The Best Digital Cameras for 2023

If you’re looking for the best cameras you can buy right now but without spending a fortune, then you’re in the right place. “Point & Shoot Cameras Still Exist for a Reason: Despite Smartphone Market Share, They Offer Something Unique.” Here’s everything you need to know to pick the best digital camera for you.

OVERVIEW

Canon
EOS R7

Best Autofocus for Moving Subjects.

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$1,499.00
at Amazon
GoPro
Hero11 Black

Best Action Camera.

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$447.94
at Amazon
Lumix
DC-S5

Best Entry-Level Full-Frame Model for 4K.

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$1,697.99
at Amazon
Sony
a7 IV

Best Full-Frame Model for Most Creators.

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$2,498.00
at Amazon
Fujifilm
X-T30 II

Best Retro-Style Mirrorless Model.

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$899.99
at Amazon
Olympus Tough TG-6

Best Rugged, Waterproof, and Pocketable Point-and-Shoot.

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$499.99
at Amazon
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII

Best Premium Compact.

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$1,299.99
at Amazon
Canon
EOS R10

Best for Tracking Autofocus at 15fps.

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$879.00
at Amazon
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III

Best Pocketable Smartphone Alternative.

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$749.00
at Amazon
Sony
ZV-1

Best for Vlogging.

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$748.00
at Amazon

OVERVIEW

Purchasing a digital camera?! Our reviews have options for all budgets, from budget-friendly to pro-level cameras. We aim to help you find a camera that fits your needs, whether you’re a family photographer or an enthusiast. Check out our online reviews and ratings to learn more about each camera and find the perfect fit for your needs.

Whether you’re a hobbyist trying to decide between an SLR and a mirrorless camera system or a family photographer looking for something better than a smartphone, our goal is to help you find a camera that suits your needs.

A Deeper Dive: Our Tested Top Picks

Canon EOS R7

Best Autofocus for Moving Subjects

4.5 Outstanding
Rating-4.5

The Canon EOS R7 is a mirrorless camera with quick and precise autofocus for sports, wildlife, and other applications. It does a great job of capturing people, animals, wild life, and race cars. It is weather-protected, made of magnesium for durability, and has a 32.5-megapixel sensor for high resolution and 4K60 video.

The R7 is an excellent choice for both professional and beginner photographers, particularly those who enjoy action photography and require 15 frames per second subject tracking. The R7 is versatile enough as a main camera for landscape and studio work. However, family photographers may miss the built-in flash and should consider the Canon EOS R10 or Fujifilm X-T30 II instead.

The EOS R7’s all-round performance, rugged construction, and relatively affordable price make it an attractive proposition for professionals who want to step up from an entry-level body.

PROS

  • Excellent value
  • Stabilized 32.5MP sensor
  • Magnesium body material resists dust and splashes
  • Class-leading autofocus with subject recognition
  • Fires at 15fps with mechanical shutter
  • 4K60 video with 10-bit C-Log3 or HDR

CONS

  • Love-it or hate-it hybrid rear control wheel
  • So-so EVF for an enthusiast camera
  • Electronic shutter not ideal for freezing action

GoPro Hero11 Black

Best Action Camera

4.5 Outstanding
Rating-4.5

The GoPro Hero 11 Black is a camera for people who love to capture their adventurous and extreme activities. It can shoot high-quality videos with 5.3K60 or 4K120 resolution and has great stabilization feature. It’s small and versatile, and you can attach it almost anywhere. You can also add extra accessories to make it more useful. It’s waterproof and can be used up to 33 feet deep.

GoPro is a brand for people who love surfing and adventure. It’s great for capturing slow-motion action shots and is ideal for vloggers too, with its front-facing color monitor and unique video features such as moving time-lapses.

PROS

  • Great-looking 5.3K60 video
  • 4K120 and 2.7K240 slow-motion
  • 10-bit color sampling
  • Numerous time-lapse modes
  • Waterproof to 33 feet
  • Solid touch interface and voice command support
  • Subscription service with useful features

CONS

  • Not ideal for long-form recording or macro work
  • One battery won’t get you through the day

Panasonic Lumix DC-S5

Best Entry-Level Full-Frame Model for 4K

4.5 Outstanding
Rating-4.5

The Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 is a budget-friendly full-frame camera with a wide zoom lens that’s good for cityscapes, landscapes, and vlogs. It takes high-quality 24MP photos and 10-bit 4K video. The camera is easy to handle, but its L-Mount lens system is not as extensive as Canon or Sony’s. Also, its focus system is not as fast as other cameras, so it may not be the best choice for action shots.

The S5 is a good choice for vlogging because it has a front-facing screen, good image stabilization, and high-quality 4K video. It’s also good for photography, with a 96MP option for landscapes, architecture, and macro shots. However, for action photography, it may not be the best choice as its focus system is slow, so you might consider faster cameras like the EOS R7 or Sony a7 IV.

PROS

  • Excellent 24MP full-frame sensor
  • 5-axis IBIS
  • Improved DFD focus system
  • 10-bit 4K60 video
  • 5.9K ProRes Raw with Ninja V
  • Dust and splash protection
  • Superb ergonomics
  • Dual SDXC card slots

CONS

  • L-mount lens library still growing
  • Tracking focus limited to 6fps

Sony a7 IV

Best Full-Frame Model for Most Creators

4.5 Outstanding
Rating-4.5

The Sony a7 IV is a versatile mirrorless camera with a 33MP full-frame sensor. It’s good for wildlife photography with its ability to crop images and has excellent autofocus for fast-moving subjects, shooting at 10fps. It also has good video capabilities with stabilized 4K60 video for vlogging. There are many lens options available from Sony and other manufacturers.

The a7 IV is a full-frame camera that can handle a wide range of tasks. It has a SLR-style body that is compatible with different sizes of lenses and an optional front-facing LCD for video. It’s a good choice for creators upgrading from a Sony a6000-series camera or older a7. However, if you have Canon or Nikon equipment, the EOS R6 or Z 6 II may be a better fit. For those without specific brand loyalties, the a7 IV is a top choice for a full-frame camera.

PROS

  • Stabilized full-frame imaging and video
  • 33MP resolution leaves room to crop
  • 4K60 video with 10-bit color sampling
  • Tracks subjects at up to 10fps
  • Configurable controls
  • Subject recognition for people, animals, and birds
  • Large lens library

CONS

  • 6fps burst shooting at highest quality settings
  • Omits Pixel Shift multi-shot mode
  • Rear display not as crisp as competitors
  • Eye detection focus isn’t spot-on with current firmware

Fujifilm X-T30 II

Best Retro-Style Mirrorless Model

4.0 Excellent
Rating-4

The X-T30 II is a stylish camera with a 26MP APS-C sensor, good focus for people, fast shutters (8fps mechanical and 20fps electronic), and a wide range of lens options from Fujifilm, Sigma, and Tamron.

The X-T30 II is a camera for family and photography enthusiasts. It has a 26MP APS-C sensor, face and eye detection focus, and can capture 4K30 video. It also has a variety of creative looks and manual controls for advanced users. However, it’s not ideal for outdoor photography in harsh weather, a better option would be a weather-sealed camera like the Fuji X-T4 or Canon EOS R7.

PROS

  • Proven 26MP BSI CMOS imaging
  • Up to 30fps capture with tracking focus
  • Fully formed lens system
  • High-quality Film Simulation profiles
  • Dial-based controls with easy Auto option
  • Built-in flash
  • Works as a webcam
  • 4K30 and 1080p240 video

CONS

  • Middle-of-the-pack battery life
  • Undersized viewfinder
  • UHS-I memory card slot and small buffer limit burst capacity
  • Design not ideal for vlog-style video

Olympus Tough TG-6

Best Rugged, Waterproof, and Pocketable Point-and-Shoot

4.0 Excellent
Rating-4

The Olympus Tough TG-6 is a rugged camera designed to handle tough conditions like drops and underwater environments. It has a 24mm wide-angle lens with bright F2 and the option to add a macro light for close-up photography. It’s a good choice for those who want to take high-quality photos without risking their smartphone.

The Olympus Tough TG-6 is a durable camera that is ideal for those who enjoy adventure and the great outdoors. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket, and is built to withstand tough conditions, including underwater photography. It’s best for still photos, especially macro shots, and not as good for video. For those looking for a POV look, a GoPro may be a better option.

PROS

  • Tough, waterproof build.
  • Add-on lenses and macro lights available.
  • Sharp rear LCD.
  • Wide aperture lens.
  • 4K video.
  • Wi-Fi.

CONS

  • Not a touch screen.
  • LCD can pick up scuffs and scratches.
  • Video feature lag behind action cameras.
  • Wi-Fi app pushes spammy notifications.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII

Best Premium Compact

4.0 Excellent
Rating-4

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII is the best pocket camera available, offering a large sensor for great image quality, versatile zoom, a pop-up viewfinder, top-notch autofocus, and the ability to shoot 20fps bursts and 4K video.

The RX100 VII is a high-end pocket camera that’s perfect for photographers who want a compact camera with excellent features. It has a wide-ranging lens, good autofocus, and supports both 20fps bursts and 4K video.

PROS

  • Sharp 8x zoom lens.
  • Electronic viewfinder.
  • 1-inch sensor design.
  • 20fps capture with subject tracking.
  • Eye detection for people and pets.
  • Tilting touch screen.
  • 4K video with external microphone port.

CONS

  • Expensive.
  • Can’t start video while images are writing to card.
  • Limited touch functions.

Canon EOS R10

Best for Tracking Autofocus at 15fps

4.0 Excellent
Rating-4

The EOS R10 is a versatile camera that offers high-quality performance for both beginners and experienced photographers. It has advanced autofocus that can track people, pets, wildlife, and sports, and it can also be used as a fully manual camera. The camera is also affordable and can be used with existing Canon lenses.

The Canon EOS R10 is a great entry-level mirrorless camera for creators who prioritize fast autofocus, making it suitable for wildlife and sports photography. It offers versatile features for both beginners and experienced photographers and allows using EF-EOS R adapter to use previous lenses. It’s a good choice for EOS Rebel SLR owners considering an upgrade.

PROS

  • Superb subject recognition and autofocus
  • 15fps mechanical and 23fps electronic shutter
  • Solid ergonomics and control layout
  • Articulating display
  • Built-in flash
  • 4K60 video in SDR or HDR
  • Already works with more lenses than any EOS M body
  • Supports Canon SLR lenses via an adapter

CONS

  • Image sensor isn’t stabilized
  • 8-bit SDR video doesn’t have flat profile
  • Basic CMOS sensor doesn’t match up with BSI chips
  • So-so battery life

Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III

Best Pocketable Smartphone Alternative

3.5 Good
Rating-3.5

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is a pocket-sized camera that offers better photo quality than a smartphone. It has a large sensor and a versatile lens that can produce shallow depth of field and good results in different lighting conditions. It is designed with photographers in mind, offering a better user experience compared to using a smartphone for photography.

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is a good choice for those who prefer using a standalone camera instead of a smartphone for taking photos. It is compact and easy to use, with a flip-forward screen for selfies. For those who prefer a pocket-friendly camera with an EVF, consider a Sony RX100 series model.

PROS

  • Pocket-friendly design.
  • 1-inch sensor.
  • Bright zoom lens.
  • Tilting touch LCD.
  • Fast focus and burst rate.
  • 4K with mic input and live streaming.

CONS

  • 4K video not available in all modes.
  • Face detection doesn’t work with burst shooting.
  • Lens not as crisp as some others.
  • No EVF.

Sony ZV-1

Best for Vlogging

3.5 Good
Rating-3.5

The Sony ZV-1 is a great camera for vlogging because it has a front-facing screen and a high-quality microphone. It also has a bright zoom lens and a large sensor for great video quality, with 4K30 and 1080p slow-motion options.

The ZV-1 is a compact camera designed for vloggers, offering good video and sound quality straight out of the box. It has a front-facing screen, good microphone, F1.8-2.8 lens and Type 1 sensor. A more advanced version, the ZV-E10, is also available with swappable lenses but requires additional accessories for optimal results.

PROS

  • Compact form factor
  • Flip-out touch screen
  • Bright, sharp zoom lens
  • Excellent in-camera audio
  • External mic and flash support
  • 4K video capture

CONS

  • A wider-angle lens would be welcome
  • Limited touch features
  • Face detection struggles when wearing protective mask
  • Underwhelming battery life
  • No in-camera flash

Top Recommendations: Best Digital Cameras | 2023

Which Point-and-Shoot Camera Offers the Highest Image Quality?

The impact of smartphones on entry-level point-and-shoot cameras is well-known. The latest models like the iPhone 14, Samsung Galaxy S22, and Google Pixel 7 offer exceptional camera capabilities, making low-cost compacts irrelevant. If you’re willing to invest in a high-end phone, there’s no need for an additional low-end camera. For those who rely on smartphone photography, our recommended camera phone picks and tips for capturing the best shots are available for reference.

Which Camera Is Best for Underwater Use?

For those who enjoy outdoor activities, a rugged and waterproof camera is a smart choice. The Olympus Tough TG-6, which costs around $450, is the best compact rugged camera and our favorite pick. If you’re on a budget, consider the Ricoh WG-70 for under $300 or the sleek Panasonic Lumix TS30 for under $200.

Best High-End Small Cameras with Large Sensors.

It may seem confusing to see pocket cameras with non-detachable lenses selling for $400 to $1,300, when interchangeable lens cameras can be purchased for the same price. However, these slim and premium point-and-shoot cameras cater to a particular audience – photographers who own a mirrorless or SLR camera with multiple lenses but desire a smaller option.

The Best Full-Frame Cameras.

Full-frame cameras with image sensors the size of 35mm film are now accessible for enthusiasts due to falling prices. Ranging from $1,000 for basic models to around $2,000 for capable mid-range options and up to $6,500 for specialized models. The Canon EOS RP, our top pick for a low-cost model, offers essential features and affordable lens options. However, it lacks a stabilized image sensor, unlike the Nikon Z 5 and Sony a7C.

The Best Camera for a Beginner Photographer?

I suggest starting with a quality mirrorless camera, such as the Sony a6400 or Fujifilm X-T30 II, that allows for both automatic and manual exposure control. These cameras feature electronic viewfinders for previewing final exposures before shooting. If full-frame (pro-level) cameras interest you, the Canon EOS RP or Nikon Z 5 are excellent entry-level options.