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 125 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.
We've independently purchased over 100 cameras and tested them using a standardized methodology. All the results are available to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs, with objective, data-driven reviews. We keep every product in our lab inventory to ensure we can go back, retest models, and verify that all the information we provide is still accurate.
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Best Mirrorless Camera Under $1,000
Travel Photography7.9Landscape Photography7.8Sports & Wildlife Photography8.4Vlogging7.4Studio Video8.2Action Video4.2Raw Photo7.5Body Type:SLR-StyleMirrorless:YesSee all our test resultsSensor Size:APS-CThe 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.
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Best Beginner Mirrorless Camera Under $1,000
Travel Photography7.9Landscape Photography7.5Sports & Wildlife Photography8.0Vlogging7.6Studio Video8.0Action Video4.2Raw Photo7.4Body Type:SLR-StyleMirrorless:YesSee all our test resultsSensor Size:APS-COn 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's.
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Best Mirrorless Camera Under $1,000 For Lens Selection
Travel Photography8.2Landscape Photography8.1Sports & Wildlife Photography7.5Vlogging7.4Studio Video7.8Action Video5.0Raw Photo7.9Body Type:SLR-StyleMirrorless:YesSee all our test resultsSensor Size:APS-CIf 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.
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Best Mirrorless Vlogging Camera Under $1,000
Travel Photography8.2Landscape Photography8.1Sports & Wildlife Photography7.3Vlogging8.6Studio Video8.2Action Video4.2Raw Photo8.0Body Type:SLR-StyleMirrorless:YesSee all our test resultsSensor Size:APS-CYou 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. The newer Sony ZV-E10 II has even better internal video recording specs, but it's a bit more expensive, coming in at just under $1,000 for the body alone. If you need higher frame rate options and advanced features like 10-bit recording, it's worth considering, but otherwise, the original ZV-E10 will get the job done and leave more room in your budget for lenses.
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Best Compact Mirrorless Camera Under $1,000
Travel Photography7.9Landscape Photography8.0Sports & Wildlife Photography7.4Vlogging8.5Studio Video9.2Action Video6.0Raw Photo8.0Body Type:SLR-StyleMirrorless:YesSee all our test resultsSensor Size:APS-CIf you need something more portable, the Fujifilm X-M5 is one of the best-value cameras at this price point and one of the most compact interchangeable lens cameras on the market right now. It uses the same 26 MP APS-C sensor as older generation Fujis, like the Fujifilm X-S10 and Fujifilm X-T4, but it features a newer processor, giving it the latest autofocus system and surprisingly advanced video features for the price.
Its ultra-compact, lightweight design makes it incredibly easy to take on the go for street or travel photography. Image quality is great, as we've seen from this sensor before, with excellent dynamic range and solid noise management. The camera can also record 4k at up to 60 fps, with internal 10-bit and Log profiles, making it a great compact vlogging camera, too. That said, its small size comes with some trade-offs, most notably its lack of a viewfinder or IBIS. If you prefer to have a viewfinder for composition or shooting in sunny conditions, consider the Fujifilm X-T30 III instead. It's also very portable and should deliver very similar overall performance, but it usually costs more.
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Best Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera Under $1,000
Travel Photography7.7Landscape Photography7.8Sport & Wildlife Photography6.7Raw Photo Performance7.6Vlogging7.9Studio Video7.5Action Video3.7Body Type:SLR-StyleMirrorless:YesSee all our test resultsSensor Size:Full FrameBefore 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, 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.
While it's often slightly above the $1,000 mark, the Nikon Z 5 is also worth a look in the price bracket. It includes useful additions like a weather-sealed body, a dual SD card slot, and an IBIS system. While its autofocus can be finicky when it comes to tracking, the image quality is excellent, and it shoots good enough video for most casual projects.
Notable Mentions
- 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
Sep 04, 2026:
We confirmed that all picks are still valid and available. We added the Nikon Z 5 as an alternative in the 'Best Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera' pick and removed the discontinued OM SYSTEM OM-5 from the Notable Mentions.
Jan 28, 2025:
We replaced the Fujifilm X-T30 II with the Fujifilm X-M5 as the 'Best Compact Mirrorless Camera Under $1,000' because of its smaller size and better video specs.
Nov 01, 2024:
We added the OM SYSTEM OM-5 as a Notable Mention due to its compact size and versatility for travel and wildlife photography. We also filled out the market context for some of our picks, with added comparisons to newer models like the Fujifilm X-T50 and Sony ZV-E10 II.
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.
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.
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.