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While new cameras are getting better and better for videography, taking photosis still the bread and butter ofmost consumer cameras. Whether you're looking for the perfect camera to document your travel adventures, a modelthat cancapture beautiful landscapes, or a fast camera to keep up with sports and wildlife, there's no shortage of options. In fact, most modern camerasare well-rounded enough for all kindsof photography. That aside, the lenses you use will alwaysmake the biggest difference in your photography and image quality.Generally speaking, investing in higher-quality lenses and a cheaper camera body is better than investing in cheap lenses and a more expensive camera body.
We've bought and tested over 100cameras in our lab, and below, you'll find our recommendations for the best digital camerasfor photography. If you're looking for something more specific, you can also check out our recommendations forthe best cameras for low-light photography, the best cameras for portrait photography, orthe best cameras we've tested overall.
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Best Camera For Photography
Canon EOS R6 Mark II 8
Travel Photography
7.9
Landscape Photography
8.2
Sport & Wildlife Photography
8.3
Raw Photo Performance
8.6
Vlogging
7.8
Studio Video
9.2
Action Video
5.8
Body Type
SLR-StyleMirrorless
YesSensor Size
Full FrameSee all our test results
Pros Cons - Fantastic image quality.
- Well-built, weather-sealed body.
- Quick burst shooting.
- Remarkable autofocus.
- Not especially portable.
- Slow buffer empty time.
The CanonEOS R6 Mark II is the best camerafor photography that we've tested.This hybrid model is a great choice for enthusiasts and is well-rounded enough fora wide range ofphotography styles. It's sturdy, weather-sealed, and has excellent ergonomics, along with an effective in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system to help you get steadier handheld shots at slower shutter speeds. The camerais builtaround a fantastic full-frame sensor with excellent dynamic range andgreatlow-light noise handling. Throw in a superb autofocus tracking system and up to 40 fpsburst shooting with its electronic shutter, and you've got a fantastic all-arounder that can capture everything from portraits to action shots.
If you'd prefer a camera with a more established lens ecosystem,theSony α7 IVis neck andneck with the Canon.It's another fantastic hybrid camera with a wider range of native and third-party lens options, as well asa higher-resolution sensor.However, it has a slower max burst rate than the R6 Mark II, dropping to just6fps when shooting uncompressed RAW files. Its ergonomics are also abit lacking in comparison, but ultimately, these are both top-of-their-class cameras that will suithobbyists and pros alike.
See our review
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Best APS-C Camera For Photography
Fujifilm X-T5 12
Travel Photography
8.2
Landscape Photography
8.1
Sport & Wildlife Photography
8.3
Raw Photo Performance
8.1
Vlogging
7.4
Studio Video
8.9
Action Video
6.9
Body Type
SLR-StyleMirrorless
YesSensor Size
APS-CSee all our test results
Pros Cons - Relatively portable design.
- Dedicated exposure dials make it easy to adjust settings.
- Excellent battery life.
- Excellent autofocus system.
- Ergonomics are just decent.
- Decent noise handling.
If you prefer the portability and lower cost of APS-C cameras, the Fujifilm X-T5 is among the best we've tested. With a 40.2-megapixel APS-C sensor, it's one of the best digital cameras for photography if you're interested in landscapes or portraits, giving you plenty of leeway to crop and adjust your photos. While images taken in low light are typically noisierthana full-frame alternative like the Canon EOS R6 Mark II, the detail and image quality you can get out of this camera are hard to beat at this price point.
The camera also honors Fujifilm's photography-oriented roots with dedicated exposure dials that give you more hands-on control over your settings and a three-way tilting screen that's incredibly versatile for waist-level shooting and street photography.If you're looking for a more robust camera with better ergonomics for studio work, you might prefer the Fujifilm X-H2. It uses the same sensor as the X-T5 but has a bigger body and additional benefits for hybrid or video shooters, like a full-sized HDMI port and CFexpress card slot. However, it's a bit pricier and less portable.
See our review
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Best Mid-Range Camera For Photography
Sony α6700 17
Travel Photography
8.3
Landscape Photography
8.2
Sport & Wildlife Photography
8.3
Raw Photo Performance
7.9
Vlogging
7.8
Studio Video
8.3
Action Video
7.6
Body Type
SLR-StyleMirrorless
YesSensor Size
APS-CSee all our test results
Pros Cons - Relatively portable and lightweight.
- IBIS.
- Fantastic autofocus system.
- Uncomfortable viewfinder.
- Decent noise handling.
The Sonyα6700 is the best all-around mid-range camera we've tested for photographers. This hybrid model uses a 26-megapixel APS-Csensor and captures fantastic overall image quality. It's also relatively portable and has an excellent battery life, making it a good choice for long days on the go. The camera'sautofocus system is also one of the most effective on the market, with AI-drivensubject detection and tracking. On top of that, it has IBISand a wide selection of compatible lenses, including plenty of more affordable third-party options.
If you don't want to fiddle around with RAW files toomuch, consider the Fujifilm X-S20 instead. Fujifilm is known for its excellent JPEG processing and film simulation profiles, making it a good choicefor thosewho prefer to share their images straight out of the camera. Like theα6700, it has a high-res APS-C sensor and IBIS to help you shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds. However, its autofocus isn't as effective as the Sony's, so it's less suited to very fast subjects like sports or wildlife.
See our review
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Best Entry-Level Camera For Photography
Canon EOS R10 9
Travel Photography
7.8
Landscape Photography
7.8
Sport & Wildlife Photography
8.4
Raw Photo Performance
7.5
Vlogging
7.6
Studio Video
8.3
Action Video
4.9
Body Type
SLR-StyleMirrorless
YesSensor Size
APS-CSee all our test results
Pros Cons - Lightweight, well-built body.
- Good image quality.
- Reliable autofocus system.
- Comfortable to shoot with.
- Unspectacular battery life.
- No in-body stabilization.
If theSony α6700is out of your price range, the Canon EOS R10 is an entry-level model that packs a punchfor its price. With a highly accessible user interface and great ergonomics, it's beginner-friendly, easy to use, and features a highly accurate and effective autofocus system. On top of that, you get quick burst shooting, a good battery life, and some impressive video specs for an entry-level model, including 4k recording at up to 60 fps (albeit with a crop) and 10-bit capture in its HDR PQ mode, though it lacks advanced features like Log profiles.
The biggest downside of the R10, like the Canon EOS R6 Mark II above, is that lens selection is still relatively limited for the RF mount. If you'd prefer a more established lens ecosystem, the Fujifilm X-S10 is another great choice at this price point. It's also one of the few entry-level models with in-body image stabilization. That said, its autofocus system is less reliable, and it may be harder to find new in stock.
See our review
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Best Budget Camera For Photography
Canon EOS R50 10
Travel Photography
7.9
Landscape Photography
7.5
Sport & Wildlife Photography
8.0
Raw Photo Performance
7.4
Vlogging
8.0
Studio Video
8.1
Action Video
4.9
Body Type
SLR-StyleMirrorless
YesSensor Size
APS-CSee all our test results
Pros Cons - Simple controls and accessible auto-shooting modes.
- Lightweight and portable.
- Good image quality.
- Great, simple autofocus system.
- Battery life is good but not great.
- No weather-sealing.
The Canon EOS R50 is the best budget photography camera we've tested. It's a great choice for beginners thanks to its simple and intuitive controls and comprehensive auto and creative shootingmodes that allow novice photographers to experiment with different photography styles whilethey'restill learning the ropes. It also has an accurate and easy-to-use autofocus system and is very portable for travel or street photography.
This is also a good camera to grow with since it uses the same lens mount as full-frame Canons like the Canon EOS R6 Mark II. That means you can use both APS-C and full-frame lenses with the R50, making it easier to upgrade to a full-frame bodydown the line.The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is another great budget option, especially ifyou're interested inthe more portable Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system. It has a well-established lineup of lenses, but its autofocus system is much less reliable than the AF on the R50, and its ergonomics may feel a bit more cramped, depending on the size of your hands.
See our review
Recent Updates
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Jun 12, 2024: We removed the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV from the Notable Mentions because it's a bit outdated in today's market, and we added the Panasonic LUMIX G9 II as a Notable Mention to present more Micro Four Thirds options.
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May 15, 2024: We brushed up the text throughout this article to expand and clarify the differences between the various picks; the picks themselves remain the same.
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Apr 18, 2024: We reviewed the cameras in the article, including their price and availability, to ensure we're still recommending the best for user needs.
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Mar 20, 2024: We've replaced the Sony α7 IV with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II in the top spot because the Canon offers slightly better value for photographers.
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Feb 27, 2024: We've replaced the Fujifilm X-S10 with the Canon EOS R10 since the R10 has a more intuitive user interface, better autofocus, and slightly more advanced video specs.
All Reviews
Our recommendations aboveare what we think are currently the best digital photography cameras for most people to buy, according to their needs. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability (no cameras that are difficult to findor almostout of stock in the U.S.).
If you'd like to choose foryourself, here's the list of all our camera reviews. Be careful not togetcaught up in the details. There is no single perfect camera. Personal taste, preference, and shooting habits will matter more in your selection.
