Mirrorless cameras are expensive but only high-end models like Canon EOS R5 or Sony A1. You can find a cheap yet very good model if you are willing to make some compromises on performances and features. Therefore, in this article, we are going to review the best mirrorless camera under 600 and some other absolute best mirrorless cameras in this price range for you.
Finding a budget mirrorless camera that fulfils all of your needs is not easy. We have considered factors like image quality, autofocus, ISO, image stabilization, battery life, shutter speed, and sensor size, etc while writing this guide and come to the conclusion that the Sony Alpha a6000 is the best mirrorless camera you can get under 600. It is a better choice than cameras like Canon EOS M200 and Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II even though they are great cameras themselves.
Top Ten Mirrorless Cameras under 600
| Image | Camera Name | Sensor | Burst Rate | ISO | Check Price |
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 | Sony Alpha a6000 |
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 | Canon EOS M200 |
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 | Fujifilm X-T00 |
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 | Samsung NX2000 |
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 | Olympus Pen E-PL 10 |
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 | Sony Alpha a5100 |
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 | OLYMPUS OM-D E-M10 Mark III |
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 | Panasonic Lumix G100 |
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 | Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II |
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 | Canon EOS M50 |
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We start our list with our first camera.
1. Sony Alpha a6000: Best Mirrorless Camera under 600
Sony Alpha a6000 produces beautiful pictures with incredible details and engagement thanks to the large 24 megapixels Exmore APS HD CMOS sensor. The sensor combines with ISO 100-25000 (extendable to 51200) to excel in low light as well.
The 180° tilting screen allows you to take images as you see them. The camera records in Full HD 1080P and has a superb 11fps continuous shooting speed. Some of its other features include built-in popup flash, auto object framing, speed priority continuous mode, and Photo Creativity feature.
One area where a600 outperforms all comparable models is autofocus. The 179 phase-detect AF points focus with excellent speed and accuracy.
Another nice thing about the camera is its long battery life. It can take 420 images on a single charge. You can also see the percentage of batteries remaining.
Wi-Fi and one-touch NFC allows easy sharing of photos with smart devices and directly to social media.
The two main problems with the camera are the lack of an external microphone jack and 29 minutes of recording time. Not many people require both these features though but still, it’s an annoyance for others.
Sony a6000 is a compact, lightweight, and thus, a travel-friendly camera. The versatility of its features makes it an ideal budget mirrorless camera for novices and professionals alike.
2. Canon EOS M200 Compact Camera: Best Mirrorless Camera under 600 for Videos
One of the best beginner cameras in Canon’s terrific EOS series is Canon EOS M200. It creates stunning images with accurate colors using its large 24.1 megapixels sensor and advanced DIGIC 8 image processor. The pictures have stunning colors and details even in low light.
The in-body image stabilization, as well as fast and accurate autofocus, easily capture fast movements to give high-quality images.
The 180° tilting screen also enables you to take picture-perfect selfies. Bluetooth GPS pairing enables you to geotag your locations. The connectivity options include built-in Wi-Fi and an excellent Canon Camera Connect app, allowing easy filer transfer. The app can also control the camera remotely.
EOS M200 is the best camera under $600 for making videos. 4K/24p video resolution allows you to record beautiful videos. You can create 4K time-lapse videos as well. It is also the perfect camera for vloggers because of its vertical video support.
Some of the other great features of the camera are Feature Assistant, Creative Assist, Self Portrait Mode, and Silent mode.
Although Canon EOS M200 has issues like lack of EVF and overheating at times yet it is a wonderful mirrorless camera with a lot of features for all kinds of photographers.
3. Fujifilm X-T00 Mirrorless Camera: Best Digital Camera under 600
Fujifilm X-T00 is one of the many great mirrorless cameras by Fujifilm. Despite being cheap, it packs some impressive specs and features.
Just like the Sony a6000, it incorporates a large 24.2 megapixels sensor, perhaps the largest among entry-level mirrorless cameras. The sensor coupled with a high ISO range ensures excellent low light performance as well.
The best feature of the X-T00 is the electronic viewfinder which is rare in such cheap cameras. It is no match for viewfinders found in more advanced cameras but you should be thankful for having an EVF.
The camera also has a pretty fast 91-point autofocus. However, it struggles while capturing moving objects and therefore, it is not a great option for wildlife and action photography. The 6fps continuous shooting is quite reasonable considering the camera’s price.
Some of the other notable features include a 3-way tilting touchscreen, advanced filter, Bluetooth connectivity, excellent colors, super intelligent flash, and Multi focus.
X-T00 also records 4K movies which is once again quite impressive for a budget mirrorless camera.
All in all, Fujifilm X-T00 is the best option if you are looking for a well-made mirrorless camera with a larger sensor, an electronic viewfinder, and brilliant low light images.
4. Samsung NX2000 Mirrorless Camera: Best Value for Money
Samsung NX2000 is the cheapest camera on our list. Available for just under $400, it offers impressive features for newcomers and mid-level photographers.
The first feature is, of course, the incredibly low price. You cannot find such a cheap camera with a 20 megapixels sensor and 8fps continuous shooting speed for fast-moving objects. Similarly, the sensor delivers quality shots even in low light.
The fully functional 3.7-inch touchscreen is great for shooting and editing photos. Similarly, the intelligent and manual controls make the camera more versatile.
The fast autofocus and built-in image stabilization result in steady and beautiful shots and videos.
The built-in Wi-Fi makes it extremely easy to share files to other devices without needing a memory card or cables. You can automatically share photos and videos using Samsung’s Smart Camera app connected through NFC.
Samsung NX2000 is the best mirrorless camera under 600 for its price. No other camera can offer all the above features for under $400.
5. Olympus Pen E-PL 10: Best Micro Four Thirds Camera under $600
Olympus Pen E-PL 10 is a Micro Four Thirds camera with 16 megapixels sensors. Both the lens and sensor work together to create beautiful pictures of tiny objects. The lens also helps you get as close to the action as possible.
The in-body image stabilization removes camera shakes and shivers to produce steady images and videos even in low light. The intuitive touch autofocus focuses and shoots with a single touch of the screen. Unfortunately, it is not the fastest autofocus as it takes about two seconds to focus an object.
You can also take beautiful selfies by using the 180° touchscreen.
The camera records stunning 4K videos at 30p. Similarly, you can extract images from 4K videos. You can also switch to Auto Mode and let the camera do all the work for you.
E-PL 10 has a simple yet fashionable design with a leather texture finish and sophisticated look. The lightweight and compact camera have an ergonomic ad comfortable grip.
You can shoot remotely and share files easily using the built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The OI Share Version 4.3 allows the camera to share photos the moment they are taken.
The Advanced Photo Modes help you nail difficult shots like macro images, starry skies, panoramas, and indoor scenes, etc.
6. Sony Alpha a5100: Best Mirrorless Camera under $500
Sony Alpha a5100 has many similarities to a6000 such as 24 megapixels sensor, 179-point autofocus, and Full HD videos at 24/60P. Therefore, you can also expect similar image and video quality. One of the best mirrorless camera under 500 with multiple functionality.
However, a5100 is compatible with a wide range of Nikon and third-party lenses. You would find a lens for every situation and type of photography that also works with this particular camera.
The 179-point autofocus is still quite fast and accurate. The 6fps continuous shooting speed is far lower than other Nikon models but that is what you get for the price. But – it is still good enough to capture fast action.
Another exciting feature is the straightforward design. Weighing only 9.9 ounces, it is also a very lightweight and compact camera. Therefore, you can carry it easily everywhere you go.
A5100 comes with great automatic settings, making it easier for beginners to understand its function and get going in photography.
The connectivity options include Wi-Fi and one-touch NFC. Therefore, sharing files on social media and compatible devices is a breeze.
The major shortcoming of the camera is 30 minutes recording limit, much to the dismay of videographers.
Overall, Sony Alpha a5100 offers great value for money besides some outstanding features for beginner photographers.
7. OLYMPUS OM-D E-M10 Mark III: Best for Hobbyists
OLYMPUS OM-D E-M10 Mark III is the perfect camera for hobbyists who want to take professional-looking photographs. It is the best camera for $600 you can get after Sony Alpha a6000. However, its performance or features are in no way inferior to its counterpart.
It is also a lightweight camera weighing only 14.4 ounces. Besides, it is simple to use with an easily accessible shortcut button, arrow pad, and 2 dials. The camera chooses the right settings for every situation thanks to its intelligent Auto Mode.
The 180° tilting touchscreen enables you to excellently frame your shot besides shooting from different angles. Similarly, the electronic viewfinder lets you see what you get, providing you with a real-time preview of your shots, taking out the guesswork altogether.
Other important features of the camera are built-in flash, 4K/30p and Full HD/120P videos, and compatibility with all Olympus M.Zuiko lenses. Therefore, you can easily choose a lens for every situation.
However, the nicest feature of the camera is 5-axis in-body image stabilization. It automatically compensates for your movements, making handheld images and videos extremely sharp even in low light.
The camera only has a 16 megapixels sensor that is weaker than some of its rivals. But – the TruePic VIII image processor enhances the sensor’s performance to produce beautiful and detailed images.
8. Panasonic Lumix G100: Best Entry-Level Camera for Vloggers
Panasonic Lumix G100 is another superb entry-level camera for vloggers. It is a lightweight, portable, and versatile camera for both budding photographers and videographers. It is the lightest mirrorless camera to boast a fully articulating touchscreen, further adding to its usefulness.
The 20.3 megapixels sensor, although not very powerful, delivers terrific details and colors for both images and videos. The handheld shots are smooth and steady because of the excellent in-body image stabilization.
The continuous shooting speed of 10fps is quite impressive as well. Even some more expensive cameras have a slower burst rate.
Vloggers also love this camera not only for 4K video resolution but also for three microphones Ozo Audio Setup. This particular system reduces background noise and prioritizes vocals by detecting their direction. As a result, your videos have excellent audio quality, especially when you are recording from behind the camera.
The camera features a 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen as well as an electronic viewfinder, making it easier for you to frame your shot.
Lumix G100 has several direct access controls and an ergonomic grip despite being a compact camera.
Our major concerns with the camera are cropped 4K video and a comparatively short battery life of 45 minutes only.
Lumix G100 is not perfect by any means but it is an affordable, lightweight, compact, and powerful camera to start your vlogging journey.
9. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II: Bes Camera under $600 for IBIS
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II is a Micro Four Thirds camera, enabling you to take spectacular close-ups of tiny objects. It has a relatively smaller 16 megapixels sensor and thus, struggles to perform better at high ISOs. However, it controls noise reasonably well.
16 megapixels also results in small image sizes, making it difficult for you to frame larger objects. But – the small sensor size also offers a huge benefit. The camera has a very lightweight body, becoming an ideal travel and outdoor camera.
Everything else about the camera is drool-worthy, especially for beginners. The autofocus is usually snappy even though it is not the fastest. It is also hard to find 5-axis image stabilization in such a cheap camera. The 8.5fps continuous shooting speed is impressive as well.
The best part of the camera along with image stabilization is the decently high-resolution electronic viewfinder for the price.
Available for $550, Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II is a great little entry-level mirrorless camera for beginners. It has everything you would need to switch from DSLR or a smartphone to a mirrorless model.
10. Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless 4K Vlogging Camera: Best Camera for Shooting in Full HD
There are a lot of excellent vlogging cameras on our list and Canon EOS M50 is one of them. It is among the best model in Canon’s M-system of cameras, especially for its compatibility with countless lenses, both from Canon and third parties. You can even use Canon DLSR lenses via a special adapter.
The camera offers a nice 24.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC 8 image processor to produce high-quality images in all light conditions. Excellent low light capabilities make it a great camera to take splendid handheld images in low light as well.
What makes it a great camera for vloggers is 4K videos at 24p and Full HD at 120p for slow-motion videos.
The fairly fast 143 points Dual Pixel autofocus results in smooth and accurate tracking of objects. Unlike Fujifilm X-T00, the autofocus here performs equally well for still and moving subjects. 10fps continuous shooting speed means you won’t miss split-second movements as well.
The lightweight and compact camera can easily slip into your pocket. You can still pin an electronic viewfinder onto the top, an essential feature for photographers shifting from DSLRs to mirrorless cameras.
Canon EOS M50 is a lightweight, accessible, and quite powerful camera for newcomers. On top of that, it is available at a significantly lower price than some of the comparable models.
How to Buy the Best Mirrorless Camera under 600?
Some of the factors you need to keep in mind while buying a budget mirrorless camera are as below.
Resolution
Of course, the first thing most people would consider is resolution. Needless to say, your images will be better if your camera has high megapixels. You should go for a camera with at least 16 megapixels sensor if you want to print your images in larger formats. However, it is better if you can get to 20MP or higher.
Also, keep in mind that megapixels alone cannot guarantee beautiful pictures. It also depends on the sensor size. The bigger the sensor, the more light it can accommodate, resulting in brighter and sharper images.
ISO
ISO refers to how sensitive your camera to light is. Shooting in the dark or low light can create a lot of noise in your images unless your camera has a decent ISO range. But – there is no standard for a good ISO. The simple rule of thumb is higher the ISO, the lower will be the noise. It is better to read reviews of the mirrorless cameras you are interested in and confirm whether or not it works well in low light.
Autofocus
Fast and accurate autofocus is necessary irrespective of your budget. A camera with slow autofocus would fail to focus on the subjects quickly and accurately, resulting in low quality images. You may also miss important action just because of sluggish autofocus.
Image Stabilization
Capturing handheld videos at high ISOs or shutter speeds can make your image blurry. Therefore, always choose a camera with image stabilization. Most mirrorless cameras on our list have in-body image stabilization to counter camera shakes and produce sharper images.
Burst Rate
High burst rate or continuous shooting speed is also important if you want to capture wildlife or fast action in your images. Again, there is no standard for a high burst rate, the higher the better. However, look out for cameras with at least an 8-10fps burst rate if you want to really make a difference.
Video Quality
You may not shoot videos with your camera altogether. But if you do, you must buy a camera with at least Full HD 1080P video resolution. Anything less than that isn’t going to work. The best camera under $600 would often have a 4K video resolution that offers better clarity and precision.
Build Quality
You cannot expect budget or cheap cameras to have professional-grade build quality. However, you can find many cameras in this price range with rugged, weather-sealed bodies for extensive outdoor use. Similarly, your camera should be lightweight and compact. The advancements in technology mean manufactures can incorporate sophisticated technology in smaller cameras well.
Connectivity
Your camera should at least have built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Some cameras also have Wi-Fi and NFC combination. It is better to have as many connectivity options as possible but Wi-Fi is a must in any case.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best budget mirrorless camera?
The following are the best budget mirrorless cameras.
- Sony Alpha a6000
- Canon EOS M200 Compact Camera
- Fujifilm X-T00 Mirrorless Camera
- Samsung NX2000 Mirrorless Camera
- Olympus Pen E-PL 10
- Sony Alpha a5100
- OLYMPUS OM-D E-M10 Mark III
- Panasonic Lumix G100
- Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II
- Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless 4K Vlogging Camera
2. What is the best mirrorless camera for beginners?
Sony Alpha a6000 is the best mirrorless camera for beginners. It has 24 megapixels sensor, 180° touchscreen, 11fps burst rate, Full HD 1080P videos, and incredibly long battery life. The image and video quality in general is fabulous.
3. Is mirrorless easier than DSLR?
Mirrorless is much easier than DSLR for beginners because of their easier controls and compact bodies. DSLRs on the other hand, have longer battery life and optical viewfinders. They also have a larger selection of lenses compared to mirrorless cameras.
4. Is mirrorless better for wildlife?
Mirrorless cameras are best for wildlife because of their higher burst rates, lightweight and compact bodies, and better optical performance. They come with Live and electronic viewfinders that are constantly improving, having faster frame rates, higher resolution, and shorter lag times.
Final Thoughts
Beginners should look for entry-level mirrorless cameras before spending thousands of dollars on high-end models. All you need is a lightweight and compact camera with good picture quality and a decent set of features. You can easily find one such camera in our guide to the best mirrorless camera under 600 dollars.