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Some compact system camera (CSCs) are more compact than others while others offer a wealth of sophisticated features.

In this group test were put to test 6 of the best mirrorless cameras on the market and now you the result and will find out which one is best suited for you and your pocket.

For sure the entire mirror system and viewfinder of a DSLR add weight and volume to the cameras.

Csc cameras, or mirrorless cameras, deprive themselves of some of these features in order to be a lighter and more compact equipment, leaving aside the mirror box section outside their construction.

The net result is a relatively compact, smaller and lighter camera than a traditional digital SLR, plus it still retains the benefit of interchangeable lenses.

Many top-of-the-line mirrorless cameras on the market offer all the controls of a full frame DSLR including sensor size.

The emphasis for the cameras in this test is not so much on reducing size or compactness, but simply delivering a great camera that allows creative photography. Let’s take a look at what all cameras have to offer…

Mirrorless camera, competitors

Fujifilm X-T1, R$7000,00
Available in black or graphite colors, with 16.3MP APS-C sensor the XT-1 from Fujifilm serves a feast of controls and a lot of new tricks.

Leica MP (typ 240), R$30,000.00
The classic rangefinder camera in its latest digital guise with a full-frame 24MP CMOS sensor. Who needs autofocus?

Olympus OM-D E-M1, R$ 7000,00
Small, sturdy and well-built, 16.3MP E-M1 is a source of pride for Olympus.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4, R$ 7500,00
A 3/4 heavy-weight camera with 16.1MP sensor to GH4 extends your options with 4K video recording.

Samsung NX1, $8500
Samsung’s latest racehorse is a 28.2MP APS-C format camera with a 15fps busrt rate and impressive video capture.

Sony Alpha 7 Mark II, $9,000.00
The second edition of this Sony 24MP is the first full-frame camera with stabilization feature with sensor displacement.

Best mirrorless camera: Fujifilm X-T1

The new ‘graphite’ edition of Fuji X-T1 adds features that the previous black edition also received through a firmware update. New tricks include a menu option to switch between the mechanical shutter and an electronic shutter, with speeds of up to 1/32,000 sec.

There is also a classic Chrome add-in for the movie emulations range, plus a Natural Live View option, which displays previews like nature, rather than applying any effects to the camera.

The next V4 firmware update will take the camera even further, with greater autofocus accuracy plus a number of other improvements.

The X-T1 packs an APS-C sensor with a modest pixel count of 16.3MP, fast hybrid focusing system, phase/contrast. All this in a weather-resistant magnesium alloy body.

The X-T1’s plethora of dials makes it easy for photographers to come up with almost any advanced shooting setting without having to navigate menus.

This is welcome considering the LCD is not a touch screen, but it has tilt adjustment for photos at low angles.

Direct Wi-Fi connectivity on the machine, unlike the flash module, which is provided by an external drive.

Performance
Sophisticated controls are accompanied by strong performance. Autofocus is fast, and measurement is accurate and consistent.

Features: 4/5
Construction / Handling: 5/5
Image Quality: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Average: 5/5

Best mirrorless camera: Leica MP (typ 240)

The Leica brand has been the subject of many heated discussions over the decades, and the MP seems like the right mirrorless camera to continue this tradition.

Some simply won’t be able to understand how in the middle of the 21st century there is a digital camera in which you can only adjust focus and aperture through the lenses.

Wi-Fi connectivity and touch control are completely non-existent and iso sensitivity seems to be stunted. ISO 200 – 3,200 (100- 6,400 when expanded)

The price will also be a great point to discuss, with an f.2 / 35mm lens this camera can get easy to $ 35,000.00.

Both the upper and lower parts are made of solid brass and the rest of the magnesium handling machine. The body is quite robust but without molded areas for the hands.

This can make handling seem strange and unsafe, especially considering that the Leica is the heaviest camera in the group, about 690 grams, excluding the lens.

The optical viewfinder incorporates guide lines to show how much you will be framing covers. And the rangefinder system is very well implemented, but it will take time for you to get used to.

A key update in the MP is that it uses a CMOS instead of a CCD image sensor.

Performance
The Leica is capable of beautiful image quality in both RAW and JPEG modes.

However, image noise is more visible than in competing cameras, especially in sensitivity settings of ISO 1600 and above.

Features: 2/5
Construction / Handling: 4/5
Image Quality: 4/5
Value: 2/5
Average: 3/5

Best mirrorless camera: Olympus OM-D E-M1

The most sophisticated of Olympus’ OM-D line of mirrorless cameras, the E-M1 is one of the smallest and lightest models in the test.

Slightly larger and heavier than the Fujifilm X-T1, the E-M1 has a smaller image sensor, but the same pixel count of 16.3MP.

The Olympus E-M1 features a hybrid autofocus system with phase/contrast detection. Autofocus is available in the 3/4 line as well as on 3/4 lenses made by Olympus and other manufacturers.

Other highlights include a five-axis stabilization system for sensor displacement, competing directly with the Sony A7 II camera.

It works well for both functions, photos and video, as well as give a stabilized view on the electronic display on the rear LCD screen.

A big advantage of this competitor is the fact that it has a screen with high resolution and tilt touch function. It’s pretty cool to be able to assign focus points by tapping right on the screen.

Despite the small size the E-M1 is comfortable thanks to the deep protrusion that allows you to hold it firmly. Manipulation is enhanced by direct access buttons and dials, providing shortcuts to settings.

Performance
With consistent and accurate measurement and autofocus is fast. The automatic white balance system tends to deviate to the hot side especially in direct sunlight.

Features: 4/5
Construction / Handling: 4/5
Image Quality: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Average: 4/5

Best mirrorless camera: Panasonic Lumix GH4

Compared to other Micro Four Thirds cameras, the GH4 looks larger and more robust.

The increased height allows the assembly of a built-in flash module, as for the weight most of it is due to the battery. which is longer and because of this has longer duration and can take up to 500 photos before you need to reload.

One of the things that could be improved is as to the auto focus that in GH4 does not account for hybrid system co, relies only on contrast detection.

One of the improvements over the GH3, older model, is that the Panasonic GH4 captures 4K video.

The GH4 has a transparent, high-resolution electronic display, and a high-resolution LCD screen.

The GH4 is the only camera in this group to feature full screen articulation rather than just a tilting facility.

It also has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC (Near Field Communication) connectivity.

Performance
One thing that has not been improved on the GH4 is the pixel count of the sensor, which remains at 16.1MP.

The image quality is very good, but sometimes that has changed almost nothing in the level of fine details of the image, compared to GH3. Even so she fights a good battle at higher ISO with her Competitor E-M1.

Features: 5/5
Construction / Handling: 4/5
Image Quality: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Average: 4/5

Best mirrorless camera: Samsung NX1

Like the Fujifilm X-T1, the Samsung NX1 is based on an APS-C format image sensor, but this time the megapixel count is much higher, 28.2MP, the highest value in the group.

It is also the largest camera in the group, although it is still 40g lighter than the Leica.

The design looks more like high-end SLR than a mirrorless camera. For example, Samsung is the only camera in the group that sports a secondary LCD display for information.

Underneath its housing a powerful new processor helps to allow a fast burst rate of up to 15fps. This is no easy task considering the size of the 28MP image.

The native ISO sensitivity range range ranges from 100-25,600, which can be boosted up to 51200 when expanded. Video capture resolution is impressive, matching the Panasonic GH4’s 4K.

It also includes a phase/contrast hybrid focusing system with tiltable and touch screen.

It features Wi-Fi, NFC connectivity plus an integrated pop-up flash. All this inside a magnesium alloy body.

All controls are very good giving very quick and easy access to system settings.

Performance
It’s kind of rare to see mirrorless camera in action photography and sports but the Samsung Nx1 has the ability to fulfill this role masterfully.

There is excellent retention of fine details too, with image noise well suppressed even at high ISO settings.

Features: 5/5
Construction/Handling: 4/5
Image Quality: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Average: 5/5

Best mirrorless camera: Sony Alpha 7II

The Sony A7 II is smaller than the Panasonic GH4 Micro Four Thirds, yet has a full-frame sensor.

In fact, it’s the same 24.3MP CMOS sensor that was used on the original A7, but the Mark II adds sensor displacement stabilization.

It is the first full-frame camera built-in stabilization feature and in this group only she and the Olympus E-M1, with its small Micro Four Thirds sensor, are capable of such stabilization.

Both feature advanced five-axis stabilization giving a clear benefit to attaching any lens.

The A7 Mark II is comfortable thanks to its deep thumb and finger shape. The controls are plentiful and the navigation menu is easy, helped by a multi-mode pad, a rotary selector makes life much easier.

It has NFC and Wi-Fi connectivity but doesn’t have a tele touch.

The focusing system has a great ability to track moving objects

This makes the A7 Mark II more suitable for action photography, although the maximum 5fps rate looks a bit low when compared to the NX1.

Performance
The A7 Mark II provides excellent fine detail retention. And photographing with the machine in hand the image stabilizer is a huge advantage.

Features: 5/5
Construction / Handling: 5/5
Image Quality: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Average: 5/5

Best Mirrorless Camera: The Verdict

The compact Sony A7 Mark II construction is the scene of a stabilized full-frame sensor that is the world’s first for any digital cameras.

The growing range of compatible lenses make it a serious alternative to compete with full-frame SLRs.

Most of the same goes for the Fujifilm X-T1, which beats freight with the above competitor in terms of weight and image quality even though it is an APS-C format camera.

It’s a pretty tough decision between these two but Sony does better if you prefer the tighter depth of field of a full-frame body.

The Samsung NX1 is another very interesting camera in APS-C format imitates very well the SLRs in their size and style. With its 28.2Mp sensor it will surely be very attractive to many. But even with great construction, handling and image quality it comes in third.

In fourth and fifth places are the two Micro Four Thirds cameras, the Panasonic GH4 and the Olympus E-M1.

The GH4 is ranked fourth only for its fully articulated display and 4k shooting capability.

Last is leica that will be one that is a camera type “love it or hate it”