Being able to shoot a great video can have any number of positive benefits for your life.
Whether you’re making a family home movie to create memories that will last a lifetime or creating a piece of cinema for a school project, having a high quality video is super important.
Everyone knows the most important piece of equipment for making a high quality video is a camera.
With the way camera technology is evolving every year, the new kid on the block has made a big impression on the industry.
Mirrorless cameras are the latest big development in photography and filmmaking, and they’re now the go-to camera of choice for anyone looking for a camera to suit all their needs.
They’ve had a meteoric rise to success too. In 2013, they made up about 5% of all camera shipments, but by 2015 they accounted for 26% of shipments outside the US!
It works by collecting light through the lens and passes it directly into the digital sensor, which then displays directly to the camera’s LCD screen. This means you can preview the image you want to capture before even pressing a button.
Not to mention, with the developments that have taken place in recent years, mirrorless cameras are now lighter, more durable and more portable than ever before.
After all, using a camera to shoot a candid video of your family and friends should be seamless. No one wants to have to lug out a huge rig and stick it in peoples’ faces.
That’s why mirrorless has become the way to go for everybody.
For this guide, we’ve scoured the internet to find the best mirrorless cameras money can buy. We’ll go over all the unique benefits and features of each to help you decide which one is perfect for your needs.
Best Mirrorless Camera For Video – Comparison Table
Best Mirrorless Camera For Video – Reviews
The first mirrorless camera we’re looking at on this list is Amazon’s choice for Canon R6 cameras and is one of the best reviewed mirrorless cameras on the whole site.
This beast of a handheld camera uses the DIGIC X image processor, one of the best available on the market.
It also has a 5-axis image stabilization system, meaning your videos will stay clean and looking smooth even in the toughest of filming conditions.
Of course, the video capture resolution is a whopping 4K ultra high definition 2160p.
That might seem like a bunch of numbers and letters to some people, but trust us when we tell you that’s some of the highest quality video imagery you can hope for.
In essence, this is the kind of camera a professional photographer or filmmaker might use, so it definitely has all the qualities you’d need from any camera, mirrorless or otherwise.
However, there are a couple of downsides to this being such a high performance camera.
Primarily, the price of this camera is pretty high compared to the average on this list.
Canon has included some very high tech components in this camera so they need to charge a pretty hefty amount to make up for it.
Also, this camera isn’t the most friendly for beginners or anyone who doesn’t already have a good depth of camera knowledge and experience.
It would probably take even the most experienced camera user a while to get used to all the features this camera comes with and to get it to the perfect working condition.
As well as this, some customer reviews noted that some parts of the camera seem to have been made noticeably cheaply, which detracts from the overall experience of using it.
That’s certainly not something you want to see in such an expensive piece of equipment.
- 4K UHD 2160p – Super high quality video image
- DIGIC X image processor – Allows the camera to perform all of its functions quickly and efficiently, giving you a perfect preview of your image before you’ve even pressed ‘record’
- 5-Axis image stabilization – Keeps your videos looking smooth when played back
- Silent mechanical shutter up to 20fps – Even for taking still images, you’ll be able to capture up to 20 frames per second with no noise interrupting the moment
- Premium price – It might be a top quality camera, but it’s not the most budget friendly option
- Cheap feeling parts – Customer reviews highlighted how some of the components on this camera feel a lot cheaper and flimsier than they should for this price point
This camera is one of the biggest competitors to the previous Canon camera we looked at. It’s also listed as an Amazon’s choice product and has overwhelmingly good reviews on the site.
Canon and Sony are definitely two of the biggest titans in the camera world and this product from Sony is their best attempt at gaining the upper hand.
The A7 III has a lot of similar features to the Canon, including 4K ultra high definition video quality and a great image stabilization system.
However, what this camera has going for it over the Canon is the sheer number of options you have to choose from.
You can purchase the body of the camera on its own or choose from plenty of options of lenses, memory cards and combinations of the two.
In this way, Sony has made it really easy for anyone who doesn’t own any camera equipment to have a professional standard set-up with one purchase.
However, this does also mean that it can be difficult to set up initially for those who don’t have much camera experience. It’s definitely worth doing some separate research into what type of lens would be best for your needs.
Though, even if you don’t care too much about different lenses, the body of the camera on its own will still do a good job of capturing high quality video.
- Lots of options – You can purchase this camera with an number of different lenses and SD cards included as a bundle
- 4K UHD video quality – Whilst there’s no promise in the product description of 60fps playback, this is still some of the highest quality video you can get
- Image stabilization system – Keeps your videos looking smooth when played back
- Premium price – This is another of the top line cameras on the market, meaning it’s also one of the more expensive
- Not very beginner friendly – Without a great deal of camera experience, this one will likely take some time to get used to and set up properly
As we move onto the third mirrorless camera on our list, we come to a more budget friendly, beginner friendly camera that still produces some high quality video imagery.
Panasonic has listed this camera as an ‘amateur skill level’ item and it certainly has a lot of neat features to back this up.
The LCD screen used to control the camera settings is touch screen and has a 3-inch tilt, meaning you’ll always have a clear view of the screen, even if you’re stretching to get the perfect shot.
There’s a handy little thumb-wheel that’s always within reach when you’re shooting to control the exposure of your image and allow you to make adjustments as and when they’re needed.
Not to mention, the camera uses automatic white balance settings to control the balance of light.
This can be particularly annoying when moving from a dark place into a light one, but Panasonic has done all the work for you in adjusting this balance mid-way through your shot.
As well as these user friendly features, this camera also does the basics like providing 4K video quality and giving you the option of interchangeable lenses.
It even has a 5-axis image stabilization system, just like the Canon EOS R6!
However, this isn’t the perfect camera. Image quality will be worse than some of the more expensive cameras on the market, but you get what you pay for.
The battery life isn’t great and some users have noted that the camera will only last for about an hour before needing to change batteries.
In general, this camera is more geared to capturing still images and, whilst the automatic image settings make it super easy to use, the overall quality of your videos will be better with a camera that lets you control all the settings yourself.
- 4K video quality – The best you can hope to get at this price point
- Easy to use LCD screen – The screen tilts and can be used by touch to offer full control over camera settings
- 5 Axis image stabilization – A very useful feature to have when filming without a tripod
- Slightly older than other models – may lack some functionality compared to more modern options.
This is the second Canon camera on our list, however this one offers a significantly different set of features to the EOS R6 that we previously looked at.
It’s listed on Amazon as a mirrorless ‘vlogging camera’. This means all of the features are more geared to high quality video than simply still images like the previous cameras have been.
Of course, any camera that’s designed to capture high quality images will also be good for high quality videos, but the EOS M50 has a host of other cool features that make it even more suitable for any budding videographer.
You can purchase the camera simply as a body on its own or upgrade to the ‘video creator kit’.
With this bundle, you’ll receive the camera, an external microphone and a memory card for a slightly higher price.
A lot of complaints people have with high quality image cameras is that their built in microphones ruin the overall quality of any videos they shoot with it.
Canon have avoided this issue with the ‘video creator kit’, as you’ll be given a high quality microphone to plug in when you need it and capture crystal clear audio to accompany your footage.
In terms of video quality, this camera captures video in 4K ultra high definition 2160p, uses a DIGIC 8 image processor and offers CMOS autofocus. Basically, what this all means is that your videos will be made to look even better by the cameras automatic, built-in functions.
It even comes with its own webcam software which makes it perfect to use as a webcam for a streaming setup.
Similarly, the built-in WiFi capabilities and bluetooth in this camera make it super easy to upload your files to social media, view them on a smartphone and give you plenty of options over what you can do with your footage once you've captured it.
Overall, the reasonable price of this camera, combined with the wealth of great video capturing features, make it one of the best all-round mirrorless video cameras on this list!
- 4K UHD 2160p, CMOS autofocus and DIGIC 8 processor – All of these things combine to make the quality of your video footage crystal clear
- WiFi and bluetooth capabilities – Give you plenty of options over what to do with your footage
- Video creator kit – Gives you an extra memory card and an external microphone to capture better quality audio than any built in mic could provide
- Plenty of options – As well as the video creator kit, you can buy this camera as a bundle with different lenses and even a small tripod
- None – The reviews really speak for themselves when it comes to this camera's all-round qualities!
Our second Sony camera on this list, the Alpha a6400 is a more budget friendly option than the A7 III but still comes with plenty of cool features and a lot of different options for bundle purchases.
This product is listed as a good camera for vlogging and is capable of capturing good quality still images as well as professional videos.
It uses a tiltable, touch-controlled LCD screen to adjust to whatever position you find yourself in while filming and still allow you to have full control over the camera’s settings.
It has multiple movie capturing settings, allowing you to make timelapse videos and capture in quick or slow motion without the need for post processing.
This camera also comes with an optional ‘video creator kit’ which includes a customizable tripod stand that can turn into a handle to make your filming set-up more portable for filming on the go.
You can even purchase this product with an external shotgun microphone to capture even more high quality audio than is possible with a built in mic, however this is not included in the video creator kit.
The video quality it captures is a very respectable 4K, but the maximum playback it offers is 30fps. What you really want from a top quality video camera is 60fps.
This camera is also made to be durable and is weather resistant, so you won’t be held back during any outdoor video shoots. The only issue is that none of the compatible lenses that you can attach to this camera are also weather resistant.
Overall, this camera is probably a better option than the other Sony option we’ve looked at for capturing video.
It might not provide as high quality images as the A7 III, but its features are definitely better suited to video than still images.
- 4K video quality – This is a must for any good video camera
- Video creator kit – Contains a very useful and portable tripod and you can even buy a compatible external microphone to accompany the kit
- Durability – The camera is designed to be weather resistant and it can survive the odd bump and scrape here and there
- Easy to use LCD screen – Offers you full control over settings while filming, even in awkward positions
- 30fps playback – Ideally, you want a camera that can provide 60fps playback
Best Mirrorless Camera For Video – Buyers Guide
Our top 5 list is designed to provide a summary of the best mirrorless cameras available on the market for video, but if you want to do your own research and look around for some different options, here are the key features you should be looking out for:
Video Quality And Playback
Try to get a camera with a 4K resolution. This is standard with most high quality cameras so shouldn’t be too difficult to find. Also, 60fps is a good playback rate to create high quality videos.
Bundle Options
To get the best videos out of your camera, you’ll likely need to use some extra attachments to enhance the overall quality of your production.
Even if the bundles don’t include all of these, try to find a camera that has options to attach tripods, microphones and a variety of lenses.
Easy To Use Controls
Even if you’re an experienced camera user, having a control system that’s easy to use under any circumstances makes your life a whole lot easier while you’re in the middle of shooting your video.
A good, adjustable control screen is a good feature to look for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Mirrorless Cameras Better For Video?
Mirrorless cameras are better for video than DSLR cameras because they provide a better real time display of what your video will look like.
What you’ll see on the screen of a mirrorless camera is pretty much exactly how your video will look once you’ve finished recording and put it on a bigger screen.
Which Camera Is Best For Video Shooting For Beginners?
The best mirrorless camera for beginners is probably the Canon EOS M50. It has some of the best video quality specifications on the market and includes plenty of purchasing options to suit everyone’s needs.
It’s also very easy to set up and use, so it’s very beginner friendly too.
Which Brand Of Camera Is Best For Mirrorless And Video?
The two top brands for mirrorless cameras are Sony and Canon. They produce a lot of different options for mirrorless cameras and some are better suited to video capturing than others.