The best Canon camera in 2023: Canon's top mirrorless, DSLRs and compacts

Picking the best Canon camera can be a tricky task! Since it's the largest camera manufacturer in the world, Canon makes a multitude of models from budget beginner bodies right through cameras used to shoot movies. 

I've been using Canon kit since the film days, and I used to write for our print publication PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, so I'm here to help you work out which is the best Canon camera for you. Whether you want a camera to photograph wildlife, something to use for vlogging, or a great all-rounder to take on vacation, there's something here for you.

In my opinion, the best Canon camera overall is the mighty Canon EOS R5. It's a camera I personally invested in because there is simply nothing it can't do, between its 45MP sensor (capable of shooting up to 400MP images!), 8K video, 20fps bursts and weather sealing. It was so ahead of its time that it's still a technological marvel –  but because it was released back in 2020, there are some great deals on it. 

It's not all about horsepower, though! Here are my top picks for Canon cameras across all categories, from beginner right through to professional… 

Best Canon camera: Top picks

The best Canon camera for 2023

Best overall

I was so blown away by the Canon EOS R5 that I bought one on release day – it is that good. For my money (quite literally) it does anything and everything you could ask of a camera. Not only do you get high-resolution 45MP stills as standard, it can also shoot up to 400MP images in a special mode. It offers lightning-fast continuous shooting, too, delivering bursts of up to 20fps.

It's also a monster at video, with its headline RAW 8K 30p video being utterly gorgeous – and it can be oversampled for stunning 4K HQ (though the standard 4K mode is nothing to write home about). Yes there are well-publicized overheating limits, but in truth I've never had any problems in personal use – the only time I ran into issues was when I torture-tested the camera for my review. 

The R5's autofocus is so good that I called it a cheat code, and I stand by that: Dual Pixel CMOS AF II is the best system in the industry right now – better than that of the Sony A9 III and NIkon Z8 / Z9. Add in weather sealing, rock-solid in-body image stabilization (up to 8 stops) and support for superfast CFexpress B cards (as well as standard SD cards) and this is a camera that can take on any task. 

Read my full Canon EOS R5 review for more details

Best budget

Not everyone needs all the firepower – or all the expense – of a camera like the R5. For photography students or complete newcomers, a budget DSLR body can be the best option – and I think the Rebel SL3 (aka the 250D in Europe) is capable, cheap, and a great way into the Canon ecosystem. 

It uses older DSLR technology, so it lacks the features and finesse of mirrorless cameras, but when you're learning you don't need all the bells and whistles! And just because it's cheap, doesn't mean it's crap; I've taken images with this 24.1MP APS-C sensor that look as good as anything I've shot on a $4,000 camera. It's also compact and comfortable to hold – in fact, its ergonomics are better than some much newer cameras I've used!

The SL2 is a superb starter camera at a superb price, and the EF and EF-S lenses you use with it can be adapted to Canon's mirrorless EOS R cameras – so when your skills grow and you upgrade your body, you can keep using your lenses. 

 Read our full Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / 250D review for more details

Best wildlife

The R7 is Canon's top-flight APS-C camera, and is such a powerhouse that it actually packs more megapixels (32.5MP) than some of its full-frame cameras! While it's a fantastic all-rounder, what I love to use it for most is wildlife photographer.

This is mainly due to the 1.6x crop factor of Canon's APS-C sensor, which increases the equivalent focal length of your lenses; when I mount the Canon RF 600mm on the R7 it becomes an effective 960mm lens! So, between the longer focal length giving you more reach and the extra resolution giving you more room to crop, I find this a uniquely capable camera for wildlife. 

It rattles off stills at up to 30fps, so you never miss a moment, and packs the same autofocus system as the R5, so the camera never misses a beat. And if you shoot video it can capture 4K that's oversampled from 7K, for maximum detail. It's weather-sealed to withstand outdoor conditions, packs dual memory cards and a joystick, and on top of everything it's image-stabilized as well. 

Read my full Canon EOS R7 review for more details

Best beginner

In my opinion, there's no better way to learn photography than to use a mirrorless camera. The viewfinder and rear screen show you exactly what your images will look like, as you adjust the exposure settings, which helps you understand how things like aperture and shutter speed work. And what I really love about the R100 is that it has a guided user interface, with menus that show you how to achieve effects such as blurred backgrounds or frozen motion. 

While it's a beginner camera, the R100 is still amazingly capable. Canon's trusty 24.1MP APS-C sensor delivers images worthy of far more advanced cameras – I was blown away by the quality of the files. I also love that it's got a microphone jack, which is rare on a camera at this price point – so if you want to shoot video you can get great quality sound using a dedicated mic (rather than relying on the built-in mics). That said, there are some compromises with 4K video; it incurs a 1.55x crop and doesn't make use of the brilliant Dual Pixel Autofocus. 

The R100 is an incredibly compact camera, and paired with the similarly compact Canon RF-S lenses fits great in a sling bag or handbag for run-and-gun shooting. However, those with larger hands might find it a bit too small (and it's also worth noting that the screen is fixed, and doesn't offer touch-control). Those few foibles aside, this is a brilliant beginner camera.

Read my full Canon EOS R100 review for more details

Ever since the DSLR days, the 6-series has carved a niche as Canon's all-rounder range. And the R6 Mark II is a worthy successor to the Canon EOS 6D Mark II (the last DSLR I bought!) offering an upgrade in every department. 

This is one of the most formidable hybrid cameras around, punching well above its weight. I was amazed at the 40fps burst rate, which is even faster than the flagship EOS R3! It uses the same flagship autofocus system, too, so this is a camera that's up to the task of sports, wildlife and fast action. The 24.2MP sensor can capture oversampled 6K for gorgeous 4K 60p video, too – and Canon has introduced one of my favorite features, pre-capture, which enables the camera to record 0.5 seconds of stills or up to 5 seconds of video before you fully depress the shutter. 

My only reservations with the camera are the buffer, which at 75 RAW images did catch up with me when shooting at 40fps – possibly due to the choice of SD cards instead of CFexpress (though that does keep the cost down). Also be aware that you're limited 40 minutes of oversampled 4K 60p or 6 hours of 4K 30p before the camera cuts off.

Read my full Canon EOS R6 Mark II review for more details

Best professional

Right now this is Canon's flagship camera, and for good reason. Boasting a pro form factor with integrated vertical grip (and bigger battery), I find it the best-balanced EOS R camera when using pro lenses and long telephotos. It's also a technological powerhouse, with a feature that I don't think gets enough love: Eye Control AF. 

Depending on what you use it for, this really is a game-changer. There are eight infrared blasters in the viewfinder that track the movement of your eye; this enables you to move the focus point simply by looking at a subject, which is faster than moving the joystick or relying on the accuracy of the autofocus. If you're shooting a celebrity in a crowd, for example, the AF won't necessarily know who to focus on… but now you can just look at the celeb, to move the AF point there, then half-press the shutter for the AF to lock on. It's like an autofocus hotkey, and it even works with my glasses on! 

Of course, this is a sports camera – so you're getting superfast 30fps shooting for both JPEG and RAW, powered by the same cheat code autofocus found in the EOS R5. I'm also a big fan of its video capabilities (even though the top-tier C-Log 2 isn't offered in-camera), especially the 6K 60p and the sublime 4K 120p, and the image stabilization that keeps every shot rock-steady. 

Read my full Canon EOS R3 review for more details

Best for creators

The direct replacement for the best-selling Canon EOS M50 Mark II, the R50 is aimed at content creators who need something compact enough to carry around with them but capable enough to get the shot when shooting stills and video. At first glance this looks exactly like the M50, but there are plenty of changes under the hood – and the one I'm most pleased with is the lack of crop when shooting 4K video! (Though you do still have the native 1.6x crop of the APS-C sensor.)

I was also thrilled that Canon added the Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system, which makes this an incredibly potent camera for vlogging and video (especially with social media-friendly features like vertical video capture). It's not the full fat Dual Pixel, as it doesn't have the full suite of subject tracking (for things like planes and horses), nor does it have automatic eye priority – but the face and eye detection still perform brilliantly. 

It's no slouch for stills, either, as I took some stunning shots with the 24.2MP sensor. Like the R100, it lacks image stabilization and is very compact – so those with larger hands should give it a test drive first. Otherwise, if you're a YouTuber junkie, this is a fantastic camera to sharpen your skills.

Read my full Canon EOS R50 review for more details 

Best video

If you want to put a video on YouTube, go for the R50. But if you want real professional performance (without shelling out for the very best cinema cameras), you've got two options: the Canon EOS R5C or the EOS C70. In many respects the R5C is actually the superior camera, offering full frame 8K video and all the latest technology. However, it offers it in the body of an R5 – and that comes with some compromises. 

The reason I recommend the C70 is because it's a true cinema camera, not a hybrid one. That means you get connections like mini XLR and Time Code BNC / HDMI. You get a Dual Gain Output sensor with 16 stops of dynamic range. You get a bigger body with all the controls and inputs and buttons you need, multiple mounting points, and most importantly a huge battery that will last serious filming sessions. 

This is effectively the Canon EOS C300 Mark III in a smaller body with an RF mount. Canon even makes a 0.71x speedbooster that enables you to use EF glass on the Super35 sensor with the same field of view as a full-frame camera. If you need a proper production camera in a run-and-gun setup, this is the one I'd go for. It's an offically Netflix-approved camera, too! 

Read my full Canon EOS C70 review for more details

Best vlogging

People look at me funny when I recommend this camera, but I'm serious: if you want an all-in-one, easy-to-use, fire-and-forget camera to film a vlog, the PowerShot V10 is what you need. I love the fact that Canon went right back to the drawing board to create it. It isn't just a a normal mirrorless camera with some video specs; it's built for the sole purpose of pointing at you and filming a vlog.

It's positively pocket-sized, being as small as a packet of cigarettes (if you don't smoke, it's about the same size as the LCD screen on a camera like the EOS R5). Using it is simple: just put it on the table in front of you, using the built-in stand, and press the big red record button. That's it! No fiddling with codecs or zooming in or out or changing settings, you literally point and press record – it's exactly as simple as using your smartphone. 

It's easy to handhold (unlike trying to hold a mirrorless camera backwards while filming yourself), the touchscreen is great quality and very responsive, the autofocus and image stabilization are great, and the video quality (along with the stills) is super impressive. As someone who has a small YouTube channel and has spent far too much time fiddling with lenses and settings before I can film anything, I love this camera and how idiot-proof it is!

Read my full Canon PowerShot V10 review for more details

Best DSLR

Okay, why do I rate this "the best" DSLR over the workhorse Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and former flagship Canon EOS-1D X Mark III? One key factor: the price. Both those cameras still cost quite a chunk of change, and I'll be honest – if you're going to spend that much money on a camera, you're going to get far more bang for your buck buying mirrorless.

There has to be a good reason to opt for a DSLR in this day and age, and I think the 90D still presents a great case. Like the EOS R7 it has a pixel-packed 32.5MP sensor, uncropped 4K video and robust weather sealing. Its 10fps burst rate isn't nearly as fast, but is more than enough for anything short of top-tier wildlife or sports shooting. 

I would argue that the 90D's beefier body is more comfortable than its svelte mirrorless counterparts, and plenty of people (including my colleague Sebastian) prefer an optical viewfinder over the modern electronic version. Above all, though, the best reason to go for the 90D is its stunning battery life that leaves mirrorless cameras in the dust.

Read our full Canon EOS 90D review for more details 

Best bridge

Mirrorless cameras and DSLRs aren't the best choice for everyone. I often recommend a bridge camera – which has a DSLR-like body and an integrated lens with a huge zoom range – as an all-in-one solution that's easy to use and does things that interchangeable lens cameras simply can't.

Canon's best bridge right now is the PowerShot SX70, and I'll point right to its frankly ridiculous 21-1365mm zoom range as its killer feature. You would go bankrupt trying to get all the lenses to cover that focal range on a traditional camera – and most of those lenses don't even exist! 

It's big and bulky, the 20MP resolution is a bit conservative, and the 1/2.3-inch sensor is never going to compete with those in mirrorless cameras. However, if you want an ideal camera for vacations, taking to the zoo, shooting the kids' soccer game and capturing 4K video, this beast has you covered. Though I would advise taking a look at the best bridge cameras from the competition, as there are some very compelling alternatives.

Read our full Canon PowerShot SX70 HS review for more details

Best compact

I was first introduced to the G7 X series through my vlogging friends, as the Mark II had become very popular with YouTubers. Canon doubled down on this trend and added uncropped 4K and a microphone port – but what impressed me the most was that it also improved the autofocus after the camera launched, improving the performance drastically. 

Even if you're not a vlogger and you don't care about features like livestreaming, the G7X Mark III is still a brilliant little compact camera – a dying breed these days, but I often keep a compact in my camera bag or glovebox for impromptu snapping. I love the 24-100mm lens with a bright f/1.8-2.8 aperture, giving great performance in low light. Some have complained that it doesn't have a viewfinder, but I'm very happy treating it like a phone and shooting off the screen – especially since it flips 180° for taking selfies. 

If you want a Canon that's small enough to keep in your pocket and offers better quality than your phone, the G7X is it.

Read our full Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III review for more details

How we test cameras

We test camera resolution, dynamic range, and noise under scientifically controlled conditions using two key testing tools: Imatest Master and DxO Analyzer. All DSLRs and mirrorless cameras are subjected to these tests and, in some instances, high-end compact cameras too.

We use these real-world testing and lab results to inform our comments in buying guides.

1. Resolution (ISO-12233): We use a resolution chart based on ISO-12233 from Applied Image inc to indicate the limit of the camera’s vertical resolution at the centre of the frame. The higher the value, the better the detail resolution.

2. Dynamic range (DxO Analyzer): This is a measure of a camera’s ability to capture detail in the highlights and shadows. We use DxO’s transmissive chart, which enables us to test a dynamic range of 13.3 stops.

3. Noise (DxO Analyzer): We use the dynamic range transmissive chart to analyze the signal-to-noise ratio for RAW and JPG files at every sensitivity setting using DxO Analyzer. A higher value means the signal is cleaner.

Some products lend themselves to lab testing, such as cameras and lenses, while others can only be evaluated in real-world use. If possible, we do both, but we review a very wide range of photography-related products that can only be tested in the field. Because of this, we work hard to achieve proper consistency.

One way we do this is to use team members or experienced freelancers who are familiar with these products and have used many different examples in the past. We will agree on a series of criteria to check for each product type.

Read more: How we test and review

FAQs

PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine is the world's only monthly newsstand title that's 100% devoted to Canon, so you can be sure the magazine is completely relevant to your system. Every issue comes with downloadable video tutorials too. 

View Deal

Take a look at the best Canon RF lenses for mirrorless cameras, as well as the best Canon DSLR lenses. If you're an EOS M user, check out the best Canon EF-M lenses.