Mirrorless cameras are the fastest-growing segment since the first mirrorless camera in 2008. The cameras were sold massively, with various models to suit every budget and every need including for vlogging.
It’s just because they have good reasons: mirrorless camera has more benefits than DSLR cameras, they have better image quality, more advanced viewing and focusing on video features and the camera body is more compact and lighter to make the photographers easily to carry everywhere.
But how do you know how to choose a mirrorless camera when there are so many of them on the market and various models and to cover a wide range of user, experience levels and budget?
First thing first, what is a mirrorless camera?
According to its name, a mirrorless camera is a camera which doesn’t require a reflex mirror to reflect the light to make the image preview appears into the optical viewfinder.
Not every mirrorless camera has a viewfinder so that the imaging sensor will be exposed to light all the time, then you may see a display of the image on the LCD screen or electrical viewfinder.
This display of the image that appears used for aiming and get an accurate framing. Since the reflex mirror inside the camera has been removed, the camera body gives much more compact and lighter than DSLR cameras.
Mirrorless digital cameras have electronic viewfinders, but sometimes don’t have a viewfinder to frame the subject.
So, if the camera doesn’t come with viewfinders at all, you can see the image preview on the rear screen, like when you used with most compact cameras or smartphones.
In this article, we start with what we think is the best mirrorless camera for the video which used for most photographers right now.
For some users, especially for professional photographers, videographers, or fine art photographer, the quality of the image is more important than the price.
Keep reading because we have included the best mirrorless cameras to get the best quality video.
We have a couple of choices to compare one another, and you may consider it to understand what’s suitable for you, whether you are a professional or an enthusiast videographer.
Before we get into it, let’s see the advantages and disadvantages of using a mirrorless camera for the video that you should know before purchasing one.
The Advantages of Using Mirrorless Cameras for Video
- There are options for a high-quality video like a 4k resolution, or ultra HD.
- Autofocus in most models of a mirrorless camera to provide the best video content for the videographer.
- Mirrorless camera has interchangeable lenses to give you cinematic style
- Small size with simple construction and lightweight, easy to carry everywhere and the camera bag can fit more accessories like extra lenses or extra batteries.
- When you were shooting in a good light, the mirrorless camera will perform well. The preview image on the screen or electronic viewfinder looks similar to what the final image looks like before you take a video.
- Newer mirrorless cameras offer high-quality electronic viewfinders when you are in low light because you can adjust the brightness and contrast of the electronic viewfinders.
- Mirrorless camera that made with alloy and described as weatherproof can shrug off rain or splashes of water.
The Disadvantages of Using Mirrorless Camera for Video
- When you were shooting in low light or fast-moving subjects, the camera will be struggling to get the best image, becoming dull, and grainy because the mirrorless camera has to slow the speed when shoots the video to grab more light.
- Shorter battery life because mirrorless camera shoot using the LCD screen or the EVF and that will consume more power. So, you need to bring spare batteries.
- There are fewer models for lenses and accessories for mirrorless cameras.
Therefore, if you choose a mirrorless camera for creating great video content, let’s check out our list below of the best mirrorless camera categories which best for video.
What Things to Consider When Choosing a Mirrorless Camera for Video?
There are few things to consider a camera for video, like prices of mirrorless camera range from hundreds to a few thousand dollars, with various brands, and multiple benefits. But this time we only talk about choosing a mirrorless camera for video. This is the criteria of the best mirrorless camera for video.
Recording Formats
If you tend to make a 4k resolution video, then you need to consider the advantages that offered within each mirrorless camera.
Interchangeable Lenses and Selection of Lens
Most mirrorless cameras have interchangeable lenses to give more control to the videographer.
Each lens has its function, such as to affect the focal range, depth of field, to go wide or zoom in and light management to decide how to build the video content.
Image Stabilization
This is the best feature of mirrorless cameras. It doesn’t matter what lens you use or how to shoot the video, and every shot will automatically gain stabilization.
Camera Size and Weight
This is the main reason why most videographers turn to mirrorless cameras since the camera body is compact and lightweight. A chance to lighten the load without compromising the image quality is the answer.
Battery Performance
To shoot an event or outdoor, the battery performance might be essential features. Always carry an extra battery and swapping them out will hassle your workflow.
Weatherproofing
Weatherproofing mirrorless cameras allows you to prepare for the unpredictable weather when shooting outdoors and prevent from any damage when splashes of water.
Recommended Mirrorless Camera
If you are looking for recommended mirrorless cameras for video, find the reviews of various brands of the mirrorless camera here. You can decide what models suitable for your needs.
Sony Alpha A6000
Make a video with Sony Alpha A6000 is excellent. Manual control for aperture, shutter speed, and ISO possible before or during video shooting.
A6000 has control over the autofocus drive speed and autofocus tracking duration to look smoother when shooting a fast-moving subject. When in extremely low light, the A6000’s AF still able to give its best performance with moving subjects.
Sony’s A6000 is a midrange mirrorless camera with a compact size that offers outstanding features, fast continuous shooting performance, and top-grade image quality.
Key features:
Last update on 2021-08-02 / Affiliate links
- Pixels: 24.3 Megapixels
- Autofocus: 179 phase-detect focus points
- Full HD movie shooting up to 1080p, 60 frame per second
- Video file formats AVCHD, MPEG4
- Battery life for up to 420 images
- Tiltable 3″ LCD with 921K dots
- OLED viewfinder with 1,440K dots
- Intelligent Scene Recognition and Face Detection
- Shutter speed range 1/4000-30 sec., photo; 1/4000-1/4 sec., video
- Peaking AF display for precise manual focusing
- Wi-Fi with NFC Capability
Panasonic Lumix G7
Panasonic Lumix G7 is a midrange mirrorless camera that leading the way for 4K video capture, has a high-quality OLED viewfinder, a vari-angle touch-sensitive screen, a snappy autofocus system, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Panasonic Lumix G7 uses the 4K video technology to shoot 8MP images up to 30 frames per second.
The autofocus system is great for still subjects, but it suffers from capturing fast-moving objects. This mirrorless camera is smaller and lighter than others, so it can easily to bring or to shoot video.
Last update on 2022-03-29 / Affiliate links
Key features:
- Sensor: Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) CMOS sensor
- Resolution: 16 megapixels
- LCD screen: 3.0-inch, 1,040,000-dot
- Maximum continuous shooting rate: 14 fps continuous shooting with an electronic shutter
- Video: Format MPEG-4, AVCHD with max resolution 4592 x 3448
Nikon Z7 FX-Format
When it comes to video shoots, 46.7 megapixels sensor is luminous giving Nikon Z7 great-looking video we’ve seen on a mirrorless camera. It allows to record up to 120 frames per second in HD.
The camera also has in-camera image stabilization, great response, and the autofocus system is impressive since it’s fast and quiet, ideals for video shooting.
Last update on 2022-02-10 / Affiliate links
Key features:
- Sensor size: Full frame
- Resolution: 45.7MP
- Viewfinder: 3,690K dots
- Monitor: 3.2-inch tilt-angle touchscreen, 2,100K dots
- Autofocus: 435-point AF
- Maximum continuous shooting rate: 9fps
- Video: 4K at 30p
- User level: Expert
Sony A7R III Mirrorless Camera
Sony A7R is the most complete and functional camera if compared with the others.
With full-frame of 42.4 megapixels sensors, supported by 399-point autofocus system, 4k footage, and 10 fps burst shooting, you won’t need to sacrifice video performance for high resolution.
This camera is great for fast-moving sport or wildlife. The camera body size is easier to handle, and the LCD is touch screen and allowing ‘tap to focus’ while using the electronic viewfinder.
Last update on 2021-07-22 / Affiliate links
Key features:
- Sensor size: Full frame
- Resolution: 42.4MP
- Viewfinder: 3,686K dots
- LCD screen: 3.0-inch tilt-angle touchscreen, 1,440K dots
- Autofocus: 399-point AF
- Maximum continuous shooting rate: 10fps
- Video: 4K at 30p
- User level: Expert
Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera
Indeed, Fujifilm X-T2 is the first Fujifilm camera that offers an Ultra HD video with high-performance 24MP X-Trans CMOS sensor.
But sadly, the video length is limited, just 10 minutes. This won’t be a problem if you don’t mind recording via an external recorder.
Last update on 2021-08-02 / Affiliate links
Key features:
- Sensor: APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor
- Resolution: 24.3MP
- Viewfinder: 2.36M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder
- LCD screen: 3.0-inch, 1.04M-dot
- Autofocus: 325 AF points
- Maximum continuous shooting rate: 14 fps continuous shooting with an electronic shutter
- Video: 4K UHD video at up to 30 frames per second for up to 10 minutes.
Conclusion
After comparing the brands of a mirrorless camera, one another, here is the conclusion:
If you’re not a professional photographer, and you are a video enthusiast, Sony Alpha A6000 might suitable for you. The price is pretty much affordable and you’ll get a good video quality. Brilliant, isn’t it?
Nikon Z7 FX-Format might suitable for your needs if you are a professional photographer or videographer to make an excellent video. It’s a bit pricey, but it’s worth it.
