System camera test - comparisons. Com 2024

The best compact camera in comparison

System cameras - the perfect choice for hobby and professional photography

Regardless of whether you just want to capture beautiful moments occasionally or take professional photos on a regular basis - a system camera is exactly the right choice for many purposes and could inspire you too.

Also called DSLM, the system camera offers the perfect compromise between photography with a smartphone or small cameras, where the quality often leaves something to be desired, and the large SLR cameras, where a lot of equipment has to be carried in a large bag.

In this system camera guide, we introduce you to some of the best cameras and show you which key figures are particularly important for assessing quality. Do not miss our system camera purchase recommendations, with which you will not make the wrong choice.

CANON MIRROR REFLECTION CAMERA
PHOTO BACKPACK
CAMERA STAND
DIGITAL CAMERA UNDER 100 €
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  Best recommendation

to offer Canon EOS M50 system camera

1,6good

System camera Canon EOS M50
  •  Dual pixel sensor
  •  Touchscreen
  •  many interfaces
  •  low weight
  •  4K video

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to offer Sony Alpha 7 E-Mount system camera

1,7good

System camera Sony Alpha 7 E-Mount
  •  good lens
  •  Sony E lens mount
  •  strong sensor

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to the offer Sony Alpha 6000 system camera

1,8good

Sony Alpha 6000 system camera
  •  with second lens | light weight | with tripod | high resolution

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offer system camera Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

1,9good

System camera Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
  •  strong image sensor
  •  extremely good video resolution
  •  good connectivity (also for microphone and headphones)
  •  USB-C connection

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 Price-performance winner

to offer Panasonic LUMIX G system camera

2,0good

System camera Panasonic LUMIX G
  •  very affordable price
  •  with a second lens
  •  4K video
  •  Touchscreen

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Name System camera Canon EOS M50 System camera Sony Alpha 7 E-Mount Sony Alpha 6000 system camera System camera Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III System camera Panasonic LUMIX G
Price Check price Check price Check price Check price Check price
comparison result
Note on the comparative grade

The Best Suggestionstest-vergleiche.com1,6goodsystem camera

TOP Productstest-vergleiche.com1,7goodsystem camera

TOP Productstest-vergleiche.com1,8goodsystem camera

TOP Productstest-vergleiche.com1,9goodsystem camera

Best Performance test-vergleiche.com2,0goodsystem camera
Manufacturers Canon EOS M50 Sony Alpha 7 E mount sony alpha 6000 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Panasonic LUMIX G
available since 2018 2013 2014 2020 2016
System mirrorless mirrorless mirrorless mirrorless mirrorless
Resolution 24,1 MP 24 MP 24,3 MP 20,4 16 MP
Sensor 22,3 x 14,9 mm | Dual pixel CMOS 36 x 24 mm | CMOS 23,5 x 15,6 mm | CMOS 4/3 inch | CMOS 4/3 inch | Live MOS
max.ISO 25.600 25.600 25.600 25.600 25.600
Flash built-in extern built-in extern built-in
lens 15-45 mm 28-70 mm | SEL-2870 | expandable with Sony E lens 16-50 mm & 55-210 mm without (optionally with 12-40 mm) 12-32 mm & 24-64 mm
video quality 3840 x 2160 (4K) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 4096 x 2160 3840 x 2160 (4K)
Display 3 inch touchscreen 3 inch LCD 3 inch LCD 3 inch LCD 3 inch touchscreen
interface HDMI, USB 2.0, Bluetooth, WLAN (NFC support) HDMI, USB 2.0, Bluetooth, WLAN (NFC support) HDMI, USB 2.0, WLAN (NFC support) HDMI, USB-C, Bluetooth, WLAN, connection for microphone & headphones HDMI, USB 2.0, WiFi
Size: 116,3 x 88,1 x 58,7 mm 126,9 x 94,4 x 48,2 mm 120 x 66,9 x 45,1 mm 134,1 x 90,9 x 68,9 mm 122 x 70 x 44 mm
Weight 387 g 416 g 344 g 580 g 426 g
Features Dual pixel sensor Sony E-mount with travel tripod particularly good video resolution possible Live MOS sensor
Benefits
  •  Dual pixel sensor
  •  Touchscreen
  •  many interfaces
  •  low weight
  •  4K video
  •  good lens
  •  Sony E lens mount
  •  strong sensor
  •  with second lens | light weight | with tripod | high resolution
  •  strong image sensor
  •  extremely good video resolution
  •  good connectivity (also for microphone and headphones)
  •  USB-C connection
  •  very affordable price
  •  with a second lens
  •  4K video
  •  Touchscreen
Conclusion Very good price for strong image quality and a wide range of functions. Particularly suitable for mobile use due to its low weight. This camera from Sony is a real all-rounder and in principle suitable for any purpose. Can also be expanded with a Sony E lens. In addition to mobile use, very good photographs are also possible with a tripod The best of the best. This still very new camera is very well equipped and suitable for every use very good entry-level camera with all important functions and good quality
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Our comparison chart for System camera comparison does not replace one System camera testin which a special System camera test winner can be recommended. In order to increase the added value for our readers, we may link to an external system camera test of trustworthy sources. Only you decide which model is your personal one System camera test winner is.

system camera

System camera at a glance

  • System cameras are digital cameras without a built-in optical viewfinder. When taking photos, the original image section cannot be viewed using a mirror, but this is shown electronically on a built-in display. Since less technology is built into the camera because the mirror is not required, system cameras are often lighter and more compact than SLR cameras.
  • At the moment, many manufacturers are still relying more on single-lens reflex cameras. For this reason, the compatibility of the lenses is often somewhat limited. However, the trend in the future will be more towards system cameras, which is why you should definitely rely on them now.
  • When choosing a camera, some key figures are particularly important. These include the image resolution, the sensor size and the maximum ISO value. The meaning of these features is explained in detail below.

Make sure to read on now if you are still looking for the right camera for your photographs. With this alternative to the SLR camera, you don't have to compromise on image quality and you get a light and compact camera that is particularly practical when you are out and about.

In this system camera review we will show you some of the bestsellers on the market and introduce our system camera test winners.

Here are some more testimonials from our comparison portal www.test-vergleiche.com that might interest you:

Top product: system camera at Amazon

Sony Alpha 6000 System Camera (24 Megapixel, 7,6 cm (3 ') LCD Display, Exmor APS-C Sensor, Full HD, High Speed ​​Hybrid AF) incl. SEL-P1650 Lens Black
Sony Alpha 6000 System Camera (24 Megapixel, 7,6 cm (3 ") LCD Display, Exmor APS-C Sensor, Full HD, High Speed ​​Hybrid AF) incl. SEL-P1650 Lens Black
  • Lens compatibility: Sony E-mount lenses, APS-C sensor: Number of pixels (effective): 24,3 MP; Number of pixels (total): approx ....
  • Recording format (still images): JPEG compatible (DCF version 2.0, Exif version 2.3, MPF baseline compatible), RAW (Sony ARW 2.3 format)
  • Recording format: AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Focus type: Fast hybrid autofocus (AF phase detection / AF contrast detection); Measuring field: 179 points ...
  • Dimensions (WxHxD) Weight: 120 x 66,9 x 45,1 mm; 285 g (camera only) / 344 g (including battery and storage medium)
  • Scope of delivery: Sony Alpha 6000 system camera (24 megapixels, 7,6 cm (3 inch) LCD display, Exmor APS-C sensor, full HD, high speed hybrid ...
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What is a system camera?

The system camera doesn't have a mirror - its performance is still impressive. If you are using a mirrorless system camera, you can compose the picture using the digital viewfinder or the monitor on the back of the camera. Despite the different structure, mirrorless system cameras can still use interchangeable lenses like DSLRs.

system camera

What do you have to look out for when buying a system camera?

When buying a system camera, a large number of features and key figures determine whether the camera is sufficient for your needs. Some factors are particularly decisive for the quality of the later images, while others influence the comfort of use, which of course also plays a major role. We will show you what you have to be aware of.

  • Resolution

Most cameras have an image resolution of over 20 megapixels. This is absolutely sufficient and provides photos of the best quality. A value of 16 MP is also sufficient for most purposes. Only high-resolution print products such as posters and canvases can result in poor quality. However, this is sufficient for all other purposes.

In many cases, system cameras also deliver excellent quality when it comes to videos. Most of the cameras can record videos in 4K quality. Other cameras only manage a resolution of Full HD, which is also very good.

  • Built-in sensor

The built-in sensor in particular determines the quality of the images. The size is particularly important here. With a larger sensor, the individual pixels have more space and more detailed and intensive image information can be recorded.

  • Maximum ISO value

The ISO value mainly plays a role for photos that are taken in a darker environment. You need a high ISO value, especially if you want to take a lot of photos indoors with poor exposure or at dusk and in the dark. For most system cameras, this is around 25.600. This value is absolutely sufficient if you do not want to take photos in complete darkness.

  • lens

Most system cameras have an interchangeable lens. This is particularly important in order to remain flexible in use. In some cases there is even a second lens included. Otherwise, you can also buy additional lenses in order to use them in different situations. However, you should note here that lenses from different manufacturers are often incompatible with one another.

  • Built-in display

In the case of the built-in display, you must pay attention to whether it can be used as a touchscreen or not. This is particularly important for comfortable use.

  • Other features

The dimensions and weight also play a role in terms of comfort. Especially for mobile use, the camera should not be too heavy and easy to transport.

You also have to pay attention to whether a flash is installed or whether it has to be purchased separately.

The interfaces are also important for the most comfortable use possible. With wireless interfaces such as WLAN Bluetooth and NFC, both operation and image transmission and reproduction can be made much easier.

Sony Alpha 6000 system camera

Sony Alpha 6000 system camera
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Our system camera purchase recommendations

We have tested and compared some of the best system camera models for you. Now we want to introduce you to our two system camera purchase recommendations and explain them in detail.

Our award winner - Panasonic Lumix G

The winner of our system camera price comparison is a particularly affordable system camera from Panasonic. With an image resolution of 16 MP there is still room for improvement, but this is completely sufficient for most purposes. The pictures are then less suitable only for posters and canvases in large format. However, this model can shine with a 4K video resolution. A 4/3 inch sensor is built into the camera, which creates high-quality images. Also included are a built-in flash, a 3 inch touchscreen for image reproduction and operation, as well as two interchangeable lenses. We can particularly recommend this system camera for beginners who occasionally take pictures as a hobby or who are just starting out.

Our comparison winner - Canon EOS M50

This system camera from Canon could win our system camera comparison. With an excellent resolution of 24,1 MP, this camera creates breathtaking images of excellent quality - especially thanks to the built-in dual pixel sensor. This camera can also record videos in 4K quality and has a built-in flash and a 3 inch touchscreen. A changeable lens (15-45 mm) is included, which can be exchanged especially with other lenses from the manufacturer Canon. With WLAN, Bluetooth and NFC, this model also has a particularly large number of interfaces that enable convenient use. We can recommend this camera because of its excellent quality. A special plus point is the low weight, which makes mobile use more pleasant.

Is there a system camera test from Stiftung Warentest?

The well-known consumer magazine Stiftung Warentest has already published a guide for buying system cameras. In this test 616 digital cameras were tested and compared. If the purchase decision is still difficult for you and you want to look around for other models, then you will find the system camera Test from Stiftung Warentest  definitely a suitable model.

System camera advantages / disadvantages

Benefits

Image quality just as good as with SLR cameras

often handier than other cameras (smaller and less weight)

high quality video recording

large displays for image reproduction

high flexibility through interchangeable lenses

Equipped with many interfaces (USB, USB-C, HDMI, WLAN, NFC, Bluetooth, ...)

Disadvantages

no optical viewfinder

high battery consumption by the display

often poor compatibility of different lenses

often longer trigger times than DSLR cameras (less suitable for photography of fast moving objects)

System camera bestseller on Amazon:

ServicesBestseller no. 1
Panasonic LUMIX G DMC-G70KAEGK system camera (16 megapixel, OLED viewfinder, 7,5 cm OLED touchscreen, 4K photo and video) with lens H-FS14042E black
Panasonic LUMIX G DMC-G70KAEGK system camera (16 megapixel, OLED viewfinder, 7,5 cm OLED touchscreen, 4K photo and video) with lens H-FS14042E black
  • Versatile System Camera: 4K Photo 30 B / s, 4K 25p Video, Full HD 50p Video
  • Extremely fast Hybrid Contrast AF (DFD)
  • Excellent image quality thanks to 16 MP sensor and Venus Engine image processor
  • Fast camera with 8 fps (AF-S) or 6 fps (AFC)
  • Scope of delivery: Panasonic LUMIX G70, MFT lens LUMIX G VARIO 12-42 mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH / OIS, battery, charger 110-240V, USB cable, ...
Amazon Prime
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ServicesBestseller no. 2
Sony Alpha 6400 | APS-C mirrorless camera with 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 power zoom lens (Fast 0,02s autofocus, tilting display for vlogging)
Sony Alpha 6400 | APS-C mirrorless camera with 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 power zoom lens (Fast 0,02s autofocus, tilting display for vlogging)
  • Faster And More Accurate Autofocus: Rely on 0,02s AF, real-time tracking, and eye-detection autofocus to capture your...
  • Good For Video Creators: High-resolution 4K HDR movie recording and Full HD slow motion (120p) with autofocus
  • Don't miss a moment: Up to 11 fps with autofocus
  • Capture creative angles: With the tilting display, subjects can also be easily captured from low or high angles
  • Ideal for: Beginners and advanced users who want a compact everyday lens (Sony 16-50mm) and an additional zoom (Sony...
Amazon Prime
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ServicesBestseller no. 3
KODAK Pixpro Astro Zoom AZ425 Digital Camera Bridge, 42x Optical Zoom, 24mm Wide Angle, 20 Megapixels, LCD 3, Full HD 1080p, Li-Ion Battery, Black
KODAK Pixpro Astro Zoom AZ425 Digital Camera Bridge, 42x Optical Zoom, 24mm Wide Angle, 20 Megapixels, LCD 3, Full HD 1080p, Li-Ion Battery, Black
  • OPTIMAL CAPACITIES - A 42x ultra-long zoom with optical image stabilization enables close-ups, panoramas or ...
  • OPTIMUM PHOTO AND VIDEO QUALITY - The KODAK Pixpro Astro Zoom AZ405 offers Full HD 1080p video quality
  • Other Functions - The device also has other functions such as auto scene, object tracking,...
  • Display – The Kodak Pixpro AZ405 features a 3-inch LCD display with a capacity of 460,000 pixels
  • Battery – The device works with a Li-Ion battery that does not require batteries.
Amazon Prime
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Where can I buy a system camera?

If you have now decided to buy a system camera, you can do so either in your local store or on the Internet. We will show you what to look out for and which system camera is the better choice.

  • Buy system camera in store

System cameras can be bought on site, especially in technology and electronics stores. Digital cameras are available from Saturn or MediaMarkt, for example. A big advantage of buying in a store is that you can often try out the product there and find out immediately which model you find best.

The disadvantage, however, is that there is only a small selection available in most stores, so you can only compare a few models with one another.

It can happen that the seller simply tries to sell you one of the available system cameras - even if it does not suit your individual needs.

  • Buy system cameras online

On the other hand, you can find a sufficiently large range of system cameras on the Internet and compare them with one another. You can see all the important features at a glance and you can easily perform a system camera price comparison. Especially because of the large selection, we can advise you to buy a system camera on the Internet. You will quickly find what you are looking for and can choose your personal favorites.

We have linked the tested products for you in our table so that you don't have to search long and find the right product straight away. If the right model for you was not yet found in our system camera comparison, please take a look at Amazon or eBay for other models.

We can particularly recommend the following manufacturers for system cameras:

Canon

Sony

Olympus

Panasonic

system camera

Questions and answers (FAQ) about system cameras

A system camera is one of the digital cameras, but differs significantly from the SLR cameras. A system camera works without the mechanical mirror that enables the optical view of the image with many cameras. In the case of system cameras, electronic image reproduction is often used here instead. Without the built-in mirror mechanism, system cameras usually have a significantly lower weight compared to other cameras.

System cameras are available from just a few hundred euros. At this price, especially beginners can buy good models to start with. Those who, on the other hand, want to take more professional photos often have to pay up to 1000 euros and more for a camera.

When buying a system camera, you should pay particular attention to the image resolution. Other important key figures are the sensor size, the focal length of the lens and the maximum ISO value. The built-in display and the available interfaces also play a role in ensuring comfortable use.

In most cases, if you have a system camera, you no longer need a video recorder. With such digital cameras, videos can often be recorded in 4K resolution.

Conclusion to the system camera comparison

A system camera is suitable for every application and is the right choice, regardless of whether you rarely take photos or even take professional photos. With this compromise between compact and high-quality photography, you have a good tool for the best possible images even when you're on the move.

We hope this review was able to help you with the selection of your system camera and you have found your personal system camera favorites. The two purchase recommendations from our system camera test are certainly a good choice that will not disappoint.

We hope you enjoy taking pictures and have nice pictures!

Related pages that interest you:

Which system camera article earned in the Test-Vergleiche.com Comparing the top spot?

The article became the front runner in the ranking for the top spot System camera Canon EOS M50 which has successfully prevailed against 5 other competitors.

Which manufacturers were compared in the system camera Test-Vergleiche.com considered?

In our system camera comparison we have manufacturers by rank and name, such as Canon EOS M50, Sony Alpha 7 E mount, sony alpha 6000, Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and Panasonic LUMIX G takes into account those who performed best in the customer reviews of the various sales portals and have the highest sales figures.

Who is the item in the system camera comparison that offers the best price-performance ratio?

According to the objective assessment of our editors, the System camera Panasonic LUMIX G from the system camera comparison the evaluation as an article with the best price-performance ratio.

How expensive can the products from the system camera comparison be Test-Vergleiche.com be?

system camera High-quality products have their price and are with us up to an amount of 1639,00 € to find. You can get our cheaper alternatives 413,73 €.

Why did the editors of Test-Vergleiche.com in the system camera comparison these articles taken into account?

Our editorial team deals with a wide range of providers for every comparison before deciding which articles from which manufacturers compete against each other in the system camera ranking. Here were these 5 godparents: System camera Canon EOS M50, System camera Sony Alpha 7 E-Mount, Sony Alpha 6000 system camera, System camera Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and System camera Panasonic LUMIX G

How did the editors of Test-Vergleiche.com evaluate the ranking in the system camera comparison?

After thorough research on function, own test results or publications such as a Stiftung Warentest test report or other independent specialist testers, the editorial team crowned the article System camera Canon EOS M50 to rank 1, followed by System camera Sony Alpha 7 E-Mount, Sony Alpha 6000 system camera, System camera Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and System camera Panasonic LUMIX G.

Which top products were in the system camera comparison of Test-Vergleiche.com still selected?

In addition to our comparison winner and the one with the best price-performance ratio, the products that were not included in the rating also turned out to be remarkable. These include System camera Canon EOS M50, System camera Sony Alpha 7 E-Mount and also Sony Alpha 6000 system camera.
Best recommendation

System camera Canon EOS M50

4.7 / 5 - (40 votes)
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Price-performance winner

System camera Panasonic LUMIX G

4.7 / 5 - (34 votes)
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