Are you looking for a Canon mirrorless camera, but not sure which model is best for you? We have joined with Wex to find out which is the best Canon mirrorless camera for you. Here we will delve into the pricing, specs, and features of Canon’s complete R Range Mirrorless cameras.

NB: Below there are some affiliate links and TSOP will receive a small percentage of some purchases made.

What is a mirrorless camera? Mirrorless vs DSLR cameras?

Before we delve into Canon's lineup, let's briefly understand what sets mirrorless cameras apart from DSLRs. In traditional DSLRs, light enters through the lens and is reflected by a mirror into an optical viewfinder. In contrast, mirrorless cameras lack this mirror mechanism, allowing light to directly hit the camera sensor. This design results in a more compact and lightweight body, as well as offering benefits such as electronic viewfinders and advanced autofocus capabilities.

What’s the difference between full frame and APS-C?

Canon's mirrorless lineup includes both full-frame and APS-C sensor cameras. Full-frame sensors offer superior image quality and low-light performance, while APS-C sensors provide a more affordable and compact option. The choice between the two depends on your specific needs and budget and you can find out more about the two options in our Sensor Size Comparison blog here.

NB: All prices are accurate at the time of this blog’s release, please remember prices can change over time.

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Canon R3 – Best for pro sports, wildlife, and news photographers.

At the top of Canon's mirrorless lineup sits the Canon R3, tailored for professional sports, wildlife, and news photographers. Boasting lightning-fast specifications, the R3 excels in capturing high-speed action with precision. Its advanced autofocus system, coupled with rapid continuous shooting at 20 frames per second, ensures that you never miss a crucial moment on the field. Additionally, the R3's robust build and weather-sealing make it a dependable companion in any challenging environment. All of these do come with the hefty price of £5.5K, (that’s just for the body!) and is not something we recommend for those starting out.

Retail price at the time of writing this blog: £5,499. Buy here.

Canon R5 – Best for professionals – and Marc’s favourite of the bunch!

canon r5 camera body — Canon R5 - Best all round Canon mirrorless camera for professionals.

“Truly shaking up the market, the Canon EOS R5 is packed with new technology and major improvements that sets it aside from its competitors.” – Wex

The Canon R5 emerges as a favourite for professionals, offering a perfect balance of performance and versatility. It’s the mirrorless answer to the professional EOS 5D MkIV and a good all-rounder!

With a high-resolution 45MP full-frame sensor, blazing-fast 20 frames per second continuous shooting, and 8K RAW video capabilities, the R5 caters to a wide range of photographic and videographic needs. The R5 also boasts an ISO of up to 51200 – meaning it’s going to be fantastic for low light situations and its advanced autofocus tracking ensures sharp and accurate subject detection, whether it's human faces, animals, or fast-moving vehicles.

Offering a huge 45MP, the R5 is going to be brilliant for any photographer that needs to be able to do any large printing. It also has a dual card slot for CFexpress and SD cards, which is a fantastic contingency for pros when out shooting, because there’s nothing worse than an SD card failing when you’ve got to get a shot quickly.

The feature we’ve been most excited about is IBIS or In-Built Image Stabilisation of an industry leading 8 stops. IBIS works by stabilizing the cameras sensor withing the camera body itself, compensating for small movements or shakes and reducing the amount of motion blur you’d get otherwise – it’s fantastic if you’re after sharp images at high shutter speeds. As well as this, the R5 also has IBIS High Resolution Mode, which will give you a 400MP image!

Overall, the Canon R5, in our opinion, is the best full-frame mirrorless camera for professional photographers and Marc’s personal favourite! Retail price at the time of writing this blog: £3,999. Buy here.

Canon R6 Mk II – Best value full frame camera

Canon R6 mkII mirrorless camera — Canon R6 MkII - Best Canon mirrorless camera for pros who don’t need high resolutions.

“Raising the already high bar set by its predecessor, the Canon EOS R6 Mark II Digital Camera Body blends world-class performance with super-fast speed and unparalleled filmmaking features.” - Wex

For those seeking exceptional value without compromising on performance, the Canon R6 Mk II stands out as an ideal choice. With a 24MP full-frame sensor, 40 frames per second continuous shooting, and 8 stops of in-body image stabilization (IBIS), the R6 Mk II delivers stellar image quality and stability in various shooting conditions. It also has an ISO range of 100-102,400 (which can be extended to massive 204,800!) so it’s the obvious choice for low light situations. Like the R5, its dual card slots and advanced autofocus tracking further enhance its appeal to enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Retail price at the time of writing this blog: £2,779. Buy here.

Canon Ra – A go-to for Astrophotographers

Canon Ra mirrorless camera — Canon Ra - Best Canon mirrorless camera for astro photographers.

Designed with astrophotographers in mind, the Canon RA offers specialized features for capturing stunning celestial scenes. Its unique sensor design and enhanced sensitivity to hydrogen-alpha wavelengths make it ideal for photographing nebulae, galaxies, and other deep-sky objects. Additionally, the RA's advanced autofocus system ensures precise focusing even in low-light conditions, allowing astrophotographers to unleash their creativity with confidence.

Retail price at the time of writing this blog: £2,579.99.

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Canon R8 – Entry-level full-frame

Canon R8 mirrorless camera — Canon R8 - best Canon mirrorless camera for photographers looking to go full frame at a lower cost.

“Canon’s EOS R8 is designed for hybrid shooters looking to expand their creative territory and bask in the benefits of full-frame outside the studio.” - Wex

For entry-level photographers stepping into the world of full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Canon R8 offers an enticing combination of affordability and performance – all for under £2000! Despite its compact and lightweight design, the R8 packs a punch with a 24.2MP sensor, 40 frames per second continuous shooting, and advanced autofocus tracking capabilities.

This model doesn’t include IBIS but many RF lenses offer built-in stabilization, ensuring steady shots in various shooting scenarios. Another possible issue we’ve noticed with the R8 is that while it’s incredibly lightweight, it doesn’t feel as robust as the other full-frame options in the R range – though this may be because it’s just so lightweight in comparison to the R5 or R6MII.

Retail price at the time of writing this blog: £1,899. Buy here.

Canon R7 – High-end crop sensor APS-C

Canon R7 mirrorless camera — Canon R7 - High-end crop sensor model.

“This RF-mount camera with an APS-C sized sensor provides the ideal balance between resolution, speed and low-light performance for a truly hybrid result that’s capable of competing with other professional full-frame models.” - Wex

Catering to photographers seeking the advantages of APS-C sensors, the Canon R7 delivers exceptional performance in a compact package. With 4K video at 60fps capabilities, advanced autofocus tracking, and 7 stops of in-body image stabilization, the R7 offers versatility and convenience for capturing both stills and videos. Its larger processor ensures swift operation, making it a valuable tool for enthusiasts and content creators alike.

Retail price at the time of writing this blog: £1,379. Buy here.

Canon R10 – Great for enthusiasts!

canon R10 camera body — Canon R10 - Best Canon mirrorless camera for enthusiasts!

“It's well suited to beginners and enthusiasts - its price point is fair and the range of features will give any newbie a decent insight into the world of both stills and video recording.”- Wex

Ideal for enthusiasts and content creators on a budget, the Canon R10 provides a gateway into the world of mirrorless photography, particularly for those looking to upgrade from their DSLR to mirrorless. With an ISO range of up to 32,000 (extendable to 51,200), 24MP APS-C sensor, 4K video recording, and advanced autofocus tracking modes, the R10 offers impressive performance at an affordable price point. While it lacks weather sealing, its compact and lightweight design makes it perfect for on-the-go shooting.

Thanks to the Autofocus system and frame rates of up to 30fps, the R10 is great for any entry level photographer looking to learn more about wildlife and sports photography. The APS-C sensor enhances the telephoto capabilities and gives you an impressive 1.6x more telephoto reach compared to full-frame cameras of equivalent focal length. This means that you can capture distant subjects with greater detail and clarity, allowing you to explore the world of telephoto photography like never before.

Something to consider, however, is that the R10 is not weatherproofed. While weather sealing does add durability and peace of mind, it may not be essential for all photographers, particularly those who primarily shoot in controlled environments, so it’s important to think about if you need that feature before deciding.

Retail price at the time of writing this blog: £999. Buy here.

Canon R50 – A compact content creator tool!

Canon R50 mirrorless camera — Canon R50 - Best Canon mirrorless camera for content creators on a budget!

“Thanks to its simple do-it-all design, this camera is well-equipped and ready to help active creators start elevating their content.” - Wex

The Canon R50 is aimed at content creators seeking an affordable yet capable camera. With a 24.2MP APS-C sensor, 4K video recording, and autofocus functionality, the R50 offers good value for money as you can pick one up for under £800.

Much like the R10, the R50 is very handy in low light situations, with an ISO of up to 32000 and extendable to 51,200 – in fact, there’s few differences between these two models, the main one being in video capabilities.

However, the low price seems to be an indication of the smaller processor which can mean it’s not as quick or sharp as the pricier options. However, it remains a solid choice for beginners and budget-conscious photographers.

Retail price at the time of writing this blog: £769. Buy here.

Canon R100 – Best for newbies learning photography.

Canon R100 camera body — Canon R100 - Best Canon mirrorless camera for beginners looking to learn photography.

“If you’re tired of missing your family blowing out their candles and looking for a camera you can rely on to capture life’s most precious memories, the Canon EOS R100 is the perfect upgrade.” - Wex

Finally, the Canon R100 caters to entry-level photographers looking for a compact and lightweight camera to kickstart their photographic journey. Despite its diminutive size, the R100 packs a punch with a 24.1MP APS-C sensor, 4K video capabilities, and autofocus functionality. One thing to be aware of though is it will crop the frame when capturing 4K video. Its lack of a swivel screen and limited autofocus options could be drawbacks for some users, but its affordability, portability and ability to work in fully manual make it a very attractive option for beginners – especially as you can find the R100 with a kit lens for around £600! This is also Marc’s second favourite Canon camera in the R range models.

Retail price at the time of writing this blog: £489. Buy here.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, Canon's R range of mirrorless cameras offers something for everyone, from professional photographers to aspiring enthusiasts. Whether you are capturing fast-paced sports action, mesmerizing astrophotography, or everyday moments, there's a Canon mirrorless camera suited to your needs.

In terms of all-rounders, we recommend the R5 as the star of the show for pros looking for a mirrorless upgrade and the super compact R100 as best for beginners wanting to start off by shooting mirrorless.

If you like to buy any of these cameras, we recommend buying them from Wex Photo Video (UK). Please click here to purchase any of the camera’s featured.

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Best Canon Mirrorless Camera - Which one for you?