Five low-cost mirrorless cameras to start in the photo world

Olympus E-PL7 kit 14-42

The main "chips" of the camera are a stylish design and a 3—axis matrix image stabilization system, which allows you to shoot with your hands without lubrication at shutter speeds up to 1/10 s (depending on the objective and focal length). The stabilizer also works when shooting video, the super-quality of which the model does not shine. The prerogative of filming videos was left to more senior colleagues in the shop. However, the camera writes video in FullHD resolution at a recording speed of up to 30 fps. The basic maximum value of light sensitivity is low (ISO 1600), but it can be expanded, the main thing is just to sort out a slightly confusing menu. Writing videos and taking photos in conditions of lack of light will become easier.

In the heart of the camera there is a matrix with a resolution of 16 MP — the same as on the entire line of Micro 4/3 format cameras. The model pleases with its branded colour rendition, as well as a wide variety of creative styles and shooting plot programs. Among the built—in programs, you can even find "Selfi Mode" — when the display is tilted to the "on itself" position, a virtual shutter release button appears on it. In a separate line, you need to highlight the fast and tenacious autofocus. He reliably focuses on the object of the shooting and leads it without losing sight of it. But they skimped on the built—in flash — there was no place for it.

The model will suit both beginners in the world of photography, and more advanced amateur photographers who have decided to replace an inconvenient entry-class DSLR with something compact and stylish. A wide park of optics, excellent "filling" and small dimensions allow you to put the camera in your purse or jacket pocket and carry it with you always.

Panasonic DMC-GF7 kit 14-42

Retro style is slowly coming into fashion again. The "under the skin" lining in silver edging is really a very advantageous option. Panasonic has endowed its low-cost mirrorless amateur GF series with both a bright design and a good "filling".

This device has a 16-megapixel Micro 4/3 CMOS matrix, which is 2 times smaller in size than a standard 35 mm film frame. A shorter working period allows you to use more compact optics. The matrix outputs a "live" and juicy picture, which will not make noise up to ISO 3200. I.e. taking pictures in low light conditions is not a problem.

The camera does not lie very well in the hand — it lacks the traditional protrusion under the arm on the front face. In a small female hand, the camera will look much more practical than in a weighty male one. The touch and rotary display of the camera can comfortably recline to the "selfie" position. It is bright and contrasting, you will not have to worry about readability on a sunny day. It is worth worrying only about the absence of a flash and a hot shoe, as well as a spare battery — one battery charge is enough for about 200-230 shots.

The 23-point autofocus system has as many as 5 operating modes. It quickly catches the object even at the maximum speed of serial shooting (5.8 fps). The memory buffer does not always cope with such speed — it begins to choke almost immediately. Well, what can you want, the camera is not a "reportage monster".

Being a simplified version of an older brother (Panasonic DMC-GM1 kit 12-32 ), an entry-level mirrorless camera can offer amateur photographers a wide replaceable fleet of optics and access to a number of automatic shooting scenes, as well as to manual settings when photographing.

Sony A5000 kit 16-50

The model belongs to the low-cost segment, so it does not have a viewfinder and a hot shoe in its arsenal, and also does not hurry to react to the inclusion. Instead of the first one, you need to use a screen, and a folding low-power flash is located in place of the second one. The screen does not shine with resolution, does not know how to turn, and all control is push-button. These disadvantages make it difficult to control the camera easily, but are fully offset by the rich and colorful picture that the 20.1-megapixel CMOS sensor of the APS-C format gives out. As a bonus, you can find wireless Wi-Fi and NFC modules inside the mirrorless, with which photos can be easily shared on mobile devices.

The mirrorless camera has one important similarity with compact cameras — an additional zoom lever, which simplifies zooming when using objects with a motorized drive. Such a mechanism is rarely found on similar cameras.

The camera is aimed at those who have just set foot on the thorny path of photography, as well as for home use. The flexibility of the system in terms of the choice of optics and a wide range of automatic scenes are its main advantages.

Fujifilm X-A2 Kit 16-50

The heart of the camera is a CMOS matrix with a resolution of 16.3 MP. It has a crop factor of 1.5, like most amateur and advanced cameras with interchangeable optics. Due to the low pixel density, the camera produces a low-noise image even at high ISO values (3200-6400 units). You can shoot in low-light conditions safely and without significant problems.

The global selfie pandemic has also reached here — for the first time among the Fuji line of cameras, the model received a 180° inclined screen. Unlike the nearest competitors (Panasonic DMC-GF7 kit 14-42 , Olympus E-PL7 kit 14-42 ) it is non-sensory. But he can take selfies — in this mode, focus on the eyes of the person on the other side of the screen automatically works. On the compact body of the camera, there was a place for a built-in folding flash, and for a hot shoe, on which you can put an external flash or, for example, a radio synchronizer for shooting with studio lighting. Even if there were a couple of additional function keys, there would be no price for it.

Mirrorless from Fuji only at first glance it seems low-cost — it should be remembered that a wide and diverse fleet of optics for the Fuji X system costs a lot of money. Therefore, the camera is the lot of true connoisseurs of the Japanese brand.

Nikon 1 J5 Kit 10-30

The Nikon 1 mirrorless line is very controversial. On the one hand, it is stuffed with all sorts of "delicious chips", and on the other hand, it has a small 1—inch matrix, similar in size to compact cameras. It is 2.7 times smaller than the 35-millimetre full-frame format, which it is customary to look up to. Despite the excellent characteristics, it is the sensor size that repels advanced photo enthusiasts. But in vain.

In comparison with its predecessor (Nikon 1 J4 kit 10-30 ) the model has acquired a new retro style, has grown up and acquired a comfortable grip for the hand. A matrix with a resolution of 20.8 MP is installed inside the camera. The pixel density in it is very large, which is why it is better not to shoot at high ISO values, since the photos will be noisy. The camera is strong in another way: it has a fast and tenacious hybrid autofocus system consisting of 171 points (105 points of phase type and 66 contrast), and also knows how to write videos in 4K format. Even with a small frame rate (15 fps), but it is the first among all Nikon cameras to be able to record video in ultra-high resolution.

Among the Nikon mirrorless "piglet" was the first to receive an inclined screen. It is convenient to be seen from the lower and upper angles of the shooting. It's disappointing that there was no place for a hot shoe. But Nikon engineers did not skimp on the built-in flash and Wi-Fi and NFC modules for quick connection of the camera with mobile devices.

According to the characteristics (autofocus, speed of serial shooting and video capabilities), the mirrorless can easily compete with older mirror counterparts (Nikon D3300 kit 18-55 , Nikon D5500 kit 18-55 ). However, the absence of a hot shoe, an electronic viewfinder, microphone ports, as well as the physical size of the matrix give out amateur roots in it.