1. The list in brief
2. Best overall
3. Best budget
4. Best premium
5. Best hobbyist
6. Best EOS R5 alternative
7. Best affordable full-frame
8. Best compact vlogging
9. Best travel compact
10. Best DSLR overall
11. Best flagship DSLR
12. How to choose
13. How we test
Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, the best Canon camera models have a lot to offer. From entry-level to professional, Canon has a wide variety of options in its stable. We’ve extensively tested all of its top performers and created this guide to help you pick the right one for your budget and skill level.
We think the best option for most photographers is the Canon EOS R5. A full-frame hybrid with excellent autofocus, dependable in-body image stabilization and a high-resolution sensor, it’s close to being the perfect Canon camera for those who like to shoot a range of subjects. In fact, we put it up there with the best professional cameras you can buy.
If you’re looking for something more affordable, we rank the EOS R10 as the best budget Canon camera. Conveniently compact and usefully versatile, it represents fantastic value for enthusiasts with an interest in wildlife or action photography. Or if you want a more affordable full-frame option, take a look at the Canon EOS RP.
Our comprehensive round-up covers a whole fleet of Canon cameras, including compact models that are among the best travel cameras, and entry-level DSLRs that feature in our list of the best beginner cameras. Each has been extensively tried and tested in the real world, to sort the good from the great in Canon’s catalog. Together with our deal links and expert buying tips, this guide is your shortcut to the best Canon camera.
Tim is TechRadar's Cameras editor. With more than 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.
The quick list
You can use the summary round-up below for an instant overview of the best Canon cameras. When you find a model that ticks the right boxes, click the link beneath each entry to read more of our review feedback.
The best Canon camera overall
A versatile, powerful camera with incredible autofocus and a proven form factor, the EOS R5 is Canon’s best ever stills camera.
The best budget Canon camera
With modern autofocus and good handling, the EOS R10 is a compact, affordable powerhouse that’s perfect for first-time Canon buyers.
The best premium Canon camera
Combining DSLR handling with cutting-edge mirrorless skills, the EOS R3 is built for speed, making it ideal for sports and wildlife.
The best Canon camera for hobbyists
Look past its limited lens range and the EOS R7 is fantastic value for enthusiasts, producing excellent images at a competitive price.
The best Canon EOS R5 alternative
A full-frame hybrid with pro-grade specs, the EOS R6 II can produce beautiful stills and video, making it an ideal second to the R5.
The affordable full-frame Canon
With a compact build, sound autofocus and responsive interface, the Canon EOS RP represents compelling full-frame value.
The best compact vlogging Canon
With a suite of features for videographers, including a mic input and flip-up display, the Mark III is a pocket-sized win for vloggers.
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The best Canon travel compact
Built small but capable, a sharp sensor, uncropped 4K and solid zoom range make this premium compact an ideal choice for travel.
The best Canon DSLR overall
It’s expensive, but if you can justify the cost, the EOS 5D Mark IV is one of the most complete DSLR cameras we’ve ever tested.
The best flagship Canon DSLR
Equipped with all the performance Canon could muster, the 1D X Mark III is a rugged, innovative and truly impressive flagship.
The best Canon camera options for 2023
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Below you'll find in-depth summaries for all of the best Canon cameras in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best Canon camera overall
✅ You want the best stills camera: Good for photography of any genre, the EOS R5 is the most powerful and versatile stills camera Canon has ever made.
✅ You’re upgrading from a DSLR: Pairing good physical handling with a superior EVF, autofocus and burst speeds, the R5 offers a next-gen shooting experience.
❌ You’re on a budget: The EOS R5’s body-only cost will be prohibitive for many enthusiasts, especially when you factor in the cost of RF-mount lenses.
❌ You shoot mainly video: The EOS R5 can capture sharp 8K footage, but recording time limits mean its video abilities don’t match its stills skills.
There's a heck of a lot to like about the Canon EOS R5, particularly if you're a stills photographer. In fact, we'd say that there's never been a better Canon camera for those who shoot a wide range of photography.
We've spent a lot of time with the EOS R5 since it launched, and our tests have consistently found it to have fantastic image quality, seriously impressive autofocus, and decent battery life. We're also big fans of the body design, which combines a responsive touchscreen with a superb electronic viewfinder.
It might have the headline-grabbing spec of 8K video, but the picture is a little less clear for videographers. The EOS R5's overheating restrictions are likely to put off those who shoot lengthy clips (interviews, for example). We've tested the EOS R5's latest firmware, though, and didn't get any overheating warnings when shooting a short film in 32-degree temperatures, so it's certainly a very capable video camera for most people.
Canon clearly went all-out on the EOS R5, and it's close to being the perfect Canon camera for hybrid shooters. However, that comes at a cost: the EOS R5 has a high asking price. But if you're keen on the brand, then it may be worth paying.
Read our in-depth Canon EOS R5 review
The best budget Canon camera
✅ You’re a beginner: We rate the Canon EOS R10 as the best beginner camera you can buy right now, thanks to its usability, affordability and powerful autofocus.
✅ You want a small, affordable hybrid: It’s built more for stills than video, but the EOS R10 can still record uncropped 4K/30p footage oversampled from 6K.
❌ You want a lot of lens choice: Lens availability is a limiting factor for the EOS R10, with few native APS-C glass options available at present.
❌ You shoot a lot of action: Burst speeds are decent, but the limited buffer depth is restrictive when shooting RAW images of action or wildlife.
If you can look past the old-school sensor, we think Canon’s EOS R10 is one of the best entry-level mirrorless cameras for beginners. Fitted with Canon’s powerful Digic X chip, it also benefits from truly modern autofocus abilities.
In testing, the processor and AF tracking together proved remarkably powerful. Continuous shooting speeds of 15fps with the mechanical shutter also mean the EOS R10 is a winner if you want to experiment with action photography.
With dual control dials and a dedicated AF joystick, we found that the EOS R10 made it straightforward for learners to get hands-on with creative shooting. Its lightweight body will also feels comfortably familiar for anyone coming from a DSLR, with the articulating touchscreen making it an easy switch for smartphone photographers.
Low-light abilities are limited by the lack of in-body image stabilization, but image quality still proved decent during our tests, with plenty of detail hiding in the shadows. Video skills are solid too, with 4K footage oversampled at 30fps. Provided Canon comes out with more native APS-C lenses to grow with, the R10 hits the top spot for beginners.
Read our in-depth Canon EOS R10 review
The best premium Canon camera
✅ You’re a pro sports photographer: The EOS R3 is built for speed, shooting full-res RAW files at 30fps, with a big buffer depth and rapid autofocus system.
✅ You want a mirrorless hybrid: The EOS R5 shoots sharper 8K video, but the R3 captures oversampled 4K/60p footage with fewer overheating issues.
❌ You need high-res stills: It’s a speed demon, but rivals like the Nikon Z9 and Sony A1 offer fast burst speeds at higher resolutions than the R3’s 24MP.
❌ You want a discreet camera: Unapologetically made for pros, the size of the EOS R3 means it isn’t a camera that goes under the radar.
Styled more like a sports DSLR than the handier EOS R5, the Canon EOS R3 is every bit a professional mirrorless camera. It has fewer megapixels than the EOS R5, because it’s built for speed instead of outright resolution – and if the former is your priority, it’s the best Canon camera you can get. During our extensive time testing the EOS R3, we found it one of the best sports and wildlife cameras we’ve ever tested.
At its core is a 24.1MP stacked CMOS sensor, which we described in our review as a “purring photographic engine”. It can shoot full-quality raw images at a remarkable 30fps, as well as 6K/60p raw video internally without any noticeable rolling shutter. We were also mightily impressed by its autofocus system, and reassured by the tough magnesium alloy build.
In short, the EOS R3 is the pinnacle of mirrorless speed. It’s undeniably big and expensive, but if you need an uncompromising Canon camera and can afford to pay the premium, you won’t be disappointed.
Read our in-depth Canon EOS R3 review