The Best Canon Camera for 2023

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Many people who want to buy an interchangeable lens camera (ILC) think of Canon first, and for good reason. Its consumer-friendly Rebel SLR series was a perennial bestseller in its heyday after all. And now, after some initial stumbles into the mirrorless world, Canon has righted the ship and leapfrogged competitors in autofocus acumen with its current lineup of EOS R bodies.

If you think it's time to upgrade your old digital SLR or have outgrown your smartphone camera, Canon is a good way to go. You shouldn't just buy any old Canon, though; not every model is a winner. For instance, we recommend against buying an EOS M system camera today. Reports indicate that Canon has abandoned that lineup in favor of EOS R, and we do not expect Canon to develop or release any EOS M cameras or lenses going forward. We included one model in our list, but it’s strictly for folks who have already spent money on the system.

Instead, we recommend EOS R models for most people. We like these cameras because of their excellent autofocus systems and the already comprehensive library of compatible lenses that covers beginners and pros alike. It's a system with sensible points of entry for most creators.

One downside, however, is that Canon restricts the EOS-R lens mount to just first-party glass. You can find manual focus lenses from third-party manufacturers, but none that autofocus. According to a report from Petapixel, Canon even went so far as to demand that Viltrox pull its autofocus RF lenses from the market. If you prefer a more open, competitive lens system, Sony's popular E-mount is a better bet.

But, even without autofocusing third-party lenses, we like much of what Canon offers. Read on for our top recommendations from the brand.

The Canon EOS R10 comes in at a decidedly midrange price (around $1,100 with a lens) but has broad appeal for creators of all skill levels. Beginners can set the camera to auto and enjoy quick, smart autofocus; a front-facing selfie and vlog screen; and the convenience of a built-in flash. We especially like that it offers fast 15fps burst captures, 4K60 video, and a good control scheme, despite being the most affordable EOS R camera.

The R10 is a big-tent recommendation: It's one of the rare cameras that's both accessible to beginners taking a first photography class and capable enough for serious hobbyists. It delivers good results in automatic mode, gives students room to learn about manual operation, and offers speedy, reliable autofocus to meet the needs of shutterbugs.

The EOS RP is a pure value recommendation at around $1,300 with a lens. It's the most affordable way to get started with full-frame photography and should appeal to people with an eye for extra-wide focal lengths or defocused backgrounds. Canon sells a broad array of value lenses that pair well with the RP, too. On the downside, the aging camera's autofocus system, video features, and burst rate don't match up with the newer (albeit crop-sensor) EOS R10.

If you're set on starting out with a full-frame camera, the RP is a good performer. Its 26MP sensor works well even in difficult lighting and its compact design (for a full-frame model) makes it viable for travel. We like the RP better for portraits, landscapes, and macros than for action, though, because it doesn't use Canon's latest autofocus system and tops out at a burst rate of just 3fps. If you want more speed consider the EOS R8 ($1,499), which puts a much faster camera into a similar body style.

The EOS R7 is Canon's best camera for photo enthusiasts interested in the most demanding subjects and scenarios—skittish wildlife, competitive sports, and weddings. A sturdy, magnesium construction, 15fps tracking focus with smart subject recognition, and 5-axis sensor stabilization are all marks in its favor. Additionally, a dense 32.5MP sensor leaves room to crop, while 4K60 video capture should please vloggers. We especially like the reasonable $1,500 starting price—it's a welcome change after a spate of competitors debuted at $2,000 or higher.

The R7 is our top recommendation for photo enthusiasts and other advanced creators who prioritize speed and autofocus performance. It reliably finds and tracks all kinds of subjects (everything from people to birds to trains) and delivers excellent picture quality even in dim lighting. It's a particularly good camera for birders and wildlife specialists; the APS-C format and high pixel count mean you get more effective reach out of telephoto lenses than with full-frame alternatives.

The EOS R6 Mark II is Canon's mainstream full-frame camera and a true generalist. Among the highlights are a 24MP sensor with five-axis stabilization, an autofocus system that smartly recognizes different subjects, fast burst rates (12fps mechanical and 40fps electronic shutter), and full-width 4K60 video. Its full-frame sensor betters APS-C options in dim light, while its dust- and splash-resistant build adds value for photographers who work outside of a studio.

The R6 Mark II is a good choice for serious photo hobbyists and professionals alike, though its $2,500 price puts it out of reach for many beginners. In particular, we're fans of the camera's advanced autofocus system that supports subject recognition for people, animals, and vehicles, as well as the detailed, stabilized 4K video it outputs.

The EOS R5 is the Canon to get if you're a professional working the wedding, event, and portraiture circuit. It's also a good fit for enthusiasts who need high-resolution images. The R5 sports a pixel-rich 45MP sensor, but is just as speedy as the original R6. You can push the R5's shutter to 12fps with subject tracking, record video at up to 8K quality, and capture slow-motion clips at 4K120.

Creators who used a 5D series camera in the SLR days should find the R5 a natural upgrade. It excels at capturing images in environments with difficult lighting, such as wedding receptions, and focuses quickly enough to use for sports and wildlife subjects. The high-pixel sensor adds appeal for fine art photographers who want to make big prints and gives others ample room to crop. Heat is a concern for long-form video, however, so cinematographers should look at the EOS R5 C, the made-for-video edition of the camera, for more reliable use on set and location.

Simply, the EOS R3 is the best all-around camera Canon currently makes. It opts for the gripped body style many pros adore, but doesn't feel overly large like the competing Nikon Z 9. A 24MP Stacked CMOS sensor lets you capture images at up to 30fps with subject tracking and works with a motion-freezing electronic shutter that ensures you never lose sight of the scene. Eye Control Autofocus is an attention-grabbing feature (though it doesn't work for everyone) and the HDR EVF is a technological marvel.

The EOS R3 is the Canon to buy if you need to cover a Division I or NFL game, spend your mornings stalking warblers and herons, cover breaking news, or specialize in weddings. It's an appropriate pick for cinema too because of its stabilized sensor that can output 6K60 Raw and 4K120 slow-motion recordings. The $6,000 price puts it mostly in the league of pros, but it's a worthwhile splurge for hobbyists that can manage that cost.

The EOS 90D is the most recent APS-C SLR from Canon. Its excellent pentaprism viewfinder provides the through-the-lens view that some creators prefer and you can swap to a live view on the rear display for tripod work or recording movies. Top-notch 32.5MP photos, sharp 4K video, and a weather-resistant construction are all marks in its favor.

We recommend the EOS 90D to creators who want the benefits of an optical viewfinder SLR without giving up too many of the performance upgrades you get with mirrorless bodies. For folks upgrading from an EOS Rebel, the 90D's better viewfinder is a treat and the camera supports all of your EF and EF-S SLR lenses without the need for an adapter. We think mirrorless cameras are better for people buying a camera without system baggage, however, so look at the EOS R10 or R7 if you're open to trying an EVF.

The EOS M6 Mark II is the lone EF-M mount camera here for good reason. Canon has largely moved away from the system and is putting its development efforts behind the non-compatible RF mount cameras. But if you already have a set of EOS M lenses, you might as well pair them with a good camera. The EOS M6 Mark II is the most technically proficient of the lineup, with 32.5MP imaging, 4K30 video, and speedy 14fps burst captures. The EVF isn't built in, though, so make sure to get the add-on if you want one.

We recommend the EOS M6 Mark II strictly to creators who already have a set of compatible lenses. The slim body pairs well with the generally compact system lenses, while the tilting display is useful in the absence of a built-in viewfinder. An add-on is available, but you can also go with the more affordable (and slightly less capable) EOS M50 Mark II if you want a camera with an integrated EVF.

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is the camera to get if you're looking for something other than a smartphone to use for photos and still prefer a pocket-friendly design. Its oversized Type 1 sensor and F1.8-F2.8 zoom lens can blur backgrounds without computational assistance, while its made-for-photo ergonomics outclass phones.

Pocket-friendly cameras may be a dying breed, but they have their proponents. If you don't like using your smartphone to snap photos or are a flip-phone devotee, it's a good idea to own a standalone camera. The G7 X is a good choice if you don't want to deal with manual settings or swappable lenses, and it includes a flip-forward screen for selfies. If you prefer a pocket camera with an EVF, consider a Sony RX100 series model. We also recommend the Canon G5 X Mark II, but it is difficult to find in stock at press time.

The PowerShot SX70 HS is our favorite consumer bridge camera from any brand. Canon's optical team did a great job with the camera's 65x zoom: It starts at an extra-wide 20mm and goes all the way to 1,365mm—good for epic views of the Grand Canyon, a close-up of a bison at Yellowstone, and everything in between. That broad focal range gives it a distinct advantage over camera phones, though a modern iPhone still performs better in low-light environments.

The SX70 HS is a worthwhile pick for family photographers who want a camera with more zoom range than a smartphone for their next vacation, as well as for backyard wildlife watchers or zoo visitors who don't want to schlep a heavy telephoto zoom around. Even though it's a few years old, the SX70 HS is still the best bridge camera for most shoppers.

For photographers without baggage from an existing camera system or who are open to a fresh start, we've put together a general buying guide that highlights the best SLR and mirrorless cameras we've tested. We also have stories that cover the Sony camera lineup and its E-mount lens system.

If you're shopping for Canon lenses, we have separate guides for RF mount (for EOS R), EF-M (for EOS M), and EF (for EOS Rebel and other SLRs) entries. And if you have any questions about which type of lenses you own or should buy, our Canon lens guide can help you out.