Canon is one of the most innovative and popular camera brands out there and for good reason. They consistently deliver quality cameras that offer a bevy of different features and that can meet a wide range of photography needs. With that being said, sifting through their catalog of products can quickly become overwhelming. There are tons of options and terms to know in order to choose the right one. Instead of spending tons of time shopping for the right camera, you can spend more time getting out there and shooting photos by using our comprehensive buying guide.
What to Consider
When you’re choosing a Canon camera, there are a variety of things to consider, including features, price, battery life, and more. But the most important factor you’ll want to look at first is if you want a DSLR, a mirrorless, or a compact camera. Let’s look at the differences between these:
DSLR: DSLR stands for digital single-lens reflex. DSLR cameras are great all-around cameras, allow you to switch lenses, and are great for composition. A DSLR camera uses a system of mirrors to reflect the image the lens sees into the viewfinder.
Mirrorless: Mirrorless cameras also allow you to change the lenses, but they differ in how these capture the picture from DSLRs. In mirrorless cameras, LCD screens and electronic viewfinders are used to capture images. These cameras tend to have more advanced technology than DSLRs at the cost of a higher price point.
Compact: Compact cameras don’t allow you to change the lens, but they’re super portable. These are also sometimes referred to as point-and-click cameras, because they’re very easy to use. Compact cameras are especially great for beginner photographers.
How We Selected
For this buying guide, we made sure to include DSLR, mirrorless, and compact options, so there’s something for everyone. We also made sure to provide both our best pick and a budget pick for each option, along with some more specific categories. We made sure to check our picks against some of the best camera publications such as Digital Camera World and Creative Bloq. Next, we made sure to only choose cameras that have at least four stars or more on Amazon. We’ve made it super easy for you to just scroll through and find the category that fits your camera needs best. Read on to find your perfect Canon!
1
Best DSLR Overall
Canon EOS 90D
Canon
amazon.com
$1,199.00
Key Specs
- Type: DSLR
- Sensor: APS-C
- Burst Speed: Up to 10 FPS
- Video Resolution: Up to 4k at 30p
- Other Features: 3-inch LCD touchscreen, DIGIC 8 image processor
If you’re looking for the best DSLR Canon overall, our pick is the Canon EOS 90D. This DSLR gives you just about all of the features you could need, including 4k video capabilities, high megapixel count for clear and sharp resolution pictures, autofocus and continuous shooting, and much more.
The high-speed shutter allows you to capture high-speed moments and reduce your camera shake. In short, this DSLR can do just about anything.
- Full-featured
- Good price point for enthusiasts and professionals
- Can capture uncropped 4k videos
- A bit bulky
- Expensive for beginners
- One memory card slot
2
Best Mirrorless Overall
Canon EOS R5
Canon
amazon.com
$4,999.00
Key Specs
- Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: Full-Frame CMOS
- Burst Speed: Up to 12 FPS Mechanical/20 FPS Electronic
- Video Resolution: Up to 8k at 30p
- Other Features: DIGIC X image processor, dual memory card slots, subject tracking
If you’re looking for the top of the line mirrorless camera from the Canon line, look no further than the Canon EOS R5. The impressive specs of this camera are mind-boggling, and it is one of the best cameras for stills out there. The video performance is also impressive. If you’re in need of a lot of space for pictures and video, the dual memory card is a nice bonus.
- Fantastic mirrorless camera, tons of features
- Good battery life
- Dual memory cards
- Expensive
- Might be difficult for beginners to get the most out of
3
Best Compact Overall
Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III
Key Specs
- Type: Compact
- Sensor: APS-C
- Burst Speed: Up to 9 FPS
- Video Resolution: 1080P at 60p
- Other Features: 3x optical zoom, electronic viewfinder, 3-inch LCD touchscreen, DIGIC 7 image processor
Looking for a compact camera that can perform like a high-end DSLR or mirrorless? The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III is definitely as close as it gets.
The large 24.2 megapixel APS-C sensor is an incredible addition to a compact camera that you can’t get from most other compacts. As a compact, it’s also super portable and easy to use. Even beginners will be able to get some great shots with this option.
- Great sensor for a compact
- Easy to use
- Portable
- Price might be intimidating still for a beginner
- Not as versatile as a mirrorless or DSLR option
4
Best Budget DSLR
Canon EOS Rebel SL3
Key Specs
- Type: DSLR
- Sensor: APS-C
- Burst Speed: Up to 5 FPS
- Video Resolution: 4k at 24p
- Other Features: DIGIC 8 image processor, 3-inch LCD touchscreen
Looking for a quality DSLR but don’t want to pay the professional price? This Canon EOS Rebel SL3 is a great entry-point into the world of DSLR cameras. It has plenty of great features, is fairly lightweight when compared to other DSLR cameras, is easy to use, and has great image quality.
You don’t always need to spend the top dollar to get a high-quality camera, and this DSLR from Canon proves it.
- Light and easy to use
- Affordable
- Viewfinder is lacking in AF points
5
Best Budget Mirrorless
Canon EOS M50 Mark II
Key Specs
- Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: APS-C
- Burst Speed: Up to 10 FPS
- Video Resolution: 4k at 24p
- Other Features: DIGIC 8 image processor, 3-inch LCD touchscreen, live streaming
It’s tough to find a mirrorless camera at a budget price point, but the Canon EOS M50 Mark II is definitely as close as it gets.
You get a great mirrorless camera but you don’t have to spend several grand on it. If you’re looking to get started in the photography world with a bang, this is a great entry-level mirrorless option.
Even if you’re an enthusiast or pro, there’s a lot to love about this camera.
- Lightweight and mirrorless build
- High-quality 24 megapixel imaging
- Affordable
- 4k video is cropped
- Battery life isn’t the best
6
Best Budget Compact
Canon PowerShot ELPH 180
Key Specs
- Type: Compact
- Sensor: CCD
- Burst Speed: Up to 0.8 FPS
- Video Resolution: 720p at 24p
- Other Features: DIGIC 4 Plus Image Processor, 8x Zoom, Fixed LCD Display
If you’re wanting a nice camera but are really wanting to save money on it, a compact camera is definitely the way to go. The Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 fits the bill perfectly for a serviceable compact at an extremely affordable price point. It still has great image capabilities and lets you shoot video in 720p.
It’s super portable, easy to point and click, and anyone can use it to get some great-quality pictures at a good price.
- Good zoom capabilities
- Lets you shoot video
- Good quality images
- Affordable
- Lacking in features, not the best camera for pros and enthusiasts
7
Best Camera for Low-Light
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Canon
amazon.com
$3,198.00
Key Specs
- Type: DSLR
- Sensor: Full-Frame CMOS
- Burst Speed: Up to 7 FPS
- Video Resolution: 4k at 30p
- Other Features: DIGIC 6 Plus Image Processor, ISO 100–32000 Range, LCD Touchscreen
Low-light photography can be beautiful and evocative, but you need the right camera to get it just right. Enter the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. Its full-frame sensor and incredible ISO range allows you to get clear and crisp images in any kind of lighting. It doesn’t hurt that it can also shoot 4k video. This is a great DSLR overall, and the ISO range just adds to the functionality.
- Great for low-light
- 4k video
- High level of megapixels
- 4k video is cropped
- Expensive
8
Best for Video Vlogging
Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III
Key Specs
- Type: Compact
- Sensor: Stacked CMOS
- Burst Speed: Up to 20 FPS
- Video Resolution: 4k at 30p
- Other Features: 4.2x zoom, DIGIC 8 image processor, 3-inch LCD touchscreen, external mic support, live streaming
If you’re looking to use your camera for vlogging and live streaming, the Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III is a good bet. This camera is super portable, making it easy to vlog from anywhere and it has a mic input and live streaming capabilities. Not to mention it’s able to shoot in stunning 4k. This camera offers a lot in a little package.
- Features for live streaming
- 4k video
- Portable
- Not as versatile as DSLR and mirrorless
- Picture quality not as crisp
9
Camera with Best Zoom
Canon PowerShot SX540
Key Specs
- Type: Compact
- Sensor: CMOS
- Burst Speed: Up to 6 FPS
- Video Resolution: 1080p at 60p
- Other Features: 50x zoom, 3-inch LCD screen, DIGIC 6 image processor
This camera has an incredible 50x optical zoom, allowing you to capture what’s far away with stunning quality. The large 3-inch LCD screen allows you to get a good look at your subject too. This camera is also relatively affordable and feels a lot like a DSLR, even though it isn’t. It’s definitely a great beginner camera.
- Easy to use
- Affordable
- Incredible zoom
- Big touchscreen
- Not as full-featured as other options
- Screen isn’t a touchscreen
10
Best for Professionals
Canon EOS-1D X Mark III
Canon
amazon.com
$6,399.00
Key Specs
- Type: DSLR
- Sensor: Full-Frame CMOS
- Burst Speed: Up to 20 FPS
- Video Resolution: Raw 5.5k at 60p
- Other Features: ISO range of 100-10240, DIGIC X image processor, 191-point AF system
If you’re a professional looking for a top of the line Canon camera, then the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III is going to be a dream pick.
That being said, it’s going to come at a price as it’s definitely the most expensive on our list by a good margin. But for that price you’ll get an incredibly well-built camera with great battery life, up to 20 FPS capture, a 20MP full-frame sensor, up to 5.5k video, and more.
You’ll definitely get a lot out of this camera if you know how to use it.
- Great battery life
- Tons of features
- Incredible image and capture quality
- Expensive
- DSLR, where most expensive cameras are mirrorless
11
Best for Travel
Canon EOS M6 Mark II
Canon
amazon.com
$1,349.00
Key Specs
- Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: APS-C
- Burst Speed: Up to 14 FPS
- Video Resolution: 4k at 30p
- Other Features: DIGIC 8 image processor, 3-inch LCD touchscreen
If you’re looking for something portable but that also produces stunning images, then the Canon EOS M6 Mark II might be the pick for you.
Travel photographers need something that can easily be taken out to capture the moment but that will also provide you with amazing images that capture the feeling of the places you go.
This camera can definitely provide with its high-resolution, full-frame sensor, and 4k video capabilities. Plus it’s easy to use, so no more worrying about missing that perfect shot.
- Portable
- High-quality images
- Easy auto-focus
Douglas Helm
Douglas Helm is a freelance writer who specializes in the technology space.
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