Mirrorless cameras have become the go-to choice for new photographers. They’re lighter than DSLRs, easier to handle, and still deliver professional-quality photos and videos. If you’re just starting out and don’t want to spend a fortune, you don’t need to compromise. Many brands now offer excellent entry-level mirrorless models under $700—perfect for hobbyists, students, and anyone wanting to level up from smartphone photography.

Here are some of the best beginner-friendly mirrorless cameras you can buy in 2025 without breaking your budget.

1. Canon EOS R100

The Canon EOS R100 is one of the most affordable cameras in Canon’s EOS R lineup, designed with beginners in mind. It’s compact, lightweight, and works seamlessly with Canon’s growing range of RF lenses.

• Sensor: 24.1MP APS-C CMOS
• Video: 4K recording at 24fps
• Why it’s great for beginners: Easy-to-use interface and Canon’s reliable autofocus system make learning photography stress-free.

2. Sony Alpha ZV-E10

Sony’s ZV-E10 is technically marketed for vloggers, but it doubles as an excellent beginner photography camera. Its flip-out screen and fast autofocus make it ideal for both content creators and casual shooters.

• Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS
• Video: 4K video with advanced stabilization
• Why it’s great for beginners: A versatile hybrid camera that balances video and photo features at an affordable price.

3. Nikon Z30

The Nikon Z30 is a small but powerful mirrorless option aimed at entry-level users. While it’s video-first, it’s also an excellent photography tool for beginners thanks to Nikon’s color science and intuitive controls.

• Sensor: 20.9MP APS-C CMOS
• Video: 4K UHD without crop
• Why it’s great for beginners: Compact body and intuitive controls that won’t overwhelm new users.

4. Fujifilm X-T200 (Refreshed Model in 2025)

Fujifilm has always been loved by creative shooters, and the X-T200 continues that tradition. It has stylish retro design, strong photo features, and Fuji’s legendary film simulation modes, perfect for those who want artistic results straight out of the camera.

• Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS
• Video: 4K UHD at 30fps
• Why it’s great for beginners: Film simulation presets make learning color grading effortless, while the touchscreen interface keeps things simple.

5. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

The Olympus E-M10 Mark IV is a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera that’s lightweight and very beginner-friendly. With built-in stabilization and a portable design, it’s a great travel companion.

• Sensor: 20.3MP Live MOS
• Video: 4K UHD recording
• Why it’s great for beginners: Excellent in-body stabilization makes it easier to shoot sharp photos and smooth handheld videos.

Why These Cameras Are Ideal for Beginners

All of these cameras under $700 strike a balance between affordability and performance. They’re light enough to carry anywhere, packed with modern autofocus systems, and versatile enough to grow with you as your skills improve. Whether your goal is snapping family photos, creating YouTube content, or experimenting with street photography, these cameras offer a strong starting point without overwhelming features—or overwhelming prices.

In today's fast-paced world, managing daily tasks efficiently can be challenging. Fortunately, numerous apps are designed to simplify various aspects of our lives, from organizing tasks to enhancing well-being. Here's a curated list of top apps in 2025 that can help streamline your daily routine.

🧠 Productivity & Task Management

1. Todoist
Todoist remains a top choice for task management. Its intuitive interface allows users to create tasks, set deadlines, and categorize projects effortlessly. The app's cross-platform availability ensures you can manage tasks on the go.

2. Asana
Ideal for team collaborations, Asana helps manage projects and tasks with features like timelines, task assignments, and progress tracking. It's particularly beneficial for workplace productivity.

3. ClickUp
ClickUp offers an all-in-one workspace with tools for task management, document sharing, time tracking, and goal setting. Its customizable features cater to both individual and team needs.

📅 Scheduling & Calendar Management

4. Fantastical
Fantastical is renowned for its user-friendly design and natural language processing. You can create events by simply typing phrases like "Lunch with Arthur 12:30 Friday at Panera." The app integrates seamlessly with other productivity tools, making scheduling effortless. The Verge

🔐 Security & Privacy

5. Proton Pass
For secure password management, Proton Pass offers end-to-end encryption and cross-platform support. It's a reliable choice for safeguarding your digital credentials.

6. Dashlane
Dashlane provides a comprehensive password management solution with features like password sharing, security alerts, and dark web monitoring. Its user-friendly interface makes managing passwords straightforward.

🧘‍♀️ Wellness & Mindfulness

7. The Sukha (Happiness)
The Sukha app focuses on enhancing well-being through mindfulness exercises, mood tracking, and personalized wellness plans. It's designed to help users cultivate happiness and reduce stress. Medium

🧠 AI-Powered Assistance

8. AdaptAI
AdaptAI is an advanced AI tool that monitors your physiological and situational indicators to provide personalized productivity support. It offers context-aware interventions, such as suggesting micro-breaks or exercise prompts, to enhance efficiency and well-being. arXiv

Incorporating these apps into your daily routine can significantly enhance productivity, security, and overall well-being. Whether you're managing tasks, scheduling events, or focusing on personal growth, there's an app tailored to meet your needs.

Alibaba’s Transformation Beyond E-Commerce

When people think of Alibaba, the first image that comes to mind is usually its e-commerce empire—TaoBao, Tmall, and a sprawling online retail network. But today, the Hangzhou-based company is pushing hard into new territory, proving it doesn’t want to remain “just” China’s version of Amazon.

Alibaba’s stock has soared nearly 60% this year, not because of online shopping, but because of its fast-growing cloud computing and artificial intelligence ventures. This shift echoes the playbooks of U.S. tech heavyweights like Amazon and Nvidia, showing how Alibaba is positioning itself to lead China’s digital economy on multiple fronts.

Cloud Computing: The Growth Engine

Cloud technology has become the centerpiece of Alibaba’s evolution. In its latest quarterly earnings, the company reported 26% year-over-year sales growth in its cloud computing unit. Even more impressive is the surge in its AI-related products, which maintained triple-digit annual growth.

Alibaba’s in-house Qwen AI model consistently ranks among the world’s strongest language models, attracting clients across industries. Whether businesses use Alibaba’s own AI tools or simply rent its cloud infrastructure to run third-party models, the company profits either way. Analysts now see Alibaba as the clear cloud leader within China, with an ecosystem strong enough to rival global competitors.

Stepping Into Chip Design

Alibaba isn’t stopping at cloud services. According to recent reports, the company is also making strides in designing AI-optimized chips. While it has developed chips before, the new generation is expected to handle a much wider range of AI inference tasks, making them more practical for broad adoption.

Though these chips lag behind the cutting-edge hardware from Nvidia, they could fill an important gap. With the U.S. restricting exports of advanced chips to China, Alibaba’s designs may become essential alternatives for domestic firms. Unlike Huawei’s more closed systems, Alibaba’s chips are reportedly more compatible with programs initially built for Nvidia, giving developers greater flexibility.

This move places Alibaba in the same conversation as global semiconductor players—a bold step for a company once best known for online shopping.

E-Commerce Still Matters—But With Challenges

While AI and cloud dominate the headlines, Alibaba’s core business still generates just under 60% of its total revenue. In the last quarter, e-commerce sales grew 10% year-over-year, reaching 19.6 billion yuan.

However, not every segment is thriving. Food delivery, operating under TaoBao Instant Commerce, continues to struggle. Facing fierce competition from rivals like Meituan and JD.com, the division remains unprofitable as it battles for users with aggressive pricing strategies.

This highlights the contrast in Alibaba’s operations: its AI and cloud bets are fueling investor optimism, while some traditional commerce units remain in a tough fight.