Best cameras for photos and videos 2024: From beginner to pro models

Photographer holds one of the best cameras for photos and videos in their hands
The best cameras will grow alongside you as you improve your camera skills. (Image credit: Kimberley Lane)

The best cameras are a must-have for any amateur or professional photographer. They can take your shots to the next level, help you to improve your photography skills and hone your craft. 

This guide to the very best cameras on the market includes both mirrorless and DSLR models from leading brands including Nikon, Sony and Canon. Each camera has been extensively tested by our resident experts, who are committed to creating hands-on reviews. Being fully independent and with a team of photography and video experts on-hand, you can rest assured that these are the top models for a range of budgets and skill levels, whether you're looking for a beginner camera or a pro mirrorless one.

Choosing a camera involves making many choices. Do you go for a DSLR or mirrorless camera? What sensor size is right for you, full-frame, APS-C/crop, or micro four thirds? Is shooting video important to you? How about battery life? Do you need a camera that performs well in low-light? In this guide, we explain all the jargon and aim to simplify your decision-making process as much as possible.

If you already have some idea of what you'd like, you can check out our more specific guides on the best beginner cameras, best mirrorless cameras and best cameras for astrophotography. We also have several guides on camera accessories that you might need to complete your kit, including the best zoom lenses, best lenses for astrophotography and best tripods.

The quick list

Here are our top picks in a 'quick view' layout. For more information about each camera, click 'read more below'.

Best cameras we recommend for photos and videos 2024

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Best overall

The best camera overall on the market today

Specifications

Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: Full-frame
Lens mount: Nikon Z
ISO Range: 64-25,600 (expandable to 102,400)
Viewfinder size/resolution: 3.2-inches, 3.69m-dot
Video capability: 8K 60p 12-bit
Weight: 2.01 lb (910g) inc. battery
Size: 5.6 x 4.7 x 3.3-inches (144 x 118.5 x 83 mm)
Memory card type: Single SD UHS-II and single CFexpress/XQD card

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent low light performance
+
Incredible FPS burst speed
+
Extremely detailed images

Reasons to avoid

-
Very expensive
-
Overkill for many casual shooters
-
Much bigger than its predecessor
Buy it if:

You can afford it: This is a big investment, but it'll last for years to come.

You shoot stills and video: This camera is just as impressive at both of these tasks.

Don't buy it if:

You're looking or something lightweight and portable: This model is significantly heavier and bigger than its predecessor. It looks and feels like a professional camera.

The bottom line:

🔎 Nikon Z8: Professionals, look no further. If you combined all the best parts of the flagship Nikon Z9 and the best DSLR in the world, the Nikon D850, you'd be left with this heavy-hitter. ★★★★★

If you're beginning your photography journey, you'll likely be put off by the Nikon Z8's astronomical price tag of around $4,000. If you can afford it, however, this is an absolutely incredible camera that we seriously struggle to fault. If you're a professional or a serious enthusiast with a big budget, the Nikon Z8 does everything you could possibly want it to, and it does it incredibly well.

The bottom line of our Nikon Z8 review is that this is the best camera body on the market right now. To give you an idea, we think it combines all the best parts of Nikon's flagship Nikon Z9 and the incredible Nikon D850 DSLR. During our testing, we found that no matter what type of shooting you prefer, this camera is up for the job.

The Nikon Z8 excels at shooting videos and stills, so it's perfect if you want a camera to shoot both. In terms of video, it's able to support numerous high-quality formats such as N-Log, ProRes and RawHQ. For stills, it can shoot at speeds of up to 120FPS — that's so blisteringly fast, it's ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects like sporting events.

This camera is also a powerhouse in low-light conditions, making it a great choice for astrophotography. We love its night vision mode which, when activated, dims the rear screen and uses only red pixels, helping users to maintain their night vision. It's a very nifty feature that we wish more cameras offered.

The only thing we could think of faulting the Nikon Z8 on is its size. It's a bit bulky and heavy, so if you're looking for something compact and easy to carry, this might not be the best choice. However, considering its impressive power and great features, we think the trade-off is definitely worth it.

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Nikon Z8
AttributesNotes
DesignOutstanding build quality, but it's big and heavy.
PerformanceStarlight mode enables autofocus detection down to an unheard of -9EV.
FunctionalityNight vision mode for astrophotographers.

Best autofocus

Best autofocus: This powerhouse features groundbreaking AI-based autofocus to never miss a shot and incredible full-frame resolution

Specifications

Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: Full-frame
Lens mount: E mount
ISO Range: 100 - 3200 (expanded 50 - 102,400)
Viewfinder size/resolution: 3.2-inch / 9.44M dot
Video capability: 8K/25p video recording
Weight: 1.59 lbs / 723 g including battery
Size: 5.16 x 3.82 x 3.23-inch / 131 x 97 x 82 mm
Memory card type: Dual UHS-II SD/CFexpress Type A slots

Reasons to buy

+
AI-based autofocus system is on another level
+
Beautifully detailed, amazingly versatile LCD screen
+
Stunning high-resolution images

Reasons to avoid

-
Files are huge — your computer will need to be able to process them
-
High ISO images are noisy
Buy it if:

You shoot portraits or weddings: The new AI-based autofocus system makes shooting people easier than ever.

You shoot multiple styles: This camera excels at most photographic styles and video, so if want a versatile camera, this could be the one for you.

Don't buy it if:

 You mainly shoot astro: We found that due to so many megapixels, the images were very noisy at high ISOs. It's fine for the occasional astro shoots with AI denoise in post-processing, but there are better options for this medium.

The bottom line:

🔎 Sony A7R V: The Sony A7R V builds on the power of its predecessor with its higher resolution EVF and LCD screen, more stops of image stabilization and a new AI autofocus unit, but the 61MP sensor provides too much noise for astrophotography. ★★★★½

We think the Sony A7R V is one of the best all-rounder cameras on the market. Its huge 61MP sensor is practically unrivalled and captures incredible detail in every shot. But it's not just stills it excels at; it's also capable of shooting video in 8K. 

The A7R V is bolstered by an industry-leading and powerful AI-powered autofocus system known as Real Time Recognition, which really sets it apart from the competition. It uses deep learning to distinguish between a range of subjects like vehicles, animals, people and insects; if you're shooting people, it can even distinguish between body parts, recognizing a neck from a nose and an eye from an elbow. In our Sony A7R V review, we found it makes focusing an absolute dream.

In terms of performance, we found the color depth and dynamic range to be impressive, even when shooting in sunny conditions with sharp shadows. It also has an incredible eight stops of image stabilization, which is great for low-light shooting; it enabled us to shoot cityscapes handheld under street lighting at night. It's a great all-rounder of a camera, which we found capable of handling most things we threw at it. However, it does suffer from a bit of image noise when taking the ISO above 6400, so it may not be the best choice for those who specialise in astrophotography.

We also love the camera's 4-axis, multi-angle 3.2-inch LCD screen, with a 63% higher resolution than the tilt-only screen of its predecessor, the A7R IV. We found the screen extremely versatile, able to handle most angles you want to shoot at without the need to crane your neck. You can flip it outwards and spin it around to shoot vlogs or selfies, or tilt it down and out to bring the screen away from the ports when you're connecting microphones or monitors. 

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Sony A7R V
AttributesNotes
DesignMost versatile LCD screen yet.
PerformanceSony's autofocus just keeps getting better thanks to the new AI system.
FunctionalityEight stops image stabilization proves great for low light.

Best for beginners

Best for beginners: Great snaps and vlogging thanks to its excellent tracking capability

Specifications

Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: 34.4MP APS-C
Lens mount: RF (or EF and EF-S with adapter)
ISO range: 100-32,000, expandable to 51,200
Viewfinder size/resolution: 0.39-in, 2.36 million dots OLED EVF
Video capability: 4K UHD 60p
Weight: 1.17 lbs (530g)
Size: : 5.20 x 3.56 x 3.61-inches (132 x 90 x 92mm)
Memory card type: 2x SD/SDHC/SDXC and UHS-II

Reasons to buy

+
Small and lightweight
+
No record limit
+
Excellent autofocus and tracking

Reasons to avoid

-
Not compatible with battery grip
-
Slow buffer speed
Buy it if:

You're a casual vlogger: The screen fully articulates, which is great for vlogging and selfies.

You want to produce razor-sharp images: This camera's performance is incredible, even in low light.

Don't buy it if:

You are a filmmaker: There have been problems with overheating when recording lots of video.

You want lots of lenses: The range of APS-C lenses (RF-S) is very limited. You can use full-frame RF lenses but you'll have to be mindful of the 1.6x crop factor, which isn't good for astro.

The bottom line:

🔎 Canon EOS R7: A powerful crop sensor camera that can get near full-frame results and can handle almost anything you throw at it with ease. We love it. ★★★★½

The EOS R7 can rival most full-frame cameras despite having a crop sensor. It's more compact and more affordable, but it's surprisingly powerful and an utter joy to use. While professionals will likely be put off by its APS-C sensor, it's a fantastic choice for photography beginners, offering them a great set of tools to master the medium with.

The camera is small and lightweight, which makes it comfortable to hold and ideal for traveling, although it might feel a little too small for those with larger hands given that it is not compatible with a battery grip. It comes with a fully articulated screen which is great for vlogging or shooting selfies and also makes it easy to shoot low to the ground or at unusual angles without having to contort yourself to check your composition.

The R7 has seven stops of in-body image stabilization (IBIS), an unusual but very welcome feature for a crop sensor camera. The IBIS means you can achieve sharper, steadier images in low light and at longer exposures, even when you're holding the camera in your hand, which is great if you find yourself without a tripod.

In our Canon EOS R7 review, we were impressed with the 32.5MP sensor, which creates sharp images and pleasing colors, with very little noise even at ISOs of around 6000. Considering its price point, we were very impressed by the autofocus on this camera, as well as the eye tracking on both human and animal subjects. It also produces crisp, clear 4K video, with the autofocus and eye tracking working well on video, too.

This camera has other neat features like dual SD card slots (again, something you rarely see in a crop-sensor camera), which allow you to either back up your shots or save them across two different memory cards.

One of the only downsides to this camera is the limited options of APS-C lenses (RF-S) currently available. Since Canon is producing such high-quality crop sensor cameras like this one, we hope It will expand its range of compatible lenses soon.

If you're looking for a lightweight Canon that's also full-frame, take a look at our Canon EOS R8 review.

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Canon EOS R7
AttributesNotes
DesignSmall and lightweight for travel.
PerformanceImpressive tracking.
FunctionalityUp to 30FPS — provided you have a fast card.

Best hybrid camera

Best hybrid camera: The A7R IV offers good value for money and all-round performance

Specifications

Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: Full-frame
Lens mount: Sony E
ISO Range: 100-32,000 (expanded 50-102,400)
Viewfinder size/resolution: 0.5-in, 5.76 million dots OLED EVF
Video capability: 4K 30FPS
Weight: 23.5 oz (665g)
Size: 5.1 x 3.8 x 3.1-inches (129 x 96 x 78 mm)
Memory card type: Dual UHS-II SD

Reasons to buy

+
In-body Optical Steady Shot
+
Outstanding image quality

Reasons to avoid

-
Massive RAW files will need lots of storage space
-
Expensive, but good value
Buy it if:

You shoot lots of portraits, weddings or studio work: The autofocus is incredible, and it has many customizable buttons to get your setup just right.

You're into astrophotography: This camera is a perfect match for astrophotographers of any skill level. You can use the shots right out of the camera up to ISO 6400 before you start to see any noise.

Don't buy it if:

You're not spending much time on photography: Many won't need this level of detail (or file size) and can save money on lower-resolution cameras.

You want to shoot fast action sports: There are other cameras with higher burst speeds.

The bottom line:

🔎 Sony A7R IV: Despite the high price tag, this is a camera in a class of its own. For landscape, studio, or professional wedding photographers, this is a fantastic choice. ★★★★½

While the Sony A7R V may have stolen the limelight from the A7R IV, this is still an excellent camera. As long as this camera is still available, it's going to impress whoever picks it up.

In our Sony A7R IV review, we gushed about its huge 61-megapixel sensor which is great at picking up small, intricate details. It handles low light conditions extremely well, which is why we think it's a great choice for astrophotographers, and it even earned a place in our best cameras for low-light photography guide.

Compared to its predecessor, the Sony A7R III, it has more prominent and tactile button, greatly enhancing its usability and ergonomics. This will be particularly appreciated if you shoot outdoors wearing gloves, or in low light environments. 

Despite being a generation old now, the Sony A7R IV is still an excellent camera and, as such, it still carries a hefty price tag. Even though the A7R V is now on the market, the A7R IV will remain relevant for a long while — and we think very few cameras are able to handle shooting weddings, portraits, studio work, and landscapes quite like it.

If you're after a lens to accompany it, we used the Sony A7R IV when we reviewed the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM, and we think this camera and lens pairing is a match made in heaven.

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Sony A7R IV
AttributesNotes
DesignSuperb build quality.
PerformanceBright, sharp and colorful images.
FunctionalityHigh megapixel sensor means more image noise.

Best budget camera

Best budget camera: The Z fc is a delight to use and beautifully stylish

Specifications

Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: 21MP APS-C
Lens mount: Nikon Z
ISO range: 200-51,200 (expanded 204,800)
Viewfinder size/resolution: 0.39-in, 2.4 million dots OLED EVF
Video capability: 4K UHD 30p
Weight: 0.98 lbs (445g)
Size: 5.31 x 3.7 x 1.73-inches (135 x 94 x 44mm)
Memory card type: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent touchscreen
+
Retro design
+
Great sensor

Reasons to avoid

-
Geared towards beginners
-
Continuous/burst modes could be better
Buy it if:

You want something stylish: The classic aesthetic of this camera is timeless.

You're a beginner: This camera is easy to get to grips with, even for total beginners, and it's reasonably priced.

Don't buy it if:

You're a professional: The 'c' in the name signifies this camera was designed with casual shooters in mind. Pros will find it limiting.

The bottom line:

🔎 Nikon Z fc: The Nikon Z fc is an impressive bit of kit, a gorgeous camera to look at and use. On the inside, it's capable and easy to get to grips with for more casual users. ★★★★½

Yes, this is yet another Nikon entry in our list of best cameras for photos and videos, but before you say anything, the Nikon Z fc has earned its place with gusto. This camera also topped our best beginner cameras guide, and for good reason. 

It's a gorgeous, timeless-looking camera that is a joy to use. It's well-suited to casual users (which is what the 'c' in its name signifies) thanks to its straightforward and user-friendly approach to camera controls.

The autofocus is designed to prioritize people, maintaining pin-sharp focus on their faces. This feature is ideal for shooting candid street photos, portraits or important events like weddings, where capturing fleeting moments is crucial. The quick and responsive touchscreen ensures you won't miss any spontaneous shots, and the camera is fast overall, ready to go in less than a second after turning it on.

We do think Nikon could do with improving the continuous shooting option mode, so if you're a professional looking to shoot sports or action, you may want to choose a different model. However, for other types of photography, the noise reduction performance is outstanding. Even in low-light situations, you can raise the ISO and still capture remarkable photos. We tested this in our hands-on Nikon Z fc review and could push the ISO to ISO 12,800 and still achieve acceptable images with minimal unwanted noise, which we were very impressed by.

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Nikon Z fc
AttributesNotes
DesignRetro styling is incorporated tastefully.
PerformanceNoise control works superbly.
FunctionalityLens options suit a range of content creators.