There is nothing more confusing than standing in a camera shop trying to pick out a product about which you don’t have enough information. And the decision can become much harder when you are working on a budget. But it doesn’t have to be this way. One common mistake beginner photographers make when looking for a decent camera under a budget is going for a simple point-and-shoot camera, oblivious that there are cheap, excellent mirrorless cameras with greater functionality.
Some of these cameras can even give certain DSLRs a tough run for their money. But what makes these cameras stand out from the crowd? An SLR camera contains a mirror that relays the image created by the camera into the eyepiece. Once you snap the shutter release, the mirror flips up to allow light to strike the image sensor or film (for traditional cameras) behind the mirror. A mirrorless camera, as the name suggests, does not have this mirror. This means that light travels directly from the lens to the sensor. The absence of the mirror and the mechanism to push it out of the way tends to make mirrorless cameras naturally smaller, quieter, and lighter than their counterpart DSLRs.
Most are also compatible with interchangeable lenses, allowing you to shoot with complete creative control. What’s more, mirrorless cameras are designed with excellent auto-focusing systems, which produce surprisingly better quality videos than DSLR cameras. Here are 5 of the best Mirrorless Cameras Under 500 Dollars In 2018 Reviews.
Table of Contents
#1. Olympus OM-D E-M10
The OM-D E-M10 is Olympus’ entry-level Mirrorless Lens Camera. It features a sensor with an impressive 16.1MP resolution. The camera can shoot high-quality 1080p videos at 30 frames per seconds. The new Olympus also comes with unique inbuilt image stabilization that helps counter camera shake. Its ISO range is considerably wider than other cameras (between 100 and 25600), providing a superior low-light performance. ISO measures the sensitivity of the camera to light – the higher the ISO, the more the sensitivity.
#2. Sony Alpha a5000
Alpha a5000 from Sony boasts a 20.1MP sensor and a 16-50mm lens. Its overall weight is about 9.5 ounces. The camera comes with a 3-inch tilting LCD that can be turned up to give you a view from the front of your camera, making it especially ideal for taking “selfies”. The integrated Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to connect the camera to your smartphone, PC, or tablet easily through NFC. The camera also features an APS-C HD sensor, which is powerful enough to generate DSLR-like images, but light and dense enough to carry around with ease. It can also capture full HD 1080p videos with 4fps, which is pretty impressive.
#3. Nikon 1 J5
Nikon has a solid history of delivering standard cameras for serious novice and professional photographers, and this new Mirrorless camera does not compromise on the company’s principles. Nikon 1 J5 uses both phase detection and contrast autofocus. Contrast is a more accurate but relatively slower method of focusing, while phase detection is slightly faster. Using both systems allows the J5 to focus as quickly as some of the company’s premium DSLR cameras. The camera offers 20.8MP with a 13.2×8.8mm lens unit, which can capture 20fps in autofocus mode. It also features integrated flash with red-eye reduction abilities.
#4. Samsung – NX Mini
Samsung’s new NX Mini comes in at number four for 5 of the best Mirrorless Cameras Under 500 Dollars In 2018 Reviews, operating with a 20.5MP sensor and a 9mm lens. This model is one of the lightest in this category at just below 7 ounces. It also has a 3-inch tilting LCD screen like the Sony we mentioned previously, with 320×480 resolution and inbuilt flash. Its ISO ranges between 160 and 12,800, while its image resolution can reach up to 3648 x 5472 pixels. These features ensure crisp, clear image quality, whether you are a beginner or professional photographer. What’s more, its exceptional 30fps allows you to capture even the fastest of photos without missing a shot.
#5. Canon EOS M Mirrorless Digital Camera
Canon is one of the biggest manufacturers of professional cameras in the world, and one of its best budget mirrorless models is the EOS M. The camera is designed with a wide lens of about 18-55mm. Its sensor is a remarkable 18MP that is capable of capturing full HD 1080p videos at 30 frames per second. While the camera does not include an integrated flash unit, the package comes with an external flash in the kit. MILC tend to have shorter focal lengths than regular SLR/DSLR cameras, primarily because their lenses are naturally closer to the sensor. The Canon’s 18-55mm lens is approximately 28-90mm of focal length.
Conclusion
Congratulations for reading all the way through! The information provided above about the five best mirrorless cameras under 500 Dollars In 2018 Reviews will help you make an informed decision in the long run. All the selections are verified best sellers. Many professional photographers have recognized their ability to shoot outstanding photos and videos, and consider them to be the best at their current price groups. Take advantage while you can!