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Magyar3 of the best mirrorless cameras for under US$1,500 with a full-frame sensor
1. Canon EOS RP - a great beginner stills body at ~US$1,000
Canon's EOS RP was pitched as an entry-level camera, but that doesn't mean it's not a very capable unit, especially if you're looking for stills capability. Canon's color science and quality lens selection make this compact body an excellent choice for beginners looking to start out in the world of full-frame cameras. Among its strengths are the pairing of the 26.2-MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC-8 processor, a small body that still manages superb ergonomics, and a growing selection of lenses thanks to Canon's RF lens lineup.
If you're shooting video, it may be best to look elsewhere, or perhaps even a different system entirely. The EOS RP only records at up to 4K 24p at a 1.6x crop. More importantly, DPReview reported that video performance also suffers from rolling shutter, which is especially prevalent at 4K, making it an extraordinarily poor choice for video.
That said, the Canon EOS RP is a veritable bargain at around US$1,000 on Amazon. A bundle with a lens is going to set you back up to US$1,000 on top of the body, though.
2. Sony Alpha a7 II - a video workhorse with IBIS for ~US$900
Sony's Alpha 7 series of cameras has become a mainstay for YouTubers looking for great quality and value, and the 24.2-MP Alpha a7 II is no different. It features five-axis in-body image stabilization, a tilting LCD display, a microphone input for external audio, and excellent high-ISO performance for nighttime shooting. That said, while the a7 II's video performance is generally very respectable, there is no recording above 1080p, so if you think you'll need to crop video frequently, you're better off with the newer a7 III.
The Sony Alpha a7 II mirrorless camera can be had for around US$900 on Amazon, with an extra US$400-1,000 on top getting you into a solid lens bundle.
3. Nikon Z5 - a modern, waterproof stills camera for ~US$1,300
When Nikon launched the Z5, it pitched the camera as an entry-level full-frame camera for those looking to dip their toes into enthusiast-grade performance without spending too much. Looking at the specifications, you wouldn't think it's anything but premium. The Z5 has a comfortable, weather-sealed, magnesium body, an autofocus system that covers 90% of the sensor, five-axis image stabilisation, and video recording at up to 4K 30p. The dual UHS-II SD cards in the Z5 offer a unique value proposition for those concerned about redundancy — and those who like to separate the RAWs and JPEGs for easy sorting.
Given Nikon's track record — its F-mount lenses have been with us since 1959 — the Z-mount lens system is likely going to be around for a long time, meaning you won't be left in the dark when it's time to upgrade. The Nikon Z5 mirrorless camera can be had for about US$1,400 (although it's on sale for US$996 at the time of writing), while spending an extra US$300 can get you started with a kit lens.
Buy the NIkon Z5 with Nikkor Z 24-50 mm F/4.6-6.3 kit lens on Amazon.
