5 Top Mirrorless Cameras

Once upon a time, cameras from the Sony A7 league initiated the class of full-frame mirrorless cameras as a category. At the same time, the series has always been conditionally divided into three sub-camps: classic models, cameras with the "s" (sensitivity) prefix for video shooting, and the "r" (resolution) prefix — having a high-resolution sensor in their "core".

At the end of 2022, Sony released the fifth edition of the A7r model. It received a matrix from the "fourth edition" — a 61 MP back-illuminated sensor operating with a 15-stop dynamic range. The sensor's native sensitivity range is measured between ISO 100 and 32000, and it can be extended to ISO 50 – 102400 programmatically. It is important to note that due to the high resolution of the sensor, the model produces fairly large photo files. The camera's matrix stabilization system has been improved — it compensates for up to 8 stops of exposure or exposure.

The new mirrorless camera has a dedicated chip, which is responsible for operations using artificial intelligence. In particular, it manages the autofocus system, which consists of 693 points and covers about 79% of the frame area. The camera can recognize a wide variety of objects in real-time — people (and individual parts of their bodies), animals, insects, trains, airplanes, cars, and so on. Simultaneously, the electronic viewfinder in the Sony A7r V was significantly upgraded, boasting a remarkable resolution of 9.44 million pixels. The 3.2-inch camera screen has multiple degrees of freedom and can be fixed for aiming in the most diverse positions.

The camera has learned to shoot videos in 8K at 24/25 fps. The duration of continuous recording without overheating can last up to 30 minutes. Video materials in 4K can be recorded with a frame rate of up to 60 fps. The technical quality "ceiling" for video shooting is the XAVC SI format with All-Intra H.264 10-bit 4:2:2 compression. In XAVC HS mode, H.265 compression is applied. Meanwhile, the operator has access to profiles like S-Cinetone or S-Log3 and 10-bit HLG for playback on HDR screens. The mirrorless camera deserves special praise for having dual slots for CFexpress type A and SD UHS-II class cards, a USB type C port with Power Delivery support, and reliable dust and moisture protection of the body. The Sony A7r V is a professional tool in all its glory.

In 2024, the already classic mirrorless camera Canon EOS R5 was updated to the Mark II generation. What exactly has changed in it? Let's figure it out step by step.

The main highlight of the newly-baked model is the 45-megapixel full-frame sensor, which now has a multilayer structure and is made with back-illuminated technology. Combined, these structural tricks provide a significant increase in data readout speed and minimize the rolling shutter effect. In addition to the DIGIC X chip, the model is equipped with a DIGIC Accelerator coprocessor — it provides additional computing power and is used in AI-based operations (for example, in autofocus using the Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system).

The mirrorless camera supports a continuous shooting speed of up to 30 fps with RAW autofocus. Up to 150 frames fit in the buffer memory. Captured materials are proposed to be saved on SD UHS-II and CFExpress type B cards. The camera operates with a dynamic range of up to 16 stops and excels in video shooting as well. Video recording on it is carried out in resolutions up to 8K at 30/60 fps (depending on the specific selected codec). The bitrate during shooting can reach 2600 MB/s. Canon EOS R5 Mark II will serve as a truly good tool for professional video production.

The model is equipped with a high-resolution viewfinder that supports eye-tracking for automatic focusing — i.e., the focus point can be selected with just a glance. Another notable feature is the camera's ability to record video while simultaneously taking photos (in JPEG format). Finally, it's worth mentioning the highly efficient image matrix stabilization system — up to 8.5 stops in the center of the frame and 7.5 stops at the edges, depending on the used lens.

The Nikon Z9 is a truly iconic mirrorless camera aimed at the professional photographer and videographer segment. The model became the first professional camera without a mechanical shutter, and its sensor entirely lacks the rolling shutter effect.

The camera is equipped with a full-frame image sensor of multilayer construction to ensure the fastest data readout possible. Its resolution is 45.7 MP. The camera's silent electronic shutter processes exposures up to 1/32000 sec. The work of the mirrorless camera is powered by the powerful EXPEED 7 processor. Its potential allows for continuous shooting at speeds of up to 20 fps in RAW at full frame resolution. The camera's buffer memory is practically limitless and only limited by the capabilities of the memory cards used (CFexpress type B or XQD, for which two slots are allocated).

The multilayer matrix, along with the new processor, allows for much faster image readout — it is delivered to the screen and viewfinder without any delay or blackout between frames. The Nikon Z9 is equipped with an OLED viewfinder with 3.69 million pixels and exceedingly high brightness of 3000 nits. The camera's display has a tilting and swiveling design, granting more freedom for framing from unconventional angles. The mirrorless camera also deserves special praise for its 493-point autofocus system, capable of recognizing and firmly locking various objects in the frame: faces, eyes, and heads of people, animals, and vehicles. In its work, autofocus is assisted by artificial intelligence algorithms.

The model employs a matrix image stabilization system with effectiveness up to 6 stops of exposure. The camera also excels at video shooting. In-camera recording of clips is possible in resolutions up to 8K at 60 fps in ProRes format. Shooting in 4K can be done at 120 fps, while at 60 fps, 10-bit ProRes 422 HQ is available. The mirrorless camera lacks logarithmic gamma curve profiles but instead offers a low-contrast Flat color profile, convenient for post-production of captured materials. The model is designed in the form factor of a professional camera with an integrated vertical battery grip. Its professional orientation is also indicated by the additional info screen on top and the dust and moisture protection of its body.

The flagship mirrorless camera Canon EOS R3 is designed in the spirit of top-tier DSLR siblings — it is a rather large camera from the report series with a built-in battery grip and weather-sealed body.

The fundamental element of the camera is the full-frame image sensor with a multi-layer architecture and back-illumination. The multi-layer structure of the sensor is responsible for the ultra-fast processing of large data arrays — no joke, with all lenses for the Canon RF system, the camera can achieve burst shooting speeds of up to 30 fps (when using the electronic shutter with a minimum exposure time of 1/64000 sec). The mirrorless camera's mechanical shutter operates at speeds of up to 12 fps, which is also quite commendable.

The model's body also includes a matrix image stabilization system that effectively handles up to 8 stops of exposure. Additionally, the camera uses the second generation of the proprietary Dual Pixel CMOS AF II autofocus technology with full image frame coverage. The autofocus system recognizes people, animals, and vehicles in the frame. But the most interesting "know-how" is choosing the focus object with a glance. When looking through the viewfinder, special sensors track the photographer's pupil position and determine the focus object according to the direction of the gaze.

The sensor resolution of the Canon EOS R3 is relatively low. Therefore, the camera does not have support for shooting video in 8K format. However, it does provide the capability to record 6K clips up to 60 fps in RAW to a memory card. In 4K resolution, video shooting with frame rates up to 120 fps is available, and the operator has profiles like C-Log3, HDR PQ, and 4:2:2 subsampling at their disposal. Captured materials are stored on SD UHS-II or CFexpress type B cards — the slot structure of the model is dual. The camera is destined to be one of the most desirable among full-frame mirrorless cameras because its potential is truly immense.

The Sony A9 III was the first to debut in the top-tier mirrorless camera arena with a global shutter. What is it and what benefits does it offer? Let's find out.

The major advantage of a global shutter is the simultaneous data readout from all pixels of the sensor, solving numerous problems. First, the camera can shoot in burst mode at an incredible speed of up to 120 fps, in full RAW format and with autofocus. Secondly, the mirrorless camera can shoot with ultra-short exposures up to 1/80000 sec. Third, there's flash synchronization at any speed. Finally, the global shutter completely eliminates the rolling shutter effect.

The model has an 8-stop matrix stabilization system covering 5 axes. As for autofocus, the camera features 759 autofocus points, covering almost 96% of the frame. The mirrorless camera's autofocus uses intelligent algorithms for tracking people, animals, birds, insects, and vehicles in the frame. Additionally, the autofocus system has a new pre-capture function, Pre-Capture, activated by pressing the shutter button halfway.

The global shutter matrix is an ideal solution for video shooting. The Sony A9 III can record video sequences in 4K resolution without cropping with 10-bit color representation and 4:2:2 subsampling. The operator has access to S-Log3 support and the proprietary S-Cinetone color mode. Add to this the high-resolution OLED viewfinder with 9.44 million dots, the tilting and swiveling touchscreen, dual slots for SD UHS-II and CFExpress type A cards, and the weather-sealed body — ultimately, we have a camera with the potential to change the world of photography.