The 5 Best Digital Cameras – Fall 2023 

rThere’s no shortage of variety in the landscape of digital cameras nowadays, with models designed to cater to a wide range of budgets and experience levels. These include conventional DSLR cameras with familiar ergonomics and large lens ecosystems, smaller mirrorless models with cutting-edge autofocus systems, and pocket-friendly point-and-shoots, not to mention more niche models like retro-chic rangefinder-style cameras and bridge cameras with built-in super-zoom lenses. With such a wide range of cameras, it can be hard to narrow down your options.

Thankfully, we’ve done some of that work for you. Below you’ll find our recommendations for the best digital cameras to buy, narrowed down from over 75 cameras that we bought and tested. In this article, we focus primarily on interchangeable-lens cameras. But if you’re looking for a fixed-lens camera, you can check out the best point-and-shoot cameras instead. Or, if you’re just starting, you might be better served by our best cameras for beginners. Finally, if you’re looking for a camera specifically for video work, you can also check out the best cameras for filmmaking or best cameras for YouTube, for more advanced and more beginner-friendly options, respectively.

Best Digital Camera

Though DSLRs may not be the most cutting-edge cameras, they are still among the best choices for beginners, and we reckon the Canon EOS 250D is the best one you can buy. DSLR handling is still, for some photographers, the best you can get, with a chunky handgrip and an optical viewfinder for immediate feedback. 

The Canon EF mount gives you access to an extraordinary catalogue of lenses built up throughout the 20th and 21st centuries – this is a system with a rich history. Also, Canon DSLRs run the gamut from beginner models like this one, to enthusiast-focused mid-range models, to workhorse professional cameras. So even if Canon never releases a new DSLR again (which is honestly not unlikely), you’ve got a solid upgrade path. 

Still, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. You could take photos on the EOS 250D for the rest of your natural-born life and be perfectly happy. It’s got excellent handling, and the APS-C sensor will provide a real upgrade in image quality compared to your smartphone, especially if you want to make prints. 

The only thing we found ourselves bumping up against when testing the camera was the 9-point autofocus system, which is somewhat dated, and will struggle with fast-moving subjects. For the price, it’s okay, but if you know you’re going to be photographing wildlife or sports, you may want to consider a different option. 

BEST CAMERAS FOR ENTHUSIASTS

1. The Sony α7 IV is one of the best enthusiast cameras you can get. It’s a fantastic option for hybrid shooters who want a camera that can do it all, from portraits and landscapes to high-quality video work. It’s also super well-built, with a weather-sealed body, vari-angle touchscreen, and a high-res electronic viewfinder that gives you a crisp preview of your shots in real-time with minimal lag.

   Inside is a 33-megapixel full-frame sensor that gives you plenty of leeway to crop and edit. Add in built-in sensor stabilization, internal 10-bit 4k 60 fps recording (albeit with a Super 35/APS-C crop), no recording time limit, and a battery life that outlasts most of the competition, and you’ve got an incredibly versatile camera for video as well as photography. That said, the importance of ergonomics is often understated, and if the handling and feel of a camera is important to you, you can also take a look at the Canon EOS R6. Despite its lower-resolution sensor, it’s incredibly evenly matched with the Sony for photography, with even faster burst shooting. It just lacks some video advantages when it comes to battery performance and recording times, so the Sony camera has a slight edge for video.

   See our review

2. 
   

3. 1. If full-frame options like the ones mentioned above are out of your price range, opting for a camera with an APS-C sensor can be a great way to save some money. The Fujifilm X-T4 is hands down one of the best APS-C cameras we’ve tested. Built around Fujifilm’s tried-and-true 26-megapixel sensor and loaded with some excellent video features, this is a great hybrid option if you’re looking for a relatively affordable enthusiast-level camera. It’s also notably more portable than the Sony α7 IV, but of course, the smaller sensor comes with a trade-off in image quality and dynamic range.

      Enthusiasts and film shooters will love the dedicated exposure dials, which make for a shooting experience that’s unique among modern mirrorless cameras and give you a bit more control over settings on the fly. Photos look fantastic straight out of the camera thanks to Fuji’s film simulation picture profiles, and the camera has a decent AF system as well, though it isn’t as reliable as alternatives from Sony and Canon. Top it off with an excellent IBIS system, and you’ve got a very versatile camera for both photo and veido

   2. Best Mid-Range Digital Camera

   3. 
      
   4. 
      

      While the models we’ve looked at have fallen into the high-end range, there are also a lot of great options for those who are just starting or on a tighter budget, and the Nikon Z 50 is one of the best mid-range cameras we’ve tested. It handles very well, with a generous handgrip, a nice viewfinder, and well-placed controls. It’s also relatively portable but not so small as to feel uncomfortable in the hand, and you can fit it with any of Nikon’s Z-series lenses, including higher-end full-frame options, so it’s a solid camera to grow with if you’re just starting. That said, lens selection for the Z-mount is still growing and falls far short of more established systems like Sony’s E-mount.

      If you want more lens options, the Sony α6400 is also a great mid-range option with an even better autofocus system, although the Sony ergonomics and difficult-to-navigate user interface make it less intuitive to use. As far as mid-range options go, you can’t go wrong with either, especially if you’re just getting started with photography, but the better handling and colors on the Nikon make it our preferred mid-range option.

      
      

   5. 
      

4. Canon EOS M50 Mark II

Got soIf even the Nikon Z 50 is out of your price range, consider a true budget option like the Canon EOS M50 Mark II. Short of looking at the used market, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better and more affordable option than the highly popular M50. It’s super portable and lightweight, with simple controls and an intuitive menu system. It has a fully articulated screen for vlogs and selfies and a solid viewfinder. Just be aware that lens options are limited, and Canon has shifted its focus to its RF mount, so we’re unlikely to see any new M-series lenses.

Panasonic LUMIX FZ80

P