Buying your first interchangeable lens camera can be daunting. We explain the benefits of SLRs and mirrorless technology, and highlight some of the best models we’ve tested.
If your phone isn’t cutting it, consider picking an interchangeable lens camera (ILC) to see if it sparks your creative spirit. I’m in my fifteenth year of testing and reviewing cameras here at PCMag, and I’ve tried nearly every camera that’s been released during that time. I speak from experience when I say that as an enthusiast photographer, I feel far more comfortable with a proper camera in my hands. And while SLRs were the de facto standard for pros for decades, they’ve been supplanted in the market by mirrorless cameras, which are similar in concept but use an electronic viewfinder instead of an optical one. I’ve selected the best mirrorless cameras for beginners and veterans alike, and even included a specialized SLR designed specifically for black-and-white photography to cater to the gallery crowd. Read on for my top picks in the category.Why We Picked It
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is a strong all-around performer and one of the best full-frame models available for the price. Core to the experience is an autofocus system that outclasses what you get from similarly priced Sony and Nikon models; it supports 12fps tracking with its mechanical shutter and a staggering 40fps with its e-shutter. And for video, you get full-width 4K60 recordings with 10-bit color. Otherwise, it has a weather-protected magnesium chassis and five-axis sensor stabilization.Who It’s For
Shutterbugs: The EOS R6 Mark II has all of the features that enthusiast and hobby photographers will want, including a stabilized full-frame sensor, reliable autofocus, and continuous autofocus for 40fps capture. A large viewfinder, weather-sealed magnesium construction, and compatibility with Canon’s large EOS R lens library solidify its position.
Professionals: If you earn a living from event, wedding, portrait, or sports photography, you’ll find the R6 Mark II to be a more than competent tool. Picture quality and autofocus are both fantastic, and the camera is built sturdily. It includes dual memory card slots for redundant capture, so you won’t have to explain to a bride that you lost her wedding day photos because a memory card failed.
Wildlife and sports photographers: The R6 Mark II’s autofocus system is top-tier, and it can rattle off photos at a blistering 40fps pace. When you match that with a long lens like the RF 70-200mm, RF 100-500mm, or RF 200-800mm, you’ve got a camera that can catch images of songbirds, animals in the wild, and keep up with fast-moving sports.
Content creators: Videographers, vloggers, and content creators should be pleased with the R6’s full-width 4K60 recording, 10-bit color, and gradable C-Log3 profile. Its image sensor is stabilized, so you can get good footage that avoids the Paul Greengrass shaky-cam look, and there are plenty of lenses available.Why We Picked It
The Fujifilm X-S20 is a compelling camera for photo and video enthusiasts. Its stabilized 26MP BSI CMOS sensor supports Fuji’s X-Trans Film Simulations, along with 10-bit 4K. We appreciate the straightforward approach to controls and modes that cater to both beginners and experts alike. We lament the lack of weather sealing, but the magnesium body, all-day battery, and strong lens selection are enough to make it our favorite APS-C mirrorless for creators and enthusiasts.Who It’s For
Shutterbugs: The X-S20 is a better-than-entry-level camera and should make photo enthusiasts and hobbyists quite happy. It includes a good set of tasteful Fuji Film Simulation looks, plus supports Raw capture for photographers who prefer to edit to taste, and features a reliable phase detection autofocus system and a stabilized 26MP image sensor. In short, it captures sharp, properly focused photos, and works with a wide range of Fujinon XF lenses.
Family photographers: The X-S20 is a good camera for family historians and parents. It features a built-in flash and supports fully automatic operation, allowing you to focus on capturing the day without worrying about adjusting settings. And if you want to get creative, manual controls are there too.
Content creators: Vloggers and videographers interested in trying out Fuji’s color profiles for movies should put the X-S20 near the top of their list. It records clear, stabilized 4K30 video with a good set of color profiles, including the cinematic Eterna look. Moreover, it features a front-facing screen, allowing it to serve as both on-screen talent and camera operator. Additionally, it is compatible with a cooling fan accessory (sold separately), enabling you to record long-form clips without worrying about overheating. Why We Picked It
The Nikon Z5II isn’t the cheapest full-frame camera you can get, but its impressive feature set is more than enough for photographers shopping for a starter camera or SLR owners considering a move to mirrorless. It includes numerous upper-tier features, such as a stabilized sensor, weather protection, and 15fps focus with 3D tracking. Additionally, it records 4K30 video at full Raw quality, making it one of the most versatile cameras available for the price.Who It’s For
Beginners: The Z5II is an ideal entry-level model for creators who want to get started with a full-frame sensor camera. It features excellent built-in color options, including several black-and-white looks and various filtered color options, and produces high-quality pictures when used in automatic mode. Fast autofocus with face and eye detection for people, pets, and wildlife helps you capture good images from the start, and manual controls are available when you’re ready to progress to the advanced amateur stage.
Shutterbugs: If taking photos is your favorite pastime, the Z5II is an excellent choice. It’s a versatile camera that focuses quickly for action, captures a wide dynamic range for landscapes, and is weather-resistant, allowing you to use it for nature photos and other outdoor scenes. Its 14-bit Raw images give you plenty of room to apply a creative look in the editing room, and the large OLED viewfinder is as good as it gets with professional Z-series cameras.
Wildlife and sports photographers: The Z5II shoots at a rapid 14fps and continuously checks focus for every exposure, making it an ideal camera for capturing scenes where subjects are constantly in motion and not stopping to pose for a picture. If you’re looking for a camera that can capture stunning photos of sports action or focus on birds and wildlife in nature, it’s more than capable. There are a good number of compatible telephoto lenses that allow for close-up views of distant subjects.
Content creators: The Z5II records 4K30 video using the full width of its sensor and goes to 4K60 using a Super35 (APS-C) image area. It features in-body image stabilization to eliminate jumps and jitters from handheld footage, and includes a microphone input and headphone connection, allowing for clear audio and real-time monitoring during capture. Experts can opt to use N-Raw encoding with a flat color profile to adjust color and exposure to taste, or you can choose a standard or stylized color profile if you prefer.
Professionals: The Z5II’s pricing makes it an entry-level camera, but with its dual memory card slots and robust controls, it’s a fine option for pros who want a secondary camera for weddings and other events. Autofocus and image quality are just as good as those of pricier cameras, and since it uses the same batteries, lenses, and interface as Nikon’s professional line, the Z5II is a fine backup to a Z6III or Z 8.Why We Picked It
The Nikon Z 6 III is our top-rated full-frame camera thanks to its excellent 24MP picture quality and N-Raw and ProRes video encoding. Its partially stacked CMOS sensor does an excellent job suppressing rolling shutter distortion to capture subjects in motion for both movies and stills. Smart autofocus recognizes and tracks subjects for 20fps Raw and 120fps JPG photography, and we find the Z 6 III a joy to use thanks to its strong ergonomics and large, bright electronic viewfinder. You won’t find a better camera for the price.Who It’s For
Shutterbugs: Photography hobbyists who want to use a professional camera should set their sights on the Z6III. Its 24MP partially stacked sensor delivers exquisite images in ready-to-share JPG or editable 14-bit RAW format, plus it’s built tough with a magnesium chassis and weather protection. Its autofocus is great too. Nikon’s 3D Tracking system keeps the focus point on subjects even as they move to a different area of your frame.
Wildlife and sports photographers: The Z6III’s 3D Tracking autofocus works in tandem with subject recognition for people, pets, wildlife, and birds, allowing it to lock onto the eyes of a soccer player as they run down the pitch or onto a songbird perched on a branch. A 20fps drive speed, pre-capture mode, and a healthy set of telephoto lenses seal the deal.
Professionals: The Z6III is a versatile camera that can easily transition between studio, event spaces, and the outdoors, allowing you to meet the diverse needs of your clients. It includes dual card slots for redundant capture, allowing you to use it comfortably for wedding work without worrying about losing a client or damaging your reputation in the event of a memory card failure.
Content creators: You can go beyond 4K with the Z6III, which supports up to 6K30 recording with H.265, N-Raw, or ProRes encoding. Its stabilized image sensor helps to remove jumps and jitters from handheld footage, and its video engine supports tasteful out-of-camera color profiles, as well as flat N-Log footage for creators who prefer to apply a custom color grade.Why We Picked It
The Nikon Z 8 is one of the rare cameras that combines fantastic resolution with lightning-quick capture speed. Its 45MP Stacked BSI CMOS sensor offers an incredible dynamic range, while its autofocus system can track moving subjects at a 20fps burst rate without interruption to the viewfinder. It’s also a top-notch video camera, thanks to 10-bit ProRes and internal 12-bit N-RAW support. The pro-grade build is something we expect at this price, though the huge, sharp EVF and dual-hinge rear display help justify the cost.Who It’s For
Professionals: If you make your living photographing events, portraits, and weddings, the Nikon Z 8 is the camera to get. It features a 45MP Stacked CMOS sensor for silent photography with flash sync support, complemented by a 3D Tracking autofocus system that locks onto people, pets, wildlife, and vehicles. It’s built to stand the test of time with a magnesium chassis and weather sealing, and includes dual memory card slots so you don’t have to risk losing a day’s work to a memory card failure.
Shutterbugs: Photo hobbyists who prefer professional gear will find a lot to like about the Z 8. It’s a do-it-all that can tackle any photo discipline, and has the on-body controls you want to take command over its focus system and exposure settings without missing a shot. The Z system also offers ample options for enthusiasts, and its 45MP Raw photos provide plenty of room for creative editing.
Wildlife and sports photographers: The Z 8’s autofocus system is among the best you’ll find, reliably locating and tracking people, pets, wildlife, and birds.
