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The 6 Best Cameras For Photography - Fall 2024

Updated Oct 11, 2024 at 09:21 am
Best Cameras For Photography

There's no escaping video these days. Unless you're considering a wallet-breaking Leica or Hasselblad, it's almost impossible to find a camera released today without a video mode and advanced video features. Of course, those advanced hybrid cameras still capture great photos, but why pay more for features that you aren't going to use? Thankfully, the upside of all these technological advancements is that most modern cameras can capture fantastic image quality. Taking quality images, however, comes down to the photographer wielding the camera. While video may be here to stay, there are still a wide range of options out there for those who prioritize photography, whether it's an older used model or one of the more photography-oriented hybrids on the market today.

We've bought and tested over 110 cameras in our lab, and below, you'll find our recommendations for the best cameras for photographers. If you're looking for something more specific, you can also check out our recommendations for the best cameras for low-light photography, the best cameras for portrait photography, or the best cameras we've tested overall. If you've found yourself here by accident and you're actually after a camera for videography, you'll want to look at our best video cameras instead.


  1. Best Camera For Photography

    While it's very much in the hybrid photo/video camp, the Sony α7 IV is one of the best cameras for photography that we've tested. At this price point, you're getting a very well-built weather-sealed body, dual SD card slots with the option to use a CFexpress card, in-body image stabilization (IBIS), and a high-resolution viewfinder. Beyond that, it features a fantastic backside-illuminated full-frame sensor with a wide dynamic range and a 33-megapixel sensor. That's a bit more resolution than most of its peers at this level, giving you a touch more leeway to crop in your images.

    But the real reason this is our number one pick—at this price point, any modern camera can capture amazing image quality—comes down to its wide selection of lenses. Sony's E mount is one of the most established lens ecosystems among mirrorless cameras, with a wide range of both native and more affordable third-party options. That makes it incredibly versatile for almost any type of photography you want to do, whether it's portraits or landscapes. Another excellent option at this tier is the Canon EOS R6 Mark II. It has better ergonomics overall than the Sony, and it can shoot at faster burst rates, but it doesn't have as wide of a lens selection.

    See our review

  2. Best APS-C Camera For Photography

    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 noisier than a full-frame alternative like the Sony α7 IV, the image quality you can get out of this camera is 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

  3. Best Mid-Range Camera For Photography

    The Sony α6700 is the best all-around mid-range camera we've tested for photographers. This hybrid model uses a 26-megapixel APS-C sensor 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's autofocus system is also one of the most effective on the market, with AI-driven subject detection and tracking. On top of that, it has IBIS and 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 too much, consider the Fujifilm X-S20 instead. Fujifilm is known for its excellent JPEG processing and film simulation profiles, making it a good choice for those who prefer to share their images straight out of the camera. Like the α6700, 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

  4. Best Entry-Level Camera For Photography

    If the Sony α6700 is out of your price range, the Canon EOS R10 is an entry-level model that packs a punch or its price. With a highly accessible user interface and great ergonomics, it's beginner-friendly and 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 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

  5. Best Budget Camera For Photography

    The Canon EOS Rebel SL3/250D is one of the best cameras for photographers on a tight budget. It's a DSLR that's a bit older now, so it lacks some of the features found on newer mirrorless models, like better video features and more advanced autofocus tracking algorithms. Having said that, a DSLR is the perfect place to start for photography. It isn't as portable as most mirrorless alternatives, but the SL3 is Canon's most portable DSLR, and it has a much longer battery life than mirrorless counterparts. Plus, its sensor is still excellent and capable of capturing high-quality images, and the optical viewfinder gives you an unfiltered view of your subjects.

    Beyond that, Canon's Rebel series is compatible with EF-S and EF lenses, of which there are plenty of great options, including many that offer a ton of value for their price. If you want the portability of a mirrorless camera, the budget-tier Canon EOS R50 is a good alternative to consider. It's more compact and has faster burst shooting options, but Canon's RF lens ecosystem is still being built out, so you'll have fewer lens options, making the SL3 a better value pick for photographers who are just starting out.

    See our review

  6. Best Compact Camera For Photography

    RICOH's compact series of GR cameras have long been a favorite among street photographers and enthusiasts, and the RICOH GR III is no exception. This is one of the best point-and-shoot options if you prioritize image quality and portability. Despite its pocketable size, it features a relatively large APS-C sensor and an IBIS system to help stabilize shots at slower shutter speeds. The camera's 'Snap Focus' feature is great for zone focusing and capturing quick snapshots on the street. Plus, its built-in lens opens up to a relatively wide max aperture of f/2.8 and has a versatile 28mm full-frame equivalent focal length.

    If you prefer a narrower field of view, the RICOH GR IIIx is identical to the GR III in every way except that it uses a 40mm equivalent lens. That more 'standard' field of view is versatile for different kinds of photography, though it isn't as wide for landscape photos. It's also worth noting that the batteries on these models are small, so you'll probably need to invest in spare batteries or a power bank for longer shooting days, but that's fairly typical for compact point-and-shoots. Ultimately, if you need a photography-oriented compact camera for high-quality street or travel photography, you can't go wrong with a GR III.

    See our review

Notable Mentions

  • Canon EOS R7:

    The Canon EOS R7 is an excellent upper mid-range camera that's well-suited to wildlife photography. It has a sturdy build, great ergonomics, quick burst shooting, and a reliable autofocus system. However, lens options are still relatively limited, especially compared to the Sony α6700.

    See our review
  • Nikon D780:

    The Nikon D780 is one of the best all-around DSLR cameras we've tested and is suitable for various photography styles. Some may prefer its optical viewfinder to the electronic viewfinders on mirrorless models like the Sony α7 IV. However, it isn't the most portable camera and has a slower burst rate than many mirrorless alternatives.

    See our review
  • OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II:

    The OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II is a flagship Micro Four Thirds camera. It's a great choice for wildlife photography, with a rugged build, quick burst shooting, and more portable telephoto lens options. However, it's less well-rounded than the Sony α7 IV, with less dynamic range and a less reliable autofocus system overall.

    See our review
  • Panasonic LUMIX G9 II:

    A flagship Micro Four Thirds model, the Panasonic LUMIX G9 II is a great all-arounder for those already invested in the MFT system. It offers generally more portable lens options than the Sony α7 IV, but the Sony has better low-light noise handling and a more reliable overall autofocus system.

    See our review
  • PENTAX K-3 Mark III:

    The PENTAX K-3 Mark III is a fantastic DSLR camera, with an APS-C sensor that performs remarkably well in low light. The camera is robust and has excellent ergonomics, in addition to a long battery life. That said, it isn't nearly as portable as the Fujifilm X-T5 and has a less intuitive autofocus system.

    See our review

Recent Updates

  1. Oct 11, 2024: We revamped this article to better align with consumers shopping for a camera primarily for photography. To that end, we adjusted the introduction, made the Sony α7 IV the top pick, replaced the Canon EOS R50 with the Canon EOS Rebel SL3/250D in the budget spot, added the RICOH GR III as a compact option, and added the PENTAX K-3 Mark III and OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II as Notable Mentions.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

All Reviews

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best digital cameras for photography 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 find or almost out of stock in the U.S.).

If you'd like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our camera reviews. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There is no single perfect camera. Personal taste, preference, and shooting habits will matter more in your selection.