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 manufacturers of cameras. 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.
We've bought and tested over 100 cameras in our lab, and below are the best Canon cameras you can buy.
Updates
- 05/02/2024 Canon EOS R8 updated
- 03/21/2024 Canon EOS R7 updated
- 02/16/2024 Canon EOS R6 Mark II updated
- 01/30/2024 Canon EOS Rebel T100/4000D updated
- 12/07/2023 Canon EOS Rebel T7/2000D updated
Best Canon Cameras
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Best Canon Camera
Travel PhotographyLandscape PhotographySport & Wildlife PhotographyRaw Photo PerformanceVloggingStudio VideoAction VideoThe Canon EOS R6 Mark II is the best Canon camera for photography. It takes all of the excellent ingredients of the original Canon EOS R6 and adds a higher-resolution sensor, faster e-shutter burst shooting, uncropped 4k video, and no recording time limit. That makes it one of the most versatile cameras for advanced photo and video work at its price point.
The biggest downside of the R6 Mark II, like all the other R series cameras we recommend below, is that lens selection is still relatively limited compared to more established lens ecosystems. Canon's strict third-party licensing means fewer overall lens options as they slowly build out the native RF lens lineup. That said, if you don't mind dishing out for it, the EF-EOS R lens adapter lets you seamlessly adapt older EF lenses, of which there are many excellent options to choose from. Still, if you're looking for a camera that can take stunning images with a set-it-and-forget-it autofocus system, excellent ergonomics, and advanced video specs, the R6 Mark II is hard to beat.
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Best Mid-Range Canon Camera
Travel PhotographyLandscape PhotographySport & Wildlife PhotographyRaw Photo PerformanceVloggingStudio VideoAction VideoIf the Canon EOS R6 Mark II is out of your price range, the Canon EOS R7 is one of the best APS-C cameras that Canon has to offer. 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 a fantastic choice for action and wildlife photography. It's also very well-rounded for video work, with in-body image stabilization (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 PhotographyLandscape PhotographySport & Wildlife PhotographyRaw Photo PerformanceVloggingStudio VideoAction VideoThe 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, with no weather-sealing. You also lose out on more advanced features like IBIS and dual SD card slots.
Still, the sensor captures excellent 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 beginners and budding hobbyists, offering a great balance of features for its price.
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Best Budget Canon Camera
Travel PhotographyLandscape PhotographySport & Wildlife PhotographyRaw Photo PerformanceVloggingStudio VideoAction VideoThe 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 one of the best Canon cameras for beginners. 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, making it a good camera to grow with as a photographer since you can upgrade to a full-frame body down the line without replacing your lenses. Still, if you're on a very tight budget, we recommend opting for an 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 into "proper" photography, and you can find used models for quite cheap.
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Best Canon DSLR Camera
Travel PhotographyLandscape PhotographySport & Wildlife PhotographyRaw Photo PerformanceVloggingStudio VideoAction VideoWhile the mirrorless options above are the best Canon cameras for video, DSLRs like the full-frame Canon EOS 5D Mark IV have long been favored by pro photographers, and for good reason. If you need something lightweight and portable, you'll want to look elsewhere, but this camera is built to withstand heavy use day in and day out, and it's got a battery life to match for long shooting days. Canon's excellent ergonomics are also on display here, with a roomy grip and plenty of physical controls you can customize.
At 30.4 megapixels, the sensor gives you plenty of leeway to crop and edit your photos, and it has excellent dynamic range and noise handling for low-light situations, making it one of the best Canon cameras for photography. The EF mount also includes a well-established lineup of lenses to suit different kinds of photography. However, if the camera's price tag is too steep for you, you can step down to the Canon EOS 6D Mark II or find a deal on older models in the 5D series, which still provide sturdy builds and pro-level image quality.
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. -
Great ergonomics.
Most Canon cameras are comfortable to use, with easily accessible controls and roomy handgrips that allow you to maintain a secure hold. -
Impressive photo autofocus performance.
Most Canon cameras, especially newer mirrorless models, have fantastic autofocus systems with sophisticated subject detection and tracking capabilities. -
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 tend to feel very "plasticky". That means they remain lightweight but don't feel quite as robust as competing models, especially from brands like Nikon. -
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. -
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 have more cameras on offer in a wider range of budgets. 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 that eliminate the need for mechanical shutters and allow 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 AF 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.
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
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Jul 31, 2024: We've reviewed the picks in the article for clarity and accuracy.
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Jul 03, 2024: We tweaked some of the existing text for clarity and reviewed the article to ensure it's current.
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Jun 04, 2024: We updated the Lineup section of this article to include Canon's V Series of compact vlogging cameras.
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May 07, 2024: We no longer mention the Canon EOS M50 Mark II as a cheaper alternative to the Canon EOS R50, and we've added some text referencing the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 instead. We also added links to other articles throughout so users can more easily find other camera options that fall outside the scope of this article.
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Apr 08, 2024: We've reviewed the picks in this article, including their price and availability, to ensure they're still accurate and relevant to users.
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, Canon's refusal to allow third-party lens manufacturing 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.