Best mirrorless cameras under $2000

With the full update of the photography part of the blog and the creation of two databases for lenses and cameras, we’ve also written some relevant new articles that could really help you. Recently, I told you about the best mirrorless cameras under $500 and the best mirrorless cameras under $1,000 in two separate articles. I’m wrapping up this series with a final, higher-budget article on the best mirrorless cameras under $2,000.

Let’s agree that with this budget, you’re very comfortable making great investments in all brands, regardless of sensor size, whether full frame, APS-C or Micro4/3. I don’t plan to write articles for budgets above 2,000$. I’m willing to bet you won’t need me if you have such a budget.

Of course, I won’t tell you about the cameras I’ve already introduced in the first two articles. But I promise to update these 3 articles as new releases come out, so you don’t miss anything! I know I say it every time, but as always, I had to make choices and not all the cameras that exist within this budget are here.

As agreed, here’s my selection of today’s best mirrorless cameras under $2,000. I’ve sorted them by brand:

From Canon

• Canon R7
• Canon R8

From Sony

• Sony A6700
• Sony A7 III

From Fujifilm

• Fujifilm X-T50
• Fujifilm X-T5

From Panasonic (full frame)

• Panasonic S5 II
• Panasonic S9

From Panasonic (Micro 4/3)

• Panasonic G9II
• Panasonic GH7

The Canon R7 is one of Canon’s first RF-mount APS-C mirrorless cameras. It features a 32.5 MP sensor with 5-axis image stabilization for sharp, detailed images in low light. Its Digic X processor, combined with Dual Pixel AF II, delivers fast, efficient autofocus. It can be used with a wide range of lenses, including RF, RF-S, and even Canon EF and EF-S (older DSLRs) via an adapter ring. As for video, the EOS R7 can shoot in 4K at up to 60 fps without cropping.

As for its build construction, it is tropicalized and relatively compact and light. Its ergonomic design makes it comfortable to hold. The camera can be connected via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, with a USB-C port for charging or data transfer. It has many strong points, but also some limitations: The electronic viewfinder is still narrow and the ISO range could be improved.

This camera is ideal for sports and wildlife photography. Its 1.6x crop factor optimizes long focal lengths, perfect for capturing subjects at a distance. Its autofocus allows you to track fast-moving subjects. Video enthusiasts will love the stabilization and color profiles.

All in all, the Canon EOS R7 is a versatile mirrorless camera that is ideal for sports and wildlife photography. For all its performance, I think its price is just right. If you’re looking for a versatile, high-performance camera, go for it!

The Canon EOS R8 was announced in February 2023 and is the perfect full-frame mirrorless camera. It combines the image quality of the R6 Mark II with the compactness of the RP. Its 24.2 MP full frame sensor delivers superb color and detail. Burst speeds of up to 40 frames per second are possible with the electronic shutter, while Dual Pixel AF offers advanced functions for tracking multiple subjects. For video, the camera offers 4K recording at up to 60 fps without cropping. However, it lacks sensor stabilization, which may disappoint some.

Weighing only 461 grams, this camera is light and compact, ideal for taking with you wherever you go. However, some of the camera’s limitations include the lack of a joystick, the narrow electronic viewfinder and limited battery life.

The EOS R8 is primarily aimed at photographers who want a full-frame camera for portrait, landscape or street photography. If you’re used to carrying your camera around for long sessions, you’ll appreciate its light weight. For professionals or demanding amateurs, however, the lack of stabilization may be a hindrance.

In conclusion, the EOS R8 offers excellent image quality, but it’s clearly not cheap. What’s more, its price is quite high compared to competitors such as the Panasonic Lumix S5 II or the Sony A7 III, which offer sensor stabilization. Of course, this camera is still a great investment!

Released in July 2023, the Sony A6700 marks an important evolution in Sony’s APS-C range. It features a 26-megapixel sensor with 5-axis stabilization and a dual Bionz XR processor. The autofocus covers 93% of the image, making it highly efficient for detecting a variety of subjects (animals, people, etc.). In terms of video, the camera offers 4K resolution at up to 120 fps. It is also equipped with a swivel-mounted touch screen, which is convenient for both photography and video recording. The electronic viewfinder does the trick, but remains narrow.

Compact and lightweight (493 g), the A6700 offers good versatility, with an ISO sensitivity range of 100 to 32,000, extendable to 102,400. In terms of connectivity, it uses Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz) and Bluetooth, and even integrates the Creator’s App application. Finally, its burst rate reaches 11 fps with electronic and mechanical shutter, but its buffer is limited to 15 RAW photos.

In use, this Sony model is ideal for advanced photographers or content creators seeking a versatile, portable camera. It’s ideal for sports, wildlife and travel photography, thanks to its autofocus and stabilization. For video, it’s notable for its many advanced options, such as S-Log 3 and Auto Framing mode.

In short, the Sony A6700 perfectly combines power and portability! It’s clearly an excellent option for demanding photographers and videographers. Even though its viewfinder and buffer could be improved, if you’re interested in this model, I’m pretty sure you won’t regret your choice!

Available since February 2018, the Sony A7 III is positioned as a versatile and affordable full-frame mirrorless camera. It is equipped with a 24-megapixel sensor, 5-axis stabilization and a Bionz X processor to ensure exceptional image quality. The camera’s ISO range goes from 100 to 51,200 (expandable to 204,800). Burst rates reach 10 fps with AF/AE tracking.

The camera is ergonomically designed with a deep grip and joystick for autofocus control. It also has an adjustable touch screen. Its autofocus, which covers 93% of the frame, is perfect for portraits. For video, the A7 III offers 4K UHD recording, a 120fps Full HD mode and S-Log2/3 profiles (great for rendering!).

This camera is perfect for the versatile photographer. It’s ideal for landscape and portrait photography. And videographers will appreciate the model’s advanced options and good stabilization.

As you can see, the Sony A7 III has a lot going for it: it’s simply a high-performance mirrorless camera. All in all, it offers excellent value for money for a full-frame mirrorless camera. Of course, the Sony A7 IV, more modern and with new features, has already been released, but we’re not on the same budget at all…

Just released in May 2024, the Fujifilm X-T50 is an excellent APS-C mirrorless camera! It’s equipped with a 40.2 MP sensor and X-Processor 5 processor. Its ISO range goes from 25 to 12,800 (expandable to 64-51,200), so it’s efficient at raising the ISO for detailed images. It also features the 5-axis sensor stabilization of advanced mirrorless cameras for excellent subject tracking. The model has a tilting touchscreen and a 2.36 megapixel OLED electronic viewfinder. When it comes to video, the camera can shoot 6.2K at 30fps or 4K HQ with a little cropping.

The X-T50 stays true to Fujifilm in its retro design. It’s light and ergonomic, with dials for setting shutter speeds. It offers 20 profiles such as “Reala Ace” and “Acros” that offer a degree of creativity without retouching. The battery life is 390 shots, which is enough for short sessions. On the downside, it lacks tropicalization and a tilting screen, which limits video recording.

The X-T50 is designed for traveling photographers looking for excellent image quality. Its stabilization and compact size make it perfect for portrait and travel photography.

In conclusion, the X-T50 is positioned between the X-T5 and X-S20 and is aimed at people who want a high performance mirrorless camera at an affordable price. If you ask me, you’ll be happy with this model!

The Fujifilm X-T5, on sale since November 2022, is positioned as a fifth-generation mirrorless camera. It combines a 40.2-megapixel sensor with the X-Processor 5 processor and offers good performance. Its ISO range goes from 125 to 12,800 (expandable from 64 to 51,200), and there’s a 3.69 million-dot OLED viewfinder with 0.8x magnification and an adjustable touchscreen. In terms of video, it offers 6.2K 30 fps and 4K DCI 60 fps recording, with advanced options (F-Log2, for example).

The camera is compact, lightweight and maintains Fujifilm’s famous retro design. Its ergonomic design makes shooting easy, with thumb wheels and an adjustable screen. In addition to all these qualities, the camera is equipped with 5-axis sensor stabilization, which enables it to deliver good images in low light or at long focal lengths.

In terms of use, it’s well suited to street, portrait and landscape photography, making it versatile. The X-T5 offers exceptional image quality and creative options such as Pixel Shift mode. It incorporates Deep Learning for fast and accurate focusing on all types of moving subjects. On the other hand, its modest buffer capacity may limit its use for sports photography.

To sum up, the Fujifilm X-T5 ticks all the boxes: it’s powerful, versatile and offers excellent image quality. On the other hand, videographers may prefer the X-H2. So it’s up to you!

Released in January 2023, the Panasonic Lumix S5 II represents a fine evolution for the brand’s full-frame mirrorless cameras. It has a 24.2-megapixel sensor and hybrid autofocus for 100% coverage. Its all-new processor delivers high performance in both still and video capture. Advanced features include 30 fps RAW burst shooting, 5-axis image stabilization and Active IS digital image stabilization. Its video recording capacity is 6K 30p and 4K 60p.

Construction is solid and tropicalized, with a 3.68 Mpts OLED viewfinder. Ergonomics retains all the advantages of its predecessor, with the addition of a joystick and HDMI Type A connector. Connectivity is enhanced by the Lumix Sync application.

In terms of usability, the Lumix S5 II meets the expectations of demanding photographers and videographers. Its dual stabilization guarantees sharp shots even when held in the hand, and its burst mode is ideal for action scenes. Video creators will appreciate the wide range of formats offered, the electronic stabilization and the new cooling system that allows long recording without overheating.

In short, even though it has a slight rolling shutter in electronic shutter mode and its tracking could be improved, its price/performance ratio is almost unbeatable in this field. Admittedly, this camera remains an investment. But in my opinion, it’s worth it!

Announced in May 2024, the Panasonic S9 is a full-frame mirrorless camera perfect for content creators. With more compact dimensions, it’s easy to hold and carry. It offers a 6K 30p video mode with 5-axis stabilization. However, there’s no viewfinder, grip or tropicalization. This is probably due to the desire to keep the design minimalist.

These missing elements mean that framing is only possible via the steerable LCD screen, which is really impractical in bright sunlight. Another limitation is the maximum recording time of 15 minutes in 4K. Finally, its connectivity is limited to a single microphone jack and a micro-HDMI port. Despite all these limitations, the Lumix S9 offers exceptional image quality and colorimetry, both in photos and videos.

Its light weight and connectivity make it a good working tool for content creators looking for a portable device without compromising rendering quality. A further development is the new Lumix Lab application, which allows you to customize LUTs. This is especially useful when creating content for social networks.

In conclusion, the Panasonic Lumix S9 combines compactness and versatility with a very attractive starting price! I think it’s a pretty fair price considering its ergonomics and quality. In my opinion, you’ll be happy with this camera!

Introduced in September 2023, Panasonic Lumix G9 II follows in G9’s footsteps and marks an evolution in Micro 4/3 format standards. With its 25.2 MP sensor and Venus Engine processor, it delivers sharp, precise images. Its mirrorless cameras are the first Panasonic micro 4/3 cameras to feature hybrid autofocus. It has 779 AF points that cover 100% of the frame. What’s more, burst speeds reach 60 fps, which is a very interesting rate. There’s good autofocus tracking and a high-resolution 100-megapixel mode. The camera is well tropicalized and robust. It has a 3.68 million-dot OLED viewfinder and an adjustable touchscreen.

In video, the G9 II excels with 5.7K recording at up to 60 fps and 300 fps slow-motion in Full HD. The 5-axis image stabilization system provides excellent fluidity for both still and video images. Compact and rugged, its build quality is impeccable. Its ISO range extends from 100 to 25,600 (extendable to ISO 50), although its low-light performance remains inferior to that of full-frame sensors.

This camera is ideal for demanding photographers looking for versatility and performance in an easy-to-carry format. Its strengths include burst, autofocus and advanced features, making it ideal for action, wildlife and landscape photography.

In conclusion, the Lumix G9 II is an excellent Micro 4/3 camera that approaches the features of full-frame mirrorless cameras. Its price isn’t cheap, but I think it’s justified by its high performance and versatility.

Released a few months ago, in June 2024, the Panasonic Lumix GH7 is the new version of the GH6. To put it simply, it takes all its advantages and improves on them. The camera has a 25.2 MP sensor with 5-axis stabilization and a Venus Engine processor that ensures high image quality. New features include the integration of 779-point mirrorless cameras, which significantly improves subject tracking. In terms of bursts, the camera achieves 60 fps with electronic shutter.

Designed to meet the expectations of videographers, the GH7 offers internal recording of Apple ProRes RAW files in 5.7K at 30 fps (a first for this series). It also offers multiple video formats: 5.7K at 60 fps and 4K at 120 fps. What’s more, its Active IS stabilization ensures excellent video fluidity. There’s also 32-bit audio recording and several shooting tools such as waveform and vector scope. This is clearly professional equipment.

In terms of construction, it’s rather heavy (805 g) with imposing dimensions. It’s certainly not compact, but it’s sturdy and tropicalized. The tilting screen and the 3.68 Mpts OLED viewfinder are ergonomic. However, if you compare its design with that of its competitors, you’ll quickly notice that it’s a bit lacking in modernity.

Ultimately, the GH7 is a little over budget, but if you’re a professional videographer, this is clearly the camera for you. Even though it’s primarily designed for video, it also offers good photo performance. If you’re a fan of the Micro 4/3 format, don’t hesitate!

As is often the case, here’s an example of a summary table to give you an overview of the cameras.

Even if you’re looking for mirrorless cameras under $2,000, I thought it would be interesting to show you some other cameras within that budget! If you’re not totally sold on the idea of switching lenses, here are some expert compacts!

Released in July 2019, the Sony RX100 VII stands out as an excellent expert compact for demanding photographers and videographers. It’s easy to see why: it features a 20.1MP sensor and BionZ X processor. Its 0.03-second focusing and real-time autofocus tracking make it a responsive and efficient camera. Its 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 zoom offers good versatility (rather unusual for an expert compact). There’s also a tilting touchscreen, an OLED electronic viewfinder and SteadyShot stabilization.

In terms of performance, the RX100 VII offers a 20 fps burst rate and a single burst mode that allows up to 90 fps over 7 shots. Its ISO range extends from 100 to 12,800 (expandable to 25,600), and its responsive electronic shutter (up to 1/32,000s) lets you capture action scenes. Video recording capacity is 4K up to 30 fps and Full HD up to 120 fps, with advanced modes such as HFR.

This compact, lightweight camera is the ideal companion for traveling, reporting and vlogging. Its ergonomic design offers excellent versatility, although we have to point out a few limitations, such as the reduced battery life, the lack of tropicalization and the rather outdated connectivity (micro-USB 2.0).

In conclusion, the remarkable performance of this premium compact will be appreciated by amateurs and professionals alike. At $1,300, I can understand why it might seem expensive, but in my opinion, the Sony RX100 VII remains a benchmark!

The Leica D-Lux 8 is a compact expert that builds on the strengths of its predecessor, the D-Lux 7. It features 17 megapixels, a 24-75mm equivalent optical zoom, and a 2.36 million-dot OLED viewfinder. It also includes a TFT touchscreen and USB-C, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Its ISO range extends from 100 to 25,000 for photos, while it offers a 4K video mode at 30p. This is a camera with good performance, but with certain limitations in terms of responsiveness and noise.

Ergonomic controls, such as the manual aperture ring, make it easy to hold. Its contrast-detection autofocus and 2 fps burst with AF tracking deliver good-quality images, though not as good as some of its competitors.

In terms of use, this camera is well suited to street or everyday photography, thanks to its monochrome mode. However, with its limited focal length, it lacks versatility for travel photography. Its compact size and light weight mean you can take it anywhere! Finally, it is not tropicalized and does not have a rotating screen.

As you can see, the Leica D-Lux 8 is perfect for enthusiasts looking for a well-designed camera that’s easy to hold. In fact, the body is made of magnesium with a leatherette cover. I think it’s a model with great style and satisfactory performance. It’s up to you whether you prefer style over performance!

Available since 2017, the Sony RX10 Mark IV is a high-end bridge camera that clearly sets the benchmark. Its 20.1-megapixel sensor and 25x Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* optical zoom (equivalent to 24-600mm) deliver remarkable image quality up to ISO 3,200. There’s also a 2.36 million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder and an adjustable, touch-sensitive screen. Connectivity features include HDMI, USB, microphone and headphone jacks, as well as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC compatibility. This model is tropicalized, but its limited battery life may put the brakes on long photo sessions.

On the performance side, the RX10 IV features a Bionz X processor and 315-point autofocus. Its burst rate is impressive, reaching 25 fps with no buffer limit, perfect for capturing fast-moving scenes. However, low-light focusing is not always effective. On the video side, there’s nothing to complain about: the camera is excellent, with recording capabilities in 4K at 30p and in Full HD at 120p. There are also advanced color profiles such as S-Log 2 and 3.

This camera is extremely versatile: it can be used for wildlife, sports and video. The only drawback is its weight. It can quickly become too heavy to carry for a whole day of shooting or travel.

The RX10 IV fits the budget and offers high performance. If you’re looking for versatility and high capacity, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!

My selection of today’s best mirrorless cameras under $2,000 ends here! Of course, I’ll be updating this article on a regular basis. In the meantime, I hope you find what you’re looking for!

See you soon for new camera guides,

Written by Sylvain PONS

I've been passionate about photography since 2010, learning as I went along. Today, I dedicate myself to guiding others in their choice of camera gear and sharing a variety of tips to improve their photography skills.

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