If we’ve learned anything from hours of testing, it's that the best camera for photography isn't the same for everyone. We've reviewed hundreds of stills cameras and even if we pick a personal favorite, a different photographer on a different day will demand something else. That's why this guide covers everything from the best travel cameras to top options for wildlife photography.
If we had to pick one camera to recommend, it would be the Sony A7 IV. Based on our in-depth tests, we think it's a well-rounded full-frame model with impressive autofocus and excellent image quality. But it's not the right choice for everyone. If you're a beginner, for example, the Canon EOS R10 is a much smarter option.
Our round-up below should give you a full picture of our favorite stills cameras in 2024. For each entry, we've summarized the feedback from our real-world reviews, where our expert team put every camera through a series of rigorous assessments. We're honest about any drawbacks, to make your decision easier.
Top 3 picks
The summary below will give you a quick overview of the best cameras for photography right now. When you find one that fits your requirements, follow the links beneath each entry for an in-depth summary of our feedback.
The best full-frame hybrid overall
With excellent autofocus, image quality and video features, the Sony A7 IV is every bit the modern mirrorless hybrid.
The best professional camera for stills
With a huge pixel count and superb autofocus, the flagship Sony A7R V delivers outstanding stills when paired with a top-tier lens.
The best camera for beginners
With a compact build, good handling and modern autofocus, the Canon EOS R10 represents excellent value for beginners.
Best by use-case
The best APS-C camera for enthusiasts
If you can look past its limited range of native lenses, the EOS R7 is a fast, powerful camera that handles well and shoots excellent stills.
The best Micro Four Thirds camera
Lovely to shoot with, the OM-1 II delivers versatile performance with its 20MP stacked sensor and unique computational modes.
The best premium compact
With a fixed focal length that’s perfect for street photography, the Fujifilm X100V is a premium compact with plenty of retro style.
The best value photography camera
It’s not cutting-edge, but a compact body, excellent image stabilization and handy touchscreen make this a great value option.
The best DSLR overall
Nikon's last remaining DSLR with APS-C sensor is an excellent all-rounder with 20.9MP still, superb battery life and intuitive handling.
The best instant camera
If you want an instant camera that’s easy to use, cheap to refill and capable of producing vibrant prints, the Instax Mini 12 is it.
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The best pro hybrid for sports and wildlife
Built like a rugged DSLR, the Z9 is Nikon’s most powerful camera ever, complete with an electronic-only shutter and 8K video.
The best for outright image quality
Setting a new benchmark for medium format cameras, the X2D 100C is Hasselblad’s most versatile model yet.
The best pro DSLR
It's not cheap, but if you want the best DSLR money can buy, Canon's flagship has the skills to deliver in any shooting situation.
Tim is TechRadar's Cameras editor, with over 15 years in the photo video industry and most of those in the world of tech journalism, Tim has developed a deeply technical knowledge and practical experience with all things camera related. He notes, "there are so many excellent cameras out there for photographers. In compiling this guide, we've included specific options that suit different types of photography. There's often value to be found in choosing one specific to your genre of choice – particularly if that means you don't need a hybrid."
The best camera for photography 2024
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Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best cameras in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best full-frame hybrid overall
Sony A7 IV sample images
✅ You need an all-rounder for stills and video: There are better specialist cameras out there, but as an all-rounder the A7 IV is the best mirrorless camera you can buy.
✅ Your Sony A7 III is starting to feel its age: The A7 IV is a big upgrade on the A7 III in almost every respect, including resolution, autofocus, usability and video.
❌ You mostly shoot sports and action: While the Sony A7 IV is by no means a slow coach, there are better cameras out there for pro sports performance.
❌ Value is your main priority: You'll get more bang for your buck with a more specialist camera and an extra lens or two with the money saved.
Following the fantastic A7 III was never going to be easy, but the A7 IV is a worthy successor. With a new 33MP sensor that’s solid for both stills and video, it’s a compelling mirrorless option for hybrid shooters. In our review, we called it a "brilliant blend of photographic power and video versatility". A price hike does mean it’s no longer an entry-level full-frame camera like its forebear, but a Bionz XR processor powers solid performance that broadly justifies the extra expenditure.
The A7 IV also benefits from Sony’s class-leading autofocus skills, plus upgrades like 10-bit video and an almost endless buffer depth with a CFexpress card. Our tests found this buffer to be more generous than most photographers will need, with image quality leaning more towards resolution than low-light performance. There are compromises elsewhere, as well: there's a heavy crop on 4K footage and it isn't the simplest camera for beginners to use. The Canon EOS R6 also offers faster burst speeds for a similar price. But considering its powerful versatility and higher resolution, the Sony A7 IV deservedly takes our number one spot.
Read our in-depth Sony A7 IV review
The best pro camera for stills
Sony A7R V sample images
✅ You shoot landscapes, portraits or studio photography: With a 61MP sensor and a powerful processing engine, image quality is excellent.
✅ You need subject the best autofocus: AI subject detection AF provides more reliable autofocus for more subjects in more scenarios.
❌ You don’t have or can’t afford the best optics: A 61MP sensor is unforgiving of any lens deficiencies, so you'll also need expensive high-end pro lenses.
❌ You don’t need the resolution: Do you need 61MP? If not, you'll save a packet by opting for the A7 IV instead.
The Sony A7R V takes up the mantle from the A7R IV as Sony’s sharpest full-frame mirrorless camera. As we found in our review, it also solves several of the A7R IV’s drawbacks to become a more complete professional camera. A new 61MP sensor and Bionz XR processor team up to deliver remarkably detailed stills. Eight stops of image stabilization made it easy to shoot handheld in testing, too. We were also impressed by the effectiveness of Real-rime Recognition AF. It’s not perfect, but it can generally detect a range of subjects and capture them crisply.
From our time with the A7R V, we think its level of detail makes it best suited to landscape and studio work. Do keep in mind that it only produces its best results when paired with top-spec lenses, which will add heavily to the already high price tag. The A7R IV offers the same resolution, but we do think the A7R V is the better camera overall, particularly with a sharper EVF that makes framing a joy. That said, if you don’t need so many sensor pixels, you’ll find better value for less elsewhere.
Read our in-depth Sony A7R V review
The best mirrorless camera for beginners
Canon EOS R10 sample images
✅ You're shopping for your first camera: Powerful autofocus, good handling and strong burst speeds put the R10 top of the pile for beginners.
✅ You need an affordable sports camera: Its burst speeds and autofocus make the R10 worth the price if you're looking to shoot moving subjects.
❌ You need a wide choice of native lenses: Right now, the EOS R10's main weakness is a lack of native lenses for Canon's RF mount.
❌ You'll be mostly shooting video: No headphone jack for monitoring audio, nor any in-body image stabilization to keep things steady. This isn'y a vlogging camera.
It isn't the cheapest option for beginners, but we think the Canon EOS R10 is the best camera for those starting their photographic journey. Spiritual successor to Canon's popular mid-range DSLRs, the EOS R10 has two standout skills: impressive subject-tracking autofocus and speedy 15fps burst shooting, which was previously unheard of at this price. Both combine nicely to make the EOS R10 a versatile little camera for shooting all kinds of subjects, from portraits to speeding pets. During our autofocus testing, which we conducted on cats, deer and a rapid cockapoodle, the R10 found and tracked subjects' eyes very well, with 15fps burst speeds producing a decent hit rate.
While it isn't a compact camera, the EOS R10 is lightweight at 429g and has a deep grip that makes it well-balanced in the hand with all kinds of lenses. Unfortunately, the EOS R10 doesn't yet have many native lenses (just two at the time of writing) and lacks in-body image stabilization. But if you're happy to buy some of the many full-frame RF lenses that work well with the camera, or adapt old ones using an EF-EOS R adapter, then it's a versatile sidekick that's ideal for fledgling snappers.
Read our in-depth Canon EOS R10 review
The best APS-C camera for enthusiasts
Canon EOS R7 sample images
✅ You want performance on a budget: If you can't shell out for Canon's full-frame models, the EOS R7 is a more affordable route to excellent subject-tracking autofocus.
✅ You want a travel-friendly camera: Its small proportions and fantastic handling make the EOS R7 a lovely all-rounder to travel with.
❌ You want to buy a lot of native lenses: At the time of writing, the native RF-S lens range is limited; rivals like the Sony A6600 and Fujifilm X-H2S are better served.
❌ You want the full-frame experience: The EOS R7 works wonders with its APS-C sensor, but it can't compete with full-frame alternatives when it comes to low light.
If you don’t need full-frame, we think there’s no crop sensor camera that can currently beat the Canon EOS R7. In our review, we highlighted its superb autofocus performance, excellent in-body image stabilization and the class-leading detail delivered by its 32.5MP sensor. Its full-frame cousins still have the edge in low light, but the EOS R7 produced lovely images across a range of scenarios in our real-world tests. We were also impressed by its 30fps burst speeds, which make it a great choice for sports and wildlife enthusiasts.
Our tests also found the EOS R7 a nice camera to hold and use, with a decent grip and generous spread of direct-access controls. Dual UHS-II card slots are a welcome bonus, while the ability to record uncropped 4K/60p video output makes the EOS R7 a tidy all-rounder. The only major drawback at present is the continued lack of native lenses, an issue not suffered by alternative APS-C cameras such as the Sony A6700 and Fujifilm X-T5.
Read our in-depth Canon EOS R7 review