Are you looking for a new mirrorless camera, but have a limited budget? If that’s the case, you should be looking to buy the best possible camera for your money. This is where our list of best budget mirrorless cameras of 2019 comes in. Before compiling this list, we considered all mirrorless cameras with a price below $1,000, but only chose those that offer best value at different price points. This means you can find cameras on this list that cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000.
More expensive options on our list are suitable for enthusiasts, while the less expensive options are geared towards beginners looking to buy their first mirrorless camera.
Sony A6300
image source: Sony
Despite the fact that this camera was released in 2016, we still consider it one of the top choices if you’re looking for a cheap mirrorless camera in 2019. Since it is three years old, it is often discounted. Sony A6300 is a solid choice, both for photographers and videographers.
The camera sports a 24MP APS-C sensor that has pretty good performance considering the price, even in low-light conditions. It also has great autofocus, which isn’t always the case when it comes to cheaper cameras.
Sony A6300 is a very good choice for enthusiast videographers, since it can shoot 4K video at up to 30fps and 1080p video at up to 120fps (slow-motion capabilities are rare in this price range). Its bigger brother, Sony A6500, adds useful 5-axis in-body image stabilization, but it is quite a bit more expensive, which is why we decided to exclude it from our list.
Sony A6300 Pros
- Great autofocus
- Decent EVF
- Very compact
- 4K video recording
- Shoots 120fps video in 1080p
Sony A6300 Cons
- No headphone jack
- Can overheat when recording 4K for a long time
Canon EOS M50
image source: Canon
Canon EOS M50 is definitely one of our top choices, but there two things we don’t like about this camera (none of which may be important to you). First off, the selection of native EF-M lenses is pretty limited, and secondly – we are a bit disappointed with the huge crop, as well as lack of Dual Pixel autofocus, when you’re shooting 4K video with this camera.
With all of this in mind, the EOS M50 is still an amazing budget mirrorless camera, and lately a lot of stores are selling it about 30% cheaper than its retail price of $899, making it an even better deal. If you’re a beginner photographer or videographer looking to buy their first mirrorless camera, you should definitely take this 24MP camera into consideration. The Dual Pixel AF (a feature found on a lot more expensive Canon cameras) works great in photo and video mode in 1080p, but like we mentioned previously, isn’t available when shooting 4K.
The M50 also features a flip out screen, which is great if you’re a vlogger or need to take video of yourself (of course, it’s useful for selfies as well). Finally, Canon EOS M50 and the kit lens it comes bundled with is one of the most compact camera/lens combos on our list, so if the size and weight are of importance – this may be the camera for you.
Canon EOS M50 Pros
- Dual Pixel Autofocus
- Very compact
- Fully articulating screen
Canon EOS M50 Cons
- Canon offers a limited number of native EF-M lenses
- No Dual Pixel AF in 4K
Fuji X-T20
image source: Fuji
The X-T20 was released in early 2017 and it sports the same sensor found in the much pricier X-T2, but lacks weather sealing and some other advanced features. Nonetheless, if you’re into photography, this may be the best option for you. Fuji is known for amazing colors and film simulations that make it easy for beginners to take amazing shots without needing to shoot in RAW and do a lot of editing later.
The camera features a touchscreen and has pretty good autofocus as well. Although this camera is geared mainly towards photographers, it shoots beautiful and sharp 4K video as well. And we saved the best for last – Fuji recently cut the suggested retail prices for this camera, which means you can buy it cheaper than ever!
Fuji X-T20 Pros
- Great 24MP sensor (same as the X-T2)
- Fuji’s film simulations are amazing
- 4K video recording
- Great selection of lenses
Fuji X-T20 Cons
- No weather sealing
- Limited touchscreen usability
- EVF is not that impressive
Panasonic G85
image source: PRNewsFoto/Panasonic
Panasonic G85, also known as G80 in Europe, is a solid camera if you don’t mind the smaller micro 4/3 sensor (all cameras we mentioned up until now have bigger, APS-C sensor that performs better, especially in low light conditions). What makes the G85 stand out, however, is the fact that it features 5-axis image stabilization at this price point. This feature is generally reserved for pricier mirrorless cameras and is certainly an awesome feature to have, as it allows you to take better handheld photos and videos.
The G85 features a 16MP micro 4/3 sensor, which may not sound impressive, but it is certainly good enough for most beginners looking for a budget camera. The autofocus is solid, although not nearly as good as on the Fuji or Sony mirrorless cameras. We should mention that this camera can record 4K video as well, making it a great choice for enthusiast videographers.
Panasonic G85 Pros
- In-body image stabilization
- Sharp 4K video
- Articulating screen
- Weather-sealed body
Panasonic G85 Cons
- Battery life could be better
- No headphone jack
- Electronic viewfinder struggles in low light
Panasonic G7
image source: PRNewsFoto/Panasonic
Panasonic G7 has the same 16MP sensor found in the G85. In fact, most of the features of these two cameras are identical, the biggest difference being the fact that the G7 lacks the in-body image stabilization. With that said, if you feel like you don’t need this feature, you can definitely go with this camera and save some money.
If you’re into photography, there are definitely better options for you on this list, but Panasonic G7 makes a lot of sense if you’re into video. In fact, thanks to continuous discounts, it is the cheapest 4K mirrorless camera you can buy in 2019.
Panasonic G7 Pros
- Really affordable
- Sharp 4K video
- Articulating screen
Panasonic G7 Cons
- No image stabilization
- Battery life could be better
- No headphone jack
- Electronic viewfinder struggles in low light
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III
image source: Olympus
OM-D E-M10 Mark III is a solid, retro-looking micro 4/3 camera that is also pretty affordable. Just like the aforementioned mirrorless cameras from Panasonic, it too features a 16MP sensor capable of recording 4K video at up to 30 fps. Unfortunately, this is the same sensor found in the last iteration of this camera, which means it’s four years old already.
However, besides the G85, this is the only camera with 5-axis in-body image stabilization, a feature that is certainly useful to have both for photography and for video. Did we mention that the OM-D E-M10 Mark III looks really amazing in silver? It definitely does, and the build quality is better than some more expensive cameras from other manufacturers.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III Pros
- Premium finish
- Great image stabilization
- Compact
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III Cons
- Uses old 16MP sensor
- Autofocus could be better
Fuji X-T100
image source: Fuji
If you like the looks and features of the X-T20, but want something even cheaper and easier to use – Fuji X-T100 is for you. Sure, it may not have every feature of its more expensive brother (4K video recording at 30fps, for example), but it’s a great mirrorless camera for beginners.
The biggest difference compared to the X-T20 is the fact it has a 24MP sensor with Bayer color filter and not Fuji’s own X-Trans, which results in slightly worse colors. However, the X-T100 actually has one advantage over the X-T20 – a 3-way tilting touchscreen, which is great for selfies and taking video of yourself.
Overall, Fuji’s entry-level mirrorless camera doesn’t disappoint and it is a good choice if you’re planning on buying your first mirrorless camera and have a limited budget to work with.
Fuji X-T100 Pros
- Affordable
- 3-way tilting touchscreen
Fuji X-T100 Cons
- Useless 4K video at only 15fps
- Limited touchscreen usability
- Autofocus is not the best in low light
