If you’re choosing a new camera, the many options can make the choice more overwhelming than ever. While DSLR cameras are popular for amateur and professional digital photography, they are large and heavy. A mirrorless camera, by contrast, offers many of the same benefits of a DSLR—in particular interchangeable camera lenses—but it is much lighter and more compact because it has no mirror, or reflex lens. In other words, it is only a little larger than some point-and-shoot cameras but has more professional-level capabilities.

Thanks to their slimmer design, mirrorless cameras are increasingly popular among professional photographers and amateurs alike. In particular, they are a great option for travel or outdoor photography that requires equipment to be hauled around in a camera backpack or other camera bag.

Mirrorless cameras also offer video capabilities that can serve users well if they are shooting a vlog or even a short indie film project.

One of the biggest differentiators among cameras is sensor size. A full-frame camera gives you the most flexibility in capturing images while other sensor sizes crop the image to a greater or lesser degree. Cameras also vary by resolution—both image resolution and video resolution. If you are planning on shooting video with your mirrorless camera, you may want a 4K mirrorless camera. To get greater capabilities at a more budget-friendly price, consider looking for sales and open-box options.

Your mirrorless camera lenses also play a crucial role in the appearance and quality of your images and videos. You will want to take time to consider the best mirrorless camera lenses. See what is available for the camera body you are considering buying and what kind of investment the lenses will be.

Finally, make sure you leave funds for necessary and helpful camera accessories. A tripod adds stability to your photoshoot, and a spare memory card or two can help you take as many photos as you want without having to upload images to your computer.