With so many brands and so many options, finding the best cameras for photography can be frustratingly difficult. Regardless of whether you’re just starting or a seasoned veteran of many years, however, TechRadar can help. We’re constantly testing the very latest models from leading brands like Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm and we’re confident we can serve up perfect options for all budgets.
Our guide to the best camera for photography features models for all skill levels – from novice all the way to professional. Each of our choices has been informed by our extensive reviewing process, which takes into account specs, performance, and our own real-world experience using these cameras. Aside from outright image quality and autofocus, we also thoroughly check how these cameras handle in the wild in various applications. Hundreds of hours are spent making sure these model’s features live up to the promise.
Overall, the best photography camera for most people currently is the Sony A7 IV – a flexible full-frame model that combines class-leading autofocus with great image quality and a fantastic lens ecosystem. It’s not cheap, however, and those on a budget may be better served with the Canon EOS R10. This recommended entry-level model lacks the higher-end features of some choices on our list but it’s still best beginner camera right now thanks to its superb autofocus.
Timothy Coleman
Tim is TechRadar’s Cameras editor, with over 15 years in the photo video industry and most of those in the world of tech journalism, Tim has developed a deeply technical knowledge and practical experience with all things camera related. He notes, “it’s difficult to curate this guide because there are so many incredible cameras out there. We’ve rounded up options for all levels and for specific types of photography. A huge part of the enthusiast and advanced camera market is hybrid now, so if you’re only interested in photography you might be able to save some money by opting for a photo-oriented camera.”
The quick list
If you’re looking for a shortcut to the best camera, the quick round-up below will give you an instant overview of the top options. When you find one that suits your needs and budget, use the links to jump to an in-depth summary.
The best full-frame hybrid overall
With excellent autofocus, image quality and video features, the Sony A7 IV is every bit the modern mirrorless hybrid.
Read more below
The best professional camera for stills
A versatile photography tool with powerful autofocus and a proven form factor, the EOS R5 is Canon’s best stills camera to date.
Read more below
The best camera for beginners
With a compact build, good handling and modern autofocus, the Canon EOS R10 represents excellent value for beginners.
Read more below
The best APS-C camera for enthusiasts
Majoring on resolution, the Fujifilm X-T5 is the ideal crop-sensor flagship for those who favor detail over outright performance.
Read more below
The best Micro Four Thirds camera
Lovely in the hand and versatile to shoot with, the OM System OM-1 delivers solid performance with its 20MP stacked sensor.
Read more below
The best for Canon fans
Best-in-class autofocus, excellent stabilization and rapid burst speeds make this the best stills camera for Canon enthusiasts.
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The best for Nikon enthusiasts
Polished handling, rapid burst speeds and top build quality help the Nikon Z6 II improve on one of our favorite mirrorless cameras.
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The best premium compact
With a fixed focal length that’s perfect for street photography, the Fujifilm X100V is a premium compact with plenty of retro style.
Read more below
The best beginner DSLR
Excellent image quality, superb battery life and an intuitive interface mean the Nikon D3500 is still a fantastic value option for novices.
Read more below
10. Fujifilm Instax Mini 12
The best instant camera
If you want an instant camera that’s easy to use, cheap to refill and capable of producing vibrant prints, the Instax Mini 12 is it.
Read more below
The best high-res full-frame camera
With a huge pixel count and superb autofocus, the Sony A7R V delivers outstanding stills when paired with a top-tier lens.
Read more below
The best pro hybrid for sports and wildlife
Built like a rugged DSLR, the Z9 is Nikon’s most powerful camera ever, complete with an electronic-only shutter and 8K video.
Read more below
The best camera for photography 2024
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Below you’ll find full write-ups for each of the best cameras in our list. We’ve tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best full-frame hybrid overall
Buy it if:
✅ You need an all-rounder for stills and video: There are better specialist cameras out there, but as an all-rounder the A7 IV is the best mirrorless camera you can buy.
✅ Your Sony A7 III is starting to feel its age: The A7 IV is a big upgrade on the A7 III in almost every respect, including resolution, autofocus, usability and video.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You mostly shoot sports and action: While the Sony A7 IV is by no means a slow coach, there are better cameras out there for pro sports performance.
❌ Value is your main priority: You’ll get more bang for your buck with a more specialist camera and an extra lens or two with the money saved.
Following the fantastic A7 III was never going to be easy, but the A7 IV is a worthy successor. With a new 33MP sensor that’s solid for both stills and video, it’s a compelling mirrorless option for hybrid shooters. In our review, we called it a “brilliant blend of photographic power and video versatility”.
A price hike does mean it’s no longer an entry-level full-frame camera like its forebear, but a Bionz XR processor powers solid performance that broadly justifies the extra expenditure.
The A7 IV also benefits from Sony’s class-leading autofocus skills, plus upgrades like 10-bit video and an almost endless buffer depth with a CFexpress card. Our tests found this buffer to be more generous than most photographers will need, with image quality leaning more towards resolution than low-light performance.
No hybrid camera comes without compromise: there is a heavy crop on 4K footage and it isn’t the simplest camera for beginners to use. The Canon EOS R6 also offers faster burst speeds for a similar price. But considering its powerful versatility and higher resolution, the Sony A7 IV deservedly takes our number one spot.
Read our in-depth Sony A7 IV review
The best pro camera for stills
Buy it if:
✅ You want the best Canon stills camera money can buy: The EOS R5 is a simply the most powerful and versatile stills camera Canon has ever made, for everything from landscapes to wildlife and weddings.
✅ You’ve been waiting to upgrade from a Canon DSLR: The R5’s autofocus, burst shooting and EVF offer a next-gen shooting experience from DSLR that could take your photography up a notch or three.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You like having savings: The EOS R5’s cost of entry is prohibitive for most people; add a few RF-mount lenses and the costs can easily spiral into five figures.
❌ You need compromise-free 4K video: Its high-resolution sensor and overheating limitations mean the EOS R5 is trumped both for practicality and outright video quality by the 12MP Sony A7S III.
If you see the Canon EOS R5 as a pro stills model with some impressive video features, then it’s one of the best cameras the photography giant has ever made. There’s no doubt it has video limitations compared to a rival like the Sony A7S III, particularly for shooting longer clips. But after our review, we found it great for anyone looking to shoot mind-blowing stills in almost any situation, whether that’s wildlife or studio work. It’s a hugely impressive achievement.
Particularly worthy of mention is the EOS R5’s autofocus, which we found offers very accurate and reliable subject-detection and tracking – particularly when its comes to people or animals. You also get a superb 5.76-million pixel EVF, a body design that will be comfortably familiar to those coming from DSLRs, and the ability to shoot bursts at 12fps with the mechanical shutter (or 20fps with the electronic equivalent).
The video performance, while limited to relatively short bursts, remains superior to the likes of the Nikon Z7 and Sony A9 II, too. With a growing collection of (albeit pricey) RF lenses, the Canon EOS R5 is the next-gen mirrorless camera that pro photographers have been waiting for.
Read our in-depth Canon EOS R5 review
The best mirrorless camera for beginners
Buy it if:
✅ You’re a beginner looking for your first camera: The power and usability of the EOS R10’s autofocus, plus its superior burst-shooting, put it top of the pile for those starting out.
✅ You need an affordable sports or family camera: While the EOS R10 has more a mid-range price tag, its burst shooting speeds and autofocus are worth the premium if you’re looking to shoot moving subjects.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You need a wide choice of native lenses: Right now, the EOS R10’s main weakness is a lack of native lenses.
❌ You’ll be mostly shooting video: No headphone jack for monitoring audio, nor any in-body image stabilization to keep things steady. This isn’y a vlogging camera.
It isn’t the cheapest camera for beginners, but we think the Canon EOS R10 is the best option for those starting their photographic journey. Spiritual successor to Canon’s popular mid-range DSLRs, the EOS R10 has two standout skills: impressive subject-tracking autofocus and speedy 15fps burst shooting, which was previously unheard of at this price.
Both combine nicely to make the EOS R10 a versatile little camera for shooting all kinds of subjects, from portraits to speeding pets. During our autofocus testing, which we conducted on cats, deer and a rapid cockapoodle, the R10 found and tracked subjects’ eyes very well, with 15fps burst speeds producing a decent hit rate.
While it isn’t a compact camera, the EOS R10 is lightweight at 429g and has a deep grip that makes it well-balanced in the hand with all kinds of lenses. Unfortunately, the EOS R10 doesn’t yet have many native lenses (just two at the time of writing) and lacks in-body image stabilization. But if you’re happy to buy some of the many full-frame RF lenses that work well with the camera, or adapt old ones using an EF-EOS R adapter, then it’s a versatile sidekick that’s ideal for fledgling snappers.
Read our in-depth Canon EOS R10 review
The best APS-C camera for enthusiasts
Buy it if:
✅ You want a lightweight, photo-centric camera: The X-T5’s focus on photography, at the expense of being a hybrid all-rounder, makes it something of a throwback.
✅ You want to upgrade from an X-T3 (or older X-T camera): If have been waiting for a model that combines in-body image stabilization, superior autofocus, a better battery life and more resolution, then the X-T5 is for you.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You mostly shoot in low-light situations: If you spend most of your time shooting indoor events or live music, then a high-resolution APS-C camera does have its limitations.
❌ You’re pretty happy with your Fujifilm X-T4: Unless you’ve been pining for extra resolution, you’d likely be better off sticking with your X-T4 and investing in one of Fuji’s newer lenses.
If you’re shopping for a hybrid all-rounder, you should look elsewhere. While the Fujifilm X-T5 can record lovely 6.2K footage, photography is its focus – and that’s where it excels. Deploying the same 40.2MP APS-C sensor and X-Processor 5 as the Fujifilm X-H2, it delivers images of near-identical quality. If you’re upgrading from an older X-T model, you’ll also notice the benefits of in-body image stabilization, superior battery life and Fujifilm’s latest subject-detection autofocus, even if the latter can’t compete with Sony and Canon’s latest efforts.
Form factor also sets the X-T5 apart. We found its reduced dimensions reminiscent of the X-T1, making it a small, lightweight tool that’s perfect for everyday shooting. Its controls are also photog-friendly, with retro dials for ISO, shutter speed and exposure, plus a three-way tilting touchscreen that works better than a vari-angle for framing stills. Yes, the APS-C sensor limits low-light performance, while a modest buffer isn’t ideal for action snappers. But its marriage of performance and convenient form makes the X-T5 our favorite mirrorless camera for hobbyists.
Read our in-depth Fujifilm X-T5 review
The best Micro Four Thirds camera for enthusiasts
Buy it if:
✅ You’re action photographer after the best bang for buck: Stacked sensor with Quad-Pixel AF, extensive subject detection AF, wildlife photography-friendly MFT format, this is an outright action camera.
✅ You don’t want to be weighed down with kit: A like-for-like full-frame system will likely be twice the size, weight and price.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want resolution: These days, 20MP in a photography-centric flagship camera with this price tag is modest.
❌ You want the best single-shot image quality: The OM-1’s multi-shot computational workarounds are good for specific scenarios, but they can’t be used for everything.
Not everyone needs a full-frame camera. Like the Fujifilm X-T4, the OM System OM-1 embraces the benefits of a smaller sensor to create a compelling alternative for photographers who prioritize size, versatility and a fun handheld experience. Thanks to its stacked Micro Four Thirds sensor – the first of its kind – and a speedy TruePix X processor, the OM-1 performed admirably in most our tests. Quite simply, it’s the one of the most enjoyable cameras you can buy.
We found that the OM-1 performed well up to ISO 1600 and had slightly less aggressive noise reduction than its Olympus-made predecessors. Its computational modes are also the best you’ll find outside a smartphone, with the likes of HIgh Res Shot, Live ND and in-camera Focus Stacking going some way to compensating for its smaller sensor.
On the downside, its autofocus tracking isn’t quite up to the level of Canon or Sony, and the controls can be a little fiddly. That 20MP resolution also isn’t huge for a camera of this price. But if you can overlook those drawbacks, then the OM-1 (and its huge range of Micro Four Thirds lenses) will make a fine companion.
Read our in-depth OM System OM-1 review
The best camera for Canon enthusiasts
Buy it if:
✅ You’re lusting after the R5 but can’t afford it: The R5 got the photography world buzzing. However, not everyone needs a 45MP sensor or 8K video capabilities.
✅ You want a stills camera: The R6 might be a hybrid, but it’s first and foremost a stills shooter and won’t be winning any video shooting contests any time soon.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want more resolving power: The R6’s 20MP sensor produces great images but landscape photographers in particular might want to consider a higher resolution.
❌ You’re budget-conscious: It’s hard to justify the EOS R6 cost when you can get really good 40+ MP full-frame mirrorless cameras for about the same price.
While the Canon EOS R5 (see below) is overkill for most people, the EOS R6 is a more affordable full-frame alternative that is simply one of the best cameras for photography around. If you already own one of Canon’s early mirrorless full-framers like the EOS R, or any of its DSLRs, this is a more than worthy upgrade.
Based on our review, the EOS R6 brings best-in-class autofocus, a superb in-body image stabilization system, and burst shooting powers that mark it out as a very fine camera for wildlife or sports photography.
Despite its ability to shoot 4K/60p video, the EOS R6 lacks the option to record DCI 4K. In our tests, we also found it to have overheating limitations compared to video-focused rivals like the Sony A7S III, making it better suited to stills photographers. But for photography, it’s an excellent – if pricey – option. It delivers hugely impressive autofocus, handling and features which make it one of the best options around for anyone who needs a full-frame camera.
Read our in-depth: Canon EOS R6 review
The best camera for Nikon fans
Buy it if:
✅ You’re looking to upgrade: If you’ve outgrown your current Nikon DSLR, the Z6 II offers enough of a jump in features and performance to make an upgrade worthwhile.
✅ You’re looking for a lightweight travel camera: With a rugged build, plenty of advanced features and a sensor that can cope extremely well with a range of lighting conditions, the Z6 II is a great option for travel.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want to upgrade from the Z6: Unless you’re desperate for a second card slot or want to shoot faster bursts, it’s not worth upgrading.
❌ You’re not going to have much left for lenses: Most S-line full-frame lenses are expensive which could be a bit limiting if you’re new to the system.
The Nikon Z6 reigned at the top of this list for a long time. While the Z6 II is only a modest upgrade, it should definitely be on the shortlist of anyone who’s looking for a full-frame camera. The Z6 continues to offer great value, but we think the Z6 II is worth the extra cost if you can afford it: our reviewing experience put it up there with our favorite mirrorless cameras.
Its Expeed 6 processor drives a host of improvements, including a new 14fps burst mode (up from 12fps on the Z6) and some handy autofocus boosts (particularly for animal eye/face detection). You also get an extra UHS-II card slot, which joins the existing XQD/CFexpress slot, and a firmware update has delivered a new 4K/60p video mode.
Covering a range of scenarios, our tests found that the 24MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor performs well at high ISOs. The Z6 II also has class-leading build quality that feels more substantial in the hand than its rivals.
Read our in-depth Nikon Z6 II review
The best premium compact
Buy it if:
✅ You want a stylish snapper: From its body design to its exposure dials, the X100V is packed with retro appeal.
✅ You want a unique shooting experience: If you haven’t used the X100V’s hybrid viewfinder, try it and thank us later.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want to buy it new: The X100V’s popularity skyrocketed over the last 18 months and it’s still sold out almost everywhere.
❌ You want flexibility: As a fixed lens compact, you can’t zoom in out or out for a different field of view from its 35mm focal length.
On paper, the Fujifilm X100V shouldn’t make sense: a compact camera styled like something from the fifties, with a fixed 23mm f/2 lens and a premium price tag. Yet the model’s predecessors have become iconic among street photographers – and the X100V echoes their spirit. Understated and timeless, we found its compact retro body very special in our review.
The X100V keeps what worked on the X100F, only tweaking what it needs to. There’s now a tilting touchscreen – which we found very handy in testing – and a weather-resistant body (although you need to add a filter to the lens to get full weather-sealing).
The series’ fixed aperture lens setup has always been fantastic for street and portrait photography, and the results are only better now that Fujifilm’s added a new 26.1MP APS-C sensor paired with the latest X-Processor 4. Autofocus is faster, noise control better and image quality improved. Sure, it’s niche and certainly not cheap, but there’s nothing else quite like it.
Read our in-depth Fujifilm X100V review
The best DSLR for beginners
Buy it if:
✅ You have a sharp eye: The D3500’s 24.2MP sensor produces impressive stills, especially when paired with decent DX mount lenses.
✅ You value longevity: With a huge 1,550-shot battery life, the Nikon D3500 is a camera that can keep going and going on a single charge.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want to shoot 4K video: Unlike most smartphones, the Nikon D3500 is limited to Full HD recording, rather than 4K footage.
❌ You like to use a touchscreen: With the same fixed 921,000-dot display as the D3400, the D3500 doesn’t benefit from a touch interface.
This list is dominated by mirrorless cameras, but if you still prefer the benefits of DSLRS – namely, their handling, superior battery lives and value – then we think the Nikon D3500 is the best one around for beginners. Taking the baton from the hugely successful Nikon D3400, it brings a 24MP APS-C sensor and an incredible 1,550-shot battery life that beats the stamina of most mirrorless cameras by about three times.
The useful Guide mode is there to walk beginners through creating effects like a blurred background, while the Nikon DX system has a vast array of lenses. If you’re starting out, we’d recommend buying the D3500 with the AF-P DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens, as its brings handy vibration reduction for very little extra cost. Those looking for a travel-friendly camera should still consider mirrorless alternatives like the Fujifilm X-T200 and Canon EOS M50 Mark II, but otherwise this remains a brilliant way to learn the photographic basics and start your new hobby.
Read our in-depth Nikon D3500 review
The best instant camera
Buy it if:
✅ You want point-and-shoot simplicity: Auto exposure control and affordable film refills make the Instax Mini 12 an accessible camera to shoot with.
✅ You want vibrant party prints: With rich vintage colors, Instax prints have a distinctively attractive look that’s great for capturing memories.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You shoot in sunlight a lot: The Mini 12 tends to overexpose images in bright light, not helped by the always-on flash which fires every time.
❌ You want a tactile camera: The bubble-like design is fun, but it’s also slippery in the hand making it tricky to keep hold of at times.
When it comes to photo quality, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 can’t compete with present company. But if you want an instant camera that’s affordable, easy to use and fun to shoot with, we think the Mini 12 is a winner. Building on everything we loved about the Instax Mini 11, it makes it simple for beginners to create small but vibrant printed snaps.
The Mini 12 benefits from parallax correction, which we found a useful addition: it means what you see when framing is closer to what gets printed. Fujifilm has also repositioned the exposure sensor to get more accurate readings, although we found that the Mini 12 still overexposes in bright sunlight.
We did find its design a little slippery to handle, but the lens controls are even more intuitive than before: you turn on the Mini 12 by twisting its lens, or activate the close-up mode by pulling it. This straightforward setup makes it even more appealing for parties and kids, especially when you factor in the affordable cost of film refills.
Read our in-depth Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 review
The best high-res full-frame camera
Buy it if:
✅ You shoot landscapes, portraits or studio photography: With a 61MP sensor and a powerful processing engine, image quality is excellent.
✅ You need subject the best autofocus: AI subject detection AF provides more reliable autofocus for more subjects in more scenarios.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You don’t have or can’t afford the best optics: A 61MP sensor is unforgiving of any lens deficiencies, so you’ll also need expensive high-end pro lenses.
❌ You don’t need the resolution: Do you need 61MP? If not, you’ll save a packet by opting for the A7 IV instead.
The Sony A7R V takes up the mantle from the A7R IV as Sony’s sharpest full-frame mirrorless camera. As we found in our review, it also solves several of the A7R IV’s drawbacks to become a more complete professional camera. A new 61MP sensor and Bionz XR processor team up to deliver remarkably detailed stills. Eight stops of image stabilization made it easy to shoot handheld in testing, too. We were also impressed by the effectiveness of Real-rime Recognition AF. It’s not perfect, but it can generally detect a range of subjects and capture them crisply.
From our time with the A7R V, we think its level of detail makes it best suited to landscape and studio work. Do keep in mind that it only produces its best results when paired with top-spec lenses, which will add heavily to the already high price tag. The A7R IV offers the same resolution, but we do think the A7R V is the better camera overall, particularly with a sharper EVF that makes framing a joy. That said, if you don’t need so many sensor pixels, you’ll find better value for less elsewhere.
Read our in-depth Sony Alpha A7R V review
The best pro hybrid for sports and wildlife
Buy it if:
✅ You need a dependable camera for most situations: Pros especially need a reliable tool, first and foremost, and they won’t be let down by the Nikon Z9.
✅ You want resolution and speed
What’s seriously impressive about the Z9 is that it outguns the similarly-priced Nikon D6, while boasting more than twice the resolution
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want a lightweight tool: Compared to the Canon EOS R3 and Sony A1, the Nikon Z9 is both heavy and bulky.
❌ You don’t need everything in one camera: Could the Nikon Z9 be more than you need, given its size and price? For example, the smaller Z7 II has the same resolution yet is almost half the price.
Blazingly quick, the Nikon Z9 is a fantastic choice for discerning photographers in need of a camera capable of keeping up with even the most intensive sports and wildlife applications. While large thanks to its built-in vertical grip, the Z9 is a heavyweight beast for multi-angle shooting thanks to its two-way tilting touchscreen.
All the Nikon hallmarks are present with this model – namely fantastic build quality and class-leading weather sealing but the Z9 takes it up a notch. At the time of its release, it was a groundbreaking model from the brand as the first professional-grade camera without a mechanical shutter – something made possible due to its stacked sensor’s readout speeds.
Subsequent firmware releases have meant that it’s only gotten better with age too. Alongside reliable Eye AF tracking, the Z9 is capable of serving up crisp video at 8K/60p, 4K/120fps, or oversampled 4K footage with a respectable 125-minute recording limit. Stills, as you would expect, are fantastic with beautiful images coming from the 45.7MP stacked CMOS sensor with excellent image stabilization.
The only potential downside with the Z9 is its larger form factor. This could be a non-issue if you prefer battery grips – or are used to the higher-end DSLRs of yesteryear – but there are smaller options out there. Nikon’s Z7 II for example offers the same level of detail for stills in a smaller package. It does, however, lack the Z9’s more advanced video features.
Read our in-depth Nikon Z9 review
The best camera for outright image quality
Buy it if:
✅ You love design: Hasselblad X System cameras are the most beautifully designed digital cameras around with spot on handling, too.
✅ You’re a stickler for color: Where the X2D’s image quality truly stands out is in color rendition and dynamic range.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You need to keep up with the action: Hasselblad’s best autofocus yet is still slower than 10-year-old high-end DSLRs.
❌ You want all the features: The X2D is a purist photography experience and doesn’t even record video.
If money is no object and you want the very best image quality, then the Hasselblad X2D 100C is our top pick. It’s very much a camera for photography purists – in fact it doesn’t shoot video at all – but it’s far from being outdated. We love its refreshing simplistic design and ergonomics that lets you focus on taking pictures. We also appreciated the convenience of its built-in 1TB of SSD storage.
And then there’s its 100MP medium format sensor that produces images packed with detail and unmatched color rendition, while its in-body image stabilization – a first for Hasselblad – eliminates the need for a tripod, which was previously unthinkable for a medium format camera.
That’s not to say it doesn’t occupy a narrow niche: burst shooting tops out at 3.3fps, and even with speed enhancements, its autofocus still lags far behind the latest mirrorless models. Its native lens range is also lacking a proper telephoto option. Yet despite these drawbacks, the X2D is right up there with our favorite medium format cameras, and one to get with that winning lottery ticket.
Read our in-depth Hasselblad X2D 100C review
How to choose the best camera for you
The main thing to look at when buying a digital camera is sensor size. Larger isn’t always better, but it is a good guide to what kind of camera it is, how expensive the lenses will be, and who it’s aimed at. In general, Micro Four Thirds and APS-C cameras are for both hobbyists and pros, while full-frame models tend to be strictly for advanced photographers with bigger budgets. Compact cameras with 1-inch sensors are for travel zooms and everyday photography.
Other features to look out for are viewfinders (electronic or optical), which are considered essential by most photographers, and handling. If you’re likely to want to use longer lenses, then a good grip is essential. You should also consider which lenses you’re likely to need for your favorite types of photography – for example, bright prime lenses are better for portraits and street shooting, while wide-angle zooms are more useful for landscapes. Deciding which camera system, including lenses, is the best for you is often better than choosing a camera in isolation.
What type of camera is best for photography?
As you’ll find in our comprehensive buying guide above, there’s no single factor that defines what type of camera is best for photography. From sensor size to resolution, there are many aspects to bear in mind when choosing a stills camera, which is why it’s a good idea to consider the feedback from our real-world tests when deciding.
The importance of each of these factors will come down to your preferred style of shooting. Objectively speaking, the larger a camera’s sensor, the more light it can gather – and the higher its resolution, the sharper its images will be. That’s why we rate mirrorless cameras such as the Sony A1 so highly for their stills performance: its 50.1MP full-frame sensor is the class of the field.
But the question isn’t necessarily that simple. The highest resolutions tend to be overkill unless you’re a professional photographer. Equally, full-frame cameras are less travel-friendly due to the size of their sensors. For that reason, you might prefer a mirrorless camera with a high-resolution APS-C sensor, such as the Fujifilm X-H2. Or if you’re just starting out, the best photography camera for you could be an APS-C model with a lower resolution, such as the Canon EOS R10.
The elephant in the room is whether a DLSR is better than a mirrorless camera for photography. For a full analysis of this question, it’s worth reading our mirrorless vs DSLR camera guide. The short summary is that most manufacturers regard mirrorless cameras as the future of photography, with the latest models offering unrivalled performance and results. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you should discount DSLR models, as you can read below.
Are DSLRs best for photography?
DSLRs have long been a byword for ‘serious’ photography, but they’re no longer at the top the camera tech tree. Mirrorless cameras, which replace the DSLR’s optical viewfinder with a wholly electronic EVF, are now the beneficiaries of the camera giants’ latest lenses and autofocus systems. Neither Canon nor Nikon has released a new DSLR in years. That’s why our list above is dominated by mirrorless cameras, rather than DSLRs.
That doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t consider buying a DSLR for photography. Their main benefit now is value for money – their lack of an electronic viewfinder means they’re usually cheaper than mirrorless equivalents, and their maturity means they have a wide range of affordable lenses. Classic DSLRs like the Canon EOS 6D are also excellent second-hand buys. But the smarter long-term investments are now mirrorless cameras.
How we test cameras
Buying a camera these days is a big investment, so every camera in this guide has been tested extensively by us. These days, real-world tests are the most revealing way to understand a camera’s performance and character, so we focus heavily on those, along with standardized tests for factors like ISO performance.
To start with, we look at the camera’s design, handling and controls to get a sense of what kind of photographer it’s aimed at and who would most enjoy shooting with it. When we take it out on a shoot, we’ll use it both handheld and on a tripod to get a sense of where its strengths lie, and test its startup speed.
When it comes to performance, we use a formatted UHS-1 card and shoot in both raw and JPEG (if available). For burst shooting tests, we dial in our regular test settings (1/250 sec, ISO 200, continuous AF) and shoot a series of frames in front of a stopwatch to see if it lives up to its claimed speeds. We’ll also look at how quickly the buffers clears and repeat the test for both raw and JPEG files.
In various lighting conditions, we also test the camera’s different autofocus modes (including Face and Eye AF) in single point, area and continuous modes. We also shoot a range of photos of different styles (portrait, landscape, low light, macro/close-up) in raw and JPEG to get a sense of metering and its sensor’s ability to handle noise and resolve fine detail.
If the camera’s raw files are supported by Adobe Camera Raw, we’ll also process some test images to see how we can push areas like shadow recovery. And we’ll also test its ISO performance across the whole range to get a sense of the levels we’d be happy to push the camera to.
Battery life is tested in a real-world fashion, as we use the camera over the course of the day with the screen set to the default settings. Once the battery has reached zero, we’ll then count the number of shots to see how it compares to the camera’s CIPA rating. Finally, we test the camera’s video skills by shooting some test footage at different frame-rates and resolutions, along with its companion app.
We then take everything we’ve learned about the camera and factor in its price to get a sense of the value-for-money it offers, before reaching our final verdict.
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