Best cameras for photos and videos 2024
We've summarized the best cameras for photos and videos for all budgets and skill levels, as tested by our experts.
- Quick list
- Best overall
- Best full-frame resolution
- Best hybrid camera
- Best for professionals
- Best Canon
- Best for travel
- Best pro-level Sony
- Best DSLR
- Best value mirrorless
- Best for beginners
- Best for low light
- Best generalist camera
- Best Micro Four Thirds
- Best all-rounder
- Best lightweight DSLR
- Best beginners DSLR
- Best compact APS-C mirrorless
- Honorable mentions
- Best cameras FAQ
- How we test
1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best overall
3. Best full-frame resolution
4. Best hybrid camera
5. Best for professionals
6. Best Canon
7. Best for travel
8. Best pro-level Sony
9. Best DSLR
10. Best value mirrorless
11. Best for beginners
12. Best for low light
13. Best generalist camera
14. Best micro four-thirds
15. Best all-rounder
16. Best lightweight DSLR
17. Best beginners DSLR
18. Best compact APS-C
19. Honorable mentions
20. Camera FAQs
21. How we test
Are you in the market for a new camera? We've rounded up the best cameras for photos and videos, taking into account all types of photographers and a vast range of budget. Whether you're a professional looking for a meaningful upgrade or a novice looking for a good bit of kit that won't break the bank, you'll find what you're looking for here.
There are multiple different types of camera on the market, which can make looking for a purchase a little overwhelming. Do you want a mirrorless camera or a DSLR? Or how about a full frame, APS-C or micro four-thirds? Don't worry: We're here to help you narrow down your choices and understand what are the best cameras for photos and videos.
Here at Space.com, we have a range of experts and professional photographers who have tested the best cameras on the market. They've done the hard work for you, and the cameras on this list have all come highly recommended either based on our reviews or extensive testing (usually both!). We'd never recommend a camera we wouldn't use ourselves, so you can trust our picks to be impartial and based only on expertise.
That said, you will find a selection from each of the big brands here. So if your allegiance lies with Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm or even something else, you'll hopefully find a worthy upgrade worth considering.
While this guide covers multiple photography disciplines, we have other, more tailored guides too, such as the best cameras for astrophotography and the best lenses for astrophotography. If you've already purchased your camera and are now looking for accessories like one of the best camera backpacks or a travel tripod, or perhaps you're looking to pair it with one of the best lenses for astrophotography or the best zoom lenses, we have guides for those too.
If you're trying to view or snap the total solar eclipse on April 8, you must use a specialist piece of kit or sufficient solar filter to protect your eyes from the Sun.
- Staples: Solar eclipse multipack available
- Amazon: Celestron solar eclipse glasses
- B&H Photo Video: Single and multipack eclipse glasses
- Adorama: Solar eclipse glasses and filter adapter kits
- Target: Discounted ISO-certified solar glasses
- Walmart: Solar glasses, binoculars and filters available
Best cameras for photos and videos we recommend in 2024
Why you can trust Space.com
The quick list
Here are our top picks in a 'quick view' layout. For more information about each camera, scroll down. From there you can click through to our hands-on reviews.
Best overall
The best mirrorless camera overall
We can't think of a camera that is more versatile. It's best for professional shooters with a big budget, but it is more than capable in all shooting scenarios.
Best full-frame resolution
Best full-frame resolution
The successor to the popular A7R IV, this camera does everything the previous model did and more, with class-leading AI-based autofocus and hugely detailed images.
Best hybrid camera
Best hybrid camera
This previously sat at the top of our best cameras list thanks to its fast autofocusing and massive 61MP full-frame back-illuminated CMOS sensor and 4K UHD 30p video.
Best for pros
Best for professional shooters
This is a video shooting powerhouse with superb battery life and a rugged body that's built to last, regardless of the weather conditions.
Best Canon Camera
Best Canon camera
The Canon EOS R5 feels great in the hand, and the image stabilization and fast autofocus make it a pleasure to shoot with. It is quite expensive and the features are overkill for casual shooters.
Best for travel
Best for travel
This small and lightweight camera features excellent autofocus and tracking — it is a pleasure to shoot with. Travel vloggers will appreciate the eye tracking and autofocus, as well as the lack of recording limit.
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Best pro-level Sony
Best pro-level Sony
Mindblowing specs and performance but with a huge price tag to match. It is extremely versatile and boasts an impressive 50.1 megapixels as well as 8K 30P video.
Best DSLR
Best DSLR
Despite being an old DSLR camera, this camera still holds its own. The impeccable weather sealing makes it robust and durable and it offers an incredible 45.4MP stills and 4K UHD 30p video.
Best value mirrorless
Best value mirrorless camera
Though this is an older model, it's the perfect camera for low-light shooters — this could be astrophotography, indoor sports or indoor weddings. The battery life is huge too.
Best for beginners
Best for beginners
This lightweight camera is suited to candid street photography thanks to its super quick power-up time. Its retro design will appeal to many and it's easy to use. It boasts a great sensor (the same as the Nikon Z50) for the price point.
Best for low light
Best for low-light
This retro-styled camera is not only super-stylish and reasonably inexpensive for a full-frame mirrorless camera, it's also a fantastic performer in low-light thanks to its wide ISO range and low noise.
Best generalist camera
Best generalist camera
The Fujifilm X-T5 is another small-bodied camera that is a good all-rounder. It has a classic aesthetic and features two SD memory card slots for peace of mind. It boasts impressive low-light performance.
Best Micro Four Thirds
Best Micro Four Thirds camera
This camera weighs less than 1 lb but is still packed with useful functionality, so is a great everyday or travel camera. The autofocus system is fast, there are five stops of in-body image stabilization and the large LCD screen is remarkable.
Best cameras we recommend for photos and videos 2024
Best overall
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You can afford it: This is a big investment but it's worth it if you'll be in the industry for years to come.
✅ You shoot stills and video: This camera is just as impressive at both of these tasks
❌ 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.
🔎 Nikon Z8: Professionals need to 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; the Nikon Z8. ★★★★★
If you're a beginner photographer, you'll likely be put off by the price tag of the Nikon Z8 — it comes in around $4,000. But for everyone else, this is an absolutely excellent camera that doesn't disappoint in any way. If you're a professional or a serious enthusiast with a big budget, the Nikon Z8 does everything you could possibly want it to with gusto.
Our full Nikon Z8 review is seriously gushing, and the bottom line is that this is the best camera body on the market right now. We think it has all the best bits from Nikon's flagship Nikon Z9 and the excellent Nikon D850 DSLR. No matter what type of shooting you prefer, this beast is up for the job.
It excels in both video and stills, and we love that it can handle a range of high-quality video formats such as N-Log, ProRes and Raw HQ. If you're shooting stills, it can capture at up to 120FPS, which is simply incredible if you're shooting fast-moving subjects like sporting events. It handles noise very well too, making indoor shooting a doddle.
For astrophotographers and those who like to shoot in dimly lit environments, you'll love that it has a customizable night vision mode: Turn it on and you'll find it only displays red pixels and dims the rear screen in order to preserve your own night vision. It's a seriously nifty feature that we wish more cameras had.
Perhaps the only slight complaint we can levy at the Nikon Z8 is that it's on the big and heavy side. If you're wanting something light and portable for travel, this isn't it. But it's a worthwhile trade-off for just how powerful it is.
- Read our full Nikon Z8 review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Outstanding build quality, but it's big and heavy. |
Performance | Starlight mode enables autofocus detection down to an unheard of -9EV. |
Functionality | Night vision mode for astrophotographers. |
Best full-frame resolution
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You shoot portraits or weddings: The new AI-based autofocus system is on another level and makes shooting people easier than ever.
✅ You shoot multiple styles: This camera excels at most photographic styles and video, so if you like to shoot many different subjects then this could be the camera for you.
❌ You mainly shoot astro: We noted that due to so many megapixels, the images were very noisy. Fine for occasional astro with AI denoise in post-processing, but there are better options for astro.
🔎 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 massive 61MP sensor provides too much noise for astrophotography. ★★★★½
The Sony A7R V is one of the newest cameras on our list, and we consider it to be a breath of fresh air in the photography world. Taking over from the A7R IV, we weren't entirely sure how Sony could improve on it — it was already an excellent camera. But somehow they managed it, and with gusto: The Sony A7R V pretty much blows the IV out of the water thanks to a raft of new features.
Top of that list is its new AI-powered autofocus system. It's incredibly powerful, and if you routinely shoot portraits or wildlife, you'll love how it tracks eyes, recognizes human movements and body parts, and even anticipates how your subject might move while they're in the shot. It's great for tracking other subjects, like cars and other vehicles, too.
It features 8 stops of image stabilization, which is especially effective in low-light conditions. In our Sony A7R V review, we successfully captured clean and sharp handheld shots at ISO 100 with a shutter speed of 1/3 second. However, during our astrophotography sessions, we did observe some noise in the images, but that's typical for a 61MP sensor. Although the noise can be addressed with editing software for occasional astro images, it might become annoying and tiresome for frequent astrophotography enthusiasts.
Another feature we loved was the 4-axis, multi-angle LCD screen. It can tilt outwards and flip out to the side (and fully articulates), giving users the best of both worlds — we loved this feature when we reviewed it.
It's certainly an investment, but for the amount of tech you get, we think it's worth every cent and will last for years. We also used it in our review of the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II lens and loved the images it produced.
- Read our full Sony A7R V review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Most versatile LCD screen yet. |
Performance | Sony's autofocus just keeps getting better thanks to the new AI system. |
Functionality | Eight stops image stabilization proves great for low light. |
Best hybrid camera
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ If you shoot lots of portraits, weddings or studio work: This is one of the best cameras you can buy, it's excellent in low-light and there are many customizable buttons to get your set up just right.
✅ You dabble in astrophotography: This camera would be 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 unfavorable noise.
❌ 61 megapixels might be overkill: Many photographers 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.
🔎 Sony A7R IV: Despite the big price tag, this is an incredible camera in a class of its own. For landscape photographers, studio portraits, or professional wedding photography, 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. And its lower price point means it still has an audience. Whileever this camera is still available, it's going to impress whoever picks it up.
One of our favorite things about the Sony A7R IV is its huge 61-megapixel sensor. It's great at picking up small, intricate details and handles low light conditions extremely well. It's a great choice for astrophotography too, and it performs so well that it's secured a place in our best cameras for low-light photography guide.
In our Sony A7R IV review, we compared the camera to its predecessor, the Sony A7R III. And while some of the upgrades don't sound like much, when it comes to using them in practice, they make a huge amount of difference. Even subtle changes like the buttons, which are more prominent and tactile here, make using the camera a much more pleasant experience — particularly if you're wearing gloves or using it in low-light conditions.
The Sony A7R IV is not cheap, but if you're looking for a long-term investment, you won't find much better for shooting weddings, portraits, studio work and landscapes. Plus, now that it's not the newest model in the A7R range, it's come down in price a bit compared to when it was first released. We also used the Sony A7R when we reviewed the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM.
- Read our full Sony A7R IV review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Superb build quality. |
Performance | Bright, sharp and colorful images. |
Functionality | High megapixel sensor means more image noise. |
Best for professionals
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ If you're going to shoot lots of fast action: The 'People AF' mode is eerily good at picking out eyes and faces, making capturing human motion easy and accurate.
✅ If you also shoot video: Its video capabilities are just as good as stills. The two CF card slots mean you can shoot hours of footage at 8K 60FPS.
❌ You are an astro shooter restricted by budget: You could buy a cheaper camera such as the Nikon Z7 II, pair it with a specialized lens and get similar results.
🔎 Nikon Z9: An absolute monster for stills and video, the Nikon Z9 is a brilliant astro camera. However, it comes at a high price and with features more suited to other photo styles like weddings and wildlife, it may be overkill for night sky photographers. ★★★★½
The Nikon Z9 is one of the best-performing digital cameras ever made, and in our Nikon Z9 review, we gave it a highly respectable four and a half out of five stars. Because of the price of this camera, it's realistic to say it's really only for professionals who earn their living taking photos or videos, as it is excellent at doing both.
This camera is ideal for capturing quick moments in sports, wildlife, weddings and events thanks to its impressive burst shooting features. It can take photos at a rapid 20FPS in RAW and an incredible 120FPS in lower-quality JPEG, guaranteeing you won't miss any crucial shots. Additionally, it excels at recognizing and tracking faces and eyes thanks to excellent autofocus.
But as great as the Nikon Z9 is, it's fair to say that it will likely be overkill if your main focus is astrophotography. That's not to say it's not a good choice for astrophotography — in fact, the Z9 is capable of taking some incredible photos of the night sky — but its price and wealth of features would be wasted if that's your primary focus. Capable cameras are available for much less.
If you're a professional photographer who shoots a range of styles and occasionally dabbles in astro, though? Consider the Z9 an excellent choice. We love how long its battery lasts: In our tests, three solid hours of shooting astro used up less than 20 percent of the full battery. There's an excellent range of connectivity on here too, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ethernet and USB-C. Just about everything you could want in a camera — and then some.
- Read our full Nikon Z9 review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Heavy, solidly built body. |
Performance | Excellent astro performance. |
Functionality | As capable at video as it is at stills. |
Best Canon
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ If you're a semi-pro photographer looking to upgrade: This is a camera for life; it's one of the most complete cameras Canon has ever produced.
❌ You are a filmmaker: There have been problems with overheating when recording lots of video.
❌ You don't like to carry spare batteries: The battery life is a little disappointing when compared with competitor models.
🔎 Canon EOS R5: One of the best cameras on the market at the moment and possibly Canon's finest-ever technical achievement. A superlative but very expensive package. ★★★★½
In our Canon EOS R5 review, we said this camera has one of the best autofocus systems we've ever used. That's high praise, but it's not all the R5 has going for it. This is an excellent all-round camera, and whatever type of photography you like to shoot, you'll find the Canon EOS R5 more than capable of the job.
It boasts a 45MP full-frame sensor, giving a great amount of detail in shots (along with the ability to create extra-large prints, if that's important). Its tracking excels when it comes to following eyes and head movements, making it a great choice for portrait photography — although the speed of the autofocus means it's very good at capturing action like sports and concerts too.
With an outstanding 15-stop dynamic range and superb noise control, this camera excels at bringing out fine details, even in low-light conditions. It captures a ton of data that you can enhance during editing, which is fantastic for astrophotographers aiming to highlight each star in the sky. Plus, it can record stunning high-quality 8K RAW video footage.
The large flip-around screen is ideal for vloggers and content creators since it eliminates the need for any additional monitors while recording. We think this is one of Canon's most complete packages, and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, provided you can stretch your budget that far.
- Read our full Canon EOS R5 review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | A heavy, sturdier design than some other mirrorless cameras. |
Performance | Superlative resolution and image quality. |
Functionality | Battery life is slightly compromised. |
Best for travel
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You're a casual vlogger: The screen fully articulates which is great for vlogging and selfies. No more guesswork.
✅ You want to produce razor-sharp images: This camera's performance is incredible. You'll be able to shoot beautiful color-rich images, even in low light.
❌ You are a filmmaker: There have been problems with overheating when recording lots of video.
❌ You are an astrophotographer or want lots of lenses: The range of APS-C lenses (RF-S) is seriously limited. You can use full-frame RF lenses but you'll have to be mindful of the 1.6x crop factor, not good for astro.
🔎 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
During our Canon EOS R7 review, we were pleasantly surprised with the handling and image quality of this APS-C mirrorless camera in several different scenarios — it was an absolute pleasure to shoot with.
Although it's mainly advertised for wildlife photography, this camera proves versatile across different types of photography. We were amazed by how well it performs in low-light conditions — there was hardly any noticeable noise even at an ISO of around 6000, and the pictures were vibrant and produced accurate colors.
We liked its compact size, making it an excellent option for travelers and vloggers. Vloggers, in particular, will love its accurate eye tracking and autofocus features, along with the ability to capture impressive video footage without any recording limits.
The only drawback we noticed was the slower buffer-clearing speed. However, astrophotographers typically don't need to shoot quickly, and landscape photographers won't need to shoot anywhere near the full 30FPS it's capable of. But if you're planning to photograph fast-paced events like motorsports or wildlife, you might want to consider a different camera that can accommodate faster memory cards.
This camera has almost everything a full-frame camera has but at a reasonable price and in a compact body — we think it more than holds its own in comparison. The only downside with it being an APS-C is the lack of lens options — we used it with the Canon 28-70mm f/2 L USM lens and were incredibly impressed with the quality of the images.
If you want a lightweight Canon that's also full-frame, take a look at our Canon EOS R8 review. We gave it four and a half out of five stars.
- Read our full Canon EOS R7 review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Small and lightweight for travel. |
Performance | Impressive tracking. |
Functionality | Up to 30FPS — provided you have a fast card. |
Best pro-level Sony
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You can afford to: If you are fortunate to have the budget for this bit of kit, we can 100% recommend you go for it. It does everything.
❌ You are on a budget: The price point of this camera is realistically out of reach for many photographers. There are alternative cameras on the market that still produce exceptional images but cost a fraction of the price.
🔎 Sony A1: This camera can do everything. But it is only really accessible to full-time professional photographers or amateurs with deep pockets. If you are fortunate enough to have the budget for it, you can't go wrong. ★★★★½
With a price tag of around $6,000, it's safe to say that the Sony A1 is only for serious photographers: Those who make a living with a camera in hand, or those to whom money is no object. If you fall into either of those categories, the A1 is quite possibly the one camera to rule them all — it's a seriously impressive piece of kit.
The massive 50.1MP stills resolution, 8K 30p video, a generous 5.5 stops of image stabilization and a class-leading electronic viewfinder can all be used to create amazing photographs in any setting. This thing can do everything you'd ever need.
Although the 50.1MP resolution sounds impressive, not all memory cards or computer storage systems may handle it well, especially during continuous shooting. However, if you're investing in such a high-end camera, chances are you already have a capable computer and editing setup. Additionally, like many newer cameras, you can opt for lossless compressed files to make the file sizes more manageable, which also improves the speed at which the buffer clears when you're capturing images on the go.
In our Sony A1 review, we especially liked the impressive dynamic range. It can happily handle different contrasts within an image, even if the foreground is shaded and the background is in sunlight. This lends itself well to astrophotography too. We also used the Sony A1 when we reviewed the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II and in our Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM review.
The Sony A1 also has a bird mode autofocus setting that delivers remarkable precision, comparable to the accuracy achieved with human and animal modes. This makes it an excellent choice for capturing wildlife in your photography. However, it's worth noting that some of the newer Sony cameras have a more intelligent AI-powered autofocus system. This development might make other, more budget-friendly options appear more appealing compared to this high-priced powerhouse.
- Read our full Sony A1 review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Tilt only screen is disappointing for the price. |
Performance | Fantastic tracking and autofocus. |
Functionality | Can handle anything you throw at it. |
Best DSLR
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You're going to be shooting astro: This is one of the best cameras for astrophotography, despite its age.
✅ You'll shoot in very cold temperatures: The D850 is weather-sealed and made from magnesium alloy. The manual states it can shoot in temperatures 0 °C to 40 °C (+32 °F to 104 °F).
❌ You are looking for something light and portable: If this is one of your key criteria, opt for an inherently lighter mirrorless camera
❌ You're worried about being left behind: This camera is now six years old, and most companies have or are phasing them out to focus on their mirrorless products.
🔎 Nikon D850: A 45.4MP monster, the Nikon D850 will capture every single star you can possibly see and then some thanks to its wide ISO range. ★★★★½
Mirrorless cameras may be the way of the future, but DSLR isn't dead yet — and the Nikon D850 proves that all too well. If you need a camera that can do anything, then this is it. Despite being over five years old, it can compete with just about anything on the market. In fact, we like this camera so much that we've also featured it in our best cameras for astrophotography, best Nikon cameras for 2022 and best DSLR camera guides. Phew.
As we said in our in-depth Nikon D850 review, this is a camera that excels in numerous scenarios. And with a huge, huge array of F-mount lenses available for it, it's adaptable to just about any type of photography you need it for. Yes, it may be slower than the latest mirrorless camera models on the market, but its respectable 9FPS when using an additional battery grip is perfectly adequate for capturing wildlife or sporting events.
If you like the classic photography feel, this camera has a large optical viewfinder that gives you a real-time view of your scene, unlike a small screen. For video, it supports impressive 4K UHD recording at 30FPS. Plus, you can make slow-motion videos in 1080p at 120FPS, letting you capture and slow down fast-paced action for a cinematic effect.
Designed for professionals, this camera comes with a high price, but it's worth it. It's built tough, weather-sealed and can handle rough conditions without sacrificing performance. The added bonus of backlit buttons means you won't need a headtorch when you're shooting astrophotography, preserving your night vision.
- Read our full Nikon D850 review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Back-illuminated buttons for astro. |
Performance | Wide-ranging ISO sensitivity. |
Functionality | Lots of easy to access buttons and switches. |
Best value mirrorless
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You're looking for something compact: This is compact and affordable and versatile — great news for those who like to travel light.
✅ You're an astrophotographer: This is one of the best cameras on the market for low-light performance. The high dynamic range is very impressive.
❌ You'd prefer to have the newer model: This one has been superseded by the Sony A7 IV, which supersedes the A7 III in every way — but that includes price.
🔎 Sony A7 III: While the Sony A7 III gives advanced enthusiasts and even professionals a lot of camera for their money, it does have a few annoying handling niggles. ★★★★½
The Sony A7 III isn't the newest camera on the market. It's over five years old now, in fact, and it's been superseded by the Sony A7 IV. But don't let its age put you off. This full-frame mirrorless camera is still incredibly capable — and it's available at a lower price than many of its newer alternatives, which is a great reason to take the plunge, particularly if you're looking to step into full-frame photography for the first time.
With an expanded ISO range up to 204,800, the A7 III is excellent in low-light situations, whether that's indoor photography or shooting the night sky. Its 24.5MP resolution is a little lower than some of the competition, but it's not necessarily a bad thing: The lower pixel count helps keep noise levels in check. In fact, image noise is impressively low compared to other cameras we've featured in this list.
In our Sony A7 III review, we found that the remarkable images this camera can produce pack quite a punch despite its small form factor. It's a flexible shooter, and to give it an in-depth review, we tested it in various environments, including a week-long photo tour of London and a commercial portrait gig. We loved its versatility and thought the eye autofocus was impeccable, but the AF tracking couldn't quite keep up with a hyperactive puppy.
The A7 III excels at capturing high-quality video in 4K UHD at 30FPS. Although its highest sensitivity for video is ISO 51200 and doesn't have expanded options like in photos, its remarkable low-light performance makes this limitation not a big deal. On a single full charge, you can take around 710 photos, which we find quite impressive.
Thanks to the wide and ever-expanding selection of E-mount lenses you can use with this camera, we think it's an incredibly versatile camera and suitable for various types of photography.
The Sony A7 IV is the upgrade of this mode, however, the A7 III is still a fantastic camera and remains a cult favorite among many photographers.
- Read our full Sony A7 III review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Compact and lightweight for travel. |
Performance | Excellent in low light. |
Functionality | Features Sony's impeccable tracking. |
Best for beginners
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want something stylish: The classic aesthetic of this camera is very appealing and timeless.
✅ You're a beginner: This camera is easy to get to grips with, even for total newcomers, its also reasonably priced.
❌ You're a professional: The 'c' in the name signifies this camera was designed with casual shooters in mind. Pro's will find it limiting so should opt for another model.
🔎 Nikon Z fc: The Nikon Z fc is an impressive bit of design and a gorgeous camera to look at and use. On the inside, it's capable and easy to get to grips with for most casual users. ★★★★½
Another Nikon entry in this guide, and one that you'll also find topping the list in our best beginner cameras guide, is the Nikon Z fc. 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 the name signifies), thanks to its straightforward use and user-friendly approach to camera controls.
We think Nikon could do with improving the continuous shooting option mode, so professionals looking to shoot sports or action may want to choose a different model. However, when it comes to other types of photography, the noise reduction performance is excellent. You can increase the ISO in low-light conditions and still capture stunning pictures. We tested this in our hands-on Nikon Z fc review and were pleased to find that we could push the ISO to ISO 12,800 and still achieve acceptable images with minimal unwanted noise.
The autofocus is designed to focus on people, and the camera is really good at keeping faces sharp. This is perfect for shooting candid street photos, portraits or important events like weddings where catching special moments is key. The quick and responsive touchscreen means you won't miss any spontaneous shots, and the camera as a whole is speedy, ready to start shooting in less than a second after you turn it on.
- Read our full Nikon Z fc review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Retro styling is incorporated tastefully. |
Performance | Noise control works superbly. |
Functionality | Lens options suit a range of content creators. |
Best for low light
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You dig a retro aesthetic: The innards of this camera may be bang up to date, but it looks like a relic from the past. We love it, but some might prefer something more modern.
❌ You need lots of megapixels: At 24.5MP, there are lots of cameras on the market with much higher pixel counts. It's more than adequate but if you need huge amounts of detail or massive prints, look elsewhere.
🔎 Nikon Zf: Smart-looking, reasonably-priced, great at everything but particularly excellent in low-light, there's very little not to like about the Nikon Zf. ★★★★½
In our Nikon Zf review, we were blown away by how well this camera operates in low-light conditions. Its autofocus is impressive with how well it works in the dark, it handles noise very well, and its huge ISO range is better than most — even more expensive cameras. Perhaps what impressed us the most, though, was the fact it autofocuses all the way down to -10EV, which is practically unheard of. For its price point, the Zf is putting the competition to shame in some regards.
It's not just a great camera for shooting at night, though. It's a stunning camera, sporting a retro aesthetic. Which, we admit may be a choice of taste, but we love it. It's like a relic from the past, but packs in cutting-edge technology: What's not to like?
In the daytime, it's more than capable of taking great shots, and thanks to Nikon's Deep Learning technology, its autofocus does a fantastic job of tracking moving targets like cats, cars, birds, bicycles, and more.
If we had to pick faults, we wish it had a slightly larger grip: It's pretty shallow, so if you have larger hands you might find it uncomfortable to hold (but adapters are available to make it more comfortable). It's worth noting that its MicroSD card slot only conforms to the slower UHS-I standard, which some photographers may find a little disappointing.
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Great on-board controls, built to last, shallow grip |
Performance | Great ISO, -10EV autofocus is incredible, excellent noise handling |
Functionality | MicroSD slot is slower UHS-I standard, not the largest MP count |
Best generalist camera
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You're looking for a good all-rounder to travel with: The 40 MP sensor and high-speed processor is neatly packed into a compact and lightweight body.
❌ You want a fully articulating screen: This one tilts but doesn't flip, so avoid this if you plan on taking selfies or vlogging.
🔎 Fujifilm X-T5: With a 40-megapixel sensor and high-speed processor, the X-T5 packs a lot into a compact body, although the traditional handling and APS-C sensor isn’t ideal for night sky photography. ★★★★
If you're in the market for a camera that's easy to use and impressively versatile, the Fujifilm X-T5 is well worth considering. Its small and lightweight body means it's ideal for traveling and carrying around with you, but it still offers excellent in-body image stabilization (IBIS) with a dynamic range of seven stops — something that we typically only see on much more expensive cameras.
In our Fujifilm X-T5 review, we praised the camera's speedy processor, which makes it great for capturing fast-moving subjects: It's a good choice for sports or other events where you don't want to miss a moment. That IBIS helps there, too, and it also means it performs valiantly in low-light conditions. If you're an astrophotographer, this one's a great choice.
We love the traditional, retro aesthetic of the camera, although its manual control dials take a little while to get used to using. When you do, though, you'll likely find it better than swishing through menus on a screen.
We think the Fujifilm X-T5 is also one of the best cameras around for timelapse photography. If you are looking for different options for this shooting style, pop over to our list of the best cameras for timelapse videos.
- Read our full Fujifilm X-T5 review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Control dials for ISO, shutter speed, exposure compensation. |
Performance | Image stabilization is good in low light. |
Functionality | Battery life is noticeably impressive. |
Best Micro Four Thirds
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You're a travel photographer: This camera weighs less than 1 lb but is not lacking in functionality. That said, you can get stunning results by simply staying in 'auto' mode.
✅ You're 'upgrading' from a smartphone: You can pick up this camera and get shooting straight away. The controls are intuitive, and the large LCD screen will feel familiar.
❌ You're a vlogger or keen videographer: Though this camera is more than capable of shooting stunning 4K videos, you'll probably want something with a mic port.
🔎 Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV: A small, lightweight camera that offers a great balance between usability, quality and an easy-to-understand, beginner-friendly interface. ★★★★
If you're looking for your first "serious" camera, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a great choice. For those moving from a bridge camera or their smartphone for the first time, it's a fantastic choice, and it's a very capable camera despite its small body.
For photography newcomers, keep the M10 Mark IV in 'auto' mode and you'll be seriously impressed with the results. But its manal dials and various settings are easy enough to get used to, so you'll be tinkering with manual shooting in no time.
After putting it through its paces in our hands-on Olympus OM-D E- M10 Mark IV review, we can happily recommend it as an excellent everyday-use camera. With a beginner-friendly interface and 16 in-camera filters, including HDR, Gentle Sepia and Instant Film, we think it offers the ideal balance of convenience, quality and style.
Even though it easily fits in your pocket, this camera doesn't skimp on features. It's compact but packed with functionality. Unlike some smaller cameras that can be tricky to handle, this one is different. It feels sturdy, and the ergonomic design of the right-hand grip lets you use it comfortably with one hand.
The surprisingly large LCD screen is remarkable, with excellent clarity and resolution with over 1 million dots. All of the dials and menus are easy to navigate and feel intuitive, even when you're using it for the first time.
- Read our full Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Lightweight design aids portability. |
Performance | 5-axis image stabilization is a welcome addition for vloggers. |
Functionality | A variety of modes bring depth to a beginner-friendly camera. |
Best all-rounder
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You're looking for a good all-rounder: This camera is good at everything and offers good value for money, more so than other brand competitors.
✅ You shoot video as well as stills: The Nikon Z6 II shoots 60fps at 4K. The dual processor also helps to make the camera a formidable filmmaker's companion.
❌ You already own the Nikon Z6: The upgrades, although welcome, such as a second card slot, don't warrant switching from one to the other.
🔎 Nikon Z6 II: A minor if not unwelcome upgrade to a fantastic camera, the Z6 II is a great middle ground, although if you're already bought into the mirrorless system, we'd wait for inevitable more considerable improvements. ★★★★
We thought the Nikon Z6 (featured in our 'honorable mentions' below) was an excellent camera for astrophotography. However, the newer and slightly more sophisticated Nikon Z6 II is a perfect all-arounder if you plan to shoot multiple different photographic styles.
This latest version has some notable improvements, such as a second memory card slot for instant backup or extra storage, catering to those using cameras professionally. It also features a faster burst rate of 14FPS, a better buffer capacity and quicker autofocus, all thanks to the dual processing engines.
The Z6 II brings an upgrade in video quality with a higher frame rate of 60FPS at 4K UHD resolution compared to the Z6's 30FPS. This improvement results in sharper footage, particularly in slow-motion videos.
For astrophotography enthusiasts, the Z6 II offers a wider range of shutter speeds. You can now take exposures lasting up to 900 seconds, which is equivalent to 15 minutes! The included countdown timer on the top LCD screen lets you keep track of your long exposures without needing to touch the camera and risking any disruption to your shot.
As we stated in our Nikon Z6 II review, the updates don't necessarily warrant upgrading if you already own the Z6, but considering that the Z6 is now an aging first generation of Nikon's mirrorless foray, the Z6 II is a serious contender to consider.
- Read our full Nikon Z6 II review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Small improvements from the Z6. |
Performance | Shutter speed settings have been widened and improved. |
Functionality | It strikes a fine line between the perfect amateur and pro setup. |
Best lightweight DSLR
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You're not fussed about having a mirrorless: The Rebel SL3 is the world's lightest DSLR, but as we've seen, DSLRs are being phased out in favor of mirrorless models
❌ You aren't a beginner: This camera definitely has beginner users in mind — if you're a more advanced user and want to push your photography further than casual and travel snaps, you'll want a more sophisticated model.
🔎Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / 250D: A winner for beginners with in-built guides to show users around the camera and image effects reachable from within the camera itself. Decent stills resolution and 4K video make it suited for photography newcomers that want to shoot a bit of everything.
If you're looking for your first camera with interchangeable lenses, the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 (or EOS 250D, depending where in the world you are) is a great choice. Its small size also makes it a good option for those wanting a smaller camera to travel with: This thing is seriously lightweight, weighing just 0.99lbs.
For a DSLR, that's impressive. Typically, these cameras are heavier than mirrorless cameras (because, well, they have mirrors) but this one weighs less than many of the mirrorless cameras on this list. So if you're looking to ease the burden of a heavy camera bag, keep this one in your consideration list.
It's easy to compose images from various angles with the fully articulating touchscreen, eliminating the need to contort yourself into uncomfortable positions — which is particularly useful for astrophotography. In our Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / 250D review, we mentioned it's a valuable option for shooting selfies or vlogging.
With only 9 AF points when shooting through the viewfinder and support for only UHS-I SD cards, this camera would suit beginners or hobbyists who don't want to spend a fortune. It also features in our best beginner cameras guide.
For beginners in photography, the camera has a useful Guided UI mode that acts like a guide, helping you choose the right settings easily. Moreover, the Creative Assist mode lets you apply filters and tweak colors to get the look you want while shooting, or you can edit them directly in the camera after taking the photo. The fact you can do this is advantageous if you don't want to experiment with third-party image editing apps right away or like to share your images quickly without post-processing.
- Read our full Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / 250D review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Feels comfortable and chunky in the hand. |
Performance | Dynamic range is good but struggles in areas. |
Functionality | The vari-angle screen is helpful for awkward shooting positions. |
Best beginners DSLR
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You seek out good-value-for-money products: This is one of them; you get a lot of camera for the price; in fact, we've seen the price creeping over the past few years — it is still a highly desirable camera.
❌ You want the newest tech: As with the above Rebel SL3, this is a good DSLR, but DSLRs are being phased out in favor of Mirrorless models.
❌ You're a videographer: There is no 3.5mm jack for an external microphone, and there is no 4K. If you want to shoot lots of videos or think you might in the future, you'll want to look elsewhere.
🔎Nikon D3500: The Nikon D3500 is lacking in features found higher up in Nikon’s range, but for the price, it’s hard to argue. ★★★½
In our hands-on Nikon D3500 review, we described it as a versatile entry-level camera designed primarily for anyone wanting to get started in more advanced photography without having to spend big bucks. Due to the D3500's crop sensor, all lenses will have an additional 1.5x crop, extending their reach and allowing distant subjects to seem larger in the frame, which is especially useful for astrophotography, wildlife and sports photography.
The Nikon D3500 comes with 11 autofocus points centered in the frame. While this might seem a bit restrictive, it's not a major issue because you can focus on your subject first and then fine-tune the composition later. However, it's important to mention that using fast telephoto lenses may lead to minor focus inaccuracies due to the shift in the distance between the lens and the subject when focusing and pressing the shutter.
The D3500 has a 24.5MP sensor which is perfectly adequate and in fact, still matches many of the newer cameras on the market today. It's enough to capture detail in a shot, and you'll get good sized prints, too.
In terms of video, the Nikon D3500 does a valiant job, capturing at 1080p 60. It's not 4K, sure, but it's quite impressive for this price range. We've found its videos to be smooth and professional-looking, so if you're looking for a reasonably-priced camera to shoot for YouTube and social media, this is worth your consideration.
- Read our full Nikon D3500 review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Buttons and menu items a little fiddly due to size. |
Performance | Autofocus feels old-fashioned and is threatened to be outmoded. |
Functionality | Excellent and leading battery life and performance. |
Best compact APS-C mirrorless
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You're at enthusiast level: We wouldn't recommend this as a main camera for pros, but enthusiast photographers will love it.
✅ You're a vlogger: The fully articulating touchscreen is great for vloggers, plus, it's small and lightweight — perfect for travel.
❌ You're a pro: While it would be great as a second camera, it's not powerful enough as a main camera if you're a professional.
🔎Sony A6700: Packed with advanced features and cutting-edge technology, the Sony A6700 is sure to impress both amateur and professional photographers alike. It's the closest thing to a full-frame camera in a crop sensor body. ★★★★
We previously featured the Sony A6600 here, but with the release of Sony's latest flagship APS-C camera, the Sony A6700, it's pretty much blown it out of the water. Thanks to a slew of new features, namely AI-powered autofocus, this is a seriously impressive crop sensor camera that even pros will get good use out of.
In our Sony A6700 review, we praised the fact that it features in-body image stabilization, something we don't often see in crop sensor cameras. Coupled with the AI-powered autofocus, it means your focus is practically spot-on every time, even when shooting fast-moving targets or in low-light conditions.
It's small and lightweight, making it a compelling option for travel photographers, and it features a fully articulating touchscreen which opens it up to vloggers — it can also shoot beautiful 4K 120p video footage.
It can take photos at a speed of up to 11FPS, which is generally fine for most photography styles. However, if you're into sports or fast action, it might not be fast enough. It has only one card slot, and it doesn't support the faster CFexpress cards, which is a bit disappointing but not unexpected for an APS-C camera. We also found that it performs well in low-light conditions, although the images may appear a bit noisy at higher ISOs.
Considering its features, price and target audience, we think this is an excellent camera. Sony appears to have taken feedback from the previous model, which many users found a bit underwhelming. While it might not meet the needs of professionals, we think any photography enthusiast would be delighted with it.
- Read our full Sony A6700 review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Fully articulating touchscreen. |
Performance | Impressive AI-powered autofocus. |
Functionality | Image stabilization is unusual in an APS-C camera. |
Honorable mentions: Previously featured models
The cameras below are models that once sat in the best cameras for photos and videos guide but ones that have now been either superseded or discontinued and are therefore becoming increasingly difficult to get your hands on. That said, they are still available, even if you have to hunt a little harder to find them, and you might be able to pick up high-quality used models from retailers like B&H Photo and Adorama.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The compact design of the X-T4 from Fujifilm has been packed with plenty of features and capabilities, making it ideal as a backup camera for professionals and more than capable for semi-professionals. It can take still pictures at a rapid 15FPS or 30FPS using an electronic shutter and a 1.25x crop setting right out of the box. This makes it ideal for photographing sports, wildlife, or any other fast-paced activity (and even tracking solar or lunar events).
In our Fujifilm X-T4 review, we especially liked how it handled low-light shooting. The ISO goes up to a staggering 51,200 using the 'command' setting, making it a great option for astrophotography.
The autofocus technology inside the Fujifilm X-T4 makes use of 425 AF points, which means focus is dependable in just about every shot. We also love that it comes with two SD card slots, meaning you can back up as you shoot — something that's super valuable when photographing important moments.
It might have been succeeded by the Fujifilm X-T5, but there's still a lot to like here. We think the X-T4 packs in all the advantages of a cutting-edge camera and combines it with a vintage SLR appearance. This is one seriously stylish camera, but it's capable too. And with it being an older model, there's a good chance you'll be able to grab a bargain on it, too.
- Read our full Fujifilm X-T4 review
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Nikon Z7 is undoubtedly the most capable camera, but the smaller, cheaper Nikon Z6 is still very much a great camera. Its resolution is lower, but it shares the same five-axis in-body image stabilization. And in fact, because of that lower resolution, we actually found it less noisy than the Z7 when shooting in low light. We paired it with an astro lens in our Nikon Z6 review and absolutely loved the results we got.
Thanks to its sharp Z-mount lenses, five stops of in-body image stabilization, and compatibility with older Nikon lenses via the FTZ adapter, the Z6 is a fantastic option for practically any type of photography. Wildlife, sports, portraits, landscapes, product photography — you name it, the Z6 can do it.
Our favorite thing about this camera was the backlit sensor, which we thought was impressive and afforded us remarkable low-light image quality. We'd even go so far as to say this is one of the best cameras for astrophotography around and have placed it in our best cameras for astrophotography top eight.
For sports and wildlife photography, where you're likely to encounter fast-paced motion, the Z6 shoots at a generous 12FPS. It also has eye/animal eye autofocus (once you've updated to the most recent firmware) to ensure you stay locked on target. If you need the professional video capture of ProRes RAW, then the Z6 outputs 12K raw video to an external recorder, but do note that you might need to have this set up at a Nikon service center first.
- Read our full Nikon Z6 review
Best cameras for photos and videos 2024: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best camera I can buy?
The Nikon Z8 is the best camera overall. Based on our extensive testing, we've rated it the full five out of five stars. Professionals need not look any further. It is outstanding.
The Sony A7R V, which we rated four and a half out of five stars comes next because of its outstanding image quality and excellent all-round features.
How to choose the best camera for photos and videos?
The size and detail of a camera's image sensor will always be paramount when looking for the best camera. Full-frame cameras generally perform better than crop-sensor APS-C counterparts or Micro Four Thirds cameras because they can provide a wider dynamic range and lower image noise which is especially useful when photographing in low light.
It's also important to consider lens availability when buying into a camera system. The main competitors listed here like Nikon, Canon, Sony and Olympus all have a wide range of camera lenses that is also complemented by third-party lens manufacturers like Sigma, Tamron and more. We've also tested and ranked the best lenses for astrophotography and best zoom lenses. Each will come with different maximum apertures, altering the camera's settings whilst shooting to maintain good exposures so be sure to pick the lens that's right for your shooting subject. If in doubt, get the widest maximum aperture you can but bear in mind they will be more expensive.
What camera type is best for photography?
Overall, the Nikon Z8 is the best type of camera for photos, according to our in-depth reviews of all the most popular camera models on the market. However, the best camera for an individual depends on its intended use.
Astrophotographers will need to seek out full-frame cameras that handle high ISO noise well to produce clean night sky shots. However, portrait and wedding photographers may need a camera with an electronic shutter to remain quiet when shooting intimate moments. Further still, wildlife, sports and action photographers will need a camera with a high frame burst speed to capture fast-moving subjects.
We highlight which camera is best for what purposes in this guide, but we also have other helpful pages, such as the best cameras for beginners which are typically smaller and less expensive, best mirrorless cameras and best dslr cameras that concentrate on their respective camera types and the best cameras for low light for those that love golden hour and the blue moment.
Don't forget we also look at the best camera phones and best cameras for timelapse as well.
What are the top five cameras?
The Nikon Z8, Sony A7R IV, Nikon Z9, Canon EOS R7 and Canon EOS R5 are the top five cameras in the world right now. After testing every single model, we've given them four and a half stars out of five each, and in the case of the Nikon Z8, five stars!
They give extensive stills and video detail, can keep up with even the most power-hungry professional photographers and deliver outstanding functionality.
What cameras do professionals use?
This depends on the type of photography a professional shoots and there are many professionals that shoot with every camera brand out there. However, Nikon, Canon and Sony are most common, but manufacturers such as Panasonic, Leica, Hasselblad, Olympus and more are favoured by some.
What types of cameras are there?
There are two main types of cameras on the market when advancing from compacts and smartphones: DSLR and mirrorless. Though increasingly DSLR lines are being discontinued by many manufacturers as they refocus their efforts on mirrorless models.
On DSLRs, the view through the viewfinder is piped up the lens by a mirror and prism arrangement, while on a mirrorless camera, the viewfinder is electronic where a live feed from the sensor is displayed on a small screen. Mirrorless cameras are newer tech and tend to be smaller and lighter. You can see more comparisons in our guide to DSLR vs mirrorless cameras.
What camera features do I need?
Features like in-body image stabilization, fast burst shooting speeds, 4K or 8K video capture and an interchangeable lens format will suit most varied shooting conditions.
Connectivity is important too, so look for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi synchronization (and the appropriate app or computer software to accompany it). Plus, check for wired connections such as USB-C or ethernet if fast file transfer is important to you.
Do I need to buy a tripod?
Yes, in many cases one of the best tripods will help take sharper, clearer photos by steadying the camera during exposure. This is crucial if you're interested in astrophotography or landscape photography as it allows longer shutter speeds and lower ISO sensitivities to get sharp images with minimal noise.
This is also useful for shooting at slow shutter speeds to create artistic, blurred shots of subjects such as clouds or waterfalls. If you need to travel light then see our top picks of the best travel tripods, too.
How we test the best cameras for photos and videos
To guarantee you're getting honest, up-to-date recommendations on the best cameras to buy, here at Space.com we make sure to put every camera through a rigorous review to fully test each product. We consider a number of factors when testing including functionality, design and construction as well as the camera's performance.
We either have expert staff or freelance contributors who are experts in their area carefully review each camera. That means you get a fair insight backed up with a personal experience of each model so you can rely on the judgement based on price, destined use and class. It would be inappropriate to compare a small crop-sensor DSLR with a 60MP full-frame mirrorless camera directly, even if each camera was a top performer in its class, for example.
When it comes to testing cameras, we like to consider the technology on offer, as well as how easy it is to operate and whether or not it can produce high-end videos and images. We also like to suggest any extra kit or accessories that would enhance a photographer's experience.
With complete editorial independence, Space.com are here to ensure you get the best buying advice on cameras, whether you should purchase an instrument or not, making our buying guides and reviews reliable and transparent.
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Jase Parnell-Brookes is an award-winning photographer, educator and writer based in the UK. They won the Gold Prize award in the Nikon Photo Contest 2018/19 and was named Digital Photographer of the Year in 2014. After completing their Masters Jase has spent a good chunk of two decades studying and working in photography and optics shooting and writing all over the world for big-name brands and media outlets. Now the Channel Editor for Cameras and Skywatching at Space.com their speciality is in low light optics and camera systems.
- Kimberley LaneContributing writer
- Tantse WalterContributing Writer
- Kimberley SnaithFreelance contributor