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

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

Best overall

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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.

• Read our full Nikon Z8 review

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Best autofocus

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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. 

• Read our full Sony A7R V review

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Best for beginners

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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.

• Read our full Canon EOS R7 review

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Best hybrid camera

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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.

• Read our full Sony A7R IV review

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Best budget camera

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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.

• Read our full Nikon Z fc review