This article will give you details as well as pros and cons of every camera on the list.
I did find a newer version of one of my cameras there and I have to say it’s a great one. So maybe I’ll take their word for it the next time I’m about to update my camera gear!
The best camera you can buy isn’t always the one that costs the most money. People want different things from their cameras, so while pros will want a powerful DSLR at the heart of an extensive system of lenses and accessories, it will be big, heavy, awkward and almost certainly not the ‘best’ camera for the rest of us.
Photography enthusiasts want the best combination of performance and versatility for their money, which could be a DSLR or a mirrorless camera – both take interchangeable lenses. Or maybe what you actually need is a high-end compact camera with the controls of a digital SLR in a body you can fit in your pocket? Or a long-zoom bridge camera capable of tackling just about any subject under the sun?
And the fact is that for many of us a camera is just a tool. As long the picture quality is good enough, the camera just has to be easy, affordable and effective. So we’ve picked the 10 best cameras you can buy right now across this whole spectrum of users, and along the way we’ll explain the pros and cons of each type.
1. Nikon D810
The top DSLR for quality conscious experts and professionals
The Nikon D810 has an ultra-high resolution full frame sensor and a surprisingly affordable price tag for a professional camera. In fact, many well-heeled enthusiasts have scraped up the cash to buy it too. It has no anti-aliasing filter in front of the sensor which produces even sharper fine detail. The D810 is a classic DSLR which shows the view through the lens via a mirror (which flips up at the moment of exposure) and an optical viewfinder, and it’s at the centre of a huge range of lenses and other accessories for both amateurs and pros.
2. Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Pro performance on an amateur budget, and perfect for action
One of the reasons the Nikon D810 is so expensive is its full-frame sensor. Most non-professional DSLRs, though, use smaller APS-C size sensors, which deliver quality that’s almost as good at a much lower cost. This is the sensor size used in the Canon EOS 7D Mark II, which designed for sports, action and wildlife photography where speed and responsiveness are paramount. It’s the first enthusiast DSLR to shoot continuously at 10 frames per second, matching the speed of professional DSLRs like the Canon-1D X and Nikon D4s but at a much lower cost.
3. Fuji X-T1
A mirrorless camera that looks and works like a top DSLR
Mirrorless cameras (also called compact system cameras) are really catching on. They take interchangeable lenses, just like DSLRs, but instead of using a mirror and an optical viewfinder they display the image captured ‘live’ on the LCD or, if they have on, in an electronic viewfinder. The Fuji X-T1 is one of our favourites. It looks, feels and handles just like a traditional 35mm film SLR and Fuji’s excellent X-Trans sensor delivers rich, film-like colours and high levels of detail.
A D3300 but no D750? FOH! Plus, put any of those so called best camera’s in incapable hands & you’ll get the same crap you get from a cheap p&s.
Consumer Reports rated the D750 number 1. I switched back to Nikon after a decade of Canon because of the D750, own two of them and couldn’t be happier.
I do! It has the hybrid app known as: Mind & eye. 😉 The first photo that I ever sold was taken on an old tablet. The “photo” sucked, but my composition rocked…and that’s why it sold. 🙂
Bryan how did you sell it?
It sold at a local art museum. The museum asked for submissions for wall art, they selected my art for a month-long exhibit in the atrium. (hallway at the top of the stairs) A tourist saw it and bought it. It’s the middle one, of a man eating alone. The large one was sold about a month later to a local millionaire.
Kevin Fisher
If it is not you are a bad photographer get out and buy now. lol pjc
D3300 but the D7200 isn’t on the list?
the full article on tech radar that say to read says D7200 is on top of list…
E 420 bitches
Still very happy with my Nikon D800e!
Love my D800e!!!
Canon 7D MkII. Second place. Has anyone tried to get it to focus in motor racing or anything that moves around at more than a walking pace. Hit miss miss hit miss. No wonder the fps is so good it has to be to get one shot out of seven. What a disappointment.
I agree with you, have been shooting Jr A hockey for 10 yrs and the results are not always what you
want to see for action shots, also shots out of focus, etc regardless of ISO setting…I use the original
Canon D70 ……its great for portraits and team photos however fast action isnt impressive.
Can’t agree there I’m sorry. I had the 7D Mark 1 which was very good, then bought a 5D MK3 to go with it. The 5D changed my focus settings to the ‘erratic’ one so when I got my 7D Mark 2 I used exactly the same setting. On a normal day shooting rugby (around 400 shots) I now get about 3 that are not in focus. I would recommend buying a Mark 2 on the focussing alone, never mind the frame rate.
the driver can not drive 7D Mark II must be able to set af
I use this camera with the back button focus and it is spot on.
Yes, I have. Far and away the best camera for motorsports I’ve ever used (worked as photographer in motorsports for 15 years). You need to fine tune the focus parameters to match what you’re shooting. I used it at the 2015 karting world championships and if you can keep those guys in focus you can keep anything in focus. Happy to provide samples if you like but don’t want to run afoul of any terms and conditions here. But, if you ask I can give you a link. Cheers!
Those cameras are all diverse, not even for same purposes… Top 10 of what category? Or perhaps each one is top in it’s class; in which case the only separation is the price.
These are the same people that told us our old glass would damage cameras.
I guess they never heard of Leica, Rolli or Hasselblad What about Pentax and Olympus? I guess I may as well get fid of my Canon 6D and 50D and just continue to build up my Fuji XT-1
The list is bs!!
I agree!
Nope. Not any of mine. I have Sony a700 and a700. A Sony Cybershot. A Nikon D5300. And a GoPro Hero 3+
It doesn’t matter what tool one uses.
What about the Canon EOS 1ds mklll… 21mpx full frame SLR?
That ought to be here. But they have taken price into your consideration.
I guess I am fortunate to own two bodies…
Yeah I’m pretty sure the 1D3 beats almost any camera in this list functionally. Not sure this list is very accurate…
It doesn’t really matter what camera you have apart from good glass, it’s what the person behind the camera and what they see….
I do, but not according to this article. 7DMk(anything) is not better than the 5DMk(2 or 3) in any regard except FPS. And it’s not full frame, which IMHO takes it out of the running for best camera.
Sounds technical 🙂
Mine didn’t make the list either….Nikon D610.
The best cameras in the world? According to whom?
No way $600 Fujitsu is better than nikons D4,D3s, or even the D3 for that matter (I happen to own all 3. So obviously I’m not biased in any way.)
Don’t care. Mine works for me.
All mirorless camera. It is the futur.
I have a Nikon. Let’s all be friends 😉
The best camera you can have its the one you have with you
ya got that right Lee and how well you know how to use it also
Best camera? Is it the camera or skill?
What about the Canon 5DM3? Or the new Sony’s (A7/A7R/A7S) or the A6000? I TOTALLY beg to differ with this list!
I have #2 on the list so I feel pretty good about my purchase.
Canon 6D with tons of great glass and Sony a6000 with some overpriced Zeiss primes for when I fully commit to mirrorless next year.
WORD: Due to upgrade,help
Picked up a Cool Pix P 900 a few months ago.86 X zoom. Been using it more then my DSLR’s It’s a lot of fun snapping photos up to and sometimes longer then a mile away.
No because I can’t afford $5-$6,000 for a camera. I use mine as a hobby.
In my mind any camera in my hand is the best in the world! I enjoy the art of photography immensely!
This is click junk. Who wants to click through endless pages that are 2/3 ads?
What a pile of Kak this article is….
What garbage.
You better tell all the sports and wildlife guys shooting with 1Dx’s and D4S cams they are not in the top ten..lol.
Try and take this with all of the top ten and see how you go I can only see one camera that would have a chance to take it.
2. Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Pro performance on an amateur budget, and perfect for action
If i ever get mine back for the repair shop where it has gone to get atrocious focus problems sorted out, i may be able co check to see if it is any good.
Owning the best camera in the world doesn’t help if you don’t have the skills. No one wants to hear that, just buy the most expensive camera out there, waste your money because you cannot use it
I hope you feel better baby girl.
I hope you feel better baby girl.
Yup…Kodak Brownie Hawkeye
Yup…Kodak Brownie Hawkeye
Love this comment, I started with a Brownie
I own the best eye in the world. Why would I need a fancy camera to get in the way?
I own the best eye in the world. Why would I need a fancy camera to get in the way?
The best camera in the world, has no creative vision. People have that. 😉
The best camera in the world, has no creative vision. People have that. 😉
Boo. All my cameras are better than those. Well maybe you could argue about the 6D. Looks like these are the “best cameras under $2000, plus a crappy Nikon :)”
There are no crappy Nikons only crappy Canons. 🙂
There are no “crappy” camera brands, only crappy photographers trying to push their preference on others, I’ve shot with more brands than I care to remember and the best ones were the ones tha gave me the results I wanted When they didn’t it was probably more my fault than the brand of camera
Oh dear…
That’s why all professional sports and outdoor photographers use Canon right? Only hipsters afraid to leave a studio use Nikon.
Ha! A friend of mine who shoots for NBA Photos once went from Nikon to Canon…After one season and $28k, he went back to Nikon.
Boo. All my cameras are better than those. Well maybe you could argue about the 6D. Looks like these are the “best cameras under $2000, plus a crappy Nikon :)”
There are no crappy Nikons only crappy Canons. 🙂
Oh dear…
That’s why all professional sports and outdoor photographers use Canon right? Only hipsters afraid to leave a studio use Nikon.
Am I Bothered!
Am I Bothered!
What a joke this non-article is.
What a joke this non-article is.
No mention of the A7Rii?
No mention of the A7Rii?
These are the best consumer cameras. Professional cameras are way out of this league of camera.
These are the best consumer cameras. Professional cameras are way out of this league of camera.
Hasselblad is my choice.
Hasselblad is my choice.
It’s an advert!!!!!
Crap!
There have been three (or more) upgraded models of my camera released since I got mine, so I’m guessing no.
There have been three (or more) upgraded models of my camera released since I got mine, so I’m guessing no.
No longer a working photog, so my gear is very outdated!
No longer a working photog, so my gear is very outdated!
Sure do. # 2 and I love it!
Sure do. # 2 and I love it!
XT1 here!!
XT1 here!!
funny no mention of the Nikon D750 which I own…it has one of THE best low light focusing/ high ISO performance of any camera….
I am hoping to get one someday.
It’s an amazing camera?
D750 is no comparison to D700( With MBD10 ) for action sports, way too slow fps. Agree on lo light situations. Had to send mine back TWICE for repair, of same problem. ( On Nikon’s dime ! ) Will use it till it dies. the4n on to Fuji XT1 or whatever is their latest, cause by then, they will gave good glass for it !
funny no mention of the Nikon D750 which I own…it has one of THE best low light focusing/ high ISO performance of any camera….
I am hoping to get one someday.
It’s an amazing camera?
I find it very interesting that the Canon 1DX is not mentioned in this article, however by most photographers standards it is one of the highest rated, next to…Hassleblad which….is not even mentioned along with many others that certainly outshine the Nikon….
I find it very interesting that the Canon 1DX is not mentioned in this article, however by most photographers standards it is one of the highest rated, next to…Hassleblad which….is not even mentioned along with many others that certainly outshine the Nikon….
I use cheap and outdated cameras. I have some of the best photos ever. I am glad that people with better more expensive cameras leave me alone.
Good for you. Coming from the “Old School” (I went to photography school in 1965) If your camera had something wrong you took it to be repaired and you had it for a few more years, now is all this nonsense about which is the “best one”. To me ..is the one you have between your eyes. Crap doesn’t change at 2 zillion MPs
I use cheap and outdated cameras. I have some of the best photos ever. I am glad that people with better more expensive cameras leave me alone.
Good for you. Coming from the “Old School” (I went to photography school in 1965) If your camera had something wrong you took it to be repaired and you had it for a few more years, now is all this nonsense about which is the “best one”. To me ..is the one you have between your eyes. Crap doesn’t change at 2 zillion MPs
What a bogus article. Waste of time.
What a bogus article. Waste of time.
Switched from a Canon 5D MKIII and went with #1 on this list. Haven’t regretted that decision for one second.
Switched from a Canon 5D MKIII and went with #1 on this list. Haven’t regretted that decision for one second.
….i hate stupid pages that i have to keep clicking “next page”
….i hate stupid pages that i have to keep clicking “next page”
A couple good ones , but really ? Best of the best ? Pfffffft……
A couple good ones , but really ? Best of the best ? Pfffffft……
Sure like my D810
Sure like my D810
waste of time
waste of time
no 6D.. best focusing in low light, full frame and moderate cost…hmmm..
no 6D.. best focusing in low light, full frame and moderate cost…hmmm..
The best camera is the one you have with you. This post is designed to stimulate GAS or Gear Acquisition Syndrome in time for the holiday shopping season….also click bait.
The best camera is the one you have with you. This post is designed to stimulate GAS or Gear Acquisition Syndrome in time for the holiday shopping season….also click bait.
Why is it so difficult to “JUST SEE THE LIST YOU ADVERTISE”, without SOOOOOOO much advertising and diversions to other stuff?????????? I get it that there is some ads, but by the time I get to what I wanted to read, …….I don’t give a shit anymore!!!! So I “UNLIKE” your page!!!
Why is it so difficult to “JUST SEE THE LIST YOU ADVERTISE”, without SOOOOOOO much advertising and diversions to other stuff?????????? I get it that there is some ads, but by the time I get to what I wanted to read, …….I don’t give a shit anymore!!!! So I “UNLIKE” your page!!!
If I bring my D700 and $110 to the camera store will they set me up with a D810?
If I bring my D700 and $110 to the camera store will they set me up with a D810?
Better to have an inventive mind than a great camera…..but cool when you can have both.
Better to have an inventive mind than a great camera…..but cool when you can have both.
Love my d810. It is the most amazing camera I’ve ever owned.
Love my d810. It is the most amazing camera I’ve ever owned.
This list is a joke. No Nikon D4s..? Really? Hell, the D7200 out performs 7 cameras on the list.
This list is a joke. No Nikon D4s..? Really? Hell, the D7200 out performs 7 cameras on the list.
if I knew how to use all the settings..lol
What a stupid list.
the camera is just a tool – the most expensive camera cant help someone who cant operate it. and a skilled professional can create a beautiful work of art with a cheep unit/
Any list is just the opinion of one person or the group that happened to make a list of something. bob’s list will be different then Jane’s list or Henry’s list. I figured most people knew this but apparently not…
As some people have pointed out, the camera is just a tool. The “BEST” camera is the one you have with you.
Maybe we should be talking about being a good photographer. The equipment will only get you so far. Ansel Adams didn’t have what we all have but I doubt I’ll be seeing any of your work in galleries.
This is the personal opinion of the person who wrote the article. She prefers Nikon cameras. Tomato blah blah, it is a matter of what works for you and what you can afford. Bogus article.
The whole idea of “what is the best camera” is total BS. As stated by those above. I’ve been shooting since 1963and have heard this argument so much it’s sickening. Articles like this one are worthless junk, can you imagine not including Leica, Hasselblad or Pentax. What about Sony & Olympus? If you are not specifically talking about “high end” “high priced” “professional use” cameras how do you leave these brands out?
This one of the dumbest articles I have ever read regarding cameras. Must have been written at least two years ago. Their top cameras are already obsolete. Anyone with half a brain knows that DSLR’s are dead. It’s like buying a VCR or a cassette player. The top camera of 2015, according to D Preview, DXO, and every other magazine and computer web camera publisher had the Sony A7RII as the top camera and there was not a close second. I have sold my Canon 5D Mkii and the rest of my DSLR’s, or as I cal them “Bowling Balls”, and gone mirrorless and I have never been happier. My customers are very happy with the results also. My 5DmkII DSLR with a Canon 24-70 f2.8 lens and a flash weighed 9.5 lbs. My Sony A7RII with a Zeiss Batis 25 F2 with a flash weigh 3.5 lbs. Big difference when you are shooting a 12 hour wedding. The images are much better also. I still have my Canon lenses that I can use with a Metabones Mark IV adapter with results as good or better than with the Canon Body. Ever since I started using the Zeiss Primes, the Canon lenses take a back seat though.
Whilst I agree that some of the cameras listed were good Nikon D810 my favourite I’m not sure it’s accurate or such a thing exist anyway. For me the comments were the best and most entertaining lol
My Nikon D7100 and Sony A6000 good enough