Freyja Burch
Portrait mode is a feature that is now commonly found on smartphones, but it is also available on some mirrorless cameras. Portrait mode is designed to capture perfect facial perspectives and beautiful background blur.
When it comes to mirrorless cameras, there are a few options that offer portrait mode. Here are some of the best ones:
- Canon EOS R5: This camera has a 45MP sensor that is perfect for portraits and an incredible autofocus system for recognizing human and animal eyes instantly.
- Sony A7 III: A brilliant budget option with fantastic subject recognition that can identify faces and eyes.
- Fujifilm X-T5: This camera has a smaller sensor but can still capture incredible 40MP images. It also has a stunning design with retro-inspired dials.
- Nikon Z5: An affordable option for those wanting to upgrade to a full-frame camera. It has a 24MP sensor and in-body image stabilization, making it a great choice for low-light photography.
- Canon EOS R10: An entry-level mirrorless camera with a user-friendly interface and great ergonomics. It also has a sophisticated autofocus system with precise eye detection.
- Sony A7 IV: This camera offers the sharpest and cleanest images in its price range. It has a tilting touchscreen, comfortable grip, and easy-to-use controls.
These mirrorless cameras offer a range of features and capabilities, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Image quality | Minimum 20 megapixels, full-frame sensors excel in low-light conditions and provide a shallower depth of field effect |
| Autofocusing performance | Eye AF technology identifies and locks focus on the subject’s eyes |
| Ergonomics | Comfortable grip, tilting or rotating screen, high-resolution EVF |
| Lenses | Ultra-wide maximum apertures, such as f/2.8, f/1.8, or even wider |
| Price | Varies, but generally, higher-priced cameras offer advanced features |
What You'll Learn
Mirrorless cameras vs DSLRs: The pros and cons of each
Mirrorless cameras have been steadily replacing DSLRs, and while there are still some advantages to using a DSLR, the gap between the two is narrowing.
DSLRs (digital single-lens reflex) are a continuation of SLR cameras that were initially developed for film. They have a mechanical mirror, a phase-detection autofocus system, and an optical viewfinder with a pentamirror or pentaprism design. They are often bulkier and heavier than mirrorless cameras due to the viewfinder system, which requires space for both the mirror and the prism. The mirror mechanism is complex and consists of dozens of moving parts, making DSLRs more expensive to build and support. They also tend to have longer battery lives as the optical viewfinder requires minimal power to run.
On the other hand, mirrorless cameras are more compact and lightweight, produce similar image quality, and are generally easier to use. They don't have a reflex mirror, so there is no optical viewfinder, and the imaging sensor is always exposed to light. They also tend to have faster shooting speeds and better autofocus capabilities. However, they usually have shorter battery lives and are often more expensive than DSLRs.
DSLR Pros:
- Beautiful optical viewfinder
- Long battery life
- Low used prices
DSLR Cons:
- Size and bulk
- Weight
- Complex mirror and shutter design
- Slower shooting speeds
Mirrorless Pros:
- Smaller size and lighter weight
- Quieter
- Less camera shake
- Faster shooting speeds
- Better autofocus
- In-body stabilisation
Mirrorless Cons:
- Shorter battery life
- Limited lens selection
- Electronic viewfinder limited in low-light environments
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The best mirrorless cameras for beginners
Mirrorless cameras are a great option for beginners as they allow you to see changes to your image in real time through the viewfinder. They are also usually more lightweight and easier to use than other types of camera.
- Canon EOS R10: This camera has good handling and autofocus, and is a versatile yet affordable route into Canon's EOS R system. It's one of the best entry-level mirrorless cameras overall.
- Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV: This is a small but capable camera with a 20MP sensor, a flip-down touchscreen, and impressive image stabilisation. It's one of the best budget options for beginners.
- Nikon Z5: This is a compact full-frame camera that is a good choice for beginners or hobbyists. It has a fast and intuitive Eye AF for shooting portraits, and a tough, weather-sealed body. It's one of the best premium options for beginners.
- Fujifilm X-T30 II: This camera combines a great sensor with cracking autofocus and nice styling. It's a mid-range model that's ideal for everyday shooting.
- Sony ZV-E10: This is a compact and powerful video tool with an articulating screen, making it a good choice for beginners who want to shoot 4K video.
- Fujifilm X-S20: This camera offers a superb all-round performance and represents decent value for novices. It has impressive battery life and 6K video capabilities.
- Canon EOS R7: With subject-tracking autofocus and fast burst speeds, this camera is ideal for budding action shooters without a full-frame budget.
- Nikon Z fc: This camera has a beautiful retro design and mirrorless shooting power at an honest price. It has a vari-angle touchscreen and physical controls that are ideal for beginners.
- Panasonic Lumix GX9: This is a neat, compact camera with a responsive touchscreen interface. It also has a built-in viewfinder and impressive image stabilisation. It's one of the best cheap options for beginners.
- Sony A6100: This camera has class-leading autofocus and superb battery life. It's a good choice for beginners who want to shoot both stills and video.
When choosing a mirrorless camera, consider your budget, the range of lenses available, the camera's size and weight, its video capabilities, and the quality of its rear screen.
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The best mirrorless cameras for professionals
When it comes to the best mirrorless cameras for professionals, there are a few key things to consider. Firstly, it's important to think about the type of photography you'll be doing. Different cameras will have different features that make them more or less suited to certain types of photography. For example, a camera for sports photography will prioritise burst rates over megapixels, while a camera for landscape photography will require robust weather sealing. It's also important to consider your budget, as professional-level cameras can be quite expensive.
- Canon EOS R5: This camera offers 45MP stills, 8K 30p video, up to 8 stops of stabilisation, weather sealing, and 20fps burst shooting. It's a great all-round camera and one that the reviewer personally owns.
- Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX: Panasonic is known for its excellent video quality, and the S5 IIX takes this to the next level. It offers up to 6K resolution, open-gate capture, SSD recording, ProRes RAW, great image stabilisation, and more. It's an excellent choice for professional videography.
- Sony A1: Sony's flagship camera offers 50.1MP stills, a top speed of 30fps burst shooting, 8K 30p video, and a wide range of full-frame mirrorless lenses. It's an excellent all-purpose pro camera.
- Nikon Z9: This camera offers 45.7MP stills, 8K 60p video, up to 120fps burst shooting, and excellent image stabilisation. It's a true powerhouse and a great choice for professionals.
- Nikon Z8: The Z8 combines the best features of Nikon's DSLR technology and its mirrorless capabilities. It offers excellent low-light performance, a four-axis screen, and a sturdy, ergonomic design. It's one of the best mirrorless cameras on the market.
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The best mirrorless cameras for video
Panasonic Lumix S5 II
The Lumix S5 II is a hybrid camera that is excellent for video, producing rich and detailed 6K/30p footage. It also offers excellent value for money.
Canon EOS R7
The EOS R7 is a great choice for beginners and is also capable of shooting glorious 4K video. It has dedicated headphone and microphone jacks.
Sony ZV-E10
The ZV-E10 is a compact yet powerful video tool with an articulating screen. It is a great choice for beginners who want to shoot 4K video.
Fujifilm X-S20
The X-S20 is a superb all-rounder with a generous feature set, including in-body image stabilisation and 6K video. It is a good choice for beginners who want to shoot both video and stills.
Nikon Z8
The Z8 is a smaller, cheaper version of the Z9, and one of the most capable hybrid cameras on the market. It shoots pin-sharp 8K video.
Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX
The S5 IIX is a great choice for solo filmmakers, offering open-gate 6K 30p recording, a range of codecs, and superb image stabilisation.
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The best lenses for mirrorless cameras
Mirrorless cameras are a wonderful piece of photography kit, with a number of advantages over other types of camera. They are also one of the best cameras with which to learn photography on, because you can see the changes you make to various settings in real time.
When it comes to lenses, there are two types: "prime" lenses, which have a fixed focal length and no zoom, and "zoom" lenses, which allow you to zoom in and out on the scene. The focal length of a lens is given in millimetres, and the smaller the number, the wider the shot.
Sony FE 85mm f/1.8
This is a great native lens option for portrait work if you're using a Sony camera. It offers a lot of value for money.
Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN
This is one of the best-value portrait lenses you can get for an APS-C body. It's a third-party option that will give you creamy backgrounds and shallow depths of field.
Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S
This is one of the best options for portraits if you're using a Nikon Z camera. It's an incredibly high-quality glass that will give you stunning results. However, it is expensive.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
This is one of the best bang-for-your-buck lenses out there and is available for both Canon EF and EF-S mounts. It offers a ton of value for its price and can get you great results on a budget.
Sigma 15mm F1.4 DG DN Diagonal Fisheye
This unique lens from Sigma offers a 180-degree angle of view for some truly creative shots. It's a great option if you're looking for something different.
Sony 35mm f/1.8
This is a great option if you're looking for a versatile lens that can be used for a variety of photography genres, including portraits. It's a native lens for Sony E-mount cameras and offers excellent value for money.
When choosing lenses for your mirrorless camera, it's important to consider the type of photography you want to do, your budget, and the features you need. It's also worth noting that you can adapt lenses from other camera systems using adapters, giving you even more options.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, many mirrorless cameras offer a portrait mode. Portrait mode is available on both entry-level and professional mirrorless cameras.
Some mirrorless cameras that offer portrait mode include the Canon EOS R5, Sony A7 III, Fujifilm X-T5, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Mirrorless cameras are often smaller and lighter than DSLRs, making them more portable and easier to use. They also produce similar or better image quality and have a wider range of lenses available. Additionally, mirrorless cameras offer real-time feedback on setting adjustments, making them a great option for learning photography.
