So, you’re looking to buy your first mirrorless camera, but you don’t want to break the bank. We feel your pain, but fear not: there are plenty of great beginner cameras out there that won’t take too big of a bite out of your wallet, so you can still get the full camera experience without breaking the bank! We found 5 best cheap mirrorless cameras and put them in one place just for you.

The 5 Cheapest Mirrorless Cameras for Beginners in 2022

The difference between mirrorless and DSLR

Mirrorless cameras are the latest trend in photography. Unlike DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras don't have a reflex mirror and prism system (thus mirrorless). This allows for more creative photography as well as being smaller and easier to use. That being said, mirrorless cameras do cost more than DSLRs, but we recommend them to beginner photographers since they're cheaper and usually come with more built-in features than most DSLRs.

What features to look for in a mirrorless camera

A mirrorless camera is a lighter and cheaper alternative to DSLRs. These are perfect for beginner photographers or as backup cameras. They’re usually much easier to carry around and use due to the smaller size, which means you can take them everywhere you go. Key features to look for in mirrorless cameras include:

1. Autofocus Quality

2. Vary-angle Screen

3. Max Burst Speed

4. Video Quality

5. Sensor Size

 

1) Panasonic Lumix G100

Price: US$749.99 

This mirrorless camera is lightweight and offers a larger, higher-quality sensor than you'll find in many DSLRs. The lens isn't made by Panasonic, but it offers top-notch optics at a great price. It's also one of the cheapest cameras on this list and an excellent choice if you're looking to keep your budget down as much as possible without sacrificing too much quality.

 

SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Mirrorless

Sensor: Micro Four Thirds

Megapixels: 20.3

Lens mount: MFT

Screen: 3-inch vari-angle, 1,840k dots

Viewfinder: EVF, 3.69m dots

Max continuous shooting speed: 10fpsVideo resolution: 4K UHD

User level: Beginner/hobbyist

 

Pros

✅ high video and pictures

✅ Audio-recording

Cons

❌ lack of in-body stabilization

❌ missing headphone & USB-C port

❌ small sensor 

2) Canon EOS M50 Mark II

Price: US$707.02

The Canon EOS M50 Mark II is the perfect option for beginners looking to enter the world of mirrorless photography. With 24.2 MP and a dSLR-like design, it provides both quality and accessibility at an affordable price point. Plus, you get the freedom of swapping lenses on your own to get the most out of your photo shoot!

 

SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Mirrorless

Sensor: APS-C

Lens mount: Canon EF-M

Screen: 3 in vary-angle touchscreen, 1,040k dots

Max burst speed: 10fps

Video resolution: 4K UHD

 

PROS

✅ Built-in electronic viewfinder

✅ Handy articulating touchscreen

CONS

❌ lackluster 4K video

❌ basic exterior controls

 

3) Sony A6000

Price: US$649.00 

The Sony A6000 is one of the cheapest mirrorless cameras you can buy. This camera doesn't sacrifice features, either: it has a fast 16 frames per second shooting speed, plus Wi-Fi and NFC features so you can connect it to your phone. The LCD screen flips up and down, too. All this adds up to one of the best options for beginners to mirrorless cameras with its wide array of features at a cheap price point.

 

SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Mirrorless

Sensor: APS-C

Lens mount: Sony E

Screen: 3-inch, 921k-dot tilting LCD

Max burst speed: 11fps

Video resolution: Full HD

 

PROS

✅ Quick shooting

✅ Built-in electronic view finder

CONS

❌ Relatively obsolete video specifications

❌ Drop in quality above ISO1600

 

4) FUJIFILM X-A10

Price: N/A (Discontinued)

The FUJIFILM X-A10 is one of the cheapest and lightest mirrorless cameras on the market. It has built-in Wi-Fi, which means you can easily transfer your photos to your phone so that you can edit them right away without hooking up an SD card to a computer. We also love how it looks just like a DSLR camera, making it easier to travel with.

SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Mirrorless

16.3MP APS-C CMOS Sensor

3.0" 1.04m-Dot Tilting LCD Monitor

Full HD 1080p Video Recording

Built-In Wi-Fi

Extended ISO 25600, Up to 6 fps Shooting

Eye Detection AF and Portrait Enhancer

XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS II Lens

Pros

✅ Easy Menu Navigation

✅ Good low light performance

Cons

❌ Lack of touch screen

❌ relatively low resolution

❌ discontinued

 

5) Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

Price = US$ 799.99

We'll start off with the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV which is one of the cheapest and most entry level cameras on this list. The camera can shoot up to 8 frames per second, has Wi-Fi connectivity so you can share your photos and videos, along with full HD video recording. You can buy a basic lens kit which will include two lenses (the 14-42mm micro Four Thirds standard zoom lens, as well as the 40-150mm telephoto).

SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Mirrorless

Sensor: Micro Four Thirds

Megapixels: 20.3MP

Screen: 3-inch tiltable touchscreen, 1,037K dots

Viewfinder: Electronic 2,360K dots

Lens: Micro Four Thirds

Continuous shooting speed: 15fps

Video resolution: 4K

User level: Intermediate/Enthusiast

PROS

✅ Modern 20MP sensor

✅ Flipping screen

CONS

❌ Relatively cheap build quality

❌ Lack of mic port