The Best Canon Cameras for 2024

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Getting a Canon is a safe bet: Its cameras work and focus reliably, capture stunning photos and videos, and come with the support you expect from a household brand. There are many models to choose from, and not every Canon camera works with the same lenses, so picking the right one to suit your needs may prove difficult. We've been reviewing Canon cameras for more than 20 years and have covered nearly all of its major releases, so we're here to help. We test cameras inside our labs and outside in the real world to give you our highly informed buying advice. With an advanced autofocus system and detailed 4K video capture, the EOS R6 Mark II is the best Canon camera for hobbyists and professionals, but our list includes a range of worthy alternatives.

A Trusted, Reliable Photo Brand

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 choice. 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. You can still find later entries in the series at retail, but Canon abandoned development of the M system (and its lenses) in favor of its newer EOS R series.

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 autofocusing third-party lens options for the EOS R system are limited. Canon only recently opened the mount to other lens makers, and so far has restricted those options to lenses made for the APS-C sensor size. Sigma and Tamron make some excellent, affordable lenses for this sensor type, however, so it does strengthen the position of cameras like the EOS R10 and R7.

On the other hand, if you buy a full-frame EOS R, you'll be restricted to using Canon RF lenses if you want autofocus or reaching for older third-party EF SLR lenses using an adapter like the EF-EOS R. On the other hand, there are loads of manual focus options from third parties available; Canon does not restrict manual options.

The Best Alternatives to Canon

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 covering the Sony and Nikon camera lineups and the E-mount and Z lens systems.

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.