Buying a camera is a big investment, and the costs can quickly add up when you factor in additional lenses and accessories. Thankfully, most modern mirrorless cameras can capture excellent, high-resolution images, so if you're looking for a dedicated camera or upgrading from smartphone photography, you can't go wrong. If you're on a tight budget, consider buying a used model. With a large used market on eBay and at retailers like Adorama, B&H Photo Video, KEH, and MPB, you can find a great camera without spending a fortune. If you're set on buying new, however, there are still some great budget options to choose from.

We've bought over 115 cameras, and below, you'll find the budget mirrorless cameras that we've tested in our lab. Our picks below are all interchangeable-lens models, but if you're looking for a fixed-lens camera, you can check out our best point-and-shoot cameras. If you're just starting out in photography, you can also look at our best mirrorless cameras for beginners. Conversely, if you need something more advanced, try the best mirrorless cameras we've tested more broadly.