I think it's safe to say that mirrorless cameras are all the rage these days.
They have a lot to offer too - DSLR capabilities in a smaller, lighter body.
What's not to like about that?
The question is, when thinking about mirrorless cameras, which ones are the best?
In other words, in the sea of new mirrorless cameras that are available today, we have to think about which ones will make your jaw drop and make you think, "I need that!"
Let's find out which ones (for my money, anyway) are at the top of the list...
Sony A9
For me, Sony is synonymous with mirrorless cameras. They have really embraced this segment of the market, and it's paying dividends for them in a way that Canon and Nikon can only dream about.
They have a long line of top-quality mirrorless cameras that culminated recently with the release of the Sony A9.
There's a lot to be impressed by with the A9, too.
It has a magnificent 24-megapixel full frame stacked sensor that has superb resolution. Pair that with five-axis in-body image stabilization, and you have a recipe for getting sharper, more detailed images.
But that's not even the best part...
The A9 has an all-new 693-point focal plane, phase-detect autofocus system. To say that you can track moving subjects more effectively is an understatement, especially considering the A9 will make 60 AF/AE calculations per second.
Add in a maximum shutter speed of 1/32,000 seconds, and you can freeze the motion of just about any subject, too.
And, since it's a Sony, the A9 shoot full frame 4K video and has lighting-fast 20fps continuous shooting capabilities.
In other words, this thing is about the best mirrorless camera you can find today. It's not cheap, that's for sure, but man, do you get a lot for your money!
See the Sony A9 in action in the video above by Kai W., and if you want to get your hands on a new A9, you can trade in your used gear to offset the price.
Panasonic GH5
The video capabilities of today's mirrorless cameras just keep getting better and better...
If you want a mirrorless camera that will rock your boat for stills and video, it's tough to beat the Panasonic GH5.
This thing picks up right where the very good GH4 left off...
It has a 20.3-megapixel micro four-thirds sensor, advanced autofocus capabilities, and five-axis image stabilization built right in.
That means you get detailed images at a good resolution with sharpness and focus that's better than the average mirrorless camera.
What's more, the GH5 can shoot at 9fps continuously or 12fps in burst mode to capture plenty of action. And with 4K video recording at either 30 or 60 frames per second, you can capture that action in high definition. See the GH in the video below by Tony and Chelsea Northrup:
The GH5 also benefits from a much wider selection of lenses than is normally found for mirrorless cameras. That's thanks to its compatibility with both Lumix and Leica lenses.
This rig is built like a tank, too.
The body is made of die-cast magnesium alloy, so it'll take a few lumps but do so without weighing you down. With weather sealing at every joint, it'll keep out the dust, rain, wind, and so forth, too.
Throw in Bluetooth, NFC, and Wi-Fi, and you've got one heck of a 21st-century camera. And like the Sony A9 above, you can easily trade in your used camera equipment and use the proceeds toward getting one of these bad boys!
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II
Not to be left out of the race for the best mirrorless camera, Olympus, like Sony and Panasonic, has stepped up its game with a number of top-shelf models in the last few years.
Among them is the OM-D E-M1 Mark II, which features a 20.4-megapixel Live MOS sensor, five-axis sensor-shift image stabilization, and an autofocus system that has dual 121-point autofocus points, all of which are cross-type.
It's also capable of an astonishing 60fps continuous shooting rate...
That means this camera performs well (and fast!) and produces images of impeccable resolution and quality. Learn more about the OM-D E-M1 Mark II in the video below by The Camera Store TV:
Another claim to fame for the OM-D E-M1 Mark II is that it has DCI and UHD 4K video capabilities as well as a built-in time-lapse video mode.
Whether you're shooting stills or videos, this camera's 2.36-million dot LCD electronic viewfinder will surely be appreciated, as will the 3-inch 1.04-million dot variable angle touchscreen.
The OM-D E-M1 Mark II is also weather-sealed, so even when the weather turns, you don't have to worry about your camera getting wet or dirty.
With built-in Wi-Fi, USB 3.0 port, and dual SD card slots, this camera gives you expanded capabilities for storing, sharing, and transferring the photos you take.
In an age in which fast photo sharing is the norm, this camera will have you covered.
Putting It All Together
When it comes down to it, any of the cameras featured here will be an excellent choice for shooters that want something light and compact, but without sacrificing capabilities.
What's more, each of these cameras doesn't just offer a lot in terms of options for still photography; they also have excellent video capabilities if you wish to expand into that territory in the future.
I don't know about you, but I see photography moving rapidly in the direction of mirrorless cameras.
Some photographers can't stand them and prefer the old standard DSLR bodies because of their heft and larger grips.
I have DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, and I can see the benefits of each.
But I wouldn't be surprised at all if in five years I'm writing an article about how DSLRs have gone by the wayside.
I guess we'll have to wait and see!