The best camera in 2024

The best camera will mean different things to different people. It may be an absolute beginner's model that offers lots of helpful automated features at a knock-down price. Or, it may be a cutting-edge pro-spec camera that produces billboard-quality stills and broadcast-worthy video footage. It may also be an enthusiast's camera, sitting somewhere in between. In this guide, we've run the gamut to bring you the best camera options for every step of the journey.

Price is also obviously a factor. With budgets often getting tighter, we've made sure to include a few relatively low-cost options in this list, as great cameras don't have to carry ridiculous price tags. However, for more budget options, we'd recommend also checking out our guide to the best cameras for beginners, where you'll find a lot more options at low price points. 

We test cameras extensively in the real world and we've based the recommendations in this guide on our experiences. We're aware that there's a lot of jargon in the photography and video worlds, so if you need more explanation about sensor sizes and what to look for, see the FAQ section at the bottom of the page. 

Finally, we have plenty more guides if you're looking for something specific. If you think you're going to be doing a lot of evening and night shooting, take a look at our round-up of the best low-light cameras. We also have a guide to the best point-and-shoot cameras for self-contained options that don't require you to buy a rack of lenses. And once you've made your choice, you'll want to pick up one of the best memory cards so you have space to store your images. 

The best cameras available now

The best cameras for beginners

We're starting off our guide with the best cameras for learning the basics of photography and video. That doesn't mean we've necessarily chosen the cheapest cameras possible – we've picked out models that we believe are genuinely worth their respective price tags and offer space for a user to learn and grow once they're comfortable with the basic functions of a camera. 

New entry-level cameras are rarer things these days, which is why we were so pleased with the launch of the Canon EOS R50 in late 2022. It's part of the mirrorless EOS R system that also includes pro-spec full-frame models like the high-resolution EOS R5 (see below) and the sporty speedster EOS R3. However, the EOS R50 puts a smaller sensor in a smaller body and adds a host of beginner-friendly features.

As it's a newer camera, the EOS R50 outstrips older entry-level models in ways they can't hope to match. The autofocus is freakishly good, using Canon's Dual Pixel AF to lock onto subjects quickly and accurately. It uses AI-powered subject-detection systems, which can recognise and lock onto specific subjects like people and animals. The burst mode also punches above its weight for a beginner camera, and it's able to reach speeds of 15fps with a decent enough shot buffer.

Despite this, Canon hasn't forgotten that this is a beginner's camera. The EOS R50 includes excellent Advanced Auto (A+) modes designed to help you get the best out of any given scene. It lets you adjust the camera settings via easily understandable concepts like "Brightness" or "Color", and there are several options available depending how advanced you want to get. It makes it relatively easy to produce great-looking images, especially compared to a smartphone.

The only real downside to the EOS R50 is one that'll hopefully correct itself over time – there are still few good, inexpensive lenses for the RF-S mount (a.k.a. the APS-C version of the full-frame RF mount). Full-frame RF lenses will work with this camera, so you still have options, but they tend to be pricey, and the lightweight build of the EOS R50 means they may not balance very well.

There are two things Canon could do to resolve this – release an adapter that lets you use EF-M lenses (from its older APS-C mirrorless system) on RF-S bodies, or open up the RF mount to third-party manufacturers like Sigma and Tamron. Canon does not currently appear to be inclined to do either of these things. It seems like the firm is sticking with Plan C – that is, slowly, incrementally building up the RF-S range over a period of several (sigh) years. As we said, it'll correct itself with time, and the beginner nature of the EOS R50 means that many users will probably be perfectly happy with the capable RF-S 18-45mm kit lens it comes with. 

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is one of the best buys beginners can make. It's a small, capable mirrorless camera with a stylish retro trim, and it's one of the easiest and most fun cameras with which to get a firm grip on the basics. 

Micro Four Thirds refers to both a sensor size and a lens mount. MFT sensors are smaller than those you'd find on many interchangeable-lens cameras; this is often considered a disadvantage, as it has an impact on image quality, it means that the increased crop factor will effectively double the focal length of your lenses. This is a bit technical so don't sweat the details – the upshot is that a cheap 50mm lens will behave like an expensive 100mm one, making it easier to capture distant subjects.

As it's so light and easy to carry, we've found the E-M10 Mark IV to be an ideal take-everywhere camera, especially when you pair it with one of Olympus's "pancake" lenses. Or, for that matter, a Panasonic lens – the MFT lens mount partnership between the two firms means you can use either brand interchangeably.

The E-M10 Mark IV has loads more great features. Built-in Optical Image Stabilisation is a great get for a camera at this price, and it also shoots 4K UHD video. Whether you want to learn to shoot photos, video or a bit of both, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a terrific starting point. 

The best cameras for enthusiasts

Got some experience and know what you're looking for in a camera? Here, we've compiled the best mid-range cameras pitched at enthusiasts and those who are starting to outgrow their beginner camera. This is a big market, with lots of different cameras at a range of price points, so it's worth spending some time familiarising yourself with what's on offer. To make it easier, we've picked out the enthusiast cameras that we think offer the best bang for your buck. 

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III was one of the most advanced compact cameras you could buy when it was released in 2017 – and honestly, it still is today. With an APS-C sensor packed into a body that offers a smooth, intuitive control system, the G1 X Mark III feels incredibly polished to use. It's a joyful shooting experience. 

An APS-C sensor is larger than you'd generally expect to find in a compact camera – most tend to sport 1-inch sensors. This gives the G1 X Mark III an edge in terms of image quality, and as we noted in our full review of the camera, images shot with it look excellent – full of colour, detail and dynamic range. We appreciated the high-quality viewfinder too, and the touch-and-drag focusing on the LCD screen. It's also nice to see good weather-sealing on a premium compact like that, making it useable in all sorts of inclement conditions. 

The focal range of the lens is 24-72mm, which is handy without being exceptional – though if you're going to complain about anything, it's probably going to be the maximum aperture topping out at f/2.8-5.6. Also, it's worth being aware that this is not a 4K camera, with video capture at a maximum resolution of Full HD. 

Read more: Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III review

The X-T30 is an excellent choice of entry-point to the Fujifilm X system, especially since Fujifilm has discontinued some of its more beginner-oriented offerings. There has actually been a slight refresh of this camera in the form of the X-T30 II, boasting slightly faster autofocus, new Film Simulation modes, a higher-res LCD screen, longer continuous 4K video and, inevitably, a higher price. That last point is why we're sticking with the original X-T30 as our recommendation here for now – while it's still relatively easy to find.

In use the camera immediately impresses, with a satisfying control system, snappy autofocus and the ability to produce gorgeous-looking JPEGs right out of the camera. Having Fujifilm's Film Simulation modes to play with is a delightful bonus, making this a great camera to lose a day just experimenting with.

Features and specs are good across the board, with 8fps continuous shooting and the ability to shoot 4K UHD video. It's not a cheap camera, even with a successor on the loose, but the X-T30 is and has always been worth the price tag. If it's within your budget, we thoroughly recommend it. 

While flagship mirrorless systems tend to steal the headlines as far as professional users are concerned, the manufacturers are also looking to entice a few more casual shooters with more budget-friendly models. Case in point, the Nikon Z mirrorless system and the Nikon Z fc. It's an APS-C model, very similar to the previous Z50, but with retro styling that gives it points for the cool factor.

With 11fps burst shooting, a 2.36-million-dot electronic viewfinder and the ability to shoot 4K 30p video, this is a camera that's got it where it counts. When using the Nikon Z fc, you'll appreciate the hybrid autofocus system, which makes quick work of capturing even fast-moving subjects. We might have liked a weather-sealed body or internal image stabilisation, but these are reasonable enough compromises to keep the camera at a relatively low price. 

One thing to note though is that the Nikon Z system doesn't have a huge number of natively DX-format (APS-C) lenses for its Z system. We'd expect this problem to correct itself over time as the system expands, but it's something to be aware of. You can use FX-format lenses on the Z fc, just be aware that they'll give you a longer equivalent focal length than is on the box – and will cost a pretty penny. 

Nikon 's D780, released in 2020, was probably the swan-song as far as the firm's DSLRs go – but if so, what a note to go out on. A mid-range full-frame DSLR, this camera has that rugged, chunky handling that DSLR photographers love, but also packs in loads of great features cribbed from mirrorless cameras, making it a superb combination of the two. And access to the incredible stable of F-mount lenses is the icing on the cake that makes the D780 a truly tempting choice for creatives looking for a camera with real versatility to it.

It's designed to handle both stills and movies with aplomb, producing uncropped 4K video that's downsampled from 6K capture. If your work involves video content in any way, this is a superb choice of camera; if it doesn't, consider the lower-priced Nikon D750 which is a great low-cost full-frame DSLR that is still in production.

The D780 borrows a few top-of-the-line features from its more expensive siblings, including the 180k RGB metering and scene recognition system from the D850 above, so you can be sure you are still getting plenty of bang for your buck. As it's a DSLR, the body is unavoidably large, so those who want a more portable system will want to consider one of the mirrorless or compact options on our list. 

The best cameras for expert photographers

Whether you’re shooting photos or video, these are the pro-spec cameras that will deliver the high-quality results you need. For content creators, pro photographers, and serious enthusiasts who are looking for the best, these are the dependable cameras at the upper end of the scale. They come at a high price, but earn every penny. 

At the start of 2023, at long last, Panasonic moved away from the contrast-detect Depth From Defocus autofocus system it had been clinging to for many years. The full-frame Lumix S5 II arrived with a bang as it introduced a brand-new, super-speedy phase-detect autofocus system – and there was much rejoicing.

Panasonic has something of reputation for making excellent hybrid cameras – meaning cameras that excel at shooting both stills and video. The Lumix S5 II is arguably the finest distillation of this formular yet. On the one side, you get a maximum video resolution of 6K, plus the ability to shoot 4K 60p 4:2:2 10-bit with no recording limits. And in the stills camp, you have a gorgeously large full-frame 24.2MP sensor, paired with a processor that was co-developed with Leica and can achieve burst rates of up to 30fps. Then you've also got that exceptional 5-axis stabilisation system, which provides some of the most effective shake-compensation when using slow shutter speeds, expanding your options in low light.

The Lumix S5 II is pleasingly light for a full-frame camera. The initial entries into the Lumix S series were pretty bulky things, so it's pleasing to see Panasonic taking on feedback in this regard. Even so, it has been weatherproofed well, and will take pretty much any conditions you throw at it. It might have been nice to see a CFExpress card slot, as these cards offer higher speeds and capacities than standard SD, but hey, this is a luxury, not an essential. 

For working content creators, this superbly balanced camera is one of the best buys you can make.

The mirrorless camera that everyone was waiting for from Canon, the EOS R5 is arguably the best all-around camera for stills shooters at the moment. Canon's since released the even more expensive R3, with yet more improvements on the autofocus so it can track helmets and vehicles as well as people and animals, but unless you're shooting motor racing, for most people this offers everything they could want in a professional mirrorless camera.

When we reviewed it, we found the autofocus eye tracking to be spookily accurate. This coupled with the in-body image stabilisation and super-fast burst shots make it a dream for sports and wildlife photographers. The workhorse of the new R range, the R5 takes full advantage of the sophisticated RF lens mount for exceptional communication between camera and lens. 

You also get the bonus of up to 8K video and stunning HQ 4K with the same superb autofocus and IBIS. The limits on recording times to avoid overheating mean that we can't recommend this if you're primarily looking for a camera to use for video, for photographers that occasionally complement their stills with video in short bursts, it's this is the perfect option.

The Sony A7 cameras used to be pitched as relatively entry-level full-frame mirrorless cameras, in contrast to the more specialist A7R and A7S models. With the fourth in the series, that’s no longer really the case. The Sony A7 IV is an absolute beast of a camera, sporting a 33MP sensor and incredible buffer capacity. It can shoot at 10fps and just… keep on doing that, for ages. For 828 consecutive uncompressed RAW + JPEG files, no less. 

Pair this with Sony’s class-leading autofocus and improvements across the board, and it’s clear that this is a mirrorless camera for a huge range of professional and semi-professional users. You could argue that it’s a shame that casual and amateur users are being priced out of the A7 line, but the A7 III and even A7 II are still available and are still fantastic cameras in their own right. 

One thing to bear in mind is that shooting all those high-resolution images at fast burst modes will require a memory card that's capable of keeping up with the high volumes of data involved. You're probably looking at a CFExpress Type A card rather than SD; check out our guide to the best memory cards for cameras if you need to go more in-depth on this.

Formerly flagship the full-frame mirrorless camera from Nikon, at least until the sports-focused Z9 arrived, the Z7 II was released to woo photographers who might have been swayed by showboaty mirrorless models from Canon and Sony. So it's got similar specs to the likes of the EOS R5 or A7R IV, with 45MP of resolution, speedy burst shooting and high-quality 4K video. It may not have headline-grabbing specs like 8K video, but it is more affordable than its rivals in the same class.

Overall, the Nikon Z7 II is a very impressive all-around package. It handles like a dream and produces images that look seriously impressive. Any pro or serious enthusiast photographer will find this camera does everything they could need and more; and does so with welcome extras like an upgraded battery that lasts longer compared to the original Z7. Dual card slots too! Very nice.

Any negatives? The monitoring situation is a little disappointing, with an LCD screen that only tilts and isn't fully articulated, and an EVF that's lower resolution than some rival cameras. None of this is deal-breaking though, and if you're looking for a full-frame mirrorless system to jump into, Nikon's Z series is definitely worth considering.

The best camera: What to consider

When determining which is the right camera for you, one of the first things to suss out is which type you want to use. Consumer cameras can be broadly divided into two categories. There are further sub-categories of course, which we'll get to, but right off the bat, it's a good idea to decide what type of camera you want. Find out more about the different types below:

What is a compact camera?

This term refers to cameras that have a fixed lens on their front, which can't be changed. The focal length/range and maximum aperture settings that are listed on the box are all you're getting. While this does restrict versatility, it is simpler and more convenient, and tends to make the camera more affordable. While many compacts are oriented towards beginners, there are plenty of premium compacts for more advanced users. 

What is an interchangeable-lens camera?

These cameras have a lens mount that allows you to swap lenses at will, provided they fit of course. Having to buy lenses as well as a camera body does drive the cost up, but you gain an immense amount of flexibility, and the ability to use lenses with specialist focal lengths (such as super-telephotos or fisheyes) and larger maximum apertures. 

Interchangeable lens cameras comes in two main types, which are DSLR and mirrorless cameras. Find out more below.

What is a DSLR camera?

DSLRs. These are the direct successors of film SLRs, and the acronym stands for digital single-lens reflex camera. They are bulkier and heavier than other types of camera, but also tend to be hardier and more weatherproof. They also contain an internal mirror system that allows for the fielding of an optical viewfinder, meaning you can press your eye to the camera and see exactly what you're shooting. The main manufacturers of DSLRs are Canon and Nikon.

What is a mirrorless camera?

As the name implies, these cameras forgo the mirror system of a DSLR. This means no optical viewfinder, but allows the body to be smaller and lighter. Plus, most now field electronic viewfinders that are virtually lag-free. Mirrorless cameras are where the most exciting advancements in camera technology are happening, especially in terms of video. They run the gamut from entry-level to high-end professional. 

When considering which type and model of camera is right for you, it's worth considering what you want to shoot with it, as this will help you narrow down which specs are important and which are not. Do you need fast burst speeds for capturing fast action? Do you require weather sealing for outdoor shooting? Do you like the sound of a convenient, portable compact, or does the versatility of being able to invest in a lens system sound more like your speed?

In the guide above, we've listed all the key specs and main pros and cons of each camera we've picked, as well as the price, to help guide you to the right camera for you. 

Also read:

• The best cameras for vlogging
• Best memory cards
• The best monitors for photo editing