so the smaller 1-inch sensor in the Nikon 1 cameras means that they’re not always taken very seriously. But the sensor is still large enough to give much better results than a regular compact and the choice of interchangeable lenses for the Nikon 1 system is pretty decent. Best of all, this is a really cute and stylish little camera that’s easy to use and delivers good results, combining point and shoot simplicity with proper manual controls for enthusiasts – and at a price which makes the little Nikon hard to resist.

Source: techradar.com

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24 Comments
  1. Reply Prof. Rachelle Dibbert February 19, 2016 at 6:07 pm

    It must be April 1st since only a FOOL could come up with these rankings.

  2. Reply Fleta Jones February 19, 2016 at 7:13 pm

    I almost agree, but am saving up for the A7S (or A7Sii) for the mind-blowing low light performance. Every photo can look good in lab conditions at 100 ISO, but real world low light is the bane of every (other) camera ever made.

  3. Reply Mrs. Hattie Walker MD February 19, 2016 at 8:18 pm

    measurebator spotted!

  4. Reply Melisa Lemke February 19, 2016 at 8:35 pm

    Please elaborate your one sided opinion.
    Unless you're a nikon fanboy, I don't get why you hate it that much.

  5. Reply Claude Heidenreich February 20, 2016 at 12:32 am

    The EOS-M is available on-line now for less than US$300 – inc' 18-55mm lens.

  6. Reply Dr. Ike Hamill February 20, 2016 at 8:15 am

    Canon pays. Sony obviously doesn't.

  7. Reply Lenora Pouros February 20, 2016 at 3:51 pm

    I juts can't take this review seriously at all.
    No canon in the top ten?
    No samsung? Not one of the cameras listed here can compete with the Samsung NX1. How could it not make the list?

  8. Reply Allene Rath February 20, 2016 at 7:53 pm

    are you blind
    canon arent in this list

  9. Reply Ms. Edna Collins February 20, 2016 at 10:18 pm

    The Sony a7r has just been superseded by the (somewhat obviously named) a7r II. It's bigger, better, and of course, even more expensive!

  10. Reply Aida Smitham February 20, 2016 at 11:16 pm

    yes I agree the Sony range of cameras are fantastic and the snobs overlook them because of the name. more fool them. I have owned several NEX models and the picture quality is one of the best and beats Nikon big time. especially the rubbish p520.

  11. Reply Mr. Sydney Considine DDS February 21, 2016 at 1:06 am

    It's hilarious how self-appointed digital camera bloggers think 'CSC' is a thing. It isn't. 'Compact' = no, many of these cameras are not compact. Smaller (slightly) than a DSLR, but we already have a class of camera called compact. These aren't them. 'System' = More frequently used is 'ILC' or MILC because very few people acknowledge or use the term 'system camera'. It's vague. Also, 'CSC' excludes cameras like the X100 series, fixed lens Leicas and does not exclude MIRRORED models. So the only bit that sets a 'CSC' apart is… Size? And as the A7RII and bigger NX, Olympus and Fuji models show, these aren't compact.

    Also funny is how the dubious X-Trans photo quality of the X-T1 earns it top honors, here. 16MP, terrible demosaicing issues, soft clarity JPEGs. You're basically touting it because it looks cool and takes a 'hands off' image that has a nice film coloring to it. In short, you're obviously not photographers. The A7 series beats everything on this list in terms of IQ and competes well in the feature set: WiFi NFC, downloadable apps, 24, 32 and now 42MP sensors, full frame with wide ranging legacy adaptation capabilities, good-if-not-DSLR level autofocus performance, etc. etc.

    Long story short, Sony didn't pay their ad bill this month. The A7 is the camera everyone loves to clickbait-hate.

  12. Reply Estell Parisian February 21, 2016 at 9:55 am

    About the A7ii you said…."our lab tests show it has no clear performance advantage over its best APS-C rivals, the Fuji X-T1 and Samsung NX1"
    WTF!
    What kind of labs are you referring to? A meth lab? Cause that will explain how you make such stupid statements that can be proven wrong by any other test ever made. Seriously….you guys are the worst of the worst when it comes to "reviews" or you got very good incentive$$$ to be this dumb.
    I hope people out there do a lot more research than just going by such clueless articles as this one.
    What is next, your cellphone matches real cameras too?
    Pathetic!

  13. Reply Shawna Price February 21, 2016 at 2:08 pm

    My bias and personal vote goes to the Sony a7R II as the best mirrorless camera as of today. It is not compact but smaller and lighter.I don't consider the x-t1 as compact at all esp if you put the 50-140. Anyway, those listed and omitted mirrorless cameras will give you excellent images. I will be happy to own any of those.

  14. Reply Marco O'Hara February 21, 2016 at 2:37 pm

    Interesting observation on the XT1. Have you a bad experience with one, as i had the XE2 and gave me incredible clear images with no noise, even at higher ISOs. Took ages to get optimum settings after doing tons of test shots, but great camera nonetheless

  15. Reply Amy Fritsch February 21, 2016 at 3:45 pm

    fuck you're shit. are you the type of person who whinges over how the industry calls it "UHD" instead of "4k"? Who cares what the terminology is for it. This is a list for all people, not just people who want to dish 2,000 for an a7. it's to appeal to a wide range of people. Jesus.

    source: own 5dIII, eos m and recently an a7s

  16. Reply Rahul Prosacco February 21, 2016 at 8:57 pm

    yes I agree the Sony range of cameras are fantastic and the snobs overlook them because of the name. more fool them.

  17. Reply Eduardo Will February 22, 2016 at 1:22 am

    You bet…it is April Fool$$$$ …hope those check were pretty fat to make your reputation even worst by spreading all this BS techradar.

  18. Reply Ida Grant PhD February 22, 2016 at 1:25 am

    Never owned a Nikon. No Canon or Nikon in this year's list.

  19. Reply Franz Corwin February 22, 2016 at 2:06 am

    Exactly…just look at the commend they made about the A7ii compare to other$$$ …this is laughable to say the least.

  20. Reply Haven Rosenbaum February 22, 2016 at 12:31 pm

    Hard to see why you would include the Canon EOS-M in any recommendation of anything. Possibly the worst camera ever made and easily Canon's worst effort. I presume they will do better next time, but other than as a backup (with the bulky adaptor attached) for those with a Canon DSLR I can't see why anyone would consider it.

  21. Reply Alessandra McClure February 22, 2016 at 3:28 pm

    Check the date.

  22. Reply Prof. Katelynn Koelpin PhD February 22, 2016 at 4:17 pm

    Lenses for the A600 aren't bulky and they don't make it particularly difficult to hold the camera. It's an APS-C sized camera, same as DSLR Nikons, and the lenses are far, far smaller for the former than the latter. Some of the optics are really small, like the 16 and 20mm lenses.

  23. Reply Dr. Pearline Labadie II February 22, 2016 at 6:01 pm

    You should update your review and opinion of the Eos-M. A recent frimware update to version 2.0.2 has reduced the autofocus time of the lenses considerably compared to the original firmware. I have one and a 600d and its a joy to use and have the image quality of the 600d in such a small compact body!

  24. Reply Jo Wintheiser February 22, 2016 at 6:26 pm

    If the picture you used for this article is shot with a Fuji X-Pro1 you can poke them!

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