9 best mirrorless cameras that are compact and user-friendly

We adore the classic design of this model which harks back to film cameras from a few decades back. Sticking with the retro theme, it offers a “film simulation” mode in which clever software recreates the look of Fuji’s classic “analogue” film brands of the past such as Velvia and Provia. There’s a “hybrid” viewfinder in which you can swap between old-style optical or electronic, while video footage can be recorded in very modern 4k. A largely aluminium body adds to the quality feel and there’s a fast 23mm lens plus a built-in flash. Definitely one for fans of street photography to consider.

Don’t be fooled by its tiny dimensions, this camera packs some serious features. The body is small enough to hide behind an iPhone 7 yet offers 4K filming, 10 frames per second shooting and 16 megapixel (MP) resolution. There’s a range of shooting modes including vivid and monochrome, plus plenty of photo effects to play with. Panasonic says it’s good for 270 shots on a full battery. Bundled with a 12-32mm lens, it makes a great alternative to a DSLR if you’re in the market for a travel camera.

This small and stylish model looks amazing and has the performance to match. We love the stunning blue model in particular with its leather-look grip and brushed alloy body. There’s a 3in tilting touchscreen to let you shoot from unconventional angles, 4K video shooting and great wifi and Bluetooth connectivity. You can swap out the kit lens for other Olympus offerings, while phone photography fans will feel right at home with the extra effects if offers such as sweep panorama and HDR shooting.

You’ll really notice the image quality offered by the 24.3MP APS-C sensor built into this offering from Sony. The boxy shape is functional rather than fancy, but the controls are well thought out and easy to use. There’s a simple dial on the top for the various shooting modes, with the more detailed settings controlled by a range of buttons and a click wheel on the back. The tilting 3in screen makes it easier to shoot from low or high angles, and you can also use your phone as a remote control or viewing screen if you need to operate the camera from a distance. As you would expect from the brand, the bundled 16-50mm kit lens is excellent.

We weren’t sure about the looks of this Nikon at first but they have grown on us. The performance is top-notch with a 21.5MP APS-C sensor (known as a DX in Nikon circles), shutter speeds from 1/4000 of a second to 30 seconds, and both JPEG and RAW shooting capability. It’s another very DSLR-looking camera, with a pop-up flash and a hotshoe if you want to use a larger flashgun. Fans of phone photography will like the fact you can focus and take images just by tapping the tilting rear touchscreen. Anyone who spends much of their time out and about taking landscape or outdoor shots will appreciate the extra protection offered by the weatherproofed body.

There’s a cracking lens packaged with this gorgeous camera. The XF 18-55mm lens opens up to a maximum f2.8 aperture, letting you use it in really low light without flash, or add some pleasing bokeh effects to portraits. The body is a beauty, too – classically styled but packed with technology including built-in image stabilisation to help you get amazingly smooth video footage. It’s got a 26.1MP sensor and a new battery that is claimed to offer up to 600 shots between charges.

If you’re looking for your first mirrorless camera you could do a lot worse than this little beauty. The tiny 108mm-wide body packs in a 24MP APS-C sensor plus a large 180-degree tilting viewing screen that’s great for taking selfies. The inclusion of wifi and Bluetooth means you can operate it via remote control and transfer images easily to other devices. As your skills improve you’ll be able to swap the packaged 15-45mm kit lens for other offerings from Canon and compatible manufacturers and really get your creative juices flowing.

The five-axis image stabilisation on the little Olympus means travel photographers no longer have to lug around a tripod. If you do need to take a late night cityscape, simply find a solid position to set it down and then use your smartphone as a remote trigger instead of touching the shutter release. It’s only got a 16MP sensor, but that’s still plenty for the vast majority of us. There’s a really clear electronic viewfinder, or you can press the touch-sensitive rear screen smartphone-style to choose a point to focus on. With 4K video, you can capture moving images of your travels too.

This model appears a lot more like a traditional DSLR than many others in our round-up, but with a body less than 12cm across in size, it will fit into your hand. The electronic viewfinder on top of the body only adds to the look and the APS-C sized 24.2 MP sensor gives DSLR quality results too. Bloggers will love the big flip around viewing screen and 4K video capabilities, while keen photographers will appreciate the 10 frames-per-second shooting ability and wifi connectivity.