Without a doubt, 2020 has been one of the more surprising and enthralling years for mirrorless camera development. While this list is titled “Top 10 Mirrorless Cameras of 2020,” it’s also worth mentioning there’s no longer the need to separate these lists between mirrorless and DSLRs. Mirrorless is now the spotlight camera type in the industry, and it’s where all the major brands are focusing their attention. 2020 has seen the development of numerous new cameras, with the trends of full-frame sensors, vlogging features, and compact form factors taking center stage. Here are the top 10 of 2020:
10. Panasonic Lumix DC-G100
Sleek, stylish, and purpose built for vlogging, the Lumix DC-G100 is what a specialized camera should be.
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Taking the 10th spot is Panasonic’s Lumix DC-G100, which is the sole Micro Four Thirds camera to make the list. What sets this camera apart from other cameras this year is its vlogging-specific feature set and attention to detail. Whereas other vlogging cams might add an extra feature here and there, Panasonic went ahead and did everything right with this one. It’s small for everyday use, has capable 4K recording for pretty much any web playback method, and has enhanced OZO Audio for improved sound quality. Also, 5-axis IBIS, a free-angle touchscreen for front-facing use, and even a vlogging-specific UI make it great for single-person productions.
Click here to learn more about the G100 and its vlogging capabilities.
9. FUJIFILM X-S10
Improved ergonomics, in-body image stabilization, and a familiar feature set make the X-S10 an outstanding mid-range camera.
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FUJIFILM cameras are some of the most distinguishable in the industry, characterized by retro looks and attention to tactility. The new X-S10 doesn’t shy away from this, but does bring more ergonomics and familiarity to this design language. Borrowing many of FUJIFILM’s flagship X-T4 camera’s capabilities, the X-S10 is exactly what you want in a mid-range camera: same 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans BSI CMOS 4 sensor as the X-T4 with a smaller, friendlier interface and more pronounced grip. It has similar DCI/UHD 4K video capabilities and apt on-chip phase-detection AF, but it doesn’t have quite the speed or quality of EVF or LCD of the top end. Summarized, though, the X-S10 has everything that most people want for most shooting situations and is a tremendous value.
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Check out our hands-on review video on the X-S10 here.
8. Canon EOS R6
A full-frame sensor, compact design, and high-speed performance for the everyday image maker are what set the EOS R6 apart.
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Canon had a huge two-camera announcement in the middle of 2020, and the overshadowed, hidden gem of that launch is the EOS R6. If this camera were launched on its own, it would be a showstopper due to its revised 20MP full-frame sensor, impressive 12 fps shooting, DCI 4K60 video, 5-axis IBIS, and updated Dual Pixel CMOS AF II. While its bigger brother, the R5, took the headlines, the R6 is a sneaky good camera for the majority of photographers out there. It’s lacking the dazzling specs of other cameras, which has kept it a bit under the radar, but it’s just a solid, no-frills camera for both photo and video use at a high level.
Click here to take a look at our in-depth coverage from the launch of the EOS R6.
7. Sony Alpha a7C
A more compact a7-series camera, the Alpha a7C brings high portability to the full-frame realm.
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The Sony a7 series is essentially the foundation of the full-frame mirrorless ecosystem, and the company’s three-tiered approach to camera positioning is something that’s been emulated by other manufacturers in recent times. With the Alpha a7C, though, Sony has broken its own mold and added a fourth component to the a7 lineup of cameras. The a7, a7R, and a7S cameras all share a relatively similar form factor, and differ mainly on performance; the a7C, on the other hand, sports a newly designed body that more closely resembles the a6000 series of APS-C cameras. Beyond the compact size, the a7C is just a solid mid-range camera with much of the feature set of the a7 III, including the 24.2MP Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor, UHD 4K video, sensitivity to ISO 204800, 693-point AF, and 5-axis IBIS. It does have a smaller viewfinder and a new side-opening LCD, as well, to further physically distinguish itself in the lineup.
Click here to have a look at our hands-on review of the sleek Alpha a7C.
6. Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
Having a smaller form factor with a robust feature set, the Lumix DC-S5 is arguably the full-frame camera Panasonic should have released first.
When Panasonic made its entrance into the full-frame mirrorless market in 2019, with the S1 and S1R, one of the standout aspects of those cameras, apart from their impressive specs, was the great size and heft of them. Enter the Lumix DC-S5, which is effectively smaller and lighter, but with similarly impressive capabilities. Its 24.2MP CMOS sensor affords UHD 4K60 10-bit internal video, Dual Native ISO support, and a wide 14+ stop dynamic range, along with sensitivity to ISO 51200, 7 fps shooting, and 5-axis IBIS. It’s quite the capable camera for photo and video, and the reduced size makes it a friendlier choice for walkaround shooting or travel applications.
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Take a look here at some quick comparisons between the S5 and its direct competitors.
5. Leica M10-R
The M10-R is the same classic Leica you know and love, but with a higher resolution 40MP sensor for even greater detail.
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Leica is rarely the brand to push the envelope, choosing, instead, to stay its course and produce the cameras that have generated envy for years. The M10-R digital rangefinder splits the difference of classic appeal with an updated sensor that brings this camera right into contemporary relevance. Breaking the 24MP barrier, the M10-R features an impressive 40MP full-frame CMOS sensor and also adds improved long exposure capabilities, making this an enticing rangefinder for landscape and nature shooters, as well as the expected street and documentary crowds. Also, it’s worth mentioning that, earlier in 2020, Leica did launch the 40MP M Monochrom as the true first high-res rangefinder, but with its grayscale-only sensor, it falls into more of a niche category than the general-use, full-color M10-R.
Check out the hands-on review of the high-res M10-R here.
4. Nikon Z 6II
The second-generation Z 6II camera corrects the oversights of the first Z 6, while also adding even more speed and functionality.
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Nikon’s first generation of full-frame mirrorless cameras was made up of immensely popular and well-regarded models with a few criticisms that stuck out. The second-generation Nikon Z 6II sets out to correct those foibles while bringing improved processing power and speed. To be clear, the Z 6II is an iterative update of the original Z 6, and many of the features remain the same: 24.5MP BSI CMOS sensor, 273-point AF, 3.6m-dot OLED EVF, and 3.2" 2.1m-dot tilting touchscreen. What separates the second generation, though, is two EXPEED 6 image processors, two memory card slots, and two extra fps for a top 14 fps shooting rate. Enhanced processing also seeks to improve autofocus performance, as well as bring 4K 60 fps video recording and support for HLG recording. While I’m calling out the Z 6II for the Number 4 spot, I’ll also mention that the Z 7II received the same upgrades from the first-gen Z 7. They are both improved cameras but, for me, the Z 6II is the more appealing of the two models since its feature set is more geared for general use. The higher resolution of the Z 7II is great if you need it—and you likely already know if you’re someone who does need it—but for most of us, the Z 6II is going to be the model to check out.
Click here to check out our hands-on review video from the launch of the Z 6II and Z 7II.
3. FUJIFILM X-T4
Having a tremendous all-around feature set with distinct design details and prized image quality, the X-T4 is the flagship camera for the rest of us.
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Early in 2020, FUJIFILM launched the fourth iteration of its range-topping APS-C-format mirrorless camera: the X-T4. Delving further into multimedia territory, the X-T4 is one of the most flexible cameras out there, with seemingly equal appeal to photographers and videographers alike. A 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor lends a distinct image quality due to the unique sensor structure and Film Simulation capabilities. Paired with an X-Processor 4, it’s also one of the speedier cameras around, with 15 fps mechanical shooting, DCI/UHD 4K video up to 60 fps, and FHD at 240 fps, as well as ISO 160-12800 sensitivity and a 425-point phase-detection AF system. Other improvements for this generation include 10-bit 4:2:2 recording to an external recorder, F-Log gamma support, upped 6.5 stop effective IBIS, and a better EVF for clearer viewing. All of this tech is then crammed into one of the more stylish cameras around, something FUJIFILM is known for, which makes the X-T4 an unassuming and appealing flagship camera.
Take a look at our first impressions and hands-on review video on the FUJIFILM X-T4, here.
2. Sony Alpha a7S III
Long awaited and highly anticipated, the Alpha a7S III is the third iteration in the series that introduced the idea of what a video-optimized full-frame mirrorless camera could be.
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When Sony finally launched the Alpha a7S III in the middle of 2020, I think many video shooters and camera enthusiasts finally breathed a sigh of relief. It’s the camera that had been rumored, desired, and speculated about for years, and at last it was official. In simple terms, this camera revolves around a revised 12.1MP sensor and BIONZ XR processor, which yield improved sensitivity, speed, and, of course, video capabilities. UHD 4K 120p recording with internal 10-bit 4:2:2 sampling is the headline feature, but, digging a bit more, the a7S III also offers 16-bit raw output over the full-size HDMI port, greatly reduced rolling shutter and faster readout speeds, and more flexible control with recording modes like HLG, S-Log2/S-Log3. And beyond just pure video specifications, it’s also the first mirrorless camera to feature a 9.44m-dot OLED EVF, it’s the first a7-series camera to sport an articulating touchscreen LCD, and it’s the first camera to support the CFexpress Type A memory card format. It’s an exciting release for sure, and definitely takes the video crown of 2020.
Get a more in-depth look at the video-optimized a7S III with our hands-on review, here.
1. Canon EOS R5
Delivering top-quality speed, resolution, and video, the EOS R5 is seemingly the camera that does it all and appeals to all.
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One of the most popular and exciting cameras in recent memory, the Canon EOS R5 is a true statement piece and is helping to cement Canon’s position as a leader in the world of mirrorless after spending so many years at the top of the SLR world. Sporting an impressive 45MP full-frame CMOS sensor, the R5 is capable of recording 8K raw video, 4K at 120 fps with 4:2:2 10-bit sampling, 12 fps full-res shooting, and it is also the first EOS camera to feature IBIS. The sensor’s design also incorporates a 1,053-point phase-detection Dual Pixel CMOS AF II focusing system, which uses Deep Learning technology for apt subject tracking and detection capabilities. And, beyond imaging performance, the R5 is also a standout with its robust physical design, huge 5.76m-dot electronic viewfinder with 120 fps refresh rate, vari-angle 3.2" touchscreen LCD, dual CFx Type B and SD UHS-II card slots, and wireless connectivity. What makes the EOS R5 so special is that it has top-range features for both photo and video. It’s as if you took two niche cameras—one high-res photo-optimized model and one speedy video-optimized model—and combined them for the utmost versatility.
Click here for some quick comparison between the Canon EOS R5 and its direct competitors.
Those are my top 10 mirrorless cameras of 2020. What are your picks for the year? Did I overlook anything? Rank anything too high or too low? Let us know your thoughts and picks in the Comments section, below.
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