Which Budget Canon Mirrorless Camera Should You Buy?
- A Good Budget Canon Mirrorless Camera
- A Better Budget Canon Mirrorless Camera
- The Best Budget Canon Mirrorless Camera
- Recommended Canon RF Lenses
- Final Thoughts on Affordable Canon Mirrorless Cameras
- Camera Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 26.2MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
- ISO: 100 - 40,000 (expandable to 50 - 102,400)
- Lens Mount: Canon RF Mount
- Speed: 5.0 fps
- Autofocus: 4779 focus points
- Video: 4K/24p & 1080p/60p
- Size/Weight: 133 x 85 x 70 mm / 485 grams
- Battery Life: 250 shots
- Stabilization: No
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Pre-Owned Canon EOS RP Price: $649 - $689
- Camera Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
- ISO: 100 - 32,000 (expandable to 100 - 51,200)
- Lens Mount: Canon RF Mount
- Speed: 23.0 fps
- Autofocus: 651 focus points
- Video: 4K/60p & 1080p/120p
- Size/Weight: 123 x 88 x 83 mm / 426 grams
- Battery Life: 450 shots
- Stabilization: No
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Pre-Owned Canon EOS R10 Price: $764
- Camera Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 30.3MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
- ISO: 100 - 40,000 (expandable to 50 - 102,400)
- Lens Mount: Canon RF Mount
- Speed: 8.0 fps
- Autofocus: 5655 focus points
- Video: 4K/30p, 1080p/60p & 720p/120p
- Size/Weight: 136 x 98 x 84 mm / 660 grams
- Battery Life: 370 shots
- Stabilization: No
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Pre-Owned Canon EOS R Price: $949 - $1,049
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM
- Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
- Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM
- Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro
- Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM
Canon mirrorless cameras are, without a doubt, some of the most advanced cameras on the planet. Unfortunately, many of them also come with huge price tags, and that can be a hard pill to swallow for people on a budget. However, there are some excellent bargains out there. And we wrote this article to help you find them!
Below, we share three affordable yet high-performing Canon EOS R cameras. We’ll cover their photo and video performance, key features and specs, who will benefit most from shooting with them, and more. Additionally, thanks to innovative online platforms like MPB, buying a pre-owned mirrorless camera has never been cheaper and easier than it is today.
What is MPB? Great Question! It is a trustworthy and reliable online platform selling pre-owned photo and video gear at unbeatable prices. All their cameras and lenses are meticulously hand-inspected by knowledgeable product specialists and backed by six-month warranties, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.
We’ve been using MPBs online marketplace to buy, sell, and trade in camera equipment for years, and their products and services are one of the major reasons we are successful photographers today. With that said, it’s time to learn more about budget-friendly Canon mirrorless cameras and discover which one is right for you!
Check out the video above by Tony & Chelsea Northrup to learn more about every mirrorless camera in the Canon EOS R lineup.
Table of Contents
A Good Budget Canon Mirrorless Camera
For those of you who want a budget-friendly full-frame Canon mirrorless camera, the best option is the Canon EOS RP. It debuted in 2019, and not only is it incredibly affordable, but it’s also one of the smallest and lightest full-frame cameras ever made. This makes it a wonderful option for beginners who like shooting street and travel photography.
A 26.2-megapixel sensor and Digic 8 image processor sit at its core. The duo and the camera's Dual Pixel autofocus make capturing sharp, in-focus photos and videos easy. Speaking of video, the EOS RP has both 4K and Full HD recording capabilities. While the 4K video quality is good, the one downside is that a 1.7x crop factor is applied to the footage.
Other strengths of the EOS RP include its fully-articulating rear display, large electronic viewfinder (EVF), and fantastic ergonomics/handling. A rotating screen is a must-have feature for vloggers and YouTubers. The viewfinder helps to properly compose your images. And you can streamline your workflow thanks to a bevy of customizable buttons and dials.
Now, here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of this Canon mirrorless camera:
A Better Budget Canon Mirrorless Camera
Next up is the Canon EOS R10. It was released in 2022 and is the newest Canon EOS R mirrorless camera. Additionally, it’s the first one to feature a crop-sensor APS-C image sensor and a Digic X processor. The pair combine to make it one of the market's fastest and most advanced APS-C cameras.
Still photographers will love the image quality of JPEGs and RAW files. Additionally, they will be blown away by the bold and beautiful colors generated straight from the camera. However, this camera's signature feature is its ridiculously fast continuous shooting – 23 fps with the electronic shutter and 15 fps with the mechanical one, making it an ideal choice for sport and action photography.
As a video camera, it records 4K video at speeds of up to 60 fps and 1080p/120p slow-motion video. 4K/60p footage has a slight crop, while 4K/30p clips utilize the entire sensor. The articulating screen and the ability to start recording video straight from photo mode are two more nifty features.
Now, here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of this Canon mirrorless camera:
Learn More:
The Best Budget Canon Mirrorless Camera
Finally, our favorite budget Canon mirrorless camera is the Canon EOS R. When it first launched in 2018; it became the first Canon camera to use the Canon RF lens mount, which has since revolutionized the camera industry. Better yet, while it originally retailed for $2,299, you can now get your hands on one for under $1,000.
The EOS R boasts a high-resolution 30.3-megapixel full-frame sensor that is perfect for professional photographers. Because of its high pixel count, images will remain sharp and detailed whether you post them on digital platforms like Instagram or print them for display in a home or studio.
More outstanding features are its 4K video capabilities, impressive autofocus, and silent shutter. The 4K video makes it a fan-favorite of event and wedding photographers. The AF has a face/eye-detection mode that’s handy for capturing portraits and moving subjects. And the silent shutter option is a good tool for street and wildlife photography, so you remain unnoticed.
Now, here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of this Canon mirrorless camera:
Recommended Canon RF Lenses
Here’s a quick list of the best budget-friendly Canon RF lenses for photo and video to pair with Canon R mirrorless cameras. They are listed by price from cheapest to most expensive.
Final Thoughts on Affordable Canon Mirrorless Cameras
While this Canon camera guide focused exclusively on Canon R mirrorless cameras, Canon also has the popular EOS M lineup. Whereas most cameras in the R series feature full-frame sensors and target professional photographers, Canon EOS M cameras have smaller APS-C sensors and are designed for beginner and enthusiast photographers.
If these cameras sound interesting to you, check out the list below. You can find great deals on all of them and more at MPB!
