Top 5 Best Mirrorless Camera under $500

From entry-level Mirrorless Camera to point-and-shoots packed with features, below are our picks for the year’s leading cameras under $500

1. Fujifilm X-T100 Mirrorless Digital Camera

Sporting a sleek and stylish design, the mirrorless x-t100 offers a host of features including a high magnification electronic viewfinder, a horizontal tilting rear LCD screen, the latest built-in Bluetooth technology for easy and seamless image transfer and extended battery life, with up to 430 frames possible per charge.

In addition, the x-t100 weighs just 448G with anodized coating on the aluminum top cover, delivering a simultaneously retro and luxury feel. The x-t100 boasts a powerful 24.2 Megapixel APS-C size sensor and is equipped with a Phase detection autofocus system featuring a newly developed autofocus algorithm for super-fast and precise focusing.

Combined with Fujifilm’s renowned outstanding image quality with the company’s proprietary color reproduction technology, the x-t100 is stylish, portable, and highly versatile – making it the ideal companion for everyday photography.

• Image Quality
  FUJIFILM X-T100 has the essential elements to make all aspects of your pictures look special: natural skin tone, beautiful color reproduction, low noise in poor light, and excellent edge-to-edge resolution. You can trust exceptional images will be produced thanks to FUJIFILM’s technology which is established for over 80 years in the photo industry.
• Large Sensor
  FUJIFILM X-T100 is equipped with an APS-C-sized image sensor which is 14 times larger than the sensor inside conventional smartphones. This is essential for capturing better quality images in low light and creating beautiful background defocus effect known as Bokeh.
• Electronic Viewfinder
  The high-performance EVF in the retro body allows you to compose your photographs clearly even in bright sunshine. This experience is the true feeling of photography. Only an electronic viewfinder allows you to see exactly what your final result will be before you take the picture.
• 3 Way Tilt LCD Monitor
  The 3.0 inch LCD monitor is able to flip horizontally and tilt vertically and also has touch screen capability. The horizontal flip is essential for taking self-portraits in both stills and video modes. The vertical tilt is useful when you want to take pictures low down or up above. With the addition of touch control and self-timer modes, FUJIFILM X-T100 has a variety of shooting options.
• Film Simulation
  Replicate the look of classic films with a variety of FUJIFILM’s unique Film Simulations modes. You can trust exceptional images will be produced thanks to FUJIFILM’s technology which is established for over 80 years in the photo industry.
• Advanced Filter
  Add an artistic touch without the need for a computer and bring out the best side of your subject with in-camera Advanced Filters.
• Movie + 4K Burst Shooting
  Capture the world around you in ultra-high definition with 4K movie, bringing the atmosphere and emotion of a scene to life.

High resolution, high-speed continuous shooting lets you record fast-moving objects. Choose the best shot from the 15 frames taken in a second.

• Wireless Connectivity
  You can pair the FUJIFILM X-T100 to a compatible smartphone or tablet using Bluetooth for the seamless transfer of your images so they can easily be shared with friends.
• Colors
  The FUJIFILM X-T100 offers a variety of body colors such as Dark Silver, Black, and Champagne Gold and follows the familiar design of the popular X-T series from Fujifilm, offering three control dials on the top cover.
• Retro & Lightweight
  With its portability, lightweight 448g* body, and retro styling, the FUJIFILM X-T100 can be taken anywhere and everywhere in your daily life.
• Mode Dial
  Change your shooting mode quickly using the conventional mode dial. Select from SR+, Program Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, or fully manual.
• Function Dial
  The function dial allows intuitive, simple adjustment of the shooting settings. In the “DEFAULT” setting, the dial is automatically assigned to the best options for each shooting mode.
• FUJINON X Mount Lens
  In combination with rich X Mount genuine lens lineup incorporated with FUJINON’s unique optical technology, including small and light electronic zoom lens ‘XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 OIS PZ’ capable of minimum working distance of just 5cm*, FUJIFILM X-T100 corresponds to any photographic category and subject with outstanding image quality. The 26 lenses** of the rich lens lineup covers a wide focal length from 15mm to 1200mm (35mm format equivalent) both with zoom lenses, realizing compactness and high image quality, and prime lenses with bright aperture and beautiful defocusing effect.

* Distance from the front lens element to the subject when shooting at the wide-angle end of the zoom.

• Multi Focus
  Multi Focus mode adds multiple images together to generate a sharp image with an amazingly deep depth of field.
• SR Auto
  Advanced SR Auto mode recognizes the scene and the subject you are looking at and automatically optimizes camera setting and focus. It let you take the best photos possible with minimal effort.
• Super Intelligent Flash
  The flash automatically adjusts the amount of light released according to your scenes, letting you take natural-looking photographs.

2. Fujifilm X-E2 16.3 MP Mirrorless Digital Camera

Product Description

X-E2 Body with 16.3 MP APS-C X-Trans II CMOS Sensor with Phase Detection and EXR Processor II.

From the Manufacturer

1. X-Trans* CMOS II & EXR Processor II, harnessing the full potential of each lens to capture breathtaking quality in every image.
2. World’s fastest autofocus speed of 0.08 sec.** achieved by Fujifilm’s unique phase-detection AF system.
3. The design prioritizes “photographing” enabling instinctive operation and high-speed responses.
4. X Mount Lens – the product of integrated lens & sensor development with original digital technology.
5. FUJIFILM X-E2 Evolution: Impact on Shooting & Playback Functions.
6. Sensor: APS-C “X-Trans CMOS II”
7. Effective Pixels: 16M
8. LCD Monitor: 3.0-inch (1,040K-dot)
9. Sensitivity: ISO 25600

World’s fastest AF speed of 0.08 sec.** achieved via the integration of phase-detection pixels into the advanced sensor.

High-speed responses from the on-sensor phase-detection AF system. Accurate focusing in dark scenes that only contrast AF can deliver. The FUJIFILM X-E2 has both, plus Intelligent. Hybrid AF for automatic switching to the optimal focusing system for the scene and conditions.

A newly developed algorithm improves AF accuracy when shooting low-contrast subjects and dark scenes. The evolved AF system of the FUJIFILM X-E2 brings your subject into sharp focus so quickly that priceless moments will never escape your lens.

Lens Modulation Optimizer technology brings out the full potential of the XF lens.

• The advanced Lens Modulation Optimizer (LMO) technology in the FUJIFILM X-E2 was made possible by the integrated development of the lens, sensor, and processor.
• For each mounted lens, LMO high-precision processing of the lens focal length and aperture, as well as data from the screen center to the edges, corrects diffraction blur when shooting with a stopped down aperture and compensates for the slight blurring in the lens periphery. The result is edge-to-edge image quality with incredible sharpness and a sense of dimensional reality.

Capture each strand of hair in crisp detail.

Due to the X-Trans CMOS II sensor architecture that eliminates the need for an optical low-pass filter (OLPF) and integrates FUJFILM’s originally developed color filter array, the FUJIFILM X-E2 reproduces scenes with resolution and clarity rivaling a larger sensor.

Digital Split Image**, the world’s first manual focus system to exploit the power of phase detection pixels.

Tapping the power of the phase detection pixels integrated into the X-Trans CMOS II sensor, Digital Split Image helps you manually focus your shot with greater precision. While checking the split image displayed in the LCD monitor or EVF, you can manually adjust for pinpoint focus, especially helpful when working with an open aperture or macro shooting.

Effortless and wireless camera-to- smartphone photo transfer. Original “one-touch” wireless transfer to your smartphone or PC lets you share high image quality on the spot.

You can easily transfer images wirelessly from the FUJIFILM X-E2 to your smartphone or tablet after installing the free FUJIFILM Camera Application app.

There are no troublesome ID and password settings; just press the Wi-Fi button at the top of the camera and then add the images easily to your blog or share them with friends on your social networking site. You can also use the FUJIFILM X-E2’s built-in Wi-Fi to save your photos to your PC.

3. Samsung NX1000 20.3 Megapixel Mirrorless Camera

Samsung NX1000 is an elite compact camera that offers top features at a small, very mobile size. Consider 20.3 megapixels still imaging and up to 1080p HD stereo movie recording in one camera. Interchangeable lens capability using Samsung NX mount lenses. Share or transfer your stills and movies using WiFi wireless. Boasting a 3″ screen and SD/SDHC/SDXC storage, this little camera is a star performer.

Smart Filter 2.0 system Smart Panel user interface puts all the settings you need right at your fingertips. Every key feature is easy to access, thanks to on-screen icons and clearly explained menu items. That means faster adjustments so you won’t miss that perfect shot Product Size – 4.59 (W) x 2.46 (H) x 1.44 (d) / About 8 ounces Uses Rechargeable Battery – BP1030 (1030mAh)

About this item

• High-Speed Capture capabilities provide a simple yet sophisticated way to capture images in total focus. The ultra-high-speed Auto Focus (AF) can rival almost any system camera and is a core component of the system. The result is a fast and precise AF System that captures life’s fleeting moments. And with a sequential rate of 8fps, capturing fast-moving objects in perfect clarity is no longer a challenge.
• Transforms shooting video with a still camera into an art form. Choose from a wide range of viewing angles and zoom with confidence. The mirrorless CMOS image sensor offers precise autofocus even while you shoot. For a truly cinematic experience, the NX System offers an optional 18-200mm lens exclusively for Full HD video.
• Save photos and videos directly to a computer or cloud service while you shoot, email them, print them wirelessly, or upload them straight to Facebook, Twitter or YouTube. You’ll never have to worry about losing a great shot, running out of storage space, or remembering to bring the right cable along.
• The ergonomically crafted exterior fits perfectly within your hand, while the topside design feels solid and looks just as sturdy. The NX System gets its charming good looks through the perfect combination of modern metallic styling and classic clean lines. On the inside, the large CMOS Sensor replaces any mirrors for a smaller camera body. The lightweight body makes it more portable and easier to shoot in a variety of angles and positions, making it the ultimate professional-grade camera
• Panoramic capabilities let you catch every detail on the horizon with the push of a button. You can even create 3D panoramic photos

4. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3CT Kit 12.1 MP Digital Camera

Panasonic’s LUMIX DMC-GF3 realizes all the features you want from a bulky DSLR interchangeable lens camera, only it accomplishes this in an ultra-compact point-and-shoot camera body about as wide and tall as a typical smart phone yet is lightweight and simple to master.

This remarkable reduction in size and weight is thanks to advancements in new mirror-free camera technology, and large DSLR format sensors that are more compatible with a new class of compact Micro Four Thirds (MFT) System lenses.

This new class of Compact System Cameras (CSC) offers a weight and compactness not seen in traditional DSLRs, yielding greater portability and creative control. The DMC-GF3’s image quality comes from a large DSLR-sized 12.1-megapixel sensor and newly advanced image processing technologies.

The DMC-GF3 provides a traditional DSLR-like experience without the need for complicated external mode dials, yet provides intuitive and quick access to common modes like Program, Shutter and Aperture Priority, Manual via a touch-enabled LCD that operates much like a smartphone.

The DMC-GF3 provides a dedicated video button that can be used to switch to video capture quickly without changing modes. At the heart of the DMC-GF3’s simplified functionality is a large 3.0-inch LCD (460k- dot) that allows for intuitive touch control of menus and most shooting, focusing, playback, and effects controls.

Menus can be customized using simple drag-and-drop actions like those on most touch-enabled smartphones. This allows for a custom user interface, giving Quick Menu access to functions that can be tailored to any user’s expertise level. Using the touch-screen operation, a user can lock onto a subject, enabling AF Tracking in both still and video modes. When you’re ready to shoot, the subject will be in focus and ready to capture.

Mode Access via Touch-Enabled LCD or Mode Thumb Wheel

The DMC-GF3 provides a traditional DSLR-like experience without the need for complicated external mode dials, yet provides intuitive and quick access to common modes like Program, Shutter and Aperture Priority, Manual via a touch-enabled LCD that operates much like a smartphone.

Additional quick access touch-enabled settings include three Customizable Modes that get you to your favorite camera setup quickly, multiple Scene Modes, and the new LUMIX Creative Control Mode. The DMC-GF3 provides a dedicated video button that can be used to switch to video capture quickly without changing modes.

At the heart of the DMC-GF3’s simplified functionality is a large 3.0-inch LCD (460k- dot) that allows for intuitive touch control of menus and most shooting, focusing, playback, and effects controls. Menus can be customized using simple drag-and-drop actions like those on most touch-enabled smartphones.

This allows for a custom user interface, giving Quick Menu access to functions that can be tailored to any user’s expertise level. Even the shutter can be triggered from the touch-enabled LCD by simply touching the subject you want to be focused on and captured. Using the touch-screen operation, a user can lock onto a subject, enabling AF Tracking in both still and video modes. When you’re ready to shoot, the subject will be in focus and ready to capture.

For those who miss the tactile feel of a traditional DSLR mode dial, the DMC-GF3 offers an innovative mode thumb wheel that quickly cycles through all available modes with visual feedback provided on the large 3’’ touch-enabled LCD.

Available Scene Modes: Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Architecture, Sports, Peripheral Defocus, Flower, Food, Objects, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Illuminations, Baby, Pet, Party, and Sunset, which can all be controlled from the intuitive touch-enabled LCD.

Built-in Flash

Thanks to a 6400 ISO, the DMC-GF3 shoots well under low light even without a flash. But there are times when a flash provides desired enhancements. So, like most DSLRs, the DMC-GF3 provides a built-in pop-up flash for added light during low-light shooting.

Lens Options and 3D Capture

LUMIX G Series Compact System Cameras utilize the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) System lens mount. MFT offers greater size and weight reduction in the lens without compromising lens performance and clarity.

The LUMIX G MFT System offers a selection of 12 high-performance fixed focal lengths and variable aperture G Vario zooms, including a highly versatile 3D lens capable of capturing both 2D and 3D images at the same time. There are lens adaptors available for mounting older Leica M and Leica R lenses, including older LUMIX full Four Thirds lenses.

An innovative 14’-140mm HD G Vario lens provides the best of video and still-image shooting with a long 10x range and near silent high-speed focusing. When connected to the DMC-GF3, ultra-fast focusing and auto subject track AF can be achieved.

Many LUMIX MFT lenses come with MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization) built-in. This feature helps prevent blurring from hand-shake. Working together with the camera’s Intelligent ISO Control, which reduces motion blur by adjusting the ISO sensitivity if the subject moves, you’re sure to capture images that are sharp.

Dust Reduction System

As with many interchangeable lens cameras, dust on the sensor reduces image clarity. To eliminate this potential, the DMC-GF3 has a Dust Reduction System that uses a supersonic wave filter in front of the Live MOS sensor. Vibrating vertically around 50,000 times per second, the filter repels dust and other particles effectively.

HD Video Capture

The LUMIX DMC-GF3 also shoots 1080/60i High Definition video using the AVCHD format (sensor output 25 fps). It offers a built-in mono microphone and includes a wind-cut function that further enhances the sound as it helps reduce noise caused by background wind. An audiometer can be displayed on the LCD for monitoring audio levels.

The captured video can be played back in High Definition via an optional HDMI mini cable directly to an HD-compatible TV, or played directly on Panasonic VIERA TVs via the SD card. New near-silent focusing features offered in several LUMIX Micro Four Thirds lenses help keep lens noise at bay, while the touch-enabled LCD allows you to automatically keep active subjects in focus with touch-enabled subject AF Tracking.

Faster, Accurate Pinpoint Focusing

Contrast Detection Auto Focus technology used in point-and-shoot and new mirrorless Compact System Cameras now approaches the speeds that were once only available from traditional professional-level DSLRs. The DMC-GF3 now offers the new LUMIX Light Speed Auto Focus technology developed for the highly regarded GH2.

LUMIX Light Speed AF locks onto a subject quickly so you won’t suffer from “shutter lag” frustration. Contrast Auto-Focusing also offers greater shot accuracy due to fewer hardware components needed vs. traditional DSLR phase difference systems, thus fewer pictures will suffer from system focusing errors (e.g., the accuracy of Contrast AF is approx. 90% at F1.4, while Phase Difference AF is approx. 60%).

Manual control over focus is available in the DMC-GF3 and now features a quick 4x magnification feature. By simply touching the subject, that subject is then enlarged in a small window, allowing you to keep the rest of the image in view as a framing reference.

Beyond 4x, that small window fills the monitor so even more control over focus fine-tuning can be achieved. This handy feature is available from both the MF Assist (Manual Focus) and AF + MF focus modes.

The DMC-GF3 now offers a large LCD touch-focus area, enabling touch-focus control from any part of the image as seen on the LCD. Unlike traditional DSLRs that limit the number and position of focus points, the DMC-GF3 uses the entire image sensor and can even fine-tune focus with a new fine-tuning Pinpoint AF feature.

When Pinpoint AF is enabled, the image is enlarged, allowing for a pixel-level setting of the focus area desired. Once set, the DMC-GF3 will use this fine-tuned focus point to produce a sharp, detailed image.

Intelligent Auto and Intelligent Auto Plus (iA, iA+)

The DMC-GF3 has advanced functions that will satisfy experienced photographers, yet is easy enough for beginners to use comfortably in both photo and video recording modes with iA (Intelligent Auto) Plus.

In the new iA Plus Mode, the defocusing area, exposure control, and white balance can be adjusted visually for scenes where a slight manual adjustment may produce a more desired result.

Color and Effects

Using the LUMIX Photo Style Mode, popular color effects can be achieved. These settings can be further enhanced with fine-tuning of Contrast, Sharpness, Saturation, and Noise Reduction. Color effects include Standard, Vivid, Natural, Monochrome, Scenery, Portrait, and Custom.

With LUMIX Creative Control Mode, accessed from the Mode dial at the top of the camera, an expressive look to the image can be achieved without the need for complicated post-processing software.

Common effects can be achieved via the touch-control menu as a pre-setting in an easy-to-understand “what you see is what you get” experience. Effects include Expressive, Retro, High Key, Sepia, High Dynamic, and now, Miniature Effect.

Venus Engine FHD

The new LUMIX Venus Engine FHD offers vastly improved compensation for electronic noise under low light and shadows where higher ISOs typically add grain to the image. Circuitry on the large DSLR sized12.1-megapixel sensor further reduces low-noise signal problems at the pixel level and at the amplifier circuit level.

As a result, higher ISOs with much lower noise can be achieved. This means faster action-stopping shutter speeds in low light and a maximum achievable ISO of 6400.

The noise level of the DMC-GF3 offers significant reductions in electronic noise vs. prior models and now approaches the low noise signatures of the renowned LUMIX GH2.

The new Venus Engine FHD uses new Intelligent Resolution technology to sharpen edge detail without softening fine detail. In addition to maximizing edge and fine detail, the Venus Engine offers Intelligent D-Range Control.

Intelligent D-Range Control enables maximum capture of the image’s full range of brightness, without blown-out highlights and muddying shadows.

5. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 12 MP Micro Four-Thirds Mirrorless Digital Camera

The Lumix DMC-GF2, the latest of Panasonic’s DSL Micro (DSLM) compact mirrorless cameras, is Panasonic’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens system camera–complete with a built-in flash.

The Lumix GF2 is compatible with lenses from the Micro Four Thirds standard, meaning the system is small and compact, while not compromising ease of operation or image quality. Even more, the Lumix GF2 is compatible with Panasonic’s new 3D interchangeable lens, the Lumix G 12.5mm / F12, so users can take 3D photos.

The Lumix GF2 is extremely easy to operate for photographers at any level, thanks to a newly-designed user interface, which allows for the focus to be set, or shutter released, by simply touching the large 3-inch touch-screen LCD.

The touch-screen LCD with a 460,000-dot-resolution makes taking great photos intuitive. Once a user locks on a subject by a touch, the Lumix GF2 tracks the subject with the AF tracking function, even if the subject moves–making it easy to take photos of moving subjects, like children playing.

The contrast AF system adopted by the Lumix DMC-GF2 is not only accurate and easy to use, but also very fast. Users can choose from a wide range of AF (Auto Focus) modes, including multiple-area AF with up to 23 focus areas, 1-area AF with a selectable focus area, Face Detection, and AF Tracking.

The touch operation also dramatically shortens the time spent navigating the menus. With the Lumix GF2’s newly-designed Touch Q-menu, the user can customize the camera’s shortcuts with the most commonly used settings.

Together with the simple button components, including dedicated buttons for video recording and iA (Intelligent Auto) mode which lights in-use, users can operate the camera intuitively with ease.

With the Intelligent Scene Selector in the iA mode, the camera automatically switches to the appropriate mode according to the subject touched. For example, a touch on a human face switches to the portrait mode, and a touch on the background or scenery switches to the scenery mode, while a touch on the subject close to the camera switches to the close-up mode.

With the MF assist mode for manual focusing, users can enlarge the subject by just a touch to select 1x, 5x, or 10x and smoothly move the subject by dragging it on the screen. In iA mode and the Peripheral Defocus mode, the range of defocus can be adjusted by just moving the slider with a finger, something not possible with larger more complicated DSLR cameras that don’t feature touch control.

While achieving breakthroughs in compactness of design and outstanding photo and video quality, the Panasonic Lumix GF2 can contribute its professional-level imaging performance to the well-balanced engine and sensor technologies.

For the image processor, the Venus Engine FHD is incorporated, featuring exceptionally high-performance signal processing capabilities in both photo and movie recording.

With the advanced noise reduction system employing the 3D NR and CNR (Chromatic Noise Reduction), users can capture clear, naturally-balanced images even when shooting at high ISO sensitivity levels to help prevent color bleeding.

Panasonic’s Venus Engine FHD enables Intelligent Resolution technology, which means that three areas–outlines, detailed texture areas, and soft gradation–are automatically detected.

Then, the outline parts are enhanced effectively to give edges more clearness while giving a moderate accentuation to the texture areas to look more finely detailed. To the soft gradation part, a noise reduction system is applied to make it smoother.

Apart from the uniform enhancement of sharpness, the innovative technology Intelligent Resolution precisely performs signal processing pixel by pixel, resulting in images that are naturally clear and crisp in both video and photos.

The 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor featured in the Lumix GF2 offers the best of both worlds–the superb image quality of a CCD sensor, plus the lower power consumption of a CMOS sensor.

All of Panasonic’s Lumix G-Series DSLM cameras are equipped with the highly-efficient Dust Reduction System. If dust gets inside the camera when the user changes lenses, it could cling to the image sensor and show up as a spot in photos.

The Dust Reduction System helps to reduce this risk by placing a supersonic wave filter in front of the Live MOS sensor. Vibrating vertically around 50,000 times per second, the filter repels dust and other particles.

The Lumix GF2 shoots professional-quality full High Definition (HD) videos as well as handling still photography. The Lumix GF2 can record 1920 x 1080 videos at 60i or smooth HD 1280 x 720 movies at 60p in AVCHD. For those looking for better compatibility with computers, the Lumix GF2 can also record HD Motion JPEG in 1280 x 720 and QVGA, VGA, and WVGA.

A dedicated video record button makes it easy to start shooting videos, and high-quality sound is recorded with the stereo microphone for Dolby Digital Stereo Creator. Panasonic’s iA mode extends to video recording, with the following features: Optical Image Stabilizer, Face Detection, Intelligent D-range Control, and Intelligent Scene Selector.

The Panasonic Lumix GF2 is artistic not only inform, but also in function, as it provides an array of features that lets users capture true-to-life images while also creating their own expressive, beautiful images.

The Lumix GF2 features My Color mode which is integrated with the conventional Film mode. My Color mode offers a total of eight preset effects–Expressive, Retro, Pure, Elegant, Cinema, Monochrome, Dynamic Art, Silhouette, plus Custom mode, which lets users manually set the color, brightness, saturation, and contrast levels.

Also, with the Full-time Live View function, users can see how these settings will affect the images before they shoot, which makes it easier to capture the exact effect desired. The Lumix GF2 has 17 Scene modes, most of which can be used during video shooting, too.

The exposure meter can be displayed in the P/A/S/M shooting modes for entry-level users to visually learn the correlation between shutter speed and aperture to enhance their photography skills.