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The 6 Best Mirrorless Cameras Under $1,000 - Fall 2024

Updated Aug 01, 2024 at 12:20 pm
Best Mirrorless Cameras Under $1,000

Mirrorless cameras are an excellent choice for many photographers and videographers. They tend to be smaller and lighter than traditional DSLRs, with highly accurate autofocus systems and fast continuous shooting speeds. The good news is that most modern mirrorless cameras, even entry-level models, are versatile enough for a wide range of photography styles and video work. If you want your $1,000 to go a little further or leave more room in the budget to put toward lenses, there's also a vast used market for cameras, with older models available on eBay or at retailers like Adorama, B&H Photo Video, KEH Camera, and MPB.

We've bought and tested over 105 cameras, and below, you'll find our recommendations for the best mirrorless cameras under $1,000. If you're looking for something even more affordable, check out the best cameras under $500. Or, if you're looking specifically for more beginner-friendly models, try our picks for the best mirrorless cameras for beginners. If you'd prefer a point-and-shoot camera with a fixed lens, check out our recommendations for the best compact cameras.


  1. Best Mirrorless Camera Under $1,000

    The Canon EOS R10 is one of the best mirrorless cameras you can get for under $1,000. Though it's on the pricier end, with a kit lens tipping the cost over $1,000, it's also one of the most well-rounded cameras you can get at this price point. With an excellent autofocus system, quick burst shooting, and a great APS-C sensor, it's fit for a wide range of photography styles. Its video features are nothing to sneeze at, either, with 4k recording at up to 60 fps (albeit with a significant crop) and internal 10-bit capture for those who need it.

    That said, lens options are still pretty limited for Canon's RF mount. Another excellent option, which has a more established lens lineup, is the Fujifilm X-S10. The X-S10 is one of the few cameras at this price point to feature in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which can help reduce camera shake when recording or taking handheld photos. That being said, the X-S10 was discontinued with the release of the pricier Fujifilm X-S20, so you'll likely have to find one used. The Canon also has a much better autofocus system and slightly better video specs, making it our top pick overall.

    See our review

  2. Best Beginner Mirrorless Camera Under $1,000

    On top of being one of the best budget cameras we've tested, the Canon EOS R50 is also a fantastic choice for those just getting started in photography or content creation. Its simple controls and 'Intelligent Auto' shooting mode take most of the guesswork out of photography for those who don't know their way around a camera yet. It has similar ergonomics and the same intuitive user interface as the Canon EOS R10, but it's more portable, making it easy to take on the go. The image quality is also great for its class, and it uses Canon's highly reliable Dual Pixel Autofocus.

    Canon is still building out its RF lens mount, though, so there aren't too many lens options just yet. If you're looking for something with a more established lens lineup, a Micro Four Thirds (M4/3) camera like the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a great alternative. It also makes for a more portable overall kit since M4/3 lenses are generally more compact. That said, its autofocus system isn't nearly as effective as the Canon.

    See our review

  3. Best Mirrorless Camera Under $1,000 For Lens Selection

    If you want your pick of the litter when it comes to lenses, the Sony α6400 is the best mirrorless option under $1,000. Sony's E mount has one of the most well-established lens ecosystems among mirrorless cameras, offering a wide array of both native and third-party options. The camera itself may have been superseded by the significantly improved Sony α6700. However, there's still life to the α6400 yet, especially if you don't need more advanced video features like 10-bit 4:2:2 recording—and it's significantly cheaper.

    The camera is portable and well-built, and its AF system is still one of the best of its class, providing snappy autofocusing for faster subjects. That said, the camera's ergonomics and user interface aren't very intuitive. If that's important to you, the Nikon Z 50 is a good alternative at this price point. The Z mount lens ecosystem has been slow-growing, so there aren't nearly as many lenses available, but with more and more third-party options in the mix, you'll still have some excellent glass to choose from.

    See our review

  4. Best Mirrorless Vlogging Camera Under $1,000

    You don't need to spend a fortune to get a great vlogging camera, especially with the slew of affordable mirrorless options designed with vloggers in mind. Among those, the Sony ZV-E10 is the best we've tested under $1,000. It's lightweight and portable, and though it doesn't have a viewfinder, it does have a vari-angle screen that makes it easy to monitor yourself while shooting. It also has specialized autofocus modes, like 'Product Showcase,' which automatically prioritizes objects held up in the frame without you having to cover your face. Add that all up, and you've got one of the most capable vlogging cams at this price point.

    Unfortunately, it doesn't have IBIS, and its e-stabilization feature isn't the most effective. However, you can still pair the ZV-E10 with optically stabilized lenses for smoother footage. It's also quite portable for on-the-go vlogging. Ultimately, this is one of the best options for aspiring content creators who don't want to spend a fortune on a video camera.

    See our review

  5. Best Compact Mirrorless Camera Under $1,000

    If you need something more portable, the Fujifilm X-T30 II is a great APS-C option that you can find for under $1,000. It uses the same sensor as the Fujifilm X-S10, so image and video quality are similar. The biggest difference is its body design. Though it sacrifices a roomier handgrip, the X-T30 II is remarkably portable for an interchangeable lens camera, making it a great option for travel or street photography.

    Unlike the other picks on this list, this camera features old-school manual control dials, which can take some getting used to but make it easy to adjust your settings on the fly. Beyond that, the camera captures excellent image quality straight out of the camera, has a nice tilting screen for waist-level shooting, and even boasts some decent video specs if you like to record some video on the side.

    See our review

  6. Best Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera Under $1,000

    Before the Canon EOS RP rolled out, you would have been hard-pressed to find a brand-new full-frame camera for under $1,000. At just under $1,000 for the body, it's one of the cheapest full-frame cameras on the market. Of course, just like the Canon EOS R10 above, you'll have to stretch your budget to buy lenses, but it's still a great entryway into full-frame photography for those who can't afford a higher-end camera body.

    There's a lot to love about the RP, from its relatively portable size to its accessible controls and user interface. There is a trade-off, though. Its build quality leaves a little to be desired, and it has a disappointingly short battery life. Unlike pricier alternatives like the Nikon Z 5, it doesn't have built-in stabilization and only shoots heavily cropped 4k video, so it isn't the best choice for hybrid or video shooters. Still, the boost in low-light capability and the ability to use full-frame lenses might be worth the trade-off for portrait and landscape photographers.

    See our review

Notable Mentions

  • Nikon Z 5: The Nikon Z 5 is an entry-level full-frame camera often sold for under $1,000. It has a higher resolution EVF than the Canon EOS RP and in-body image stabilization. However, its regular price is over $1,000. See our review
  • Nikon Z fc: For those who like the style and controls of retro SLRs, the Nikon Z fc is designed after a vintage SLR camera but fitted with the latest digital camera technology, including a fully articulated touchscreen, EVF, and high-resolution sensor. Internally, it's very similar to the Nikon Z 50 and more portable than the Canon EOS R10. However, the Canon has better ergonomics and more reliable autofocus. See our review

Recent Updates

  1. Aug 01, 2024: We updated the text discussing the Fujifilm X-S10 to note that it's been discontinued and replaced by the Fujifilm X-S20 to provide users with more current information about the market context.

  2. May 06, 2024: We added links to used retailers in the introduction of this article, to give users more avenues to find cameras under $1,000.

  3. Mar 08, 2024: We've reviewed the picks in this article to ensure they're still accurate and relevant to users.

  4. Jan 16, 2024: Replaced the Fujifilm X-S10 with the Canon EOS R10 as the top pick. Replaced the Nikon Z 50 with the Sony α6400 and renamed it to 'Best Mirrorless Camera Under $1,000 For Lens Selection'.

  5. Nov 13, 2023: Updated text with more precise and accurate language; no change to recommendations.

All Reviews

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best mirrorless cameras under $1,000 for most people to buy, according to their needs. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability (no cameras that are difficult to find or almost out of stock in the U.S.).

If you would like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our reviews for interchangeable-lens mirrorless cameras under $1,000. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There is no single perfect camera. Personal taste, preference, and shooting habits will matter more in your selection.