Canon 5d Mark 3 Best Buy
Currently, the Canon EOS R5 is among the finest full-frame mirrorless models on the market right now, featuring superb autofocus, solid in-body image stabilization with a high-resolution sensor, and outstanding 8K video recording capabilities. However, if you're looking for the king of speed, then the Canon EOS R3 takes that crown. Both of these cameras are considered professional-grade cameras and therefore are featured within our best professional cameras, too.
canon 5d mark 3 best buy
Entry-level or expert, mirrorless or DSLR: our list below covers the best Canon cameras for every need, budget, and skill level. We even included the best deals or prices available so you can score some savings as well.
In testing, the processor and AF tracking together proved remarkably powerful yet accessible for learners. 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.
Its best skill, though, is its blisteringly quick 20fps burst speeds with the electronic shutter, or 12fps with the mechanical one. This makes it a better choice for shooting speeding subjects than rivals like the Sony A7 IV. On the downside, our tests found the dynamic range to be slightly disappointing. But color reproduction overall is excellent, noise-handling good and image quality is otherwise impressive.
There's a new metering sensor under the hood as well and in our tests we found its performance to be excellent, exposing areas of light and shadow to near-perfection. However, we did find that due to the high pixel density on the crop sensor, noise performance wasn't the best. Still, for the most part, that can be taken care of during post-production.
Buying a camera these days is a big investment, so every camera in this guide has been tested extensively by us so we can authoritatively decide on the best Canon camera. These days, real-world tests are the most revealing way to understand a camera's performance and character, so we focus heavily on those, along with standardized tests for factors like ISO performance.
Choosing the best Canon camera isn't always easy. As the world's largest camera manufacturer, Canon makes cameras for every kind of photographer and offers several categories and price points, from affordable entry-level gear to premium professional products.
Many shooters simply prefer the immediacy of an optical viewfinder, or the ruggedly built bodies of the cameras, or their superior battery life. Plus, DSLRs are significantly cheaper than equivalent mirrorless cameras, both new and on the second-hand market, so picking up one can be a great way to keep your costs down.
Announced at Photokina 2012 and released a couple of months later, the EOS 6D was marketed as a smaller and more affordable alternative to the hugely popular EOS 5D Mark III. Fulfilling this brief, the 6D borrows hardware from the 5D III while also bringing some of its own to the table. For example, while the 5D III was built around a 22.3MP full-frame CMOS sensor, the 6D instead employs a 20.2MP chip. However, both cameras share the same DIGIC 5+ image processor, and both provide a native sensitivity range of ISO 100-25,600 that can be expanded to the equivalent of ISO 50-102,800.
While Canon produces a wide range of imaging products, from printers to MRI machines, it's probably best known for its popular selection of cameras and lenses. 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 range of more accessible and affordable cameras for users of all experience levels. In general, Canon cameras have great ergonomics, intuitive controls and menus, and class-leading autofocus systems, along with a wide selection of lenses that cater to photographers of all kinds.
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is the best Canon camera we've tested and one of the best hybrid enthusiast models on the market. With some key improvements over the Canon EOS R6, which was already an amazing camera, the Mark II takes all the things that make that camera great and adds in a higher-resolution sensor, faster e-shutter burst shooting, cropless 4k video, and unlimited video recording time limits. That makes it one of the most versatile cameras at this point for more advanced photo and video work.
Because it's a DSLR, it's a bit heavier and bulkier than the mirrorless R6 II and uses an optical viewfinder instead of an electronic one. The big upside of going with a DSLR is battery life, so you'll get much longer use out of this camera on a full charge than you would with a mirrorless model. Its smaller APS-C sensor does mean a trade-off in low light capability, but it can still capture very high-quality images. Plus, there's an excellent lens selection for Canon's EF/EF-S mount, meaning you can always upgrade to better lenses to get better results. Ultimately, there's a lot to love about this camera, and it's one of the best Canon cameras for photography as far as mid-range options go.
The Canon EOS M50 Mark II is one of the best budget models in Canon's entire lineup. This international bestseller is especially popular among those just getting started with photography or content creation. Like the Canon EOS 90D, it uses an APS-C sensor, which offers a good balance of image quality and portability. It's remarkably small and lightweight, making it easy to take on the go, and because it's a mirrorless camera, you can see exposure adjustments in real-time through the EVF, making it one of the best Canon cameras for beginners.
This isn't the best Canon camera for video, as it can only record 4k with a severe crop, affecting everything from autofocus performance to video quality. So, if you are interested in video or vlogging, you're better off sticking to 1080p with this camera. Lens options are also more limited for Canon's EF-M mount. Despite its shortcomings, this is still a great choice if you're after simplicity and portability at a price that won't break the bank.
Point-and-shoots can be a great tool for photographers looking for a more portable camera for everyday street or travel photography, especially if your smartphone camera isn't up to par. Thankfully, Canon has plenty of point-and-shoot options, and the best we've tested 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, and it even includes a pop-up EVF, which is a great addition for sunny days when it's harder to see the screen.
Sony is right behind Canon in terms of global market share, and both brands offer plenty of excellent cameras at a range of prices. Both have also pushed the boundaries of what camera autofocus is capable of. Canon cameras generally have superior ergonomics, though handling is highly subjective, while Sony's E-mount has a wider lens selection, with more compatible third-party lens options.
Canon makes cameras that cater to photographers of almost every experience level but share some common features across the board. They're often comfortable to shoot with and easy to use, with intuitive menu systems and ergonomic handgrips and control layouts, and many feature fully articulated touchscreens. Impressive image quality is almost a guarantee with any modern camera, but Canon's warm color science is often prized, and its Dual Pixel autofocus system has become one of the best on the market. That said, the brand still has some catching up to do when it comes to advanced video features, particularly battery life and heat management, as well as capped recording time limits.
Canon cameras are often well-built, with good handling and impressive image quality. Canon's newer mirrorless offerings also have some of the best autofocus on the market. That said, Canon sometimes makes curious choices for video features, with caps on recording time and the occasional issue with heat management. 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.
We've bought and tested over 80 cameras in our lab, and below you'll find our recommendations for the best digital cameras for photography. If you're looking for something more specific, you can also check out our recommendations for the best cameras for wildlife photography, the best cameras for landscape photography, or the best cameras for low-light photography.
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is the best enthusiast camera we've tested for photography. This well-rounded full-frame camera excels at all kinds of photography and even offers improvements over its predecessor, the Canon EOS R6, our previous favorite. Its new higher-resolution sensor gives you a little more leeway to crop your photos. The camera now has a faster readout speed and a whopping 40 fps burst rate when using the electronic shutter. Add a remarkable autofocus system with reliable tracking, and you've got a fantastic camera for sports and action photography.
If the Canon EOS R6 Mark II is beyond your budget, the Sony α7 III is an older model that's still well worth considering today. Though it's been superseded by the more video-capable Sony α7 IV, the a7 III is a mainstay for a reason and remains one of the best cameras for photographers for its price. It has plenty to offer, including a still-competitive autofocus system, 10 fps burst shooting, and one of the longest-lasting batteries you'll find on a mirrorless camera. You lose out on weather sealing, touch navigation, and Sony's new-and-improved menu system. However, these are small sacrifices for a camera that still holds up remarkably well to newer competition for image quality.
The best mid-range camera we've tested for photography is the Nikon Z 50. Unlike most of our higher-end picks, this camera uses an APS-C sensor, which makes it a bit less capable in low light than full-frame alternatives. Unless you're a pro or enthusiast, a crop sensor will still be enough to get you high-quality images, and you get the upside of generally cheaper lenses and more portability. 041b061a72