Best mirrorless cameras for less than $1,000
Frustrated by the sluggishness and photo quality of your point-and-shoot but not thrilled about toting something the size of a dSLR? These cameras were designed with you in mind.
Editors' note: This story was originally published in January 2012. The latest update reflects the addition of the Sony Alpha NEX-6 and NEX-5R.
The category of interchangeable-lens cameras subsumes a variety of capabilities and designs. There's the familiar dSLRs, large-bodied models that use a reflex mirror to enable the use of a through-the-lens optical viewfinder. Then there are Sony's SLT (Single Lens Translucent) models, which incorporate the same phase-detection autofocus system as dSLRs, but whose fixed mirror requires the use of an electronic viewfinder (EVF) rather than an optical one. And then there are the mirrorless models, which generally use contrast-detection autofocus and, if they have a viewfinder, it's an EVF. Though they're sometimes referred to as "compact system cameras," they're not all compact; in fact, only a handful could really be classified as such.
The mirrorless models cover a lot of ground. For instance, there are compact models designed for people dissatisfied with the image quality and performance of point-and-shoot models looking for more. Then there are the models for advanced shooters who want the speed and photo quality of a dSLR without the bulk. And there are a host of models that slide along the continuum between the two.
This isn't to say that the rest of the ILC crowd doesn't measure up; though some have weak aspects, such as slow performance or overly large bodies, there doesn't seem to be any real losers among the entire field. You can find them on our list of best interchangeable-lens cameras. There are a truckload of mainstream models I haven't yet reviewed, including the Canon EOS M, Olympus PEN E-PL5 and E-PM2, Pentax's tiny Q10, the Nikon 1 J2 and V2, and Samsung NX20 and NX1000. Plus the field is heating up for the more expensive models, such as Fujifilm's X-Pro1 and X-E1, Sony's Alpha NEX-7, and the Olympus OM-D E-M5.
So with that distinction in mind, here are some of my favorite sub-$1,000 -- with lens -- mirrorless models:
NEX-6
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Sony Alpha NEX-6
Though the kit for this model just barely makes the $1,000 cut, it's nevertheless the best overall model and Editors' Choice in this class, and better than a lot of competing dSLRs. It's fast, full-featured, and well designed, with the best photo quality in its class. My former pick for best photo quality, the Pentax K-01, is a lot cheaper, though, so remains a solid alternative, as does the Samsung NX210, which has great raw photo quality and is faster and more compact than the K-01.
Read the full review.
Olympus E-PL3
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Olympus E-PL3
If you want the best overall step-up from a point-and-shoot, the E-PL3 is a great choice. It's not really the best in any one particular aspect, but it delivers a combination of photo quality, performance, features, and design that should please a lot of shooters looking for something better than their current snapshot camera or camera phone. The Sony Alpha NEX-F3 comes in an extremely close second; equipped with a zoom lens, it's bigger than the E-PL3, and the selection of E-mount compatible lenses is smaller than that for Micro Four Thirds.
Read the full review.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
For the least expensive model that will still give you the performance and photo-quality boost of a worthwhile upgrade from a point-and-shoot, my favorite is the GF5. You give up the tiltable LCD and add-on EVF option of models like the E-PL3 and NEX-5N/R, but the touch-screen interface comes closest to that of a typical point-and-shoot, and it's one of the smallest cameras of its ilk (without resorting to really tiny sensors, like Nikon and Pentax's systems) when equipped with a lens. The kit with the standard 14-42mm zoom lens is cheaper than that with the power zoom (denoted by "HD") lens, and I'm not crazy about the design of the latter, but for the most compact and point-and-shoot-like configuration of the camera you'll want to opt for it.
Read the full review.
Sony Alpha NEX-5R
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Sony Alpha NEX-5R
For the model most suited for shooting video at a reasonable price, the NEX-5R gets my vote. It's a slightly better camera than my last pick for this use, the NEX-5N, though it's got similar video quality, so if you're price sensitive I think you'll be equally happy with the cheaper model. For either, I suggest you consider the 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 Power Zoom lens (though it looks like it's not available standalone until February) if you'll be shooting with something other than a prime.
Read the full review.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
For the model most suited for shooting video, though it's not nearly as cheap or compact as the NEX-5N/R, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 is the go-to model for video enthusiasts. It delivers nice stills and video straight out of the box, but part of its attraction stems from the video hacks that extend its dynamic range and improve its compression quality, helping to turn it into a pro powerhouse. Its successor has arrived, the GH3, but Panasonic raised the price substantially, moving it out of this class.
Read the full review.
