The Best Mirrorless Camera For Video in 2024: 11 Expert Picks

Best Mirrorless Camera For Video In 2024

In the ever-evolving realm of videography, determining the best mirrorless camera for video production has emerged as a critical decision for both seasoned filmmakers and emerging content creators. Mirrorless cameras have garnered widespread acclaim due to their amalgamation of compactness, adaptability, and top-tier video performance, rendering them an attractive choice for individuals aspiring to capture exceptional visuals with a professional touch. Whether you are embarking on a journey in vlogging, filmmaking, or simply looking to enhance your video content, the selection of the appropriate mirrorless camera holds the key to unleashing your artistic potential and achieving unparalleled outcomes. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the leading contenders within the universe of mirrorless cameras for video, each offering a distinctive array of features and functionalities to empower you in making an educated decision, customized to your specific videography requisites.

These state-of-the-art devices offer a plethora of features that set them apart in the field of cinematography. Foremost, they deliver exceptional image quality, thanks to their generous sensors that ensure crisp, detailed video even in challenging lighting conditions. Mirrorless cameras are celebrated for their excellent autofocus and image stabilization, allowing filmmakers to capture professional-quality visuals. Their precision and flexibility, allow filmmakers to exercise intricate control over focus and exposure, thereby enhancing creative potential. Their compact, lightweight design renders them highly portable and adaptable for shooting in diverse locations. Moreover, the option to interchange lenses further enriches the potential to capture an array of scenes. Notably, an increasing number of mirrorless models now support 4K and, in some instances, even 8K video recording, promising striking visual clarity. As for pricing, these cameras span a wide range, catering to varying budgets, making them accessible and appealing to both passionate enthusiasts and seasoned professionals.

Top 11 Best Mirrorless Cameras For Video In 2024

1Sony Alpha a7S III – Best mirrorless camera for low-light videography
2Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5s – Best video-centric camera with 10-bit internal recording
3Sony Alpha a6600 – Best for Vlogging
4Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K – Affordable and compact with excellent video skills
5Panasonic Lumix s1h – Cinema camera in a mirrorless body
6Fujifilm X-T4 – Best APS-C mirrorless camera for videography
7Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III – Best for travel and street photography
8Sony Alpha a7 III – Sony’s best all-rounder with great video
9Nikon Z6 – Best for sports videography
10Canon EOS R – Best Canon mirrorless camera for video
11Canon EOS M50 – Best budget mirrorless camera for video

Best Mirrorless Camera For Video – Reviews

1. Sony Alpha a7S III

Sony Alpha a7S III: The best mirrorless camera for video in 2024
  • Key specifications:
  • Sensor: Full-frame CMOS
  • Megapixels: 12.1MP
  • Lens mount: Sony FE
  • Screen: 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen, 1,440,000 dots
  • Viewfinder: Electronic, 9.437m dots
  • Continuous shooting speed: 10fps
  • Max video resolution: 4K
  • Battery life: 600 stills
  • Weight: 21.7 oz (614 g)
Pros
  • Astounding 4k 
  • Latest Fast Hybrid Auto-Focus System
  • Top low light performance
  • In-body stabilization
  • No limits on video recording
  • Extended battery life
Cons
  • Only 12MP sensor


Released in the fall of 2020, the Sony Alpha a7S III is Sony’s long-awaited and worthy addition to Sony mirrorless cameras. With its 12.1-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, and the Bionz XR image processor, this camera can shoot 120p 4K 10-bit 4:2:2 video with no limits on recording time, 4K at 60p uncropped recording internally, and has RAW recording up to 60p 4K (16-bit) via HDMI. Along with its 5-axis in-camera image stabilization technology, it yields sharper shake-free footage even when handheld.

Sony Alpha a7SIII is the best Sony mirrorless camera for video and a low-light beast that can see in the dark with its maximum ISO ceiling of 409,600. It borrows Sony’s latest Fast Hybrid AF system from the flagship FX9 cinema camera with 759 phase-detect AF points and 93% frame coverage. This system allows real-time tracking for both humans and animals, resulting in the best AF performance of the A7S series. Sony also added superior AF customization options for greater flexibility over the AF transition speed.

It also obtains the new Z-type battery and comes with a 60% improvement compared to its predecessor. This Sony video camera can now shoot 600 stills and 90 mins of video on a single charge, offering all Alpha cameras’ longest recording time. It’s one of the few cameras with H.265 compression. It also has a 3-inch Vari-angle touchscreen, a full-sized HDMI, dual card slots, log profiles, weather sealing, and headphone and microphone inputs. The camera is a delight for video makers and hence rightly crowned as the best mirrorless camera for video for many reasons.

Also check: Best Mirrorless Camera For Professionals


2. Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5s

Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5s: Best video-centric camera
  • Key Specifications:
  • Resolution: 10.2MP
  • Sensor: Micro Four Thirds CMOS
  • Monitor: 3.2-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 1,620,000 dots
  • Lens mount: Micro Four Thirds
  • Viewfinder: 3.68M-dot OLED
  • Autofocus: 225-area AF
  • Maximum continuous shooting rate: 12fps
  • Video: 4K
  • Battery life: 440 shots
  • Weight: 660g/1.46lbs
Pros
  • Lightweight design and solid weather-sealed body
  • Multi-aspect sensor design
  • Superb video quality and flexibility
  • Impressive autofocus system
  • Dual SD card slots
  • Unlimited video recording
Cons
  • Absence of IBIS not for everyone
  • Battery life could be better

Available since February 2018, the Panasonic GH5s is best understood as a video-centric variant of the GH5. And despite its low sensor resolution of 10.2MP sensor, the GH5s handles higher sensitivities quite well with noticeably less luminance noise. The camera’s dynamic range has also improved. But when it comes to satisfactory detail capture for still imaging under good light, the GH5S lags by today’s standards.

But on the right side, the Lumix GH5s has a handy 4K photo mode. It reduces stills resolution to 4K and allows you to shoot in bursts of 60fps, or its “post focus,” which enables photographers to select their focal point after photos are shot.

When shooting stills or videos in low ambient light levels, it performs better. This best mirrorless camera for video is undoubtedly one of the more specialized cameras out there, aimed at low-light specialists and videographers.

For video specifically, the GH5s can’t be touched. It can record both 4K and Full HD with no time limit. While it complies with 4K HDR video with Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) mode in Photo Style. It also records 4:2:2 10-bit 400Mbps (All-Intra) in 4K at 30p/25p/24p and Cinema 4K (24p), and 200Mbps (All-Intra) in Full HD. For Slo-mo, GH5s capture DCI 4K at reduced 8-bit, 4:2:0 quality levels at 60fps, or 1080p at a time-freezing 240 fps.

Panasonic Lumix mirrorless camera comes with a “VLog-L” color profile, which allows you to not only shoot a very high-quality HDR video but change it substantially afterward. GH5S now supports timecode syncing. And can be easily synchronized with multiple compatible devices when filming and allows you for convenient post-production editing.

It also comes with an impressively fast and accurate autofocus system laser-like tracking, and intelligent face detection. All of which eliminates a lot of the potential trouble spots when shooting video.

If you’re primarily a stills shooter, the Panasonic GH5s is not for you. But if video is your thing, and you want a pro-quality camera capable of shooting in all sorts of ways and giving fantastic results, the GH5S fits the bill. Perhaps, among all the micro fourth, and third mirrorless cameras for videography, the Panasonic GH5S is the best mirrorless camera for video recording that you can find.


3. Sony Alpha a6600

Sony Alpha a6600 - The best camera for vlogging
  • Key Specifications:
  • Resolution: 24.2MP
  • Sensor: APS-C CMOS
  • Monitor:  3.0-inch, 922k dots, tilting touchscreen
  • Lens mount: Micro Four Thirds
  • Viewfinder: EVF, 2,359k dots, 0.39 type
  • Autofocus: 225-area AF
  • Maximum continuous shooting rate: 11fps
  • Video: 4K
  • Battery life: 800 shots
  • Weight: 503g/1.11lbs
Pros
  • Dust and splash protection.
  • Good low-light performance
  • Class-leading autofocus
  • 5-axis In-body stabilization 
  • Unlimited video recording
  • Long-lasting battery
  • Mic and headphones jacks
Cons
  • Pronounced rolling shutter
  • Single slow memory card slot
  • Drops in-camera flash.

Released in August 2019, the Sony A6600 is Sony’s latest offering in its popular A6000-series APS-C mirrorless cameras and the successor of the A6500. The a6600 has 24.2 megapixels, making it a great hybrid photo and the best mirrorless camera for video. It can shoot up to 120 FPS in 1080p and 30/25/24p in 4K.

It offers Sony’s latest autofocus implementation, known as ‘Real-time Tracking AF,’ which can track non-human subjects and offers face-tracking and eye-tracking for humans and even animals with the sort of tenacity never imagined before. Its autofocusing mechanics are impressive, with 425 phase-detection points. It has one of the most reliable AF implementations for video in the market.

It uses the sensor’s full width, downsizing a 6K image into a 4K image for better detail. And it performs well in low light, with ISO100 to ISO32000 available.

It offers 4K movies in Super 35mm format, no limit on video recordings, and XAVC S-format 4K video at 24fps and 30fps. There’s 120fps slow-mo capture if you drop to Full HD res, and the A6600 can record in an HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) picture profile, with S-Log3 and S-Log2 Gamma profiles available for color-grading in post-production and much more.

The A6600 Sony APS-C comes with a 5-axis in-body stabilization system, which makes it stand out in the APS-C space, and significantly aids those interested in hand-held video shooting and those looking for hand-held slower shutter speeds for stills.

The Sony Alpha A6600 has a lightweight magnesium alloy body, which is dust-and-moisture-resistant. This Sony Alpha camera is convenient and compact and comes with a larger grip. It has a single SD/MSDuo card slot, which supports UHS-I. And the available, slow card slot isn’t well-suited for action shooters or hybrid stills/video shooters needing to switch over to video after shooting a burst of stills. And also, its rolling shutter could impact the quality of your video.

It is equipped with a bigger NP-FZ100 battery, which is CIPA-rated to over 800 shots per charge. That’s DSLR territory, which is ideal for long days or vacations.

While the A6600 delivers decent still image quality in isolation, its video-centric features make it stand out as an excellent video and best Vlog camera. The a6600 is about as close to the perfect Vlogging mirrorless camera as we’ve seen at this point.


4. Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K - The best 4K camera
  • Key Specifications:
  • Resolutions 4096 x 2160 (4K DCI), 3840 x 2160 (Ultra HD), 1920 x 1080 (HD)
  • Sensor: CMOS
  • Effective Sensor Size 18.96mm x 10mm (Four Thirds)
  • Lens Mount: Active MFT mount
  • Monitor: 5” 1920 x 1080 LCD capacitive touchscreen
  • Viewfinder: Kinotehnik LCDVF BM5, 200 % magnification
  • Dynamic Range 13 Stops
  • Autofocus: Focus: One-shot AF, No continuous AF / Focus button turns on peaking, auto focus available using compatible lenses
  • Maximum continuous shooting rate: 60 frames per second, 120 frames per second in HD
  • Battery life: 30-40 minutes
  • Weight: 1.5 lbs / 680.38 g
Pros
  • UHD and DCI 4K up to 60p
  • RAW and ProRes file types
  • Excellent 4K video capture
  • Longer video recording
  • Beautiful 5-inch Full HD display
  • Huge, sharp screen
  • Intuitive user interface
  • SD, CFast 2.0, and SSD storage
  • Comprehensive connections
Cons
  • Weak battery life
  • No articulating screen

Released in September 2018, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K features a full-size 4/3 sensor that offers 4096 x 2160 resolution and an excellent 13 stops of dynamic range for true digital film quality. Its 4/3 sensor reduces crop factor, providing a wider field of view, and dual native ISO up to 25,600 delivers incredible low light performance.

The Blackmagic Camera gives you 3 kinds of media to choose from. Images can be recorded on standard SD cards, faster UHS-II cards, or CFast 2.0 cards. SD cards can be used to record High-definition videos. Higher-performance UHS-II cards can be used for recording Ultra HD in ProRes at up to 60 frames per second and RAW at up to 30 frames per second. CFast cards can be used to record 12-bit RAW at all supported frame rates.

For longer recording times, you can also record directly to an external SSD or flash disk. You can record 2 hours of Blackmagic RAW in 4K on a single 256GB SD UHS-II card. You can mount the media cards on your computer and start editing directly from them using the included DaVinci Resolve Studio software, a $299 worth of software that comes free with the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K.

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K has Built-in microphones with an extremely low noise floor for professional high-fidelity audio recording. You can also connect external professional microphones with its 48 volts of phantom power mini XLR input.

Its LCD is as sharp as an iPhone X’s screen. It’s bright and straightforward to use in sunny conditions. And its display is bigger than anything Canon, Nikon, or Sony offers. And it’s a blessing from a video-centric operational point of view. It comes with a dual card slot. However, it doesn’t have an articulating screen.

The BMPCC 4K uses Canon LP-E6 type batteries. It means that you can continue using your old batteries. However, Battery typically only lasts 35-45 minutes. And sometimes, at below 20% charge, the camera would shut down without warning.

This camera also uses an (active) Micro Four Thirds mount, which is great if you’re already invested in glass from Panasonic’s GH series.

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K has everything you can expect from a pro-grade camera. And that with a comparatively very low price. The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K holds the top place for the best value for money mirrorless camera among the best mirrorless cameras for video.

It has a carbon fiber reinforced body that is very lightweight and very easy to carry around. In short, with such a low price for such a good video camera, The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is indeed a blessing for videographers.


5. Panasonic Lumix s1h

Panasonic Lumix s1h- The best mirrorless camera for cinematic videography
  • Key Specifications:
  • Resolution: 24.2MP
  • Sensor: full-frame CMOS
  • Image processor: Venus
  • Autofocus: 225-area DFD contrast AF
  • Viewfinder: OLED EVF, 5.76m dots, 100% coverage, 0.78x magnification
  • Max burst: 9fps AFS/MF mode, 5-6fps AFC/Live View
  • Video: 6K 
  • Weight: 1,052g / 2.32 lbs
  • Battery life : 400 images (rear monitor) or 380 images (LVF)
  • Weight: 1,052g / 2.32 lbs
Pros
  • 6K video capture
  • Unlimited video recording
  • Effective as a stills camera too
  • V-Log, LUTs and cinema features
  • Dual SD slots.
Cons
  • No raw video capture
  • Big and heavy

Released in August 2019, with a 24MP full-frame CMOS sensor, the Lumix S1H is ideal for mixed stills and video shoots. For stills photography, the Lumix S1H feels and behaves very much like the regular Lumix S1, and hence, it’s also a competent stills camera.

But the Panasonic S1H is a full-frame mirrorless camera explicitly designed for videographers. It comes with capturing 6K video either in a 3:2 ratio at 24p and 10-bit 4:2:0 quality, or 5.9K in a conventional 1:9 ratio at 30p/25p/24p, restricted to cropped Super 35mm format. This extra bit-depth of 10-bit capture avoids banding, clipping, and other artifacts when grading and editing later, especially if you’re going to use V-Log modes. The intention is not to produce 6K movies but to offer extra cropping wiggle-room during 4K output editing. It also offers full-frame (uncropped) capture for 4K, with 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording, Cinema 4K at up to 60p, and unlimited recording time and speeds up to 60p. You can use 60fps capture and playback for fast action or 30fps playback for a 2x slow-motion effect.

Other features include built-in V-Log/V-Gamut modes with 14 stops of dynamic range. It also offers Dual Native ISO, where it switches between two noise control circuits depending on the ISO setting.

The Panasonic S1H comes with a robust-feeling Vari-angle display rather than a tilting screen, which can flip out sideways and forwards, a neat feature that could prove essential when the S1H is mounted on a rig and wired up to external recorders, monitors, and mics.

This camera is designed for videographers, not still photographers. But this is no run-and-gun vlogging camera. But intended for filming where the cameras usually are much larger and heavier than this. Though design-wise, however, it does offer some excellent features for vloggers and filmmakers alike. The best mirrorless camera for video comes with a comfortable, bigger grip and a more prominent 1.8-inch status display, which holds a lot more information.

The in-body image stabilization is excellent to have, and there’s a big, chunky battery too – though with a modest life of 400 images (rear monitor) or 380 images (LVF). Surprisingly, Panasonic relied upon SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-II card slots in a camera designed for high-end video and cinematography.

Panasonic has consistently led in video performance with its class-leading GH-line of Micro Four Thirds cameras. The S1H is not only an extension of that line of cameras into a full-frame body, but you may discover that it’s equally an extension of Panasonic’s highly regarded VariCam line of cinema cameras. It’s best to think of the Lumix S1H as a portable, affordable cine camera – if it’s a vlogging tool you want from Panasonic, you’d be better off with a Lumix GH5 or G90/95.


6. Fujifilm X-T4

Fujifilm X-T4 - The best APS-C camera for videography
  • Key Specifications:
  • Resolution: 26.1MP
  • Sensor: APS-C
  • Monitor: 3.0-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 1,620K dots
  • Lens mount: Fujifilm X mount
  • Viewfinder: 3,690K dots
  • Autofocus: 425-point AF
  • Maximum continuous shooting rate: 15fps (30fps electronic shutter)
  • Video: 4K at 60p
  • Battery life: 500 shots
  • Weight:1.16 lbs / 526 g
Pros
  • Superb build quality
  • Class-leading APS-C sensor
  • Dual SD card slots
  • IBIS for stills and video
  • Improved battery life
  • fully-articulated touch screen
Cons
  • No built-in headphone jack
  • Limited video recording

Another mirrorless camera on our list of the best mirrorless cameras for video, the Fujifilm X-T4 is the company’s latest high-end APS-C mirrorless camera. And a sister model to the famous X-T3. It comes with a 26-megapixel APSC sensor, which renders high-quality still and video.

The X-T4 records 4K at 60p and 200Mbps or can record 4K up to 30p and 400Mbps. And its maximum frame rate in Full HD can go up to 240fps. It can record video on both cards simultaneously and comes with the F-Log View Assist, which allows you to display normal contrast and colors when recording with Log.

Also, X-T4 comes with Five Axis in-body Image Stabilization (IBIS). The internal image stabilization improves the video, and you can also add software stabilization, called DIS (Digital Image Stabilization).

With easy-to-navigate menu systems, X-T4 comes with a logical separation between Still and Movie shooting. The autofocus is quite impressive for stills. But in the video, the autofocus is a bit complicated. It can track a face as it moves around the frame; everything else demands that you manually keep the AF point on your subject. For circumstances in which you can manually focus, the Fujifilm XT4 offers focus peaking and magnification, with the option to maintain magnification when you start recording.

X-T4 has a reliable build quality and weather-resistant magnesium alloy design, and a perfect grip. The camera introduced a new higher amperage 2350mAh battery, which manages around 500 shots when fully charged. And can save even more power with a new Economy mode.

The Fuji X-T4 doesn’t come with a dedicated headphone jack. Instead, a USB-C-to-3.5mm dongle comes in the box to attach headphones, but you won’t, therefore, be able to charge the camera at the same time. And yes, the Fuji XT4 has significantly improved in video capacity, but there’s still a 29-minute limit for video recording.

But with what little you could complain about X-T4, covers all your needs from street photography to video production and everything in between. In its own right, the X-T4 claims the crown among the best APS-C mirrorless cameras for videography that you can buy.

Also check: Best Mirrorless Camera For Travel


7. Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III: Best for travel videography
  • Key Specifications:
  • Resolution: 20.4MP
  • Sensor: MFT
  • Lens mount: NFT
  • Screen: 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 1,037,000 dots
  • Viewfinder: Electronic
  • Continuous shooting speed: 30fps (Pro Capture mode), 10fps (mechanical shutter)
  • Video: c4K/4K 
  • Battery life: 310 shots
  • Weight: 414 g /0.91 lbs
Pros
  • Small size and handling
  • Weatherproofing
  • Latest 20MP MFT sensor
  • Stunning Pro Capture mode
  • Exceptional 152 raw file buffer
  • Excellent 5.5EV in-body stabilization
  • Clever Live Composite mode and Live Bulb mode
Cons
  • Battery life
  • Limited video recording

Released in November 2019, The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is a worthy successor to the highly regarded Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II. This new camera uses Olympus’s latest 20.4 MP Micro Four Thirds sensor that allows Olympus cameras and lenses to be incredibly small and portable.

The body of E-M5 III is a mix of metal and composites wrapped with faux leather. And despite its smaller size, it feels solid in hand. It is also sealed against dust and weather.

It has a 2.36M-dot EVF and a tilting touchscreen display. The camera includes an excellent 5.5EV in-body stabilization, a unique 30fps Pro Capture mode with 14-shot pre-buffering, and 100 % view at 6 fps with a mechanical shutter, avoiding all possibility of lateral distortion with full autofocus and exposure. Battery life is CIPA-rated at 310 shots, which is just average for a mirrorless camera.

This best Olympus camera for video comes with a pretty robust video feature set. It can shoot wider DCI /Cinema 4K (4096 x 2160) videos at 24fps and a 237Mbps bit rate. And regular 4K video (3840 x 2160) at 24, 25 or 30fps and 102Mbps, respectively. Full HD videos up to 60fps can be recorded in ALL-I format, which ups the bit rate to 202Mbps. You can also shoot Full HD videos up to 120fps for slow motion. Maximum video recording time is approx. 29min 59sec and the camera captures video on the full sensor, without crop.

What’s impressive about the E-M5 III is its stabilization. When you combine a digital stabilizer with the E-M5 III’s sensor-shift stabilizer, you get incredibly smooth footage, even while walking with the camera out in your hand. It also tends to track and smoothly focus on faces pretty well, making it another best Vlogging cameras on our list, and a good option for casual street photography.

Precisely, the E-M5 III is capable of some excellent video performance, with outstanding autofocus, stabilization, and detail capture. It features the same sensor, AF system, and 4K video capture as the flagship E-M1 II and E-M1 X, in a considerably smaller, lighter body. And could be an ideal choice for travel photography and content creation because of its all-around performance.

You may like: Best Mirrorless Camera For Beginners


8. Sony Alpha a7 III

Sony Alpha a7 III: The best all-rounder with excellent video capabilities
  • Key Specifications:
  • Resolution: 24.2MP
  • Sensor size: Full-frame
  • Viewfinder: 2,359K dots
  • Monitor: 3.0-inch tilt-angle touchscreen, 921K dots
  • Lens mount: Sony E-mount | Autofocus: 693-point AF
  • Maximum continuous shooting rate: 10fps
  • Video: 4K at 30p
  • Battery life: 710 shots
  • Weight: 1.43 lbs / 650 g
Pros
  • Uncropped 4K video
  • 15-stop dynamic range
  • 5-axis image stabilization
  • Larger, ‘Z-type’ battery (CIPA rated to 710 shots)
Cons
  • Limited video recording
  • Only one SD slot supports UHS-II cards

Released in April 2018, Sony Alpha a7 III comes with a BSI CMOS 24.2MP sensor that excels in all types of lighting conditions whether day or night, and offers an incredible dynamic range for capturing sharp images. After Alpha 7sIII, it equals or is better than all full-frame cameras on the market in low and high ISO performance. This best mirrorless camera for video can shoot at 10fps, and can accurately autofocus on fast-moving subjects or portraits with its advanced 693-point autofocus system which covers almost the entirety of the image sensor.

Sony A7III is still one of Sony’s best full-frame mirrorless cameras for video to date. As far as Sony A7iii video specs are concerned, it shoots 4K at 24fps from the entire 24.2 MP (6K) sensor and oversamples it to 3,840 x 2,160, precisely like A9, a much more expensive Sony camera. When shooting at 30 fps, it takes a mild 1.2x crop, resulting in slightly less detailed footage but with a somewhat enlarged depth of field. To punch in more, it can also shoot with the APS-C portion of the sensor (a 1.5x crop). There’s a 30-minute limit for video recording.

The camera’s video autofocus is outstanding; you can use the “Center Lock-on AF” to isolate a specific subject and let the algorithms track it for you. ‘Spot’ autofocus works if you know where your subject will be, and for more unpredictable action, the ‘wide’ setting will automatically find and track the subject’s face. Though it may get confused occasionally with multiple subjects, video AF is excellent overall.

And with A7 III’s five-axis image stabilization, you can shoot with a slightly slower shutter speed and still get sharp images and video.

This Sony full-frame camera comes with a solid and weatherproofed body but needs to be handled with care in the rain around the accessory ports and bottom.

Sony A7 III also comes with perfect battery life. It is capable of 710 shots on a full charge, and with that, it beats every camera out there in the mirrorless world and is stepping into DSLR territory.

Sony has distilled some of the best bits from much more expensive A9 and A7R III cameras into A7 III, allowing it to offer a mix of fantastic image quality and video performance. A7 III is one of the best mirrorless cameras for videography and an ideal choice for generalist photographers, wedding and event shooters, and even sports shooters. And if you are looking for a full-frame mirrorless camera that gives the sharpest 4K video and can shoot excellent stills at the same time and that with a reasonable price, then there is no better camera on the market than this best mirrorless camera for video, period.


9. Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6: best for sports videography
  • Key Specifications:
  • Resolution: 24.5MP
  • Sensor: Full-frame CMOS
  • Monitor: EVF, 3,690k dots, 100% coverage
  • Lens mount: Nikon Z
  • Continuous shooting speed: 12fps
  • Viewfinder: EVF
  • Video: 4K UHD at 30p
  • Battery life: 310
  • Weight: 675 g (1.49 lbs )
Pros
  • Great overall image quality
  • Good buffer depths and buffer clearing
  • Good AF-Eye detection AF
  • 12fps burst mode
  • Superb high-ISO quality
  • In-body stabilization
  • Full frame 4K video
  • Stellar Z-mount lenses
  • Good build quality
  • Excellent weather resistance
  • Comfortable handling
Cons
  • Weak 310-shot battery life
  • Single card slot
  • Video recording limit

Introduced in August of 2018, the Nikon Z6 is a Nikon mirrorless full-frame camera with a 24MP full-frame CMOS sensor. It’s very similar to its big brother, the Z7. It comes with a deep and comfortable grip yet a surprisingly compact overall size. The camera body feels exceptionally sturdy and has no issues withstanding rain, dirt, and other inclement conditions.

Though Z 7 has garnered much praise for its outstanding image quality, the Z6 still rightfully holds its own for its image quality and stands out against the higher resolution sibling by offering enhanced video quality and specs, and more speed and performance features. The Z6 offers an extensive ISO range, with extended sensitivity reaching up to ISO 204,800, making it an ideal choice for low-light situations. And the camera is capable of huge wall-sized prints even at higher ISOs. For the most part, Z6 Nikon Full Frame mirrorless camera is capable of detail-rich, vibrant images with excellent dynamic range, and flexible raw files.

When it comes to speed and performance, the Nikon Z 6, with its fastest 12fps mode, Z6 hits right up there with high-end sports cameras. Buffer performance is outstanding with very short clearing times, thanks to its super-fast XQD memory card slot. One of the Z6 (and Z7) big selling points is the ease at which you can adapt your existing Nikon F-mount DSLR lenses.

When it comes to video, out of the two Nikon Z series cameras, the lower-priced Z6 is clearly a better choice. It not only has all the capture tools of the Z7 but unlike its sibling, its UHD 4K is oversampled with no crop line-skipping, just like Sony A7 III. In contrast, Z7 does that with a crop. The Z6 captures 4K video, which is sampled from the sensor’s entire width and then downsized at 30p, 25p, or 24p. You can shoot a full frame or switch to DX mode for a 1.5x crop. But whichever mode you choose, the quality remains excellent.

In addition to 4K at 30p, the Z6 also captures Full HD video at 120p and 100p. The camera’s on-sensor phase-detection increases both speed and dependability and maintains the focus well. At the same time, the 5-axis stabilization keeps the footage smooth and steady. However, the camera doesn’t record 10-bit internally, so N-Log can only be sent to an external recorder.

Z6 uses a single XQD card slot. XQD cards are robust and offer incredibly fast read and write speeds, a welcome feature for data-hungry shooting, particularly video. But on the other hand, the cards are not as standard at the moment and are relatively expensive. Also, many other competitive and similarly priced cameras offer dual card slots.

However, the Z6 isn’t the most versatile or full-featured video camera. It comes with several limitations, such as the HDMI mentioned above recorder limit with N-Log video and a tilting rear LCD screen, which may work immensely well for stills. However, a Vari-angle or fully articulated design would be a better choice for video recording.

These limitations may keep it below the Panasonic GH5S or S1H, in our list of best video cameras. But this Nikon mirrorless camera, the Z6 still captures pleasing, high-quality video and offers a decent feature set for those wanting to explore a more balanced performance. And with its speed, it’s no doubt the best mirrorless camera for video shooters interested in sports photography.


10. Canon EOS R

Canon EOS R: Canon's best video-making camera
  • Key Specifications:
  • Resolution: 30.3MP
  • Sensor: Full-frame CMOS, 36x24mm
  • Lens Mount: Canon RF
  • Autofocus: 5,655 Dual Pixel AF positions
  • Monitor: 3.15-inch fully articulating touch screen, 2.1M dots
  • Max burst speed: 8fps
  • Movies: 4K UHD at 29.97P
  • Battery: 350 shots (EVF) and 370 shots (LCD), Power Saving mode to 430  (EVF) and 450 shots (LCD)
  • Weight: 1.45 lbs / 660 g
Pros
  • Sold body and big grip 
  • Weather sealing
  • Potential for customization 
  • Accurate dual Pixel CMOS AF
  • Wide choice of adapters for Canon DSLR lenses
  •  Better ergonomics (New Control ring and M-Fn Bar)
  • Excellent image quality
  • Fully articulating touchscreen
  • Video autofocus performance
Cons
  • Video recording limit
  • No in-body stabilization
  • Single SD card slot
  • Bad rolling shutter

Released in October 2018, Canon full-frame mirrorless EOS R may hold the last position in our list of best mirrorless cameras for video. It is still arguably the best mirrorless camera for video that Canon has produced so far since the Canon EOS R5 and the EOS R6 come with overheating issues. The EOS R is weather-sealed and comes with a comfortable grip, and the whole camera feels impressively solid.

It comes with a single memory card slot. But what Canon has done incredibly well is to build a new camera system around the RF mount that comes up with a mature lens lineup featuring some of the best glass in the business.

Canon has equipped EOS R with Dual Pixel CMOS AF, as introduced on its DSLRs, which comes with a whopping 5,655 focus positions covering 88% of the frame horizontally and 100% vertically.

The cannon mirrorless camera comes with a Digic 8 processor and is very responsive managing 8fps in continuous shooting mode. Also, the camera has a well-implemented touchscreen LCD that’s fully articulated. And certainly makes this Canon mirrorless full-frame camera stand out in the current full-frame mirrorless market and comes in handy for Vloggers and keen videographers alike.

Canon EOS R is Canon’s first camera capable of using dual Pixel autofocus while capturing 4K. And if you want manual autofocus, the camera now offers focus peaking that you can use simultaneously with a dual-pixel focus guide, which is a very helpful feature in recording movies.

It can shoot UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 30 fps at 480 Mb/s, and Full HD 1080p shooting at 60 fps while HD 720p at 120 fps for slow-motion footage. When recording in-camera, 4K video has 4:2:2 sampling, and 8-bit color depth, a 4:2:2 10-bit clean output in ITU-R CT.2020 is possible when using an external recorder.

This best Canon camera is also equipped with a large, responsive, and razor-sharp electronic viewfinder (EVF), allowing you to shoot traditionally too if you wish to. The camera also has an inbuilt stereo microphone and a 3.5mm mic jack for an optional external microphone.

What makes this camera below other cameras in this list is that it comes with a 1.8x crop factor when shooting a 4K video. Like most hybrid shooters, this Canon EOS mirrorless comes with a 30-minute recording time limit.

The biggest problem with this camera is the 1.8x crop factor when shooting a 4K video. For that, the EOS R has a narrower field of view than APS-C cameras and is just a shade better than Micro Four Thirds. As with most hybrid shooters, there is also a 30-minute recording time limit.

But again, the video quality is sharp and impressive, and skin tones and colors are great. And vloggers and shooters who rely upon autofocus the camera offer a lot with its Dual pixel system. And along with it, the fully articulated touch screen makes it ideal for Vloggers.


11. Canon EOS M50

Canon EOS M50: Best budget mirrorless camera under 1000
  • Key Specifications:
  • Resolution: 24.1 MP
  • Sensor: APS-C CMOS
  • Lens Mount: Canon RF
  • Autofocus: 143 points Dual Pixel AF positions
  • Monitor: 3-inches LCD touchscreen, OLED 2360k dots
  • Max burst speed: 7.4fps
  • Movies: UHD 4K 23.98p
  • Battery: 235 shots
  • Weight: 387g/2.05lb
Pros
  • Autofocus with eye detection
  • Ensures quick performance
  • Tilting display screen
Cons
  • Limited native lens option

Canon EOS M50 mirrorless camera sets offer high-end images and video features with ultra high definition 4K video recording, an outstanding electronic viewfinder, and an exceptional dual-pixel CMOS autofocus with eye detection. This mirrorless camera is available for under 1000 $ only. You’ll have to pay a little more than 500 $ to get your hands on this excellent camera.

The brilliant APS-C CMOS sensor of Canon EOS M50 affords high resolution 24.1 megapixels stills. The DIGIC 8 image processor ensures quick performance and high sensitivity for clear and sharp images and videos. The adjustable ISO range allows amazing results even in difficult lighting conditions. Additionally, it reduces noise and is responsible for the finest details in high and low lights. Canon M50 supports UHD 4K video recording at the frame rate of 23.98 frames per second. The full HD 1080p60 and HD720p120 are also available for slow-motion video settings. This best mirrorless camera for video is recommended by many YouTubers for live streaming and can be easily used as the best mirrorless camera for streaming.

The dual Pixel CMOS AF system of EOS M50 delivers fast focusing performance and works to achieve focus accurately and quickly. The eye detection and face detection AF features help to detect subjects’ eyes or faces and lock on them to track and focus the moving subject. This helps in reducing the blurry effects in stills and video recording for moving subjects.
M50 holds a combination of in-body 5-axis digital image stabilization and a lens-based image stabilization system to minimize the camera shake more effectively, especially during handheld shooting.

3-inches LCD of Canon mirrorless camera is a touchscreen making it convenient for you to navigate menu and control settings easily. The Vari-angle enables you to tilt it at high and low angles whatever suits you most. Moreover, it supports built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth, and remote control capabilities, thus making your videography fun and adventurous.

Also Check: Best Mirrorless Camera Under $500

Buyers Guide: Things to look for when buying the best mirrorless camera for video

Which is the best mirrorless camera for you, depends primarily on your film-making type and videography style. But no matter what your type and style might be, the following are the essential features that you must assess before making your final decision.

Video Capability

Video formats that Mirrorless cameras can feature are 1080p, 4K, 5K, all the way up to 8K recordings. But it’s up to you to decide which recording format suits you best. Because the recording format you choose determines not only how much you’ll be spending on memory media (most often, a memory card) but also how much recording time you’ll get. There is generally a trade-off: Better-quality formats and higher resolution settings give you shorter recording times.

Also, some mirrorless cameras come with limits on their video recordings. So, always check for it, especially if you are interested in shooting long videos or streaming videos to video-sharing platforms like YouTube, Facebook, or Twitch. In that case, one more thing you have to look into is whether your mirrorless camera has a clean HDMI output.

Audio Capability

Audio is just as important as video, so ensure that the camera you’re investing in captures clean and good-quality sound for your films. It would be best if you had headphones to monitor audio and a good-quality mic. You need to look at how accurately the built-in microphone records and whether the sound file is free from noise or hiss. A few advanced models include a jack for using an external microphone, which can improve sound quality.

Reliable autofocus

Reliable autofocus is essential, especially when you are recording a video. Autofocus is preferred in videography over manual focus, as you often don’t have time for manual focus during video recording, and autofocus is hassle-free. But also, you don’t want autofocus jumps that happen when your autofocus gets confused about your subjects. So obviously, mirrorless cameras for videography with good autofocus is always a good investment.

Image stabilization

Mirrorless cameras offer two types of stabilization. Either they come with IBIS (internal body image stabilization) or offer lenses with optical IS. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. But in short, it depends on individual use. If you are more into handheld videography, then IBIS offers better handheld stabilization. But if you are more into high precision videography that includes low to high angle, 360 degrees, or long ease in shots that require the use of a gimbal, or if you’re going after a shooter with a long telephoto zoom, then optical IS is your choice.

LCD Screen

LCD is essential to consider because it can be convenient or difficult to use depending on your shooting style. A vlogger would prefer a fully articulated touch screen that tilts sideways than a screen that tilts downwards. Similarly, a touch screen that tilts upward would be preferred by a shooter who relies on a gimbal than a shooter who shoots handheld.

Most LCDs measure about 3 inches on the diagonal, but some are larger. However, It is also essential to see how LCD performs in bright light and how clear it is in dim light as you won’t always be shooting on a sunny day. Also, it should be noted that the more capable the screens on the camera, the shorter the camera’s battery life.

Battery life

The longer the battery life the better it is for any camera. And it becomes more demanding for videography. So look for the mirrorless camera that offers good battery life because higher quality video resolution is of no use if your camera can’t keep up with your work hours. But also don’t expect longer battery life like DSLR and action cameras from your mirrorless. Their battery consumption is getting better but still not there yet.

People Also Ask

Why are mirrorless cameras popular for video?

Mirrorless cameras have gained popularity for video due to their compact size, powerful video capabilities, and advanced features. These cameras have amazing autofocus and stabilization, giving you a choice of handheld videos. At the same time, the best mirrorless cameras for video also have high-quality video resolution, frame rates, and bit rates. With the help of that, videographers can now capture professional footage.

What type of videography are mirrorless cameras capable of?

Mirrorless cameras exhibit exceptional adaptability across a spectrum of videography domains. They stand out in the realm of vlogging and content production due to their compact form, superior video capabilities, and the versatility of interchangeable lenses, making them the go-to choice for crafting engaging lifestyle content and instructional videos. When it comes to documentary filmmaking, mirrorless cameras offer the distinct advantages of portability, high-resolution video capture, and exceptional performance in low-light conditions, ensuring an unobtrusive yet comprehensive storytelling experience. Moreover, they find favor in travel videography, wedding coverage, short-film creation, YouTube content generation, corporate video production, and event documentation. Their intrinsic flexibility renders them invaluable tools for videographers and filmmakers, catering to a wide spectrum of projects, from personal endeavors to professional productions.

Which is the best mirrorless camera for low-light video?

The Sony Alpha a7S III is one of the best mirror cameras for video, even in low light. This camera comes with a full-frame sensor with a maximum ISO of 409,600, which gives clear and detailed videos in low-light conditions. It also features advanced noise reduction technology and outstanding low-light autofocus capabilities.

Can I use my mirrorless camera for live streaming or as a webcam?

Yes, there are the best mirrorless cameras for video that can be used for live streaming or as webcams. Some brands produce firmware updates for mirrorless cameras to perform as high-quality webcams by connecting them to your computers via USB. It is very popular nowadays. Content creators also use their mirrorless cameras for live streaming, video conferencing, and online content creation.

Final Thoughts

Videography has surfaced as one of the most rewarding forms of art in the past few years both for professionals and casual shooters. And an excellent video camera does help you to stand out. All the best mirrorless cameras for video we reviewed for you are famous video shooters and top-notch in their respective categories. You can choose any of these mirrorless cameras depending on your requirements and budget. And we are certain that you’ll enjoy your video shooting for a longer time to come. Still, feel free to write to us if you need more assistance.

Related Article: Best Mirrorless Camera

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