Best Mirrorless Cameras Under $400 for Compact Travel Trips (2026)

A small body changes how much you shoot on a trip, because a camera that fits in a jacket pocket comes out far more often than one left in the hotel room. The best mirrorless cameras under 400 in this guide are compact bodies with real interchangeable lenses, so you can pack light and still change lenses when the scene changes.

Quick verdict on the best mirrorless cameras under 400

Choose the Sony a5100 for the strongest travel mix, because its 24.3 megapixel APS-C sensor, 179-point phase-detection autofocus, and 283 gram body give sharp files and fast focus in a pocketable shape. The Samsung NX300 adds a bright AMOLED screen, while the Olympus PEN E-PL8 adds 3-axis stabilization for steadier handheld shots.

The Fujifilm X-A3 suits buyers who want Fujifilm color and a flip screen for self portraits, while the Canon EOS M3 suits buyers who want Canon controls with a tilting touchscreen and 49-point hybrid autofocus. The Fujifilm X-A10 suits buyers who want the lightest Fujifilm body here, and the Canon EOS M100 suits buyers who want simple Canon controls with Dual Pixel autofocus.

All seven bodies here are older models, so they are now found through remaining stock or used, and buyers should confirm the exact condition and shutter count before buying. Every body still offers a real interchangeable lens mount and a compact shape, so each one remains a sensible travel pick in the under 400 dollar tier.

Quick comparison table

Use this table to narrow the list before you read the detailed sections. It compares the sensor and size, the video and autofocus, the screen and viewfinder, and the battery and weight, so you can see at a glance which body fits your bag and your shooting style on a trip.

How we selected

This guide started with the limits in the search: a real mirrorless body, a compact shape that packs easily, an interchangeable lens mount, and a model that belongs in the under 400 dollar tier. Each body adds a different strength, such as a larger sensor, a flip screen, fast autofocus, or in-body stabilization.

Why small bodies suit travel best

A small body suits travel because it lowers the effort of carrying a camera all day, which means it gets used for more scenes, from morning markets to evening streets. Weight and depth matter more than height on a trip, since a slim body with a small prime lens slips into a jacket pocket or a small day bag.

The lightest body here is the Sony a5100 at 283 grams with battery, while the heaviest is the Olympus PEN E-PL8 at 374 grams with battery and memory card, so the whole group stays under 400 grams per body. That range is light enough for all-day carrying, yet the bodies still differ enough that the smallest ones feel clearly easier in a pocket.

A small body also draws less attention on the street, which suits candid shooting and portraits of strangers in markets and stations. A large body with a long lens signals a professional shoot, while a flat rangefinder-style body with a pancake lens looks like a tourist camera, so people react less and scenes stay natural.

What sensor size means for a travel kit

Six of the bodies here use an APS-C sensor, while one uses a Micro Four Thirds sensor, and that split shapes image quality, lens size, and low light behavior. The larger APS-C sensor gathers more light per pixel, while the smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor keeps bodies and lenses slimmer for the same focal length range.

The APS-C bodies are the Sony a5100, the Canon EOS M100, the Canon EOS M3, the Fujifilm X-A3, the Fujifilm X-A10, and the Samsung NX300, with sensors from 22.3 by 14.9 mm to 23.6 by 15.6 mm and resolution from 16.3 to 24.3 megapixels. The Micro Four Thirds body is the Olympus PEN E-PL8, with a 17.3 by 13 mm sensor and 16.1 megapixels.

Sensor size also shapes the lens system a buyer joins, because the Micro Four Thirds mount gives the E-PL8 a wide used and new lens market in a small size. The Sony E-mount, Canon EF-M mount, Fujifilm X mount, and Samsung NX mount each have their own lens ranges, with compact kit zooms and small primes that suit travel, so the mount matters as much as the sensor.

How video and autofocus shape the choice

Video is even across this group, because all seven bodies record Full HD, with four reaching 60 frames per second and three topping out at 30 frames per second. Autofocus splits the group, because phase-detection and hybrid systems track moving subjects better than contrast-only systems, which suit still subjects and landscapes.

The 60 frames per second bodies are the Sony a5100, the Canon EOS M100, the Fujifilm X-A3, and the Samsung NX300, which suits smooth clips for sharing online. The Canon EOS M3, the Fujifilm X-A10, and the Olympus PEN E-PL8 record Full HD at up to 30 frames per second, which still suits steady clips and short films.

Autofocus splits the group into two camps. The Sony a5100 uses 179 phase-detection points, the Canon EOS M100 uses 49 Dual Pixel points, the Canon EOS M3 uses 49 hybrid points, and the Samsung NX300 uses 105 hybrid points, while the Fujifilm X-A3, the Fujifilm X-A10, and the Olympus E-PL8 use contrast-detection autofocus. For children, pets, and street scenes, the phase-detection bodies focus faster, while for still subjects and landscapes, all seven focus well enough for travel.

The cameras in detail

Each section below follows the same pattern, so you can compare the bodies side by side. It starts with who the body fits best, then covers the sensor, the video, the autofocus, the screen, and the main trade-offs. Each profile also notes when to buy it and when to skip it.

Sony a5100

This body fits travelers who want the largest sensor and the fastest autofocus in the smallest Sony shape here. The Sony a5100 pairs a 24.3 megapixel APS-C sensor with 179-point phase-detection autofocus, Full HD video at 60 frames per second, and a body that weighs 283 grams with battery.

The sensor measures 23.5 by 15.6 mm and works with the BIONZ X processor, which gives an ISO range of 100 to 25600 and continuous shooting at up to 6 frames per second. The 3.0-inch tilting touchscreen flips up 180 degrees for self portraits, and the camera records Full HD video in the XAVC S codec at up to 50 Mbps. Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC cover wireless sharing to a phone on the road.

The trade-off is the lack of a viewfinder and the lack of in-body stabilization, because the a5100 has no electronic viewfinder and steadies shots only through stabilized lenses. Bright sunlight can wash out the rear screen, so framing in harsh light takes more care. The NP-FW50 battery is shared with many Sony bodies, which makes a spare battery easy to find.

Pros: A 24.3 megapixel APS-C sensor with 179-point phase-detection autofocus, Full HD video at 60 frames per second, a flip-up touchscreen for self portraits, and the fastest autofocus in this group.

Cons: Discontinued, so only remaining stock or used bodies are available, no viewfinder, no in-body stabilization, and Full HD video with no 4K option.

Buy it for the best all-around travel body in this guide. Skip it if you need a viewfinder, in-body stabilization, or 4K video.

Canon EOS M100

This body fits travelers who want Canon color and Dual Pixel autofocus in a simple, pocketable shape. The Canon EOS M100 pairs a 24.2 megapixel APS-C sensor with 49-point Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus, Full HD video at 60 frames per second, and a body that weighs 302 grams with battery and memory card.

The sensor measures 22.3 by 14.9 mm and works with the DIGIC 7 processor, which gives an ISO range of 100 to 25600 and continuous shooting at up to 6.1 frames per second with focus locked. The 3.0-inch tilting touchscreen flips up 180 degrees for self portraits, and touch controls cover focus and shooting, so beginners can tap to focus and shoot. Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth cover wireless sharing and a phone link.

The trade-off is the lack of a viewfinder and the lack of in-body stabilization, because the M100 has no electronic viewfinder and steadies shots only through stabilized lenses such as the EF-M 15-45mm kit zoom. The EF-M mount has a smaller native lens range than the Sony E-mount or the Micro Four Thirds mount, so buyers who plan to grow a large lens collection should check the lens list first.

Pros: A 24.2 megapixel APS-C sensor with Dual Pixel autofocus, Full HD video at 60 frames per second, a flip-up touchscreen for self portraits, and simple touch controls for beginners.

Cons: Discontinued, so only remaining stock or used bodies are available, no viewfinder, no in-body stabilization, and a smaller native lens range than the other mounts here.

Buy it for a simple Canon travel body with fast Dual Pixel focus. Skip it if you need a viewfinder, in-body stabilization, or the widest lens range.

Samsung NX300

This body fits travelers who want a bright AMOLED screen and fast hybrid autofocus in a light, retro-styled body. The Samsung NX300 pairs a 20.3 megapixel APS-C sensor with 105-point hybrid autofocus, Full HD video at 60 frames per second, and a body that weighs 331 grams with battery.

The sensor measures 23.5 by 15.7 mm and works with the DRIMe IV processor, which gives an ISO range of 100 to 25600 and continuous shooting at up to 8.6 frames per second. The 3.3-inch tilting AMOLED touchscreen flips up 180 degrees for self portraits, and the camera records Full HD video at up to 60 frames per second. Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC cover wireless sharing to a phone on the road.

The trade-off is the lens mount, because Samsung exited the camera business in 2015, so the NX mount has no new lenses and buyers must shop the used market for extra glass. This model has no viewfinder and no in-body stabilization, so it steadies shots only through stabilized lenses such as the 18-55mm kit zoom. This model is discontinued, so it is now found through remaining stock or used, and buyers should confirm the exact condition before buying.

Pros: A 20.3 megapixel APS-C sensor with 105-point hybrid autofocus, Full HD video at 60 frames per second, a bright tilting AMOLED touchscreen, and the fastest continuous shooting in this group.

Cons: Discontinued, and Samsung exited cameras in 2015, so no new NX lenses are made, no viewfinder, no in-body stabilization, and a used-only lens market.

Buy it for a bright AMOLED screen and fast hybrid focus on a light travel body. Skip it if you need a living lens system, a viewfinder, or in-body stabilization.

Fujifilm X-A10

This body fits travelers who want Fujifilm color and a flip screen for self portraits in the lightest Fujifilm body here. The Fujifilm X-A10 pairs a 16.3 megapixel APS-C sensor with 49-point contrast autofocus, Full HD video at 30 frames per second, and a body that weighs 331 grams with battery and memory card.

The sensor measures 23.6 by 15.6 mm and uses a Bayer color filter, which gives Fujifilm film simulation color modes for JPEGs straight from the camera. The 3.0-inch tilting touchscreen flips up 180 degrees for self portraits, and the camera records Full HD video at up to 30 frames per second. The NP-W126S battery is shared with other Fujifilm X bodies, which makes a spare battery easy to find.

The trade-off is the video frame rate, because 30 frames per second suits steady clips but gives less slow motion than the 60 frames per second bodies here. This model has no viewfinder and no in-body stabilization, so it steadies shots only through stabilized lenses such as the XC 16-50mm kit zoom. This model is discontinued, so it is now found through remaining stock or used, and buyers should confirm the exact condition before buying.

Pros: A 16.3 megapixel APS-C sensor with Fujifilm film simulation colors, 49-point contrast autofocus, a flip-up touchscreen for self portraits, and the lightest Fujifilm body in this group.

Cons: Discontinued, so only remaining stock or used bodies are available, Full HD video at only 30 frames per second, no viewfinder, and no in-body stabilization.

Buy it for Fujifilm color and a flip screen on the lightest Fujifilm body here. Skip it if you need 60 frames per second video, a viewfinder, or in-body stabilization.

Canon EOS M3

This body fits travelers who want Canon color and a tilting touchscreen in a compact rangefinder-style body. The Canon EOS M3 pairs a 24.2 megapixel APS-C sensor with 49-point hybrid autofocus, Full HD video at 30 frames per second, and a body that weighs 366 grams with battery and memory card.

The sensor measures 22.3 by 14.9 mm and works with the DIGIC 6 processor, which gives an ISO range of 100 to 12800 and continuous shooting at up to 4.2 frames per second. The 3.0-inch tilting touchscreen handles low and high angles, and touch controls cover focus and shooting, so beginners can tap to focus and shoot. Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC cover wireless sharing to a phone on the road.

The trade-off is the lack of a viewfinder and the lack of in-body stabilization, because the M3 has no electronic viewfinder and steadies shots only through stabilized lenses such as the EF-M 18-55mm kit zoom. This model is discontinued, so it is now found through remaining stock or used, and buyers should confirm the exact condition before buying. The EF-M mount has a smaller native lens range than the Sony E-mount or the Micro Four Thirds mount, so buyers who plan to grow a large lens collection should check the lens list first.

Pros: A 24.2 megapixel APS-C sensor with 49-point hybrid autofocus, Full HD video, a tilting touchscreen with touch focus, and Wi-Fi and NFC sharing.

Cons: Discontinued, so only remaining stock or used bodies are available, no viewfinder, no in-body stabilization, and a smaller native lens range than the other mounts here.

Buy it for Canon color and touch focus on a compact travel body. Skip it if you need a viewfinder, in-body stabilization, or the widest lens range.

Fujifilm X-A3

This body fits travelers who want Fujifilm color and a flip screen for self portraits in a light, retro-styled body. The Fujifilm X-A3 pairs a 24.2 megapixel APS-C sensor with 77-point contrast autofocus, Full HD video at 60 frames per second, and a body that weighs 339 grams with battery and memory card.

The sensor measures 23.5 by 15.7 mm and uses a Bayer color filter, which gives Fujifilm film simulation color modes for JPEGs straight from the camera. The 3.0-inch tilting touchscreen flips up 180 degrees for self portraits, and the camera records Full HD video at up to 60 frames per second with a continuous recording limit of about 14 minutes. The NP-W126S battery is shared with other Fujifilm X bodies, which makes a spare battery easy to find.

The trade-off is the contrast-only autofocus, because 77 contrast points track moving subjects less surely than the phase-detection bodies here, so fast children and pets take more care. This model has no viewfinder and no in-body stabilization, so it steadies shots only through stabilized lenses such as the XC 16-50mm kit zoom. This model is discontinued, so it is now found through remaining stock or used, and buyers should confirm the exact condition before buying.

Pros: A 24.2 megapixel APS-C sensor with Fujifilm film simulation colors, 77-point contrast autofocus, a flip-up touchscreen for self portraits, and Full HD video at 60 frames per second.

Cons: Discontinued, so only remaining stock or used bodies are available, contrast-only autofocus that trails phase detection for tracking, no viewfinder, and no in-body stabilization.

Buy it for Fujifilm color and a flip screen on a light travel body. Skip it if you need phase-detection tracking, a viewfinder, or in-body stabilization.

Olympus PEN E-PL8

This body fits travelers who want in-body stabilization in a slim rangefinder-style body. The Olympus PEN E-PL8 pairs a 16.1 megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor with 3-axis stabilization, Full HD video at 30 frames per second, and a body that weighs 374 grams with battery and memory card.

The sensor measures 17.3 by 13 mm and works with the TruePic VII processor, which gives an ISO range of 200 to 25600 and continuous shooting at up to 8.5 frames per second. The 3-axis sensor-shift stabilization steadies every lens mounted on the camera, including small primes with no stabilization of their own, and the 81-point contrast autofocus system covers most of the frame for still subjects. The 3.0-inch touchscreen flips down 180 degrees for self portraits.

The trade-off is the lack of a viewfinder, because the E-PL8 has no electronic viewfinder, so bright sunlight can wash out the rear screen. The flip-down screen also blocks a tripod plate when tilted for selfies, so tripod shooters should plan the setup first. The BLS-50 battery is shared with the older Olympus PEN bodies, which makes a spare battery easy to find. This model is discontinued, so it is now found through remaining stock or used, and buyers should confirm the exact condition before buying.

Pros: The only in-body stabilization in this group with a 3-axis system, an 81-point contrast autofocus system, a 16.1 megapixel sensor with 8.5 frames per second shooting, and a flip-down touchscreen for self portraits.

Cons: Discontinued, so only remaining stock or used bodies are available, no viewfinder, a flip-down screen that blocks a tripod plate, and a Micro Four Thirds sensor that is smaller than the APS-C sensors here.

Buy it for stabilization in the slimmest stabilized body here. Skip it if you need a viewfinder, a larger sensor, or a fully articulating screen.

Buying guide for compact travel bodies

Start with your trip, because a body for city streets needs different strengths than one for hiking or family holidays. Then match the sensor, the screen, and the lens mount to that trip, check the kit lens, and leave room in your plan for memory cards and spare batteries.

Match the body to your trip

Match the body to your trip before you compare sensors and video, because the places you visit decide the hardware you need. City and street shooters can use any body here, since all seven are compact, but the a5100 and the M100 suit pockets and small bags best.

Hikers and long-day walkers should look at weight first, because a body that feels light in the shop can still tire a shoulder after eight hours on a trail. The a5100 at 283 grams and the M100 at 302 grams are the easiest to carry, while the E-PL8 at 374 grams suits buyers who accept more weight for in-body stabilization. A small prime lens keeps any of these bodies light, while a long zoom adds weight that changes the carry.

Family trips add a third point, because children and pets move fast and need autofocus that tracks. The Sony a5100 suits that work with its 179-point phase-detection system, while the contrast-only bodies suit still subjects, portraits, and landscapes. Match the autofocus to the subject, not to the tier.

Check the lens mount and kit lens before you buy

Check the lens mount first, because the mount decides every lens you can use later. Two bodies here use the Canon EF-M mount and two use the Fujifilm X mount, while the Sony a5100 uses the Sony E-mount, the Olympus E-PL8 uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, and the Samsung NX300 uses the Samsung NX mount.

Check the kit lens next, because most travelers start with the zoom that ships with the body. The Sony a5100 often ships with a 16-50mm power zoom, the Canon bodies with a 15-45mm or 18-55mm zoom, the Fujifilm bodies with a 16-50mm zoom, the Olympus E-PL8 with a 14-42mm zoom, and the Samsung NX300 with a 20-50mm zoom, and each covers wide to short telephoto in one lens. Confirm the exact kit lens before buying, since body-only and kit versions of the same model ship with different lenses.

Check the lens stabilization last, because six of the seven bodies here have no in-body stabilization, so a stabilized kit lens is what steadies video and low light shots on those bodies. The Olympus PEN E-PL8 is the exception, because its 3-axis system steadies every lens, including small primes with no stabilization of their own. Buy the body first, then add a prime lens once you know which focal length you use most.

Plan for memory cards, batteries, and storage

Plan for memory cards before your first trip, because Full HD video fills cards fast and a slow card can stop recording. All seven bodies use SD cards, so buy a fast UHS-I card with ample capacity, keep a spare in the bag, and format the card in the camera before each trip.

Plan for batteries too, because mirrorless cameras drain batteries faster than older cameras, and a long day of shooting needs a spare. The Olympus E-PL8 uses the BLS-50 battery, the Fujifilm X-A3 and X-A10 share the NP-W126S battery, the Canon EOS M3 uses the LP-E17 battery, the Canon EOS M100 uses the LP-E12 battery, the Sony a5100 uses the NP-FW50 battery, and the Samsung NX300 uses the BP1130 battery, so check the battery model and carry a spare for the body you choose.

Plan for storage last, because photos and Full HD clips add up quickly, and a full card or a full drive can end a shoot early. Copy files to a computer or an external drive after each shoot, keep a second copy of the best work, and clear the card only after the copy is safe. A backup habit matters more than any single hardware choice in this guide.

Frequently asked questions

The questions below cover the choices that cause the most confusion after buyers have read the product sections. They focus on travel use, stabilization, and video, because those three points decide most purchases in this group, so read them before you buy.

Are the best mirrorless cameras under 400 good for travel

Yes, the bodies in this group are good for travel, because every model here is compact, light, and built around an interchangeable lens mount, which covers city streets, landscapes, family trips, and short clips. The Sony a5100 is the strongest all-around pick, with the fastest autofocus and a 24.3 megapixel sensor.

The Samsung NX300 suits travelers who want a bright AMOLED screen and fast hybrid autofocus, while the Olympus PEN E-PL8 suits travelers who want stabilization in one slim body. The Fujifilm X-A3 and X-A10 suit travelers who want Fujifilm color with a flip screen for self portraits.

For demanding work, check the lens list first, because portraits, wildlife, and sports may need lenses beyond the kit zoom. Match the body to your trip, not just to the tier.

Does a small body need in-body stabilization

No, a small body does not need in-body stabilization, because six of the seven bodies here steady shots through stabilized lenses or careful technique instead. Only the Olympus PEN E-PL8 has sensor-shift stabilization in this group, with a 3-axis system that steadies every lens mounted on it.

Stabilized kit lenses cover most travel shooting on the other six bodies, because the Sony 16-50mm, Canon 15-45mm and 18-55mm, Fujifilm 16-50mm, and Samsung 20-50mm kit zooms all carry lens stabilization. A small prime lens with no stabilization still works for still subjects in good light, while low light shots need a steadier hold or a higher ISO setting.

For the strongest result, use a stabilized kit lens on the six bodies without in-body stabilization, a fast prime on the E-PL8 for low light, and a shutter speed that suits the subject. Stabilization forgives hand movement, but it does not freeze a moving subject, so fast action still needs a faster shutter speed.

Can these cameras record video for travel clips

Yes, these cameras can record video for travel clips, because every model here records at least Full HD at up to 30 frames per second, which suits short films, holiday clips, and vlogs. The a5100, M100, X-A3, and NX300 add Full HD at 60 frames per second for smoother motion.

For the best sound, use an external microphone where the body supports one, because the built-in microphone picks up handling noise and wind. The Sony a5100, Canon EOS M100, and Canon EOS M3 suit clips where the camera audio is enough or where sound is added later, since none of the seven bodies here is sold as a video-first body with full audio controls.

For the best result, shoot in good light, keep clips short, and edit on a computer or phone app that handles Full HD files. The tilting screens on every body here also help with low angles and self portraits, which suits moments that are hard to catch with a single frame.

Conclusion

Choose the Sony a5100 for the best all-around travel body here, the Samsung NX300 for an AMOLED screen and fast hybrid focus, the Olympus PEN E-PL8 for stabilization, the Fujifilm X-A3 for Fujifilm color and a flip screen, the X-A10 for the lightest Fujifilm body, the M100 for Canon Dual Pixel focus, or the M3 for Canon color with touch focus.