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, accessible user interfaces, and class-leading autofocus systems.
We've bought and tested over 90 cameras in our lab, and below, you'll find our recommendations for the best Canon cameras for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Updates
- 08/30/2023 Canon EOS R10 reviewed
- 08/23/2023 Canon EOS R100 reviewed
- 08/03/2023 Canon EOS R6 updated
- 06/23/2023 Canon EOS R50 reviewed
- 05/10/2023 Canon EOS R8 reviewed
Best Canon Cameras
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Best Canon Camera
Travel PhotographyLandscape PhotographySport & Wildlife PhotographyVloggingStudio VideoAction VideoThe Canon EOS R6 Mark II is the best Canon camera we've tested. The Mark II takes everything that makes the original Canon EOS R6 great 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 this price point.
The biggest downside is that the RF-mount's lens selection is still limited. Canon's strict third-party licensing means fewer overall lens options than competitors like Sony, which has a more established selection of native and third-party lenses for its E-mount. 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 for enthusiast-level shooters.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Canon Camera
Travel PhotographyLandscape PhotographySport & Wildlife PhotographyVloggingStudio VideoAction VideoIf the Canon EOS R6 Mark II is out of your price range, the Canon EOS R7 is one of the best Canon cameras with an APS-C sensor. There are more portable crop sensor options than this, but it's a remarkably versatile camera. With a quick 15 fps max burst rate, it's great for fast subjects like birds and other wildlife. Throw in a sophisticated autofocus system borrowed from the pro-level Canon EOS R3, in-body image stabilization (IBIS), and 4k recording at up to 60 fps, and this is one of the most well-rounded options at this price point.
The R7 suffers from the same problem as the R6 and other R-series cameras listed in that lens selection is still somewhat limited for the RF mount, but you can always adapt EF/EF-S DSLR lenses if you have them. Speaking of DSLRs, if you don't mind giving up some of the R7's advanced video specs, 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 lags behind on video specs.
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Best Mid-Range Canon Camera
Travel PhotographyLandscape PhotographySport & Wildlife PhotographyVloggingStudio VideoAction VideoThe Canon EOS R10 is a fantastic entry-level camera and the best mid-range option in Canon's current lineup. It has a very typical Canon design, 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 well-built, 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 above, so it can accurately track moving subjects. It's a surprisingly capable video camera with 4k at up to 60 fps, albeit with a significant crop, and internal 10-bit capture. Ultimately, if you're looking for a cheaper and more beginner-friendly camera at a mid-range price point, this is one of the best you can get.
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Best Budget Canon Camera
Travel PhotographyLandscape PhotographySport & Wildlife PhotographyVloggingStudio VideoAction VideoThe Canon EOS R50 is one of the best budget cameras on the market, offering the best bang for your buck if you want a new mirrorless camera that won't break the bank. It's a great everyday or travel camera with a lightweight, highly portable design. It's also one of the best Canon cameras for beginners or those upgrading from a smartphone, thanks to simple controls and intuitive auto-shooting modes. Image quality is great for its class, using the same sensor as the Canon EOS R10, and it has a very effective autofocus system, albeit less advanced than higher-end models like the ones mentioned above.
Unlike the older Canon EOS M50 Mark II, the R50 is part of the RF-mount system, so you can use it with both APS-C and full-frame RF lenses, making it a good camera to grow with as a photographer. That said, if you aren't fussed about lenses or future-proofing, the M50 Mark II is still a good budget camera, and you can find it even cheaper. However, it isn't the best Canon camera for video, with very limited 4k video capabilities compared to the new and improved R50.
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Best Canon DSLR Camera
Travel PhotographyLandscape PhotographySport & Wildlife PhotographyVloggingStudio VideoAction VideoWhile mirrorless cameras are all the rage these days, Canon still has some fantastic DSLRs, including the full-frame Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, which is one of the best Canon cameras for photography. The 5D series has long been a favorite among professional photographers for a good reason. 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.
A long lineup of excellent lenses for the 5D Mark IV is available, and the camera's sensor shines. At 30.4 megapixels, you have plenty of leeway to crop and edit your photos, and it has excellent dynamic range and noise handling for low-light situations. If you need something lightweight and portable, you'll want to look elsewhere, but this camera is built to last through extensive pro-level use. And if the 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.
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Best Canon Point-And-Shoot Camera
Travel PhotographyLandscape PhotographySport & Wildlife PhotographyVloggingStudio VideoAction VideoIf you're looking for a more portable camera for everyday street or travel photography, a point-and-shoot can be a great option, and the best we've tested from Canon is the Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II. It has a slightly larger grip than most compact cameras, making it comfortable to hold despite its pocketable size. It even includes a pop-up EVF, a great addition for sunny days when it's harder to see the screen.
The camera also has a solid built-in lens, with a 24–120mm equivalent focal length that gives you a bit of zoom range for more flexible framing. However, that compact size means a trade-off in battery life, so you won't get the same mileage as you would with any of the interchangeable-lens options above. Vloggers looking for a portable walk-around camera can also consider the G5 X's more vlog-friendly sibling, the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III, which has a built-in livestreaming feature but lacks a viewfinder. Overall, the G5 X II is a great choice for those who want a premium compact travel or street photography camera.
Compared To Other Brands
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Intuitive menu systems.
Canon's menu systems are easy to navigate and laid out intuitively. Cameras typically feature a helpful info function to explain menu settings and creative shooting modes that 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 AI 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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Short battery life for some models.
While battery life can vary drastically with real-world usage, some of Canon's interchangeable-lens mirrorless and compact models struggle with battery life. -
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 video recording time limits.
Until recently, most Canon cameras were capped to a 30-minute recording time limit, which is less suitable for long-form recording. -
Limited third-party lens options for the RF-mount.
Canon has been reticent in allowing third-party manufacturers to produce RF-mount lenses, leaving fewer lens options.
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. High-end Canon mirrorless cameras have also brought autofocus technology to near perfection. On the other hand, Nikon's S-Line of premium mirrorless camera lenses includes some of the best glass around, and Nikon's ergonomics are top-notch.
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 typically share some common features across the board. 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. Impressive image quality is almost guaranteed with any modern camera, but Canon's warm straight-out-of-camera color science is often prized, and its Dual Pixel autofocus system has become one of the best on the market. That said, Canon has only recently started introducing unlimited video recording time limits, and they still lag behind Sony in lens support, particularly regarding compatible third-party options.
Lineup
Canon has various model lineups to suit different users and their needs.
Mirrorless
- EOS R(X) 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. Generally, single-digit models indicate enthusiast and professional models, while double-digit model numbers indicate consumer and budget models.
- EOS M(X) Series = Mirrorless interchangeable-lens crop-sensor models that use Canon's EF-M lens mount, with smaller model numbers indicating greater overall capability.
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.
Supercompact/Compact/Bridge
- PowerShot G(X) Series = Enthusiast-oriented compact cameras with built-in zoom lenses. Lower model numbers indicate a higher position in the model hierarchy.
- PowerShot SX(XXX) Series = Compact and bridge cameras with built-in superzoom lenses.
- PowerShot ELPH Series = Compact point and shoots aimed at novice users.
Recent Updates
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Sep 18, 2023: Added the Canon EOS R10 as the 'Best Mid-Range Canon Camera' and renamed the Canon EOS R7 to 'Best Upper Mid-Range Canon Camera'.
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Aug 22, 2023: Added mention of the Canon EOS R10 as a cheaper alternative to the Canon EOS R7 and fleshed out the 'Lineup' section with new information about Canon's R series.
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Jul 25, 2023: Made touch-ups to article for better readability, with no change to recommendations.
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Jun 28, 2023: Replaced the Canon EOS M50 Mark II with the Canon EOS R50.
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May 30, 2023: Added mention of the Canon EOS R8 as an in-text alternative to the Canon EOS R6 Mark II.
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.