When I first delved into the world of photography, I was overwhelmed by the array of camera options available. After much research and deliberation, I decided to go for a used mirrorless camera as my starting point. The decision proved to be a game-changer in my photography journey.
The best used mirrorless camera for beginners offers a perfect blend of portability, image quality, and versatility. With its compact size and interchangeable lenses, I found it easy to carry around and experiment with different shooting styles. The mirrorless technology allowed me to preview my shots in real-time through the electronic viewfinder, giving me the creative freedom to adjust settings on the go.
One of the key advantages of investing in a used mirrorless camera is the cost-effectiveness. By opting for a pre-owned model, I was able to get a high-quality camera at a fraction of the price of a new one, without compromising on performance. The camera’s user-friendly interface and intuitive controls made it a breeze to learn the basics of photography and explore my creativity.
Best Used Mirrorless Camera for Starters
When starting out in photography, finding the right camera can be overwhelming. As a beginner, you want a camera that is easy to use, versatile, and affordable. One of the best options for beginners is a used mirrorless camera.
One great option for starters is the Sony Alpha a6000. This camera offers excellent image quality, fast autofocus, and a compact size, making it perfect for beginners. Plus, since it has been on the market for a few years, you can find it at a great price in the used market.
- Fujifilm X-T20: Another excellent choice for beginners is the Fujifilm X-T20. This camera has a retro design, great image quality, and a variety of film simulation modes that can help beginners experiment with different looks.
- Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II: The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II is a compact and lightweight mirrorless camera that offers a great balance of features for beginners. It has a user-friendly interface, built-in image stabilization, and good image quality.
- Panasonic Lumix GX85: If you are looking for a budget-friendly option, the Panasonic Lumix GX85 is a great choice. It has a compact design, 4K video capabilities, and in-body image stabilization, making it a versatile option for beginners.
Why Choose a Used Mirrorless Camera?
When considering purchasing a mirrorless camera, opting for a pre-owned model can be a smart choice for beginners like myself. One of the main reasons I decided to go for a used mirrorless camera is the cost savings it offers. By buying a second-hand camera, I was able to get a higher quality model at a fraction of the price of a new one.
Another advantage of choosing a used mirrorless camera is the opportunity to explore different brands and models without breaking the bank. This allowed me to experiment with various features and functionalities to find the perfect fit for my photography needs. Additionally, buying a used camera often means it has been well-maintained by the previous owner, ensuring its quality and performance.
- Cost-effective: Save money by purchasing a used mirrorless camera at a lower price than a new one.
- Exploration: Try out different brands and models to discover the ideal camera for your photography style.
- Well-maintained: Benefit from a pre-owned camera that has likely been taken care of by its previous owner.
Top Brands to Consider
When it comes to choosing a used mirrorless camera, there are several reputable brands that offer quality products suitable for beginners. One of the top brands to consider is Sony, known for its innovative technology and wide range of mirrorless cameras.
Another popular brand among photographers is Fujifilm, which is renowned for its retro design and excellent image quality. Fujifilm cameras are user-friendly and offer a variety of features that make them ideal for budding photographers.
- Sony: Known for innovation and a wide range of models
- Fujifilm: Renowned for retro design and image quality
Features to Look for in a Used Mirrorless Camera
When searching for a used mirrorless camera, there are several key features to consider to ensure you are getting a quality product that meets your needs. Here are some important factors to keep in mind:
$299.00
12 new from $299.00
1 used from $399.00
as of August 2, 2024 7:11 am
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- Sensor Size: One of the most crucial aspects of a mirrorless camera is its sensor size. Look for a camera with a larger sensor size, such as APS-C or full-frame, as this will provide better image quality, especially in low-light conditions.
- Autofocus System: A reliable autofocus system is essential for capturing sharp and clear images. Check for a mirrorless camera with fast and accurate autofocus capabilities, including features like face detection and eye-tracking.
- In-Body Image Stabilization: In-body image stabilization helps reduce camera shake and allows you to capture sharper images, especially when shooting in low light or using telephoto lenses. Look for a mirrorless camera with IBIS for improved stability.
- Video Recording: If you plan to shoot videos with your mirrorless camera, consider its video recording capabilities. Look for features like 4K video recording, high frame rates, and microphone inputs for better audio quality.
- Battery Life: A good battery life is essential for extended shooting sessions. Check the battery life of the camera you are interested in and consider purchasing extra batteries or a battery grip for longer shooting times.
Budget-Friendly Options
If you’re a beginner looking for an affordable mirrorless camera, there are several budget-friendly options to consider. While you may not have the budget for a brand new model, there are plenty of used cameras that offer great value for the price.
One option to consider is the Sony Alpha a6000. This camera is known for its compact size, excellent image quality, and fast autofocus system. It’s a great choice for beginners looking to step up from a smartphone or point-and-shoot camera.
- Fujifilm X-T20: Another budget-friendly option is the Fujifilm X-T20. This camera offers a retro design, excellent image quality, and a user-friendly interface. It’s a great choice for beginners who want a camera that is easy to use and produces high-quality images.
- Panasonic Lumix GX85: The Panasonic Lumix GX85 is another affordable mirrorless camera that offers great value for the price. It features in-body image stabilization, 4K video recording, and a compact design, making it a versatile option for beginners.
Tips for Buying a Used Mirrorless Camera
When looking to purchase a used mirrorless camera, there are certain factors to consider to ensure you get a quality product that meets your needs. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Research: Before making a purchase, research the specific model you are interested in. Look for reviews, user feedback, and any common issues associated with the camera.
- Condition: Inspect the camera carefully for any signs of wear and tear. Check for scratches on the body, dust on the sensor, and any other physical damage that may affect the camera’s performance.
- Shutter Count: Mirrorless cameras have a limited shutter life, so it’s important to check the shutter count of the camera. A high shutter count may indicate that the camera has been heavily used.
- Check Functionality: Test the camera to ensure that all the features and functions are working properly. Check the autofocus, image stabilisation, and other key features to make sure they are functioning as they should.
- Buy from Reputable Sellers: When buying a used camera, it’s best to purchase from reputable sellers or platforms that offer buyer protection. This can help ensure that you are getting a quality product.
Conclusion
Buying a used mirrorless camera can be a great way to get a quality camera at a lower price. By following these tips and being thorough in your research and inspection, you can find a reliable used camera that meets your needs and budget.
Best used mirrorless camera for starters
Sony Alpha A6100 Mirrorless Camera with 16-50mm Zoom Lens, Black (ILCE6100L/B)
$848.00
16 new from $848.00
19 used from $599.95
19 used from $599.95
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as of August 2, 2024 7:11 am
Features
- World’s fastest AF at 0 02 sec W/ real-time AF & Object tracking
- Wide 425-phase/425-contrast detection AF points over 84% of sensor
- 24 2MP APS-C Exmor sensor w/ front end LSI and ISO up to 51 200
- Up to 11fps continuous shooting at 24 2MP RAW w/ AF/AE tracking
- Real-time AF Tracking Real-time Eye AF for human and animal

| Price history for Sony Alpha A6100 Mirrorless Camera with 16-50mm Zoom Lens, Black (ILCE6100L/B) | |
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Lowest price Product: Sony Alpha A6100 Mirrorless Camera with 16-50mm Zoom Lens, Black (ILCE6100L/B) - $848.00
Canon EOS R100 Mirrorless Camera, RF Mount, 24.1 MP, DIGIC 8 Image Processor, Continuous Shooting, Eye Detection AF, Full HD Video, 4K, Small, Lightweight, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Content Creation
$299.00
12 new from $299.00
1 used from $399.00
1 used from $399.00
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Features
- Compact, lightweight EOS R series camera with an affordable price
- Smallest and lightest camera body in the EOS R series1 built for excellent mobility
- High image quality with a 24.1 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor and DIGIC 8 processor
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF covering a wide area2 up to 143 zones with auto subject detection and Eye Detection AF available with Servo AF.
- Continuous capture of up to 6.5 shots per second when set to One-Shot AF

| Price history for Canon EOS R100 Mirrorless Camera, RF Mount, 24.1 MP, DIGIC 8 Image Processor, Continuous Shooting, Eye Detection AF, Full HD Video, 4K, Small, Lightweight, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Content Creation | |
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Lowest price Product: Canon EOS R100 Mirrorless Camera, RF Mount, 24.1 MP, DIGIC 8 Image Processor, Continuous Shooting, Eye Detection AF, Full HD Video, 4K, Small, Lightweight, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Content Creation - $299.00
Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera 24.3 MP SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD - Body Only (Black)
$799.99
23 used from $385.00
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as of August 2, 2024 7:11 am
Features
- 24 MP APS-C CMOS sensor ISO 100-25600 and Focus Sensitivity Range: EV 0 to EV 20 (at ISO 100 equivalent with F28 lens attached)
- Operating temperature: 32-104°F / 0-40°C.Hybrid AF with 179-point focal plane phase-detection and 25 contrast detect points Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC
- Up to 11 FPS continuous shooting, Compatible OS:Windows Vista SP2-8, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 81, Mac OS X (v106-v109)
- 3-inch tilting LCD with 921,000 dots compatible with Sony E Mount lenses
- OLED electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and 14 million dots

| Price history for Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera 24.3 MP SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD - Body Only (Black) | |
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Lowest price Product: Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera 24.3 MP SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD - Body Only (Black) - $799.99
Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera (Body Only), Full-Frame Hybrid Camera, 8K Video, 45 Megapixel CMOS Sensor, DIGIC X Image Processor, Up to 12 FPS, RF Mount, Black
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Features
- High Image Quality featuring a New 45 Megapixel Full-frame CMOS Sensor..Working Temperature Range : 32–104°F / 0–+40°C, Working Humidity Range 85% or less
- DIGIC X Image Processor with an ISO range of 100-51200; Expandable to 102400x1.
- High-speed continuous shooting of up to 12 fps with Mechanical Shutter and up to 20 fps electronic (silent) shutter.
- Dual pixel CMOS AF covering approx. 100% area with 1,053 AF areas.
- Subject tracking of people and animals using deep learning technology.


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Lowest price Product: Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera (Body Only), Full-Frame Hybrid Camera, 8K Video, 45 Megapixel CMOS Sensor, DIGIC X Image Processor, Up to 12 FPS, RF Mount, Black -
Panasonic LUMIX G7KS 4K Mirrorless Camera, 16 Megapixel Digital Camera, 14-42 mm Lens Kit, DMC-G7KS
$547.99
7 new from $547.99
5 used from $374.74
5 used from $374.74
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as of August 2, 2024 7:11 am
Features
- Superb DSLM image quality without the bulk and weight of traditional DSLRs
- Never miss a photo with three unique 4K ultra HD video pause and save 4K photo modes
- Fast and precise auto focusing tracks the subject; Focus mode AFS (single) / AFF (flexible) / AFC (continuous) / MF, AF mode face/eye detection / tracking / 49 area / custom Multi / 1 area / pinpoint
- Class leading, ultra compact, interchangeable lens and accessory option; HDMI: MicroHDMI TypeD / VIERA Link,video: Auto / 4K / 1080p / 1080i / 720p / 480p, Audio: Stereo
- Unwire your creativity with integrated Wi Fi sharing

| Price history for Panasonic LUMIX G7KS 4K Mirrorless Camera, 16 Megapixel Digital Camera, 14-42 mm Lens Kit, DMC-G7KS | |
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Lowest price Product: Panasonic LUMIX G7KS 4K Mirrorless Camera, 16 Megapixel Digital Camera, 14-42 mm Lens Kit, DMC-G7KS - $547.99
Nikon Z 5 | Our most compact full-frame mirrorless stills/video camera | Nikon USA Model
$1,296.95
17 new from $1,296.95
11 used from $840.00
11 used from $840.00
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as of August 2, 2024 7:11 am
Features
- 24.3MP Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera | Nikon’s most compact, lightweight full-frame interchangeable lens Z series camera
- Outstanding Image Quality | Sharp, lifelike details, vibrant colors and great low-light performance
- 4K/30p and 1080/60p Video Recording | Crisp, smooth videos with shallow depth of field; USB power delivery; HDMI output
- Eye-Detection Autofocus | Automatically locks onto the eyes of people, dogs and cats and tracks them as they move around the frame
- 5-Axis In-Body Image Stabilization | Capture steady handheld videos and sharp photos; shoot at slower shutter speeds in low light without causing camera blur

| Price history for Nikon Z 5 | Our most compact full-frame mirrorless stills/video camera | Nikon USA Model | |
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Lowest price Product: Nikon Z 5 | Our most compact full-frame mirrorless stills/video camera | Nikon USA Model - $1,296.95
Canon EOS RP Full-frame Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera + RF24-105mm Lens F4-7.1 IS STM Lens Kit- Compact and Lightweight for Traveling and Vlogging, Black (3380C132)
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Features
- Compact, Lightweight and High-Quality RF Lens with a Versatile Zoom Range of 24-105 millimeter
- Optical Image Stabilization at up to 5 stops of shake correction
- Maximum Magnification of 0.4x and Minimum Focusing Distance of 0.66 feet in Auto Focus.
- Maximum Magnification of 0.5x and Minimum Focusing Distance of 0.43 ft. when using Center Focus Macro.
- Use the EOS Utility Webcam Beta Software (Mac and Windows) to turn your Canon camera into a high-quality webcam, or do the same using a clean HDMI output.

| Price history for Canon EOS RP Full-frame Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera + RF24-105mm Lens F4-7.1 IS STM Lens Kit- Compact and Lightweight for Traveling and Vlogging, Black (3380C132) | |
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Lowest price Product: Canon EOS RP Full-frame Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera + RF24-105mm Lens F4-7.1 IS STM Lens Kit- Compact and Lightweight for Traveling and Vlogging, Black (3380C132) -
Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera: Compact APS-C Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with Real-Time Eye Auto Focus, 4K Video, Flip Screen & 18-135mm - E Mount Compatible Cameras ILCE-6400M/B
$1,298.00
12 new from $1,298.00
12 used from $751.59
12 used from $751.59
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as of August 2, 2024 7:11 am
Features
- Next Gen speed: experience the world’s fastest 0. 02 sec AF with real-time AF and object tracking
- Enhanced subject capture: wide 425 Phase/ 425 contrast detection points over 84% of the sensor
- Fast & accurate: up to 11Fps continuous shooting at 24. 2MP raw with crisp, clear natural colors
- Multiple movie functions: make time lapse movies or slow/quick motion videos without post processing
- Tiltable LCD screen: customizable for vlogging, still photography or recording a professional film. Lens compensation setting - peripheral shading, chromatic aberration, distortion

| Price history for Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera: Compact APS-C Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with Real-Time Eye Auto Focus, 4K Video, Flip Screen & 18-135mm - E Mount Compatible Cameras ILCE-6400M/B | |
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Lowest price Product: Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera: Compact APS-C Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with Real-Time Eye Auto Focus, 4K Video, Flip Screen & 18-135mm - E Mount Compatible Cameras ILCE-6400M/B - $1,298.00
Canon EOS R50 Mirrorless Camera RF-S18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens Kit, 24.2 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) Sensor, 4K Video, Hybrid Camera, Photo and Video, Vlogging, Content Creator, RF Mount, White
$749.00
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as of August 2, 2024 7:11 am
Features
- Compact, lightweight RF mount camera with a 24.2 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor and DIGIC X processor.
- 4K uncropped movie with Dual Pixel CMOS AF II at up to 30 fps oversampled from 6K and Full HD High-frame rate movie at up to 120 fps. Movie for Close-up Demo Mode quickly switches focus when a product is brought close to the camera.
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF II covering up to 100% x 100% area with 651 AF zones with auto subject detection and tracking of people, animals, and vehicles using deep learning technology
- Continuous shooting with 12 fps with Electronic First Curtain and 15 fps with Electronic Shutter.
- Take great shots even in difficult settings with Advanced A+ Assist which offers an expanded array of auto-compatible scenes enabling greater expressive capability in auto mode, and built-in flash for shooting in dark environments or with backlit scenes.

| Price history for Canon EOS R50 Mirrorless Camera RF-S18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens Kit, 24.2 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) Sensor, 4K Video, Hybrid Camera, Photo and Video, Vlogging, Content Creator, RF Mount, White | |
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Lowest price Product: Canon EOS R50 Mirrorless Camera RF-S18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens Kit, 24.2 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) Sensor, 4K Video, Hybrid Camera, Photo and Video, Vlogging, Content Creator, RF Mount, White - $749.00
Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera 24.3MP SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Black) w/16-50mm Power Zoom Lens
$879.95
3 new from $879.95
26 used from $434.80
26 used from $434.80
Amazon.com
as of August 2, 2024 7:11 am
Features
- Advanced 24.2MP back Illuminated 35 millimeter full frame image sensor
- ISO 100 25600 (expandable to 51200). Lens compatibility: Sony E mount lenses
- Hybrid AF with 179 point focal plane phase detection and 25 contrast detect points
- Up to 11 FPS continuous shooting. Battery Life (Still Images): Up to 360 shots. Metering type:1200-zone evaluative metering
- 3 inch tilting LCD with 921,000 dots. Viewfinder Type: 0.39 in type electronic viewfinder (color)

| Price history for Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera 24.3MP SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Black) w/16-50mm Power Zoom Lens | |
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Lowest price Product: Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera 24.3MP SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Black) w/16-50mm Power Zoom Lens - $879.95
Q&A:
What is the best used mirrorless camera for beginners?
The Sony Alpha a6000 is a popular choice for beginners looking for a used mirrorless camera. It offers good image quality, fast autofocus, and a compact size.
$547.99
7 new from $547.99
5 used from $374.74
as of August 2, 2024 7:11 am
Amazon.com
Are there any other good options for used mirrorless cameras for beginners?
Yes, the Fujifilm X-T20 and Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II are also great options for beginners. They offer excellent image quality and user-friendly features.
What features should beginners look for in a used mirrorless camera?
Beginners should look for a camera with good image quality, fast autofocus, and user-friendly controls. It’s also important to consider the availability of lenses and accessories for the camera.
Where can beginners find good deals on used mirrorless cameras?
Beginners can find good deals on used mirrorless cameras from online marketplaces like eBay, Amazon, and KEH Camera. They can also check out local camera stores or photography forums for used camera listings.
