While Canon produces a wide range of imaging products, from printers to MRI machines, it's probably best known as one of the world's leading camera brands. Canon's long history of producing high-quality lenses and cameras has made it a favorite among professional photographers and enthusiasts. It also offers a variety of more accessible and affordable cameras for users of all experience levels. Canon cameras generally have great ergonomics, accessible controls and user interfaces, and class-leading autofocus systems.
Within Canon's lineup, the biggest choice is between full-frame and APS-C. Full-frame models like the EOS R6 Mark III deliver the best image quality and low-light performance, while APS-C models like the EOS R50 are smaller, lighter, and much cheaper. Canon's RF mount also lets you start with an APS-C body and move up to full-frame later, though third-party lenses are mostly limited to APS-C models.
We've bought and tested over 130 cameras in our lab, and below are the best Canon cameras you can get.
Updates
- 10/23/2026Canon PowerShot V1 reviewed
- 10/02/2026Canon EOS R6 Mark III reviewed
- 08/28/2026Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A reviewed
- 10/09/2024Canon EOS Rebel T7/2000D updated
- 05/02/2024Canon EOS R8 updated
We've independently purchased over 125 cameras and tested them using a standardized methodology. All the results are available to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs, with objective, data-driven reviews. We keep every product in our lab inventory to ensure we can go back, retest models, and verify that all the information we provide is still accurate.
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Best Canon Camera
Travel Photography7.8Landscape Photography8.3Sports & Wildlife Photography8.6Vlogging7.5Studio Video9.5Action Video5.4Raw Photo8.8Body Type:SLR-StyleMirrorless:YesSee all our test resultsSensor Size:Full FrameThe Canon EOS R6 Mark III is the best Canon camera we've tested, and it's a true do-it-all hybrid for enthusiasts and working pros. Its 32.5-megapixel full-frame sensor captures sharp, detailed photos with excellent dynamic range, and noise stays low when the light fades. Its electronic shutter fires at up to 40 fps, and the buffer never filled during our testing, so you can keep shooting through long bursts of action. It's a large, heavy, and expensive camera, though, so it's more than most casual shooters need.
Video is a major strength, too. It records 7K RAW and open-gate footage internally, shoots 4k at up to 120 fps without a crop, and didn't overheat during our testing. Its grip is outstanding, and the weather-sealed body and in-body image stabilization (IBIS) make it easy to rely on in demanding conditions. However, face tracking in video isn't always consistent, and the battery drains quickly when you record. If you mostly shoot photos, the Canon EOS R6 Mark II is still a great buy for much less money. Its tracking autofocus is more dependable in our tests, and its battery lasts longer, but its 24-megapixel sensor leaves less room to crop, and its video features aren't as advanced.
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Best Mid-Range Canon Camera
Travel Photography8.1Landscape Photography7.7Sports & Wildlife Photography8.7Vlogging7.8Studio Video9.1Action Video5.0Raw Photo7.5Body Type:SLR-StyleMirrorless:YesSee all our test resultsSensor Size:APS-CIf the Canon EOS R6 Mark III is out of your price range, the Canon EOS R7 is an excellent APS-C option that sits at a lower price point. There are more portable APS-C cameras out there, but the R7 is a remarkably versatile camera. With quick 15 fps mechanical burst shooting and a highly sophisticated autofocus system borrowed from the pro-level Canon EOS R3, it's the best Canon camera for photography if you're interested in wildlife or action photography. It's also very well-rounded for video work, with IBIS and 4k recording at up to 60 fps.
That said, the R7 suffers from the same problem as the R6 in that lens selection is still limited, but you can always adapt EF/EF-S DSLR lenses if you have them and don't mind buying an adapter. Speaking of DSLRs, if you're willing to give up some of the R7's advanced video features, the Canon EOS 90D is a great alternative with a higher resolution and longer battery life. It's also cheaper than the R7, though it's even bulkier and falls behind mirrorless models for video work.
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Best Entry-Level Canon Camera
Travel Photography7.9Landscape Photography7.8Sports & Wildlife Photography8.4Vlogging7.4Studio Video8.2Action Video4.2Raw Photo7.5Body Type:SLR-StyleMirrorless:YesSee all our test resultsSensor Size:APS-CThe Canon EOS R10 is the best entry-level camera in Canon's mirrorless lineup. In typical Canon fashion, it's lightweight, with an accessible user interface and controls, good ergonomics, and a fully articulated screen. It's a bit more portable than the Canon EOS R7 but doesn't feel as premium or sturdy, and it has no weather sealing. You also lose out on more advanced features like IBIS and dual SD card slots.
Still, the sensor captures good image quality, and the camera uses essentially the same autofocus system as its higher-end sibling, so it can accurately detect and track moving subjects. It's also a surprisingly capable video camera, with 4k recording at up to 60 fps, albeit with a significant crop at 60 fps, as well as internal 10-bit capture in its HDR PQ mode, despite lacking more advanced features like Log recording. Ultimately, this is the best Canon camera for budding hobbyists, offering a great balance of features for its price.
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Best Budget Canon Camera
Travel Photography7.9Landscape Photography7.5Sports & Wildlife Photography8.0Vlogging7.6Studio Video8.0Action Video4.2Raw Photo7.4Body Type:SLR-StyleMirrorless:YesSee all our test resultsSensor Size:APS-CThe Canon EOS R50 is one of the best budget mirrorless cameras on the market. Its portable, lightweight design makes it a great everyday or travel camera. Thanks to simple controls and intelligent auto modes, it's also an outstanding pick for beginners. Its image quality is great for its class, using the same sensor as the Canon EOS R10 above, and it has a very effective autofocus system, albeit a simplified version of the AF found on higher-end models.
Unlike the older Canon EOS M50 Mark II, the R50 uses the RF lens mount, so you can pair it with both APS-C and full-frame RF lenses. For that reason, it's a good camera to grow with as a photographer since you can eventually upgrade to a full-frame body without having to buy into a whole new lens ecosystem. Still, if you're on a very tight budget, you can also consider a used older DSLR like the Canon EOS Rebel SL3. While it doesn't have the portability or video features of the mirrorless R50, it's a great starting point for beginner photographers, and you can find used models for quite cheap.
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Best Cheap Canon Camera
Travel Photography7.7Landscape Photography7.6Sports & Wildlife Photography6.9Vlogging5.1Studio Video7.4Action Video3.1Raw Photo7.3Body Type:SLR-StyleMirrorless:YesSee all our test resultsSensor Size:APS-CThe Canon EOS R100 is the best cheap Canon camera and the most affordable way into Canon's mirrorless RF system. Its APS-C sensor delivers image quality on par with the pricier Canon EOS R50, and its simple controls and easy-to-learn menus make it a good first camera if you're moving up from a smartphone. To keep the price down, Canon uses an older processor, though, so its autofocus is less reliable, and it shoots slow bursts. Its screen is also fixed, which makes high and low angles awkward and rules it out for filming yourself.
It still has a viewfinder for framing in bright light, and it's small and light enough to bring anywhere. Battery life is okay for photos, and it lasted much longer than the R50 in our video recording test. Video is otherwise limited, with cropped 4k that tops out at 24 fps. Its biggest advantage over Canon's older Rebel DSLRs is the RF mount. Any lens you buy now also works on Canon's newer mirrorless bodies, including full-frame models like the Canon EOS R6 Mark III above, if you upgrade later.
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Best Canon Point-And-Shoot Camera
Travel Photography8.0Landscape Photography8.1Sports & Wildlife Photography8.1Vlogging8.2Studio Video9.1Action Video4.8Raw Photo8.1Body Type:Point and ShootMirrorless:YesSee all our test resultsSensor Size:1.4-inchThe Canon PowerShot V1 is the best Canon point-and-shoot camera we've tested, and it's very well-suited to vlogging. It packs a 1.4-inch sensor, noticeably larger than the 1-inch sensors in most compacts, behind a stabilized 16-50mm equivalent zoom lens that's wide enough to film yourself at arm's length. The fully articulated screen lets you check your framing while you talk to the camera, and its video autofocus keeps your face sharp as you move around. The main trade-off is heavy rolling shutter in 4k, which skews quick pans and fast motion.
It's also built for longer shoots than most compacts. A built-in fan helps keep it cool, though it still overheated once in our 4k test, and you can run it off USB-C power once the battery dies. A microphone input, headphone jack, and recording light round out a creator-friendly setup, and it records 10-bit footage with Canon Log 3 for color grading. For photos, its large sensor captures excellent dynamic range and handles noise well for a compact. However, it's bulkier than many other compacts, there's no viewfinder, and recording 4k at 60 fps adds a large crop.
Compared To Other Brands
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Intuitive menu systems.Canon's menu systems are intuitively laid out and easy to navigate. Creative shooting modes and guide modes make it easy for new users to pick up a camera and start shooting.
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Great ergonomics.Most Canon cameras are comfortable to use, with easily accessible controls and roomy handgrips that allow you to maintain a secure hold.
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Impressive photo autofocus performance.Most Canon cameras, especially newer mirrorless models, have fantastic autofocus systems with sophisticated subject detection and tracking capabilities.
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Wide array of models for different user needs.With plenty of releases over the last several years, Canon has built an extensive lineup of camera bodies to suit various uses, experience levels, and budgets.
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Build quality can feel a bit lacking on entry-level models.
While you can rely on Canon's high-end cameras to be sturdy, weather-sealed, and well-built, the range of cheaper options they offer tends to feel very "plasticky." That means they remain lightweight but don't feel quite as robust as competing models, especially from brands like Nikon.
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Heat management.Some of Canon's compact and interchangeable-lens mirrorless offerings can overheat somewhat frequently, especially when recording 4k video, which can interrupt your recording sessions.
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Limited third-party lens options for the RF mount.Canon has only recently begun to allow third-party manufacturers to produce RF mount lenses, leaving fewer lens options overall, especially for those seeking more affordable alternatives.
Canon vs Nikon
Canon and Nikon have long been rivals, going back to the days of film photography. But Canon's head start in mirrorless gives the brand an edge when it comes to selection. You're more likely to find a Canon camera that suits your needs because they offer more cameras, especially at lower price points. The autofocus systems on higher-end Canon cameras are also hard to beat. On the other hand, Nikon has pushed the boundary with stacked sensors on its high-end models, eliminating the need for mechanical shutters and allowing for blistering burst rates. Nikon's S-Line of premium lenses also features some of the best glass around.
Canon vs Sony
Sony is right behind Canon in global market share, and both brands offer plenty of excellent cameras at various prices. Both have also pushed the boundaries of what autofocus is capable of. Though handling is highly subjective, Canon cameras generally have superior ergonomics. On the other hand, Sony's E-mount has a wider lens selection than Canon's RF mount, with more compatible third-party lens options.
Canon makes cameras that cater to photographers of almost every experience level, but they typically share some common features. They're often comfortable to shoot with and easy to use, with straightforward menu systems, ergonomic designs, and intuitive control layouts. Most feature fully articulated touchscreens, as well. Any modern camera almost guarantees good image quality, but Canon shooters often prize the brand's warm JPEG color science. Canon's Dual Pixel autofocus has also become one of the best autofocus systems on the market. That said, because the RF-mount is still relatively new, lens support is somewhat lacking, with a scarcity of third-party options.
Lineup
Canon has various model lineups to suit different users and their needs.
Mirrorless
- EOS R Series: Mirrorless full-frame and APS-C cameras using Canon's RF lens mount, with smaller model numbers indicating a higher level of overall capability. For example, the Canon EOS R3 outranks the Canon EOS R5, which outranks the Canon EOS R6. Generally, single-digit models indicate enthusiast and professional models, while higher-digit model numbers indicate consumer and budget models.
- EOS M Series: Mirrorless interchangeable-lens crop-sensor models that use Canon's EF-M lens mount, with smaller model numbers indicating greater overall capability. Canon discontinued the EF-M mount in 2023 after introducing crop-sensor models to the RF lineup, including the Canon EOS R50.
- EOS C Series: Canon's cinema lineup ranges from professional cine cameras (CX00 models) to compact cine cameras (CX0) to the hybrid full-frame Canon EOS R5 C. Older models use the EF mount, while newer models have been built around the RF mount. You'll find the best Canon camera for video work and filmmaking in the C series.
DSLR
- EOS (X)D Series: Enthusiast and professional-oriented full-frame DSLRs designed to work with EF-mount lenses, with lower model numbers indicating a higher level of overall capability.
- EOS (XX)D Series: Enthusiast-oriented crop-sensor DSLRs designed to work with EF-S lenses but are compatible with EF lenses. Higher model numbers indicate newer generations, which generally have a greater level of overall capability.
- EOS Rebel/Kiss/(XXX)D Series: Entry-level crop-sensor DSLRs designed to work with EF-S lenses but are compatible with EF lenses designed for full-frame cameras. This product lineup uses SL(X) prefixes for the smallest DSLRs.
Compact/Bridge
- PowerShot ELPH Series: Compact point and shoots aimed at novice users.
- PowerShot G Series: Enthusiast-oriented compact cameras with built-in zoom lenses. Lower model numbers indicate a higher position in the model hierarchy.
- PowerShot SX Series: Compact and bridge cameras with built-in superzoom lenses.
- PowerShot V Series: Compact vlogging cameras with unique form factors, first introduced with the Canon PowerShot V10.
Recent Updates
Nov 03, 2026:
We replaced the Canon EOS R6 Mark II with the Canon EOS R6 Mark III as the 'Best Canon Camera,' with the R6 Mark II now mentioned as a cheaper alternative, and the Canon EOS Rebel T7/2000D with the Canon EOS R100 as the 'Best Cheap Canon Camera.' We also added the Canon PowerShot V1 as the 'Best Canon Point-And-Shoot Camera' and removed the discontinued Canon EOS 5D Mark IV along with the 'Best Canon DSLR Camera' category.
Jan 17, 2025:
We reviewed the article to ensure all the information is correct and up to date.
Nov 21, 2024:
We added the Canon EOS Rebel T7/2000D as the 'Best Cheap Canon Camera' to fill out the range of budgets represented in the article.
Sep 26, 2024: We added a description of Canon's EOS C series of cinema cameras to the 'Lineup' section of the article.
Jul 31, 2024: We've reviewed the picks in the article for clarity and accuracy.
Conclusion
Canon cameras are often well-built, with good handling and impressive image quality. Canon's newer mirrorless offerings have some of the best autofocus on the market. That said, the very limited third-party lens support for its RF mount is a big downside of its mirrorless system, particularly for those looking for alternative or budget lenses. Overall, though, Canon is a staple in the camera market that has proven capable of adapting to ever-evolving consumer demands, with plenty of cameras to suit every budget and experience level.