Level Up Your Instagram with the Best Mirrorless Cameras Under £1,000

When you’re new to photography, the last thing you want is to be left struggling with a hard-to-navigate autofocus (AF) system that leads to blurry shots. This entry-level model from Sony packs in the same autofocus features from its mid-range £1,200+ A6600 model, which can track the eyes of your subject for perfect portraits.

The A6100 also handles well with excellent ergonomics and has a lot of customisable buttons. This is a dependable camera that’s as good for grabbing your cocktail party snapshots as it is for learning basic and advanced photography. There’s also a wide range of compatible lenses not only from Sony itself but also from third parties like Sigma and Tamron.

Prefer to spend more time shooting and less time editing? Fujifilm cameras are ideal for upping your Insta game as they’re renowned for colour processing, which means you can control the look of your images in-camera and they’ll be instantly post-worthy.

The X-S10 is one of the best value ways to get into the Fuji system, and these cameras are compatible with the extensive range of X-mount lenses. Not to mention the likes of Samyang, Lensbaby and Laowa also make glass to fit the lens mount. It has a well-designed interface and touch controls, a chunky handgrip and articulating screen. But if you’re not fussed about having the newest camera body, a used Fujifilm X-T20 is an option worth considering.

If you’re planning a trip where you'll be travelling light, this retro-style Olympus is a top option for travel photographers. The benefit of its MFT sensor is that you get a more compact body and, more crucially, considerably small lenses. This means it’ll take up less space in your bag and be lighter around your neck than most models.

This mirrorless camera also gives you some impressive in-body image stabilisation – for some competitors, you’ll have to rely on stabilised lenses to counteract shaky hands, but this does it within the camera itself. It shoots excellent sharp photos and the stabilisation keeps things in focus, even if it doesn’t have the fastest autofocus.

After a digital camera with a vintage look? This one is controlled with loads of knobs and dials, just like old-school film cameras. It’s a higher-end version of the older Fujifilm X-T200 that gives you a higher-resolution sensor and more options for custom buttons. If you like the idea of fine-tuning your exposure, shutter speed and aperture using physical controls rather than a display on the back of the camera, it's the one to go for.

Some may consider this to be a bit more of an intermediate camera, but the controls it offers can also be a great way to get to grips with photography as a beginner too. And, like other Fujifilm X-mount bodies, it’s compatible with an enormous range of lenses.

If the Nikon Z fc looks familiar, it's because the design is inspired by the company's classic FM-series film SLRs from the Seventies and Eighties. Under the hood, it's not too dissimilar from the Z 50, but the buttons and dials make for an altogether different experience.

When we tried it, we liked its retro body and found the image quality as good as the impressive Z 50 (unsurprising, as it has the same sensor). While this range still only has a modest number of native lenses, Nikon now sells a 28mm f/2.8 prime. We tried it with the Z fc and think it makes a great pairing for street shooting.

If what matters most in a camera is its video capabilities, go for the Sony ZV-E10. This interchangeable lens body is pitched as more of a vlogging camera, including some top video features and a vlog-focused button layout.

It fares well as a convenient stills camera too, but this kit is more for budding cinematographers, especially since it comes with a Sony GP-VPT2BT Tripod/Handgrip. It has a super-compact body, and a built-in viewfinder, along with Sony’s renowned ultra-fast eye-tracking autofocus.

If you’re just starting out with filmmaking, it’s a great pick and offers 4K resolution at up to 30 fps (frames per second) and 1080p HD at up to 120 fps for your slow-motion recordings. We reckon it’s a flexible and versatile option that’s far better than a smartphone for photography and videos.

After a little all-rounder that is pocketable and sold at a pocket money price? This solid Panasonic is a retro-styled and subtle camera that comes with a tidy zoom lens and speedy autofocus.

It may be an older model, but it remains a competitive option to this day and packs in specs that are more than enough for most users, while giving you access to the extensive range of Lumix, Olympus and third-party lenses compatible with this mount.

It’s got powerful stabilisation to counteract shaky hands and quick autofocus that is more than good enough for all your portrait needs. It also shoots 4K video, so whether you’re after a great stills camera or trying out some filmmaking, this is one the best value options you can get.

This is Nikon’s first APS-C mirrorless camera and one of the more expensive models on our list, only coming in at just under £1,000 when on offer. However, it’s an excellent all-rounder that has an impressive pancake zoom kit lens. It focuses quickly, delivers sharp distortion-free results and compresses down to a tiny size. We love how the camera handles and its deep grip makes it ideal for stable handheld shooting.

The image quality from the standard zoom is particularly remarkable compared to its rivals, and it’s straightforward to set up too. The Z 50’s autofocus is super quick, even if its subject-tracking capabilities aren’t on the same level as the Sony’s. The ergonomics impress but the lens availability is the major downside. Nikon’s APS-C system is in its infancy, and there are currently just a handful of lenses that fit this camera body.

If you’re comfortable snapping away on your phone collecting artsy shots of leaves and brick walls and now you’re looking for the next step up, this Canon model makes it easy to get started on its basic menus and “smart auto” mode. When you’ve got to grips with it, you can disable the guided user interface that explains menu items and move to the advanced features it offers, including its fast autofocus, articulated touchscreen and quick processing speeds.

On test, we found that, in normal lighting conditions, it focuses quickly and the image quality is very good. But the kit lens didn’t always perform as well in low light, with some images coming out a little soft. Its compact size makes it good for travel and snapshots, but its plastic body is a bit disappointing when compared to the competition.

While we've praised the Sony A6100 for its speedy autofocus and versatility, there are a few reasons to upgrade to the more expensive A6400 if your budget allows. The two cameras may look identical, with the same dimensions, button layout and tilting screen, but the A6400 is made of a hardier magnesium alloy body, giving it weather sealing. Yes, it's ideal for moody weather scenes. It has the same incredible eye-tracking autofocus for amazing portraits, but its mechanical shutter is rated to last much longer.

This is our top pick for portrait photographers because, as on the A6100, the continuous eye autofocus makes it unlikely you'll ever have a blurry shot again, and its mechanical shutter is rated to last much longer than the other Sony model on this list.

The resolution of the electronic viewfinder on the A6400 is far higher, and it offers better options for pro-level video. Overall, if you're looking at the long-term, this upgrade is worth the investment – especially once paired with any of the excellent portrait lenses available for Sony APS-C bodies.