Digital Camera

[Gabriel Molle]

Take your photography and videography to the next level. Digital cameras bring a new level of enjoyment to picture-taking and have a number of benefits that an ordinary film camera simply cannot match. Digital cameras are more convenient than analog cameras, and because there is no film required, operating costs are naturally lower. One of the many advantages of a digital camera over a single-lens camera is its memory. Storing thousands of images has never been easier because of extendable memory space, and with a memory card, this gives a photographer the freedom to take as many shots as they want without worrying about exceeding a limit.

Mirrorless cameras come with an electronic viewfinder and interchangeable lenses just like DSLRs but are significantly lighter in weight, making them portable. Mirrorless cameras will allow you to set up the camera just how you want it with the control buttons and menus, thus giving the user the freedom to shoot in automatic, semi-automatic, or fully manual mode. Even with some affordable models, mirrorless cameras have an edge over DSLRs in terms of video quality. Target stores sell a variety of mirrorless cameras, including the Panasonic Lumix G9 Mirrorless Digital Camera with Leica DG 12-60mm f/2.8-4 Lens, the Nikon Z 6II FX-format Mirrorless Camera, and much more.

digital camera

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Point-and-shoot cameras or compact cameras are compact and travel-friendly. Compact cameras have a fixed lens and can shoot landscapes, birds, and portraits all at once without having to carry extra lenses and change them repeatedly. The battery life is longer in point-and-shoot cameras and lasts the whole day without any need for replacement, which makes it convenient for vlogging or on-the-go captures. Although the camera has a viewfinder, one of the features that makes the compact camera less complex is the LCD screen. Unlike the viewfinder, you can view the frame on a larger screen before shooting without having to squint. Point-and-shoot cameras come with simple controls to shoot anything without complexity or difficulty, making them perfect for beginners.

Images, and the devices that capture them, are my focus. I've covered cameras at PCMag for the past 10 years, which has given me a front row seat for the DSLR to mirrorless transition, the smartphone camera revolution, and the mainstream adoption of drones for aerial imaging. You can find me on Instagram jamespfisher.

Shopping for a digital camera? We're here to help. Our reviews cover everything from pocket-friendly models to high-end gear for pros. It's a diverse space that can be difficult to navigate if you don't spend all of your free time reading photo blogs and talking about your favorite new lens on an enthusiast forum.

Our goal is to help you find a camera that suits your needs, regardless of whether you're a family photographer looking for something better than a smartphone, or an enthusiast trying to decide between an SLR and a mirrorless camera system.

If you have an idea of what type of camera you want, check our top overall recommendations below. Otherwise, scroll down for a detailed look at the most popular camera classes and our favorites in those categories.

The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is our favorite full-frame camera for most people. It snaps attractive 24MP photos and has a class-leading autofocus system that smartly recognizes people, animals, and vehicles. With 12fps (mechanical) and 40fps (electronic shutter) bursts available, it's especially suitable for action shots, while stabilized 4K60 video should please filmmakers and vloggers.

If you want a full-frame camera, the R6 Mark II should be near the top of your list. The big sensor means you can get soft, defocused backgrounds, while the best-in-class autofocus system ensures wildlife and sports specialists won't miss their shots. It's also an easy sell if you already own Canon SLR or RF lenses. Creators with Sony glass can look to the a7 IV as an alternative because it offers competitive performance for the same price.

The Canon EOS R7 is a mirrorless camera tailor-made for photographers who want to capture sports, wildlife, and other subjects that call for fast, accurate autofocus. And the R7 excels at identifying people, pets, wildlife, and race cars. The 32.5MP APS-C format image sensor matches well with telephoto lenses, offers plenty of resolution for crops, and supports 4K60 video for cinema and vlogs. Weather-protected, magnesium construction makes the R7 a camera you can take out into the world.

The R7 is a good fit for photo enthusiasts and pros alike, especially those with an eye for action photography and a need for 15fps subject tracking. As a main camera, the R7 is versatile enough for landscape and studio work, too, while video is an option for cinema projects. Family photographers may miss a built-in flash, however, and should look at the EOS R10 or Fujifilm X-T30 II instead. We also see the EOS R7 as a good backup camera for pros with an EOS R5 or R3, as well as SLR holdouts looking to upgrade from an EOS 7D or 90D series body.

The Fujifilm X-S20 is a near-ideal camera for content creators and photo enthusiasts alike. It puts Fuji's X-Trans color science into a magnesium body with familiar controls, long battery life, and a swing-out LCD for vlogging. A stabilized sensor and an extensive lens library make it a favorite for travel and anyone who wants options when it comes to glass. The only real knock against it for travel is the lack of weather protection.

The GoPro Hero12 Black is the camera to beat for video-first creators who want to document outdoor adventures, dives, and extreme sports, as well as just make vlogs. It supports 5.3K60 and 4K120 capture, records incredibly stable footage without the need for a gimbal, and is small enough to mount pretty much anywhere. The 8:7 format sensor offers flexibility to pull out 16:9 and 9:16 video from the same clip. Optional accessories like the Media Mod cage and microphone, as well as the ultra-wide Max Lens 2.0 mod, make it a bit more versatile than budget action cams. We also like that it's waterproof to 33 feet.

The Lumix G9 II is the best Micro Four Thirds camera we've tested. Its sensor goes toe-to-toe with larger-format competitors in picture quality, while its huge lens library gives creators plenty of flexibility. A stabilized sensor, 10-bit 5.7K60 video capture, and a sturdy all-weather build make it a good choice for video, location, and outdoor use. We also like the revamped autofocus system that integrates phase detection pixels for high-speed capture with subject tracking.

The Sony a7 IV is a real do-it-all mirrorless camera. It sports a 33MP full-frame sensor, a plus for wildlife photogs who want to crop but don't want to spend big on a 7R IV model, superb tracking autofocus with 10fps, and stabilized 10-bit 4K60 video for vloggers. There are loads of lenses available too, with plenty of both affordable and high-end options. Third-party lens makers, including Sigma and Tamron, bolster Sony's FE lens line.

Creators shopping for a full-frame camera that can handle nearly any task should take a close look at the a7 IV. The SLR-style body pairs well with lenses big and small, while a front-facing LCD is an option for present-to-camera video. It's an easy pick as an upgrade for creators coming from a Sony a6000-series mirrorless or older a7. If you have Canon lenses or accessories, the EOS R6 Mark II is likely a better fit as is the Z 6 II if you're on the Nikon ship. But for photogs without system baggage, the a7 IV is a great starter camera, especially for folks who want to try different lenses.

The compact, vlog-friendly DJI Osmo Pocket 3 puts a wide-angle 20mm lens and a 4K video camera on a three-axis gimbal that enables rock-steady handheld footage. It also supports 4K60 recording with sound and 120fps slow-motion in widescreen mode, as well as manages a quality 3K picture in a vertical aspect ratio. The Pocket's Type 1 sensor works well in dim light and supports 2x lossless digital zoom for scenes in which the prime lens is a little too wide.

The Osmo Pocket 3 is first and foremost a video camera. It snaps stills, sure, but its gimbal-stabilized video is the main appeal. You should get it for self-recorded videos, travel logs, and documentary-style footage. We recommend spending more on the Creator Combo ($669) if you're after a turnkey vlogging solution as it adds an extended life battery and a wireless lapel mic for longer shoots with crystal clear sound. Just remember that the Pocket is not rugged or waterproof, so it won't replace your action cam.

The Leica Q3 is expensive, has a fixed lens and struggles with some ergonomic issues, but it's also the most fun Senior Editor Shaminder Dulai had with any camera all year. He explains why this rangefinder-style camera is his personal gear of the year.

Instant cameras continue to grow in popularity. There's more than just FujiFilm's Instax line to choose from, with offerings from Kodak, Leica, Lomography, Canon, Polaroid and some indie projects joining the fray. With prices ranging from $50 to several $100s, it can be hard to pick one out, but fear not, we've cut through the noise to break down which ones are worth the price of admission.

When DJI announced its extremely innovative Ronin 4D camera and stabilizer combo in 2021, one thing was missing. Maximum quality, 8K/75fps recording, would require the Zenmuse X9-8K module, but only the 6K option was available at launch. Now, two years later, the big boy is here.

2023 was another exciting year for camera releases, with new models ranging the gamut from high-performance photo/video hybrids to dedicated monochrome bodies. Now it's time to find out what you think of the Class of '23. Click through to vote for your favorite camera of the year.

As the year comes to a close, we're looking back at the cameras that have clawed their way to the top of their respective categories (and our buying guides). These aren't the only cameras worth buying, but when you start here, you really can't go wrong.

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