Many professional photographers are leaving even the best DSLRs behind and migrating over to mirrorless cameras. Mirrorless technology has quickly become the standard for pros who want a more compact system and some of the innovations it provides, such as cameras with in-body image stabilisation (IBIS), hybrid AF and enhanced video capability. But with so many options now, choosing the best professional mirrorless cameras for your needs takes a bit of research.
Thankfully, we’ve done this research for you! We’ve tested and shot extensively with all of the best professional mirrorless cameras on the market. The wealth of options out there means there are professional mirrorless cameras better tailored for certain types of photography.
What features should you consider when buying the best mirrorless camera for professional photography? Sensor size is the obvious one. Do you need a full-frame sensor? Most of the time, the answer is probably yes, but some professional sport and wildlife photographers might want a fast and lightweight APS-C body. For more information, check out our guides on APS-C vs full-frame and when to use APS-C lenses over full-frame options.
IBIS, as we mentioned earlier, is increasingly becoming a must-have feature for professional photographers and hybrid shooters. Wedding photographers, for example, who shoot handheld in low-light and often need video, as well, will find IBIS a crucial specification.
AF is another consideration when choosing the best professional mirrorless camera for your needs. With manufacturers now developing advanced subject recognition and tracking modes, something like the Canon EOS R3’s Vehicle AF makes a lot of sense for someone who shoots motorsport for a living.
What are the best professional mirrorless cameras?
- Nikon Z9
- Nikon Z7 II
- Canon EOS R3
- Canon EOS R5
- Sony A1
- Sony A7R IV
- Sony A7 IV
- Panasonic GH6
- Panasonic S1H
- Fujifilm GFX 100S
- Olympus OM-D E-M1X
- OM System OM-1
All of the options on our list of the best professional mirrorless cameras were chosen based on our experience testing them. You might find our guides to the overall best cameras for professional photography and best professional DSLRs useful as well. For a deeper dive into the many different camera types and features available, check out our extensive range of camera buying guides.
Nikon Z9
Specification
- Camera type: Full-frame mirrorless camera
- Announced: 28th October 2021
- Lens mount: Nikon Z
- Sensor: Full-frame (FX 35.9 x 23.9mm) 45.7MP stacked backside illuminated (BSI) sensor
- Processing engine: Expeed 7
- Stabilisation: 5-axis sensor shift giving 6EV shutter speed compensation
- Sensitivity: ISO 64-25,600, expandable to ISO 32-102,400
- Maximum continuous shooting rate: 20fps for up to 1000+ raw (high efficiency) files or 685 raw (high efficiency *) files, 30fps for up to 1000+ normal-quality Jpegs, or 120fps normal-quality 11Mp Jpegs
- Autofocus system: Hybrid with phase and contrast detection
- Phase detection points: 493
- AF-area modes: Pinpoint (available in photo mode only), single-point, dynamic-area (S, M, and L; available in photo mode only), wide-area (S and L), and auto-area AF, 3D-tracking (available in photo mode only), subject-tracking AF (available in video mode only)
- Video resolution: 8K (7680 x 4320): 30p (progressive)/25p/24p, 4K (3840 x 2160): 120p/100p/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, Full HD (1920 x 1080): 120p/100p/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p
- Video file format: MOV, MP4
- Video compression: Apple ProRes 422 HQ (10 bit), H.265/HEVC (8 bit/10 bit), H.264/AVC (8 bit)
- Viewfinder: 0.5-inch 3.69-million-dot, 3,000-nit OLED viewfinder
- Screen: 3.2-inch 2,100,000-dot 4-way-tilting touch-screen
- Storage: Dual XQD/CFexpress
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 149 x 149.5 x 90.5 mm / 5.9 x 5.9 x 3.6 inches
- Weight: 1340 g / 2 lb. 15.3 oz.with battery and memory card but without body cap and accessory shoe cover, Body only: 1160g / 2 lb. 9 oz.
Read our Nikon Z9 Review
Price when reviewed
£5299
€6299 Check current price
For
- New 45.7Mp full-frame sensor sensor
- Advanced AF system
- Durable, weatherproof build
Against
- No mechanical shutter
- Firmware updates to come in 2022 to get the full video feature set
Nikon Z7 II
Specification
- Camera type: Full-frame mirrorless camera
- Announced: 14th October 2020
- Lens mount: Nikon Z
- Sensor: Full-frame (FX 35.9 x 23.9mm) 45.7MP backside illuminated (BSI) sensor
- Processing engine: Dual Expeed 6
- Stabilisation: 5-axis in-body VR
- Sensitivity: ISO 64-25,600, expandable to ISO 32-102,400
- Maximum continuous shooting rate: 10fps for up to 200Jpegs or 77 12-bit uncompressed raw files, 9fps with 14-bit raw files
- Autofocus system: Hybrid with phase and contrast detection
- Phase detection points: 493
- Video resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160) 60/50/30/25/24p, Full-HD (1920 x 1080) 120/100/60/50/30/25/24p, Slow-motion mode 1920 x 1080 30p x4/25p x4/24p
- Viewfinder: 0.5-inch 3.69-million-dot electronic viewfinder
- Screen: 3.2-inch 2,100,000-dot tilting touch-screen
- Storage: Dual slot 1 XQD/CFexpress and 1 SD/SDHC/SDXC
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 134 x 100.5 x 69.5mm / 5.3 x 4 x 2.8-inches
- Weight: 705g with battery and memory card but without body cap, 615g body only
While the 45.7Mp Nikon Z7 II has a lot in common with the excellent Nikon Z7 and uses much of the same technology (including the same sensor), the mark II camera has a second memory card slot which means it addresses the main concern that photographers had about the original camera. One slot accepts XQD or CFexpress cards while the other is for SD-type cards and is UHS-II compliant
Nikon also doubled the Z7 II’s processing power in comparison with the Z7 II by giving it two Expeed 6 processing engines. This enabled a boost in the continuous shooting rate from 9fps to 10fps and enables 4K shooting at 60P.
That extra processing power also enables Eye-detection AF for humans and animals in video mode as well as stills, and enhances the low-light capability of the autofocus system.
The Nikon Z7 II has the same build and handling as the Z7, Z6 and Z6 II, and it’s the best interface available in a Nikon camera to date.
You can find the latest deals on the Nikon Z7 II at Amazon UK and Amazon US.
Read our Nikon Z7 II Review
Price when reviewed
£2999
€3442 / $2996.95 Check current price
For
- High-quality sensor
- Excellent user interface and control layout
- Weatherproof build
Against
- A vari-angle screen is of more use than a tilting screen for portrait orientation images
- The viewfinder resolution is no longer class-leading
- The Eye-detection AF isn’t a match for Sony’s or Canon’s most recent systems
Canon EOS R3
Specification
- Camera Type: Mirrorless
- Announced: 14th September 2021
- Sensor: 24.1Mp Full-frame BSI stacked CMOS
- Processor: Digic X
- Lens mount: RF
- Sensitivity range: Stills: ISO 100-102,400 expandable to ISO 50-204,800, Video: ISO 100-25,600 expandable to 100-102,400
- Metering: 384-zone metering with Evaluative metering (linked to All AF points), Partial metering (approx. 5.9% of viewfinder at centre), Spot metering: Centre spot metering (approx. 2.9% viewfinder at centre), Centre weighted average metering
- Shutter speed range: Mechanical shutter: 30- 1/8,000 sec and Bulb, Electronic shutter: 30-1/64,000 sec
- Still file formats: Raw + Jpeg/HEIF
- Maximum continuous shooting rate: Mechanical shutter / 1st curtain electronic: 12fps for 1000+ Jpeg or 1000 raw, Electronic shutter: 30fps for 540 Jpegs or 150 raw images
- Main video resolutions: 6K DCI (17:9) 6000 x 3164 (59.94, 50, 29.97, 25, 24, 23.98fps) raw, 4K DCI (17:9) 4096 x 2160 (59.94, 50, 29.97, 25, 24, 23.98fps) intra or inter frame / light inter frame 4K UHD (16:9) 3840 x 2160 (119.9, 100, 59.94, 50, 29.97, 25, 23.98 fps) intra or inter frame Full HD (16:9) 1920 x 1080 (119.9, 100, 59.94, 50, 29.97, 25, 23.98 fps) intra or inter frame Full HD (16:9) 1920 x 1080 HDR (29.97, 25 fps) inter frame
- Video conatiner formats: MP4, raw (CRM)
- Colour sampling: 6K raw 12bit, 4K/ Full HD – 4:2:0 8-bit or 4:2:2 10bit
- Log: Canon Log 3
- Autofocus system: Dual Pixel CMOS AF II phase detection with 1,053 points
- Viewfinder: 0.5-inch 5.76million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 120fps display and 0.76x magnification
- Screen: 3.2-inch 4.15-million dot vari-angle touchscreen
- Stabilisation: In-body image stabilisation (IBIS) that works with lens IS and enables up to 8-stops of shutter speed compensation
- Storage: Dual slots, 1x CFexpress, 1x SDXC UHS-II
- Dimensions: 150x 142.6 x 87.2mm
- Weight: 822g body only, 1015g with card and battery
While Canon says that the EOS R3 sits below the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III in the company’s line-up, there can be little doubt that the new 24.1MP full-frame mirrorless camera will attract the attention of many of the flagship DSLR’s users. It’s aimed at the same pro sports and news photographer audience and has a fabulous feature set to keep them happy.
Canon used a full-frame backside-illuminated stacked CMOS sensor inside the Canon EOS R3 and paired it with the Digic X processing engine to deliver quick data readout and minimise rolling shutter. It offers an excellent blend of resolution, noise control and file size with blistering AF performance.
What’s more, the R3 can shoot raw or Jpeg files at up to 30fps with full exposure metering and autofocus (AF) tracking when the electronic shutter is selected. It’s a great choice of camera for sport, action and news photography.
The R5 and R6 were significant introductions for Canon when they launched in 2020. They gave significant depth to the EOS R system. But the addition of the EOS R3 takes things up a notch with its ability to shoot at 30fps, Eye Control AF and a high-resolution vari-angle touchscreen. It’s also the first double-gripped mirrorless camera, and while Canon says that it sits below the EOS-1D X Mark III, the R3 looks set to poach a few flagship DSLR sales and convert more professional photographers to mirrorless technology.
Canon has shown us a vision of the future for mirrorless cameras and while the R3 is beyond the budget of many photographers, the AI that it employs will trickle down to more affordable cameras.
Find the latest deals on the Canon EOS R3 at Amazon UK and Amazon US.
Read our Canon EOS R3 Review
Price when reviewed
£5880
$5999 / €6689.99 Check current price
For
- 24Mp full-frame sensor with full AF coverage
- 12fps/30fps continuous shooting with continuous AF
- Eye Control AF
Against
- 6K raw video requires lots of storage capacity
- Control layout different from EOS-1D X mark III and existing R-series cameras
- Less durable buttons than on the 1D X III
Canon EOS R5
Specification
- Camera Type: Mirrorless
- Announced: 9th July 2020
- Sensor: 45Mp Full-frame Dual Pixel CMOS AF II
- Processor: Digic X
- Lens mount: RF
- Sensitivity range: Stills: ISO 100-51,200 expandable to ISO 50-102,400, Movies: ISO 100-25600, expandable to ISO ISO 51,200
- Metering: 384-zone metering with Evaluative metering (linked to All AF points), Partial metering (approx. 6.1% of viewfinder at centre), Spot metering: Centre spot metering (approx. 3.1% viewfinder at centre), Centre weighted average metering
- Shutter speed range: 1/8000sec-30 seconds and Bulb
- File formats: Raw + Jpeg/HEIF, MP4
- Maximum continuous shooting rate: Mechanical shutter: 12fps, Electronic shutter: 20fps
- Maximum video resolution: Uncropped, internal raw recording 8K video at up to 29.97fps in 4:2:2 10-bit in Canon Log (H.265) or 4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ (H.265), Uncropped internal recording 4K video at up to 119.88fps in 4:2:2 10-bit in Canon Log (H.265) or 4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ (H.265) 4:2:2 10-bit in Canon Log or 4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ, 4K output over HDMI at up to 59.94fps
- Autofocus system: Dual Pixel CMOS AF II phase detection with 5940 points in stills and 4500 points in movie mode
- Viewfinder: 0.5-inch 5.76million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 120fps display and 0.76x magnification
- Screen: 3.15-inch 2.1-million dot vari-angle touchscreen
- Autofocus: Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with Advanced Animal AF (recognising dogs, cats and birds) supported in all video modes with 100% coverage and up to 1053 ‘AF segments’
- Stabilisation: In-body image stabilisation (IBIS) that works with lens IS and enables up to 8-stops of shutter speed compensation
- Storage: Dual slots, 1x CFexpress, 1x SDXC UHS-II
- Dimensions: 135.8 x 97.5 x 88mm
- Weight: 650 g / 738 g with card and battery
Although its position was technically usurped by the Canon EOS R3, the Canon EOS R5 is Canon’s flagship mirrorless camera and it was the most exciting camera announced in 2020.
Its 8K video capability stole most of the headlines when it was revealed, but the Canon R5 is at heart a 45Mp stills camera with an incredible autofocus system. This Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system has 5,940 selectable AF points and superb eye detection AF for humans, animals and birds that works in both video and stills mode.
Like the Canon EOS R6 announced at the same time, the EOS R5 has 5-axis in-body image stabilisation. In the R5 it enables shutter speed compensation of up to 8EV.
Canon pitches the R5 at around the same level as the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, which means it’s designed for use by experienced enthusiast and professional photographers. It combines a healthy collection of button and dial controls with an excellent touch-control interface on the 3.15-inch 2.1-million dot vari-angle screen.
While 8K video is of limited appeal, the R5 is capable of producing superb results with the 4K HQ (High Quality) mode especially impressing. The still image quality is also excellent all the way up to around ISO 25,600.
Find the latest deals on the Canon EOS R5 at Amazon UK and Amazon US.
Read our Canon EOS R5 Review
Price when reviewed
£4199
$3899 Check current price
For
- 45Mp full-frame sensor with full AF coverage
- 12fps/20fps continuous shooting with continuous AF
- Uncropped internal 8K video recording for up to 20 minutes
Against
- 8K video will require lots of storage capacity
Sony A1
Specification
- Camera type: Full-frame mirrorless
- Announced: 26th January 2021
- Sensor: 50.1Mp full frame (35.9 x 24.0mm), Exmor RS CMOS sensor
- Lens mount: FE
- Sensitivity range: Stills: ISO 100-32000 (expandable to ISO 50 to ISO 102400) Video: ISO ISO 100-32000 (expandable to ISO 100-12800)
- Still Image format: Jpeg, HEIF, raw (Sony ARW 4.0)
- Video format & compression: XAVC S: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, XAVC HS: MPEG-H HEVC/H.265
- 8K Video (XAVC HS): 7680 x 4320 (4:2:0, 10bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 30p(400Mbps / 200 Mbps), 24p(400Mbps / 200 Mbps), 7680 x 4320 (4:2:0, 10bit, PAL) (Approx.): 25p(400Mbps / 200 Mbps)
- 4K Video (XAVC HS): 3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 10bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 120p (200Mbps), 60p (150Mbps / 75Mbps / 45Mbps), 24p (100Mbps / 50Mbps / 30Mbps); 3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 10bit, PAL) (Approx.): 100p (200Mbps), 50p (150Mbps / 75Mbps / 45Mbps); 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 120p (280Mbps), 60p (200Mbps / 100Mbps), 24p (100Mbps / 50Mbps); 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit, PAL) (Approx.): 100p (280Mbps), 50p (200Mbps / 100Mbps)
- 4K Video (XAVC S): 3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 8bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 120p (200Mbps), 60p (150Mbps), 30p (100Mbps / 60Mbps), 24p (100Mbps / 60Mbps); 3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 8bit, PAL) (Approx.): 100p (200Mbps), 50p (150Mbps), 25p (100Mbps / 60Mbps); 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 120p (280Mbps), 60p (200Mbps), 30p (140Mbps), 24p (100Mbps); 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit, PAL) (Approx.): 100p (280Mbps), 50p (200Mbps), 25p (140Mbps)
- 4K Video (XAVC S-I): 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 60p (600Mbps), 30p (300Mbps), 24p (240Mbps); 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit, PAL) (Approx.): 50p (500Mbps), 25p (250Mbps)
- Movie functions: Audio Level Display, Audio Rec Level, PAL/NTSC Selector, Proxy Recording (1280 x 720 (6Mbps), 1920 x 1080(9Mbps), 1920 x 1080(16Mbps)), TC/UB, Auto Slow Shutter, Gamma Disp. Assist, raw output(HDMI)
- Autofocus system: Hybrid AF with 759 phase detection points and 425 contrast detection points, Still images: Human (Right/Left Eye Select) / Animal (Right/Left Eye Select) / Bird, Movie: Human (Right/Left Eye Select), sensitive down to -4EV
- Maximum continuous shooting rate: Mechanical shutter: 10fps, Electronic shutter 30fps
- Viewfinder: 0.64-inch 9,437,184-dot EVF with 100% coverage and up to 0.9x magnification. It also offers 0.90x viewfinder magnification, 41° diagonal field of view with 25mm-high eyepoint
- Screen: 3-inch 1,440,000-dot tilting touchscreen
- Stills shutter speed range: Mechanical shutter: 1/8000-30sec plus Bulb, Electronic shutter: 1/32000-30sec plus Bulb
- Max flash sync speed (full-frame): Mechanical shutter: 1/400 sec, Electronic shutter: 1/200 sec
- Image stabilisation: 5-axis giving up to 5.5EV compensation
- Storage: Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I/II) & CFexpress Type A slots
- Connection ports: Sync, 3.5mm headphone, 3.5mm mic, LAN
- Battery: NP-FZ100 rechargeable Li-ion battery giving 400 shots with the viewfinder or 530 with the screen
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 128.9 x 96.9 x 80.8mm / 5 1/8 x 3 7/8 x 3 1/4 inches
- Weight (including battery & memory card): 737g / 1 lb 10.0 oz
The Alpha A1 is Sony’s most advanced camera to date, it combines a high-resolution full-frame sensor with high-speed performance. It features a new 50.1Mp full-frame stacked Exmor RS image sensor and can perform up to 120 AF/AE calculations per second.
Thanks to its impressive processing power, the Sony A1 can shoot at up to 30fps (frames per second) while its large buffer allows for sequences of up to 155 full-frame compressed RAW images or 165 full-frame JPEGs to be shot at that rate.
In addition to improved Real-time Eye AF for humans and animals, the Alpha 1 uses high-level subject recognition technology for Real-time Eye AF for birds. Algorithms also maintain the AF tracking if a sitting bird takes off or the framing changes.
The Sony A1 is the first Sony Alpha series camera to feature 8K 30p 10-bit 4:2:0 XAVC HS video recording. It’s also capable of shooting 4K 120p / 60p 10-bit 4:2:2 video and offers S-Cinetone colour. It uses 8.6K oversampling for enhanced resolution and, naturally, the 8K footage can be used for 4K editing during post-production.
The Sony A 1 has a 9.44 million dot OLED Quad-XGA electronic viewfinder, with a refresh rate of up to 240 fps, ensuring no blackout, delivering the highest resolution in its class. In addition, there’s a 3-inch 1,440,000-dot tilting touchscreen that features the revised menu arrangement and more extensive touch-control that was first seen in the Sony A7S III.
In case a resolution of 50Mp isn’t enough, the Sony A1 has Sony’s Pixel Shift Multi Shooting mode onboard to enables 16 full-resolution images to be composited.
You can order the Sony A1 from Wex Photo Video and Park Cameras in the UK and Adorama or B&H Photo Video in the USA. You can also find the latest Sony A1 offers at Amazon UK and Amazon US.
Read our Sony A1 Review
Price when reviewed
£6500
$6500 Check current price
For
- Excellent combination of speed and resolution
- Great range of video features including 8K video
- Superb electronic viewfinder
Against
- It takes a while to figure out the optimum settings
- Underwhelming screen specification
- Manual switching between the Eye AF subjects
Sony A7R IV
Specification
- Camera type: Full-frame mirrorless
- Announced: 16th July 2019
- Sensor: 61MP BSI full-frame sensor
- Lens mount: Sony FE
- Autofocus system: Hybrid with 567 phase detection + 425 contrast detection AF points
- Continuous Shooting: 10fps burst shooting with full AF / AE Tracking
- Video: 4K video with S-Log2/3, HDR
- Sensitivity range: Still images: ISO 100-32000 (expandable to ISO 50 to ISO 102400) Movies: ISO 100-32000
- Viewfinder: 0.5 type 5,760,000-dot OLED
- Screen: Tilting 3-inch 1,440,000-dot touchscreen
- Storage: 2x SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-II
- Battery: Rechargeable NP-FZ100 battery supplied, Life Stills: 530 shots (viewfinder) / 670 shots (LCD), Movies: 90mins (viewfinder) / 105mins (LCD)
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 128.9 x 96.4 x 77.5mm
- Weight: 665 g / 1lb 7.5oz with battery and SD card
The Sony A7R Mark IV’s 61-million-pixel 35mm sensor is a world first, which the company says delivers ‘medium format quality’.
The sensor is back-side illuminated, and it provides 15 stops of dynamic range. As well as 61-megapixel images, the Sony A7R Mark IV can also produce images with 26 million pixels in APS-C crop mode.
What’s more, its revampled Pixel Shift Multi-Shooting mode can produce images at 240-megapixel resolution. It does this by capturing 960 megapixels worth of data from 16 images, which it then composites together using Sony’s Imaging Edge software.
The A7R Mark IV boasts 567 phase-detection AF points in full-frame mode, which cover 74% of the frame. In the camera’s APS-C mode it has 325 AF points which then cover nearly the entire frame. There’s also Sony’s excellent AI-driven Real-time Eye AF (for humans and animals ins stills mode) and Real-time Tracking modes, which is invaluable for portrait, wedding, sport, pet and social photography.
Depsite its high resolution, the Sony A7R IV is also built for speed and can capture full-resolution 61-megapixel images in continuous shooting mode at up to 10fps, and up to 68 images per continuous burst.
Also among its key features is 5.5-stop, 5-axis in-body image stabilisation, wireless tethering capability, faster USB connection, 802.11ac Wi-Fi plus Bluetooth and studio lighting support.
It all adds up to make the Sony A7R IV one of the best cameras available right now.
Find the best deals on the Sony A7R IV at Amazon UK and Amazon US.
Read our Sony A7R IV Review
Price when reviewed
£3500
$3500 Check current price
For
- Superb detail resolution
- Excellent autofocus system
- High-resolution electronic viewfinder
Against
- Limited use made the touch-control
- Tilting rather than vari-angle scree
- High price
Fujifilm X-H2S
Specification
- Camera type: Mirrorless
- Announced: 31st May 2022
- Sensor: 26.16Mp APS-C (23.5 x 15.6mm) X-Trans CMOS 5 HS
- In body image stabilisation: 5-axis giving up to 7EV shutter speed compensation
- Processing engine: X-Processor 5
- Lens mount: Fujifilm X
- Sensitivity range: ISO 160-12,800 expandable to ISO 80-51,200
- Autofocus system: Intelligent Hybrid with up to 425 points plus subject detection for humans, animals, birds, automobiles, motorcycles, aeroplanes and trains
- Max continuous shooting rate: Electronic shutter: 40fps for 184 jpegs, 170 lossless compressed raw or 140 uncompressed raw, Mechanical shutter: 15fps for 1000+ jpegs, lossless compressed raw or 1000 uncompressed raw
- Max video resolution: 6.2K (6240×4160) 29.97/25/24/23.98p, DCI 4K (4096×2160) 59.94/50/29.97/25/24/23.98p or 120/100p in High Speed mode, 4K (3840×2160) 59.94/50/29.97/25/24/23.98p or 120/100p in High Speed mode
- Viewfinder: 0.5 inch 5.76 million-dot OLED Color Viewfinder with 100% coverage Eyepoint: approx. 24mm Diopter adjustment: -5~+3m-1 Magnification: 0.8× with 50mm lens
- Screen: Vari-angle 3-inch LCD with 1.62-million dots
- Dimensions: 136.3 x 92.9 x 84.6mm
- Storage: Dual: 1x CFexpress type B, 1x DS/SDHC/SDXC UHS-II
- Weight: 579g (body only), 660g with battery and card
While the X-H1 was seen as Fujifilm’s most video-centric camera, the Fujifilm X-H2S is the speed king. Its new 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HS sensor comes in a newly stacked design and is
paired with the 5th generation X Processor (X-Processor 5), which has twice the speed of the previous engine. Together the sensor and X-Processor 5 enable some impressive headline figures including a maximum continuous shooting rate of 40 frames per second (fps) at full-resolution with full autofocus (AF) capability, 6.2K video at 30p, 4K video at 120p, 120fps Live View and enhanced rolling shutter control with the full sensor being cleared in 1/151sec for stills and 1/180 sec when shooting video.
The new sensor has pixels that measure 3.76um, plus a phase detection system that uses 2.16 million pixels. Also, more data points are used to calculate the focus at 40fps that with the X-T4 at 20fps.
There are some handling changes in comparison with the X-H1, some of which might be less welcome than others, but anyone looking at this camera with fresh eyes cannot fail to be impressed by its build and capability.
Read our Fujifilm X-H2S Review
Price when reviewed
£2499
$2499 Check current price
For
- 40fps continuous shooting with AF
- Subject detection at 40fps and during video
- 6.2K video
Against
- Change in control layout in comparison with the X-H1
- Focus mode switch replaced with a button
- No dedicated exposure compensation dial
Fujifilm GFX100S
Specification
- Camera type: Medium format mirrorless
- Announced: 27th January 2021
- Sensor: 102Mp Medium format (43.8 x 32.9mm) CMOS with Bayer colour filter array
- Maximum image size: 11648 x 8736
- Processor: X Processor 4
- Lens mount: Fujifilm G
- Autofocusing: Intelligent Hybrid with up to 425 AF points
- Autofocus system: Intelligent Hybrid AF (contrast AF / phase-detection AF) with up to 425 selectable AF points
- Viewfinder: Fixed 0.5-inch 3.69million-dot EVF with 0.77x magnifications 85fps
- Screen: 3-direction tilting 3.2-inch 2.36million-dot touchscreen
- Continuous Shooting: 5fps for 42Jpegs, 16 compressed raw, 15 lossless compressed raw or 14 uncompressed raw
- Sensitivity range: Standard ISO 100-12,800, expandable to ISO 50-102,400
- Image stabilisation: In-body 5-axis giving 6EV compensation, Plus Digital IS and IS Boost for video
- Max video resolution: 4K (4096×2160) 29.97p 400Mbps up to 120min recording, Digital IS (1.1x crop), F-Log, HLG, ProRes Raw (12-bit HDMI)
- Film Simulation Modes: 19 modes: Provia/Standard, Velvia/Vivid, Astia/Soft, Classic Chrome, Pro Neg.Hi, Pro Neg.Std Classic Neg., Nostalgic Neg., Eterna/Cinema, Eterna Beach Bypass, Acros, Acros + Ye Filter, Acros + R Filter, Acros + G Filter, Black & White, Black & White + Ye Filter, Black & White + R Filter, Black & White + G Filter, Sepia
- Storage: SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-II
- Battery: NP-W325 460 images
- Dimensions: 150 x 104 x 44mm
- Weight: 900g including battery and card
The Fujifilm GFX100S is a medium format camera that doesn’t feel like a medium format camera. With the right lens, it can blend in with full-frame DSLR and mirrorless camera yet it has a sensor that’s 1.7x the size.
It has the same 102Mp back-illuminated CMOS sensor as the Fujifilm GFX100, which means it can produce images that measure 98.62 x 73.96cm or 38.8 x 29.1-inch when printed at 300ppi. And there’s Fujifilm’s Pixel Shift Multi Shot mode that enables it to produce 400Mp images with a little help from a computer running Fujifilm’s Pixel Shift Combiner software.
If you look at images shot at the top native sensitivity setting of ISO 12,800 at 100% on screen, you’ll see a fair amount of luminance noise in the raw files, but as you zoom out, it disappears and there’s a long way to zoom out! Of course it depends what you want to do with your images, the the Fujifilm GFX100S is one of the few cameras that we’d feel reasonably happy about using the upper sensitivity expansions settings.
While the GFX100S’s AF system is a bit fidgety, it’s responsive and can get moving subjects sharp. The Eye AF isn’t the best around, but it’s useful for portraits and the level of detail captured in low to mid-range ISO images is fantastic.
Read our Fujifilm GFX100S Review
Price when reviewed
£5499
$5999 / €5999 Check current price
For
- Superb sensor
- Phase detection autofocus system
- Small for medium format
Against
- Doesn’t have all the traditional exposure controls of the GFX 50S
- The eye AF isn’t very assured
Panasonic Lumix GH6
Specification
- Camera type: Micro Four Thirds mirrorless
- Announced: 22nd February 2022
- Sensor: 25.21 Mp Live MOS Sensor (17.3 x 13mm)
- Key video specs: 5.8K (5760×4320) (4:3) at 29.97p, 200Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP) (H.265/HEVC, LPCM), 5.7K (5728×3024) (17:9) at 59.94p, 300Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP) (H.265/HEVC, LPCM), 4.4K (4352×3264) (4:3) at 59.94p, 300Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP) (H.265/HEVC, LPCM), 4.4K (4352×3264) (4:3) at 59.94p, 300Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP) (H.265/HEVC, LPCM), 4K (3840×2160) at 119.88p, 300Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP) (H.265/HEVC, LPCM), FHD (1920×1080) t 239.76p, 800Mbps (4:2:2 10-bit ALL-Intra) / 200Mbps (4:2:2 10-bit LongGOP) (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, LPCM
- Video format: MOV: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, H.265/HEVC, Apple ProRes MP4: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, H.265/HEVC
- Log Mode: V-Log L pre-installed
- Sensitivity range: Stills (normal): ISO 100-25600 (expandable to ISO 50-25600), (V-Log) ISO 250-12800 (expandable to ISO 125-12800), Video: (Normal) Dynamic Range Boost OFF (Base ISO 100): Auto / 50 (Extended ISO) / 100-12800 Dynamic Range Boost ON (Creative Video Mode) (Base ISO 800): Auto / 800-12800 (V-Log) Dynamic Range Boost OFF (Base ISO 250): Auto / 125 (Extended ISO) / 250-12800 Dynamic Range Boost ON (Creative Video Mode) (Base ISO 2000): Auto / 2000-12800 (Hybrid Log Gamma) Dynamic Range Boost OFF (Base ISO 250): Auto / 250-12800 Dynamic Range Boost ON (Creative Video Mode) (Base ISO 2000): Auto / 2000-12800
- AF system: Contrast detection with DFD
- Stabilisation: 5-axis Dual IS II giving up to 7.5EV shutter speed compensation
- Viewfinder: 3.68m-dot OLED with up to 120fps refresh rate
- Touchscreen: 3-inch 1.84m-dot tilt & free-angle touchscreen
- Storage: Dual slots, 1 CFexpress Type B, 1 UHS-II SD
- Maximum stills continuous shooting rate: Mechanical shutter: H: 14 frames/sec (AFS/MF), 8 frames/sec (AFC) (with Live View) M: 6 frames/sec (AFS/MF) (with Live View), 5 frames/sec (AFC) (with Live View) L: 2 frames/sec (AFS/MF/AFC) (with Live View) Electronic shutter: SH75: 75 frames/sec (AFS/MF) SH60: 60 frames/sec (AFS/MF) SH20: 20 frames/sec (AFS/MF) H: 14 frames/sec (AFS/MF), 7 frames/sec (AFC) (with Live View) M: 6 frames/sec (AFS/MF) (with Live View), 5 frames/sec (AFC) (with Live View) L: 2 frames/sec (AFS/MF/AFC) (with Live View)
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 100.3 x 138.4 x 99.6 mm (excluding protrusions)
- Weight: 739g with SD card and battery
The Panasonic Lumix GH6 sits at the top of Panasonic’s line-up of Micro Four Third mirrorless cameras. It’s the replacement for the Panasonic Lumix GH5 and sits above the Panasonic Lumix GH5 II. Although it has a few features such as a 100Mp High Resolution Mode that can work when the camera is hand-held, it is primarily a video camera. As such, it offers an extensive range of video features and can shoot 5.8K, 5.7K, DCI 4K, UHD 4K and Full HD video in wide range of modes.
When you look at the size of other options on our list of the best professional mirrorless cameras, we’d prefer the GH6 to be a little smaller and quite a bit lighter, but there’s no denying its rugged feel. That extra weight for the cooling system also means you can keep recording for as long as you have storage and power.
Panasonic has packed a lot of video options into the Lumix GH6 with settings to suite a wide range of scenarios. It would take a long time to get to know every aspect and explore all the features fully, but the GH6 is very capable and attractively priced.
Now that small full-frame cameras are more readily available and 10-bit video is more common, it’s hard for the Panasonic Lumix GH6 to shine, but somehow it still does. It goes way beyond the requirements of the occasional video shooter, offering high-end features that will keep small-budget professionals happy. Its results are very impressive and while the autofocus system isn’t the best, most of the time it does what it needs to do.
Find the best deals on the Panasonic GH6 at Amazon UK and Amazon US.
Read our Panasonic Lumix GH6 Review
Price when reviewed
£2000
$2199.99 / €2199.99 Check current price
For
- Extensive array of video features
- Excellent stabilisation system
- Excellent image quality for the sensor size
Against
- Big & heavy for a Micro Four Thirds camera
- AF system not up with the best
Panasonic S1H
Specification
- Sensor: 24.2MP full frame CMOS
- Video: 6K (5.9K) 3:2 24p, 5.9K 16:9 up to 30p, C4K/4K UHD up to 60p
- Autofocus: 225-area DFD contrast AF
- ISO: Dual Native ISO; 100-51,200 (50-102,400 exp.)
In early 2020 Panasonic announced that via a strategic partnership with Atoms it had developed new firmware for the Lumix S1H that enables the camera to output a maximum 5.9K/29.97p RAW video data to the Atomos Ninja V.
Shortly after this announcement, the Panasonic S1H became the first ‘Netflix-approved’ camera on the market.
The S1H is aimed at serious filmmakers, but its price tag is under the the £4,000 threshold, and it packs some serious firepower.
Panasonic’s flagship full-frame mirrorless camera offers 6K video recording and 10-bit 60p 4K/C4K, aided by a 35.6 x 23.8mm, 24.2-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor. It can record 6K at 24p at a 3:2 aspect ratio, 5.9K at 30p in 16:9, as well as 10-bit 4K/Cinema 4K footage at 60p using the Super 35mm image area.
As if that isn’t enough, it can record 4:2:2 10-bit 4K footage at 30p over the full image area.
The Panasonic S1H also delivers 14 stops of dynamic range – the same as Panasonic’s cinema cameras – along with a slew of other video specifications aimed at professionals such as Panasonic’s V-Log/V-Gamut log modes, HDR in HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma), 4:2:2 10-bit HDMI output and Anamorphic 4:3 modes.
$ Check current price
For
- Shoots 6K raw
- Records 4K at 60p
- 14 stops dynamic range
Against
- Largy body size
Olympus OM-D E-M1X
Specification
- Camera type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 20.4Mp Four Thirds Type (17.3 x 13.0mm) CMOS
- Lens mount: Micro Four Thirds
- Sensitivity range: ISO 64-25,600
- Processing engine: 2x TruePic VIII
- Autofocus system: Hybrid with 121 cross-type points (800 in magnified view)
- Max continuous shooting rate: 18fps with AF tracking, 60fps with AF locked on first frame with electronic shutter
- Pro Capture High Mode: 60fps
- Pro Capture Low Mode: 18fps
- Burst Mode in S-AF: 15fps for 143 raw files
- Burst Mode in C-AF: 10fps for 283 raw files
- Max video resolution: 4K (4096 x 2160) at 24p
- Viewfinder: Electronic with 2,360,000 dots
- Screen: Touch-sensitive vari-angle 3-inch LCD with 1,037,000 dots
- Storage: 2x SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II)
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 144.4 x 146.8 x 75.4mm
- Weight: 849g (body only), 997g (including 2 batteries and memory cards)
The OM-D E-M1X is a doubled-gripped mirrorless camera. It uses Olympus’s Pro Capture mode for shooting stills of very fast action. Thanks to the dual processors, there’s also no blackout in the viewfinder when this is in action.
In Pro Capture High mode, the shooting rate is 60fps, but the focusing is fixed at the start of the sequence. Switch to Pro Capture Low, and you can shoot at 18fps with continuous focusing.
Pro Capture mode is designed to help you record fleeting moments that are easily missed. To that end, when it’s activated the camera starts writing images to the buffer as soon as the shutter release is half-pressed. Once the shutter button is pressed fully, the 35 images that were buffered immediately before it was pressed are recorded along with 100 from immediately after.
There’s also a standard sequential shooting mode that uses the mechanical shutter. When this is in action, the maximum shooting rate in single AF mode is 15fps for 143 raw files. In continuous autofocus mode, the maximum is 10fps for 283 raw files.
A High Res Shot mode also delivers larger and more detailed images. The 50Mp Handheld mode captures the images quickly but then takes a little longer to render the final shot than the Tripod mode. Comparing the results with standard images reveals a nice jump in the level of detail.
Similarly, the 80Mp tripod mode delivers impressive results. It gives a significant boost to the size of print that you can make. That compositing also has a beneficial effect on the dynamic range as there’s more detail visible (and extractable) from the shadows.
Read our Olympus OM-D E-M1X Review
Price when reviewed
£2199
$1999 Check current price
For
- One of the fastest cameras you can buy
- Pro Capture Mode offers lots of flexibility
- High Res Shot mode is very impressive
Against
- It’s very big and heavy for a Micro Four Thirds camera
- Four Thirds sensor
- Need more smaller, lighter, more affordable long telephoto lenses
OM System OM-1
Specification
- Camera type: Mirrorless
- Announced: 15th February 2022
- Sensor: 20.4Mp Four Thirds Type (17.3 x 13.0mm) CMOS
- Lens mount: Micro Four Thirds
- Sensitivity range: ISO 80-102,400
- In body stabilisation: 5-axis giving up to 7EV shutter speed compensation, 8EV when combined with lens IS
- Processing engine: TruePic X
- Autofocus system: Hybrid with 1053 cross-type phase detection points and 1053 contrast detection points
- Max continuous shooting rate: Mechanical shutter: 10fps
- Pro Capture High Mode: 120fps (with Pro lenses) or 50fps AF tracking
- Max video resolution: 4K (4096 x 2160) at 30, 25, 24p（approx. 102Mbps), 60, 50p (approx. 202Mbps), 4K (3840 x 2160) 30p, 25p, 24p (approx. 77Mbps), 60, 50p (approx. 152Mbps) all in LongGOP, Full HD (1920 x 1080) 30, 25, 24p / ALL-I（approx. 82Mbps), LongGOP（approx. 22Mbps） 60, 50p ALL-I（approx. 162Mbps, LongGOP（approx. 42Mbps)
- Video format: MOV (MPEG-4AVC/H.264)
- Viewfinder: 5.76M-dot OLED
- Screen: 3-inch 1,.62M-dot vari-angle touchscreen
- Storage: 2x SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II)
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 134.8 x 91.6 x 72.7mm
- Weight: 511g (body only), 599g including battery, 1 memory card but excluding the eye cup
Putting it simply, OM System is the camera company formally know as Olympus and the OM-1 is the company’s new flagship camera. Confusingly, while it’s officially called the OM System OM-1, the camera also has the Olympus name on it, but we’re reliably informed that it will be last camera to do so. So whether you call it the OM System OM-1 or the Olympus OM-1, the OM-1 is the successor to the Micro Four Thirds Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and it has features such as a new sensor, improved AF, enhanced sequential shooting and a better viewfinder that take it above the Olympus OM-D E-M1X in the manufacturer’s line-up.
While the Olympus OM-D E-M1X found favour with some pro wildlife photographers, it caused some confusion and disappointment amongst the legions of enthusiast photographers who like the more compact form of models like the E-M Mark III and E-M5 Mark III. These photographers will be delighted to see the OM System OM-1 leapfrog the E-M1X, maintaining its single-gripped body while gaining an improved AF system with subject detection, continuous shooting at up 120 or 50fps depending upon the AF requirements and improved weatherproofing. It seems to encompass everything that many people like about Olympus OM-D cameras.
Full-frame cameras have shrunk in size over recent year so the OM System OM-1 doesn’t seem especially small by modern standards, but the 2x focal length magnification factor brought by the Four Thirds type sensor means the overall system for the average photographer is smaller and lighter. It’s especially attractive to wildlife photographers who want to use fast, long lenses.
OM System has delivered the camera that many Olympus users have been hoping for, a camera that offers everything the Olympus OM-D E-M1X has (and more) in the more compact, single-gripped form of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III. Look beyond the resolution and you’ll see a new sensor paired with a processing engine that’s 3x faster than its predecessor, plus enhanced autofocusing, AI-enabled subject detection and full-resolution continuous shooting at up to 120fps or 50fps with continuous focusing. There’s also a refreshed menu, faster high-resolution shooting and an even more robust body. It adds up to make a great camera for wildlife, travel and general photography.
Read our OM System OM-1 Review
Price when reviewed
£2000
$2199.99 Check current price
For
- High weatherproofing
- High-speed shooting capability
- Excellent subject detection modes
Against
- Four Thirds sensor is smaller than APS-C and full-frame
- Some may wish for higher resolution
- Menus not touch-sensitive
