The latest full frame mirrorless cameras like the Sony a1 have blown DSLRs out of the water. But what’s the best mirrorless camera under $1000 (or around $1000)? Can you get the same performance at such a low price point?
Our list gives you the best options in this price range when writing this. We looked at camera resolution, burst rate, autofocus, video performance, and other features. Our top choice is the Fujifilm X-S10. But what will work best for you?
To choose the right type of camera for your budget, you need to consider what you want from your photography.
Do you need a camera to take pictures at parties or on holiday? Or do you want something to help you become an enthusiast or even a professional?
Your choice is between full frame, APS-C, and Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras:
A cheap and cheerful APS-C or Micro Four Thirds model is fine for casual use. Some features available on the Sony a1 or Nikon Z9 have also trickled down as far as these cameras.
But if you decide to take up photography seriously? You may regret it. You’ll need to trade your whole kit for a full frame system. It’s up to you…
Let’s quickly look at the best mirrorless cameras for less than $1000, before we delve into each model in more detail.
When starting out in photography, it’s hard to know what format camera to buy. Full frame, APS-C, or Micro Four Thirds? Given the budget of around $1,000, all the models on this list are around the same price.
And even the crop-sensor models offer lots of features. Fujifilm mirrorless cameras like the X-S10 or X-T30 II are excellent. Olympus and Panasonic offer Micro Four Thirds models packed with features.
But most enthusiasts and professional photographers use full frame cameras. What’s the point of starting with something you’ll only trade in if you decide you want to take it more seriously?
This is not an easy decision. And you might not know how you’ll feel in six months or a year. But we hope this list will give you the best possible options to choose from.
These are the most common questions for the best mirrorless cameras under or around $1000.
An APS-C camera is either a DSLR or a mirrorless camera. It uses an APS-C sensor. APS stands for “advanced photo system.” And the sensor measures anywhere from 22.3 x 14.9 mm to 25.1 x 16.7 mm. This compares to 36 x 24 mm for a full frame sensor. So it’s quite a bit smaller.
A Micro Four Thirds (or MFT) camera is another kind of crop-sensor camera. It uses an even smaller sensor, measuring 17.3 x 13 mm. Olympus and Panasonic generally produce the best Micro Four Thirds models.
The crop factor compares a particular sensor to a full frame sensor. You work it out by dividing the diagonal length of the full frame sensor (43.3 mm) by the same for the other sensor. Different APS-C cameras have different crop factors. It depends on the size of their sensors.
The APS-C sensors in Nikon’s APS-C (DX-format) cameras are 24 x 16 mm and have a crop factor of 1.5. But the ones in Canon’s APS-C cameras are only 22.3 x 14.9 mm and have a larger crop factor of 1.6.
