With such variety in its line-up, choosing the best Canon camera isn’t easy. To help you, we’ve included a recommendation in the list below for every type of photographer. Whether you’re looking for a premium compact or a mirrorless flagship, you’ll find your ideal Canon quicker here.
If we had to pick one Canon camera as our favorite, it would be the EOS R5. It’s a full-frame hybrid that captures epic stills thanks to its high-resolution sensor, excellent autofocus and reliable in-body image stabilization. We think it’s one of the best professional cameras.
That said, it won’t be the right fit for everyone. Our guide is designed to give you a full view of what’s on offer in Canon’s catalog right now. We’ve tested each option extensively, to help divide them based on how they handle and perform in the real world.
If you’re ready to buy a Canon camera, we suggest keeping an eye on our round-up of Amazon Prime Day camera deals. We expect to see several of the best Canon cameras discounted over the next few weeks.
Top 3 picks
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.
Best by use-case
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.
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.
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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 beginner Canon DSLR
If you prefer a traditional design, the EOS 250D combines excellent battery life and great autofocus in a compact body.
Tim is TechRadar’s Cameras Editor. He’s worked in the photo video industry for more than 15 years, as both a photographer and journalist. During that time, Tim’s been lucky enough to use a wide range of Canon equipment, from travel compacts to professional flagships. As a result, he’s developed an expert practical knowledge of Canon’s different camera families and lens systems. He notes, "Canon continues to produce class-leading mirrorless cameras for both stills and video. One important factor to bear in mind is the availability of lenses. There are still relatively few native lenses available for Canon's RF mount.”
The best Canon camera options for 2024
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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
Canon EOS R5 sample images
✅ 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 lot to like about the Canon EOS R5. In fact, we think there's never been a better Canon camera for those who shoot a wide range of stills. 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. That comes at a high price – but if you're keen on the brand, it may be worth paying.
Read our in-depth Canon EOS R5 review
The best budget Canon camera
Canon EOS R10 sample images
✅ 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. Low-light abilities are limited by the lack of in-body image stabilization, but image quality proved decent during our tests, with plenty of detail hiding in the shadows. Video skills are solid too, with 4K footage oversampled at 30fps.
With dual control dials and a dedicated AF joystick, we found that the EOS R10 also 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. 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
