The Best Mirrorless Cameras

Want the image quality of a DSLR without the bulk? These WIRED picks do more with less.

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Best All-Around Camera
Sony A7V Mirrorless Camera
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Best Camera for Beginners
Nikon Z5II Camera
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Best APS-C Camera
Fujifilm X-T5 Mirrorless Camera
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Megapixel Madness
Sony A7RV
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Lenses and Accessories

Wotancraft Ryker camera bag with cameras and notebooks inside
Courtesy of Wotancraft

Once you've figured out the best camera for your needs, buy a lens to go with it and start shooting every day. Which lens? If you're a beginner and aren't sure, we recommend starting with the kit lens. Kit lenses aren't always the fastest lenses, nor do they use the highest-quality glass (though there are some outstanding kit lenses), but they're they best bang for your buck when you're just starting.

These are typically in the 28-85mm range, with the venerable 24-70 being a popular length, which gives you the ability to shoot everything from landscapes (the wide end) to portraits (the long end). Shoot with the kit lens until you figure out your favorite focal length. Then, if you want to upgrade to a fast prime lens, you know which focal length is best for what you're shooting.

The camera industry has come up with hundreds of gizmos and doodads to sell you as camera accessories, most of which you don't need. I like to travel light so my entire collection of camera accessories consists of an air blower (for cleaning dust off lenses and sensors), my favorite camera strap, and my favorite wrist strap (for smaller cameras).

A tripod can be helpful as well, depending on the type of photography you're into. Again, I like to keep things light and simple, which sometimes means stupendously expensive, like this Peak Design one. This Manfrotto aluminum tripod is a little bit cheaper but very robust. If you're serious about video, you'll want something like Manfrotto's extra stout video head tripod.

You'll also likely want a bag to store your camera, lens, and accessories. We have full guide to camera bags to help you out.


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