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The best Mirrorless Cameras Under $800 demonstrates that you don’t need professional equipment to produce stunning photographs. Whatever your level of expertise, these entry-level devices make photography accessible to anyone. But that doesn’t mean they won’t be terrific long-term investments: the top picks below have plenty of power and headroom for you to grow into. For many photographers and videographers, mirrorless cameras are an ideal choice. They are smaller and lighter than standard DSLRs, with fast and precise focusing systems and high continuous shooting speeds.
Even if you’re on a tight budget, many options are available, whether you buy new or used. The good news is that most modern mirrorless cameras, including entry-level versions, can perform a wide range of photography and video tasks. With so many options available, you’re likely to discover something that meets your requirements without breaking the bank. We bought and tested cameras, and our choices for the best mirrorless cameras under $800 are listed below.
Best Mirrorless Cameras Under $800
Nikon Z50 Mirrorless Camera
The Nikon Z 50 is the best mirrorless camera around $800. This entry-level crop-sensor model is based on a 20MP sensor that works brilliantly in low light, with good noise management and a wide dynamic range. It’s also weatherproof, durable, and comfortable to hold, with a large grip and well-placed tactile controls. It’s also a fantastic choice for shooting fast subjects, as it has a high burst rate and a robust autofocus system.
It also boasts good video specs for the budget, including a screen that can be flipped down for vlogs. The similarly cost Sony a6400 has a somewhat more reliable AF system, making it a solid choice in this price bracket. Still, the Nikon’s colors and handling, along with a considerably more straightforward menu system, make it our top all-around pick for most consumers.
Sony Alpha ZV-E10 Mirrorless Camera
The Sony ZV-E10 is the best we’ve tested. It’s small and portable, and while it lacks a viewfinder, it does have a vari-angle screen that allows you to observe yourself while shooting. With unique autofocus modes like ‘Product Showcase,’ which allows product vloggers to hold objects up in the picture without covering their faces, this is one of the most proficient vlogging cams on the market.
While it lacks IBIS like the more expensive Fujifilm X-S10, you can still use it with optically stabilised lenses to produce a smoother image. Its portability is difficult to match for on-the-go vlogging. Finally, this is one of the better possibilities for aspiring content creators who don’t want to spend a fortune on a video camera.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
While not significantly less expensive than the Canon EOS R10 and Fujifilm X-T30 II, the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is more economical for novices. Because it has a smaller Four Thirds sensor than those APS-C cameras, it’s an even more compact package when paired with the hundreds of lenses available. Video shooters should go elsewhere because it lacks a microphone port as well as a USB-C port.
However, it has a lot to offer aspiring photographers. There’s an ergonomic grip that feels good in the hand, as well as a user-friendly button layout and a handy flip-down touchscreen. It was also the most photo-centric camera at its price point, generating excellent stills during our tests.
Pentax K-70 DSLR Camera
The Pentax K-70 is very close to being a perfect camera. When travelling in severe environments, its weather-sealed body comes in handy. My poor DSLR, which is not weather-sealed, for example, struggles with the forest’s humidity. This is a must-have feature if you enjoy travel/landscape/wildlife photography! The “kit lens” is a very versatile 18-135 mm, which is a significant upgrade over the 18-55 mm lens that is frequently provided with Canon DSLRs.
With a 24 MP resolution, image quality is excellent, and photographs are incredibly sharp thanks to the built-in Shake Reduction technology. Low-light performance is also superb, with a maximum ISO sensitivity of 102,400. The connectivity possibilities are somewhat limited; just Wi-Fi is accessible, and its utility is limited. Battery life may be improved, however the batteries charge quickly.
Nikon D5600 Digital SLR Camera
The Nikon camera D5600 is an excellent DSLR camera for newcomers. Images appear stunning because to the 24-megapixel sensor and the EXPEED 4 Image Processor, as well as the high-quality Nikkor lenses that come with this camera set. We recommend choosing either the 18-140 mm lens or the 18-55 mm + 70-300 mm lens bundle for optimal adaptability.
Most modern camera features are included, such as a rotatable screen, built-in Wi-Fi, and a good autofocus system with 39 points. Low-light performance is likewise excellent, and the ISO sensitivity is adequate, reaching up to 25600 in extended mode. Although 4K is not available, this camera is about to record Full HD video at 60 frames per second, which is rather impressive.
Sony Alpha A6100 Mirrorless Camera
Sony’s A6000 was one of the most popular mirrorless models in recent years, and while it is still available, the manufacturer has updated it with the A6100. This adds a slew of additional capabilities to Sony’s entry-level offering, including better video functions that now include 4K resolution. You also get a touch-sensitive screen and advanced autofocus choices, including the highly effective Eye AF.
During our tests, we settled on continuous AF with the ‘Tracking: Expand Flexible Spot’ focus area and forgot that it was an entry-level mirrorless camera due to its fast, straightforward, and accurate autofocusing. Sony’s mount is compatible with a wide variety of lenses, therefore it’s also a system you can trust when investing in.
Panasonic Lumix G95D
The Lumix camera DC-G95 has a substantial handgrip and a huge viewfinder, making it feel like a serious camera. It has excellent handling and build quality, as well as being splashproof and dustproof. It has 5-axis sensor-shift stabilisation, which may be used in conjunction with OIS on lenses to produce ultra-smooth footage. You can shoot at up to 9 frames per second in continuous burst mode or up to 30 frames per second in 4K picture mode.
Speaking of 4K, you can also capture 4K video, making this feature-rich camera an excellent all-arounder. The viewfinder is quite sharp and includes a completely articulated screen, which makes it ideal for vlogging and an easy-to-navigate menu system. It would be higher on the list if it weren’t for the tiny Micro Four Thirds sensor.
CANON EOS Rebel SL3 DSLR Camera
The Canon Rebel SL3 has been around for a while, yet it remains one of our favourites. Its 24.1MP APS-C sensor produces superb image quality, and Live View shooting with the LCD screen is so simple and straightforward, with such good Dual Pixel CMOS focusing, that we’d argue it’s one of the few DSLRs where composing shots with the screen is as simple as with a mirrorless camera.
Canon also includes 4K video, and all of this is housed in an ergonomically built DSLR body that is one of the smallest on the market. The new Canon EOS Rebel T8i is significantly more expensive but just modestly more attractive. The Rebel SL3 is considerably under $1,000 with an EF-S 18-55mm kit lens, and it’s worth checking for twin-lens kits that add a telephoto zoom for less than $800.
Final Words
Our selections above are what we believe are the best mirrorless cameras under $800 for the majority of people to buy, based on their needs. We consider the price, guest comments, and availability. If you want to decide, here’s a collection of all our reviews for interchangeable-lens mirrorless cameras under $800. Take care not to become bogged down in the intricacies. There is no such thing as a flawless camera. Personal choice and shooting habits will be more important in your pick.