Are you shopping for a digital camera but don't know where to start? We're here to help. PCMag has been covering digital cameras for more than 20 years, and our experts have extensive hands-on experience with every system. We test cameras both inside of our photo studio and out in the real world to determine which ones perform the best. Our reviews are independent and free of outside influence from camera makers—you won't see any sponsored opinions here, just straight talk from our photo experts. Cameras come in all shapes and sizes, but you'll find some the best of each type here, including the Fujifilm X100VI compact, the Nikon Z 6 III full-frame, and the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro action cam. We're always reviewing the latest and greatest models, so check back often to see if there's a new one that suits your fancy.

Which Point-and-Shoot Camera Has the Best Image Quality?

It's no secret that smartphones have seriously hurt the demand for entry-level point-and-shoot cameras. The latest from Apple, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, is a better camera than any low-cost compact, and Android fans can get excellent snapshots with handsets like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or the Google Pixel 9 Pro. High-end phones are expensive, but if you're already buying a fancy handset, there's no reason to buy a low-end camera, too. If you've embraced smartphone photography, peruse our camera phone picks and check out our tips for taking the best smartphone photos.

If you aren't a smartphone user or have opted for a basic model without a high-end camera, you can buy any number of sub-$200 no-name cameras at online retailers. Just don't expect much from them. You may be better off navigating the used market and finding an older, but quality, compact if you're not a fan of smartphone photography. In either case, it's best to stick with Canon, OM System, Panasonic, Ricoh, or Sony if you care about picture quality. It's also tricky to find a new model in stock since the name brands have largely abandoned the compact market in favor of interchangeable lens cameras. The remaining options thus cost more than you might expect. Pocketable options fall into four buckets: big zoom, big sensor, made for vlogging, and waterproof; we cover the latter in the next section.

Plan to budget a minimum of $500 for a pocket camera with big zoom power. The Sony HX99 ($473) has a 30x lens, but picture quality proved disappointing in our review. We haven't reviewed the Canon SX740 HS, but it's an option for $499. The Panasonic Lumix ZS200 ($700) is worth a long look if you're after this type of camera since it has a long lens and a large Type 1 image sensor, while the Sony RX100 VII ($1,200) is the sky's-the-limit option.

We consider a Type 1 sensor large for a pocket camera. The aforementioned ZS200 and RX100 VII use this type and prioritize zoom power. Others use shorter lenses with larger apertures (f-stops), so they are better performers in dim light. Good picks here include the Sony RX100 VA ($1,000) if you put a priority on photos, or the ZV-1M2 if you care more about video. Other options with prime lenses and APS-C (SLR-sized) image sensors are better for experts, but beginners can still use a Ricoh GR III ($970) or Fujifilm X100VI ($1,600) in full auto mode.

Sony's other Type 1 cameras are ideal for videos and vlogs. The entry-level ZV-1F ($500), midrange ZV-1 ($750), and aforementioned ZV-1 Mark II ($900) make up the series. Canon also has a basic camera for vlogging, the PowerShot V10 ($430). We see the Sony options as hybrids for photo and video, but the Canon V10, along with our favorite small vlog camera, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 ($519), are strictly video cameras.

It's telling that we're able to sum up the current market options in a few short paragraphs. The low-cost, compact camera segment is not the thriving space it once was. Smartphones now handle the family snapshots we used to take with pocket cameras, so photographers who strictly prefer the ergonomics of a camera must spend far more than before just to keep up with an iPhone.

Which Camera Is Best for Underwater Use?

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A rugged, waterproof camera is a good option if you're an outdoor adventurer, snorkeler, beachgoer, or just a bit of a klutz. For around $550, the OM System TG-7 is the best you can get, even though you pay more for its tough frame and sacrifice picture quality versus a smartphone. If you don't want to spend that much, you can get a Ricoh WG-80 for under $300. We break down our favorite waterproof cameras in a separate story.

You can also go the action cam route. You get far better video and quality still images from the GoPro Hero13 Black or DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro, but you give up zoom power in the process. It's a trade-off you might want to make, especially if you're interested in slow-motion video. For more, click through to see our favorite action cams.

Small Camera, Big Sensor: The Best Premium Compacts

You might scratch your head when you see pocket cameras with fixed lenses selling for more than $1,000. After all, you can get an interchangeable lens model for the same price. But these slim, premium shooters target a very specific market—photographers who already own a mirrorless camera or SLR and a bunch of lenses, but want something small as an alternative.

If you're after something really small, a pocketable camera with a Type 1 sensor is worth a look. The best quality options still on sale are the Canon G7 X Mark III ($750), which has a bright zoom that opens up to F1.8 on the wide end, or the Sony RX100 VII ($1,300), which puts a 24-200mm equivalent into your pocket.

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Photo enthusiasts are more likely to want a small camera with an imaging engine that's on level with swappable lens models. The fixed-lens Fujifilm X100VI ($1,600) is a top choice there. If you want to spend less and don't mind a camera without an eye-level viewfinder, the Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx are both excellent choices, also with APS-C format sensors. Ricoh sells these as standard editions with an integrated ND filter in the lens, or in HDF variations that swap out the ND for an optical soft focus filter.

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You can get a fixed camera with a full-frame sensor too, though prices skyrocket. The Leica Q3 ($5,995) uses a 28mm F1.7 prime and 60MP sensor, for instance. Leica also has the Q2 Monochrom, a black-and-white only option with the same lens and 40MP of resolution, for the same price. These aren't big-tent cameras, but it can be rewarding to stray from the beaten path.

Zoom in Close: Is a Bridge Camera Worth It?

You can opt for a fixed-lens camera that's similar in size and shape to an SLR—a bridge camera. These models tend to have really long lenses—for example, the Nikon P1000 has the most optical zoom power (125x) we've seen in any camera. Long lenses require some extra care to use, so these cameras usually include an eye-level EVF, a hot shoe to mount accessories, and an articulating display.

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Bridge models might look like interchangeable-lens cameras but typically don't do well in dim light. Our favorite consumer model, the 65x zoom Canon PowerShot SX70 HS, gets tight views for backyard birding and trips to the zoo but its lens works best outdoors in sunlight. The Nikon P950 is a good option if you want an even longer (83x) zoom but a bit bulky for everyday use.

You can spend more on a big-sensor bridge camera. The midrange Panasonic FZ1000 II and premium Sony RX10 IV feature larger Type 1 image sensors and have optics that gather more light—both advantages for use in dim conditions.

Entry-Level Interchangeable Lens: The Best SLR and Mirrorless Cameras

If you're shopping for a starter camera with swappable lenses, you must make a choice: Embrace the latest tech and get a mirrorless camera with an electronic viewfinder (EVF) or live with lesser autofocus acumen and opt for an SLR with an optical viewfinder (OVF). The market may help make the decision for you, as there are only a few entry SLRs still on sale.

Both types of cameras use changeable lenses and have image sensors that dwarf those of most pocket and bridge cameras. SLRs rely on an optical viewfinder and mirror to direct light to your eye as well as a discrete phase detection sensor to set autofocus.

Mirrorless cameras drop the optical finder in favor of an EVF. The image sensor handles the autofocus operations here, which results in better subject recognition and tracking than entry SLRs. For more details, read our buying guide covering the best mirrorless cameras and SLRs for beginners.

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SLRs aren't the wonders they once were, but you can usually get started with one for less than a mirrorless camera. Nikon doesn't have any entry-level models in production, though you can still get good results from the midrange Canon EOS Rebel SL3. Avoid Canon's basic Rebel T7.

Cameras from Fujifilm and Sony, and Micro Four Thirds models from the OM System (the new name for Olympus) and Panasonic, are among the leading mirrorless brands. There are many good options under $1,000 suitable for general photography. These affordable mirrorless cameras are quicker to focus than SLRs, support high-speed burst modes, and offer 4K video.

You should make sure that whatever system you choose offers the lenses you want, though most cover the basics. Micro Four Thirds, Fujifilm, and Sony cameras have the biggest selection of lenses. Canon EOS R and Nikon Z have fully-formed libraries for full-frame lenses but don't provide tons of options for APS-C models like the Canon EOS R10 or Nikon Z 30.

For Serious Shutterbugs: The Best Premium Mirrorless and SLR Cameras

When you spend more than $1,000 for a camera, you don't necessarily see a big jump in image quality versus entry-level models. Camera makers like to streamline sensors across multiple models, as it allows them to develop technology that they can use broadly.

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Your extra money typically gets you better build quality, smarter autofocus, faster memory card slots for longer burst shooting, and higher capture rates. All of these are important for enthusiasts interested in capturing fast action and outdoor photographers who want some level of weather protection.

Shutterbugs and enthusiasts have a few good choices in the space, including our favorite APS-C models, the EOS R7 and the Fujifilm X-S20. Although the X-S20 skips weather sealing, Fuji has more purpose-built lenses available at this time. We also like the Sony a6700 and Panasonic Lumix G9 II; the latter is the best we've seen with a Micro Four Thirds sensor.

We tend to recommend EVF cameras more highly—on-sensor autofocus leads to more in-focus shots, and models with stabilized sensors do a good job reducing the number of blurry, shaky photos you take. Mirrorless cameras dominate the list of our favorite interchangeable-lens cameras.

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If you prefer an optical viewfinder, we recommend the Canon EOS 90D or Pentax K-3 Mark III. The 90D has the fullest set of lenses behind it and the better video toolkit. The Pentax K-3 Mark III is a bit better built and has some specialized lenses, including a fan-favorite line of compact primes, DA Limited. You can even get a black-and-white sensor version of the Pentax, the K-3 III Monochrome.

A Bigger Sensor: The Best Full-Frame Cameras

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Full-frame cameras—those with image sensors that match the size of 35mm film—are accessible options for enthusiasts because of falling prices. Basic models start at around $1,000 and capable midrange options are available for around $2,000. You can spend more for a specialty model that costs anywhere from $3,000 all the way up to $6,500.

The Canon EOS RP is a good starter model. Its feature set covers the basics and Canon has done a fine job adding affordable lens options since its release. If you can afford it, consider the EOS R8 as an upgrade pick; it has a much better autofocus system in a similar body. Both are missing a stabilized image sensor, something you get with competitors, including the Nikon Z 5 and Sony a7C II.

One midrange option is the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5, an L-mount mirrorless with a stabilized sensor, 10-bit 4K, and a $1,500 starting price. We also tested its successor, the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 II, but weren't as impressed with its performance against fresher competitors. If you can spend more, the Canon EOS R6 Mark II, Nikon Z 6 III, and Sony a7 IV are Editors' Choice winners because of their next-level autofocus systems, among other reasons.

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For more specialized recommendations and models, as well as an overview of what each full-frame camera system offers, be sure to read our full-frame camera buying guide.

Bigger Than Full-Frame: The Best Medium Format Cameras

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Medium format digital cameras used to be the tools for the most successful (or well-funded) photographers. You can still drop $50,000 on a Phase One IQ4 150MP if you want, but, for most of us, the prospect is rather silly. Medium format doesn't have to cost that much.

Fujifilm's GFX line has dropped the price of entry to medium format to its lowest point: $4,000 for a 50MP GFX 50S II or $6,000 for the 100MP GFX100S. That's still quite a bit of money, but loads less than in years past, especially when you consider both of these cameras have a stabilized image sensor.

Fujifilm isn't the only game in town. Hasselblad offers a mirrorless medium format system, one that includes the analog throwback 907X and modern X2D 100C.

What Is the Best Camera for a Beginner Photographer?

Smartphones and basic point-and-shoots are designed for automatic operation. If you want to take up photography as a hobby, or aspire to be a photojournalist or wedding pro, get a camera that gives you room to grow and learn the craft.

I recommend getting a good mirrorless camera to start. Our favorites include the Canon EOS R10, Fujifilm X-T30 II, and Sony a6700. All offer manual exposure for advanced users, but also include fully automatic modes. If you're getting started, they give you room to grow as a creator. If you're thinking about starting with a full-frame model—the type of camera most pros use—the Canon EOS RP, EOS R8, or Nikon Z 5 are good choices.

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When you are shopping for a starter camera, ask yourself some questions about what you want. Take a look at the size, as a camera isn't any good if you're not going to carry and use it. But also think about connectivity—you probably want to copy images to your smartphone easily—and price. Ease of use isn't a huge hurdle these days—everything has an auto mode—but models with guided interfaces let you take some measure of control over how your photos turn out, without having to know too much technical jargon.

Kicking It Old School: What Is the Best 35mm Film Camera to Buy?

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You don't have to go digital. Film is still an option and instant cameras are extremely popular. Instant formats take away the hassle of getting film developed and make it easy to share physical images with friends and family immediately. You can get an entry-level model for around $65 and film packs generally cost around $7.50. The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is our favorite basic model and we love the Mini 99's upgraded features. The Fuji SQ1 is there if you prefer square prints, or you could go for the pricey Polaroid I-2 if you want to recapture the look of Polaroid 600 cameras from the 80s and 90s.

You can also buy a new 35mm or medium format camera. You don't have as many options for getting film developed as in the past—if you're in a major city it's easy to find a lab, but you otherwise may have to resort to mail order. You can find old film SLRs and compacts in thrift shops and at tag sales, though be aware that there's always a chance you'll need to get an old camera serviced. To get one that works, check the used departments at your local camera store (if you have one), the marketplace of your favorite online camera forum, or a big online shop (such as Adorama, B&H Photo, and KEH) with a good return policy for used gear.

If you want to buy something new, we like the Kodak Ektar H35 or H35N for their ease of use and economical half-frame format—they get 72 shots per roll, not 36. That's also true of the $500 Pentax 17, but it features more premium construction and a better lens than the Ektar compacts. And for something really different check out offerings from Lomography, its catalog includes the wide-angle Lomo'Apparat, medium format LC-A 120, and panoramic Sprocket Rocket, to name just a few.

Which Camera Is Best for Travel Photography?

Not surprisingly, we find bridge models to be just about perfect for globetrotters. They pack a wide zoom range, so you don't have to fumble with lens changes. And if you opt for a premium Type 1 sensor model you can shoot in varying types of light. But you might want a different kind of camera to take with you on your journeys.

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If you want something more pocket-friendly, a point-and-shoot can do the trick. But be prepared to get a little spendy for a camera worthy of your exotic destinations. For the rough-and-tumble crowd, I recommend the OM TG-7 due to its bright lens, super-close macro focus, and tough build. Its video features are lacking, though, so get the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro for moving pictures.

For more leisurely vacations, reach for a premium compact like the Sony RX100 VII model for a comfortable design and image quality that's a tad better than your smartphone. They're an especially good choice if you're trying to minimize phone screen time during a trip. The Fuji X100VI or Leica Q3 are there if you want the best pictures from a small camera, and have a healthy budget to feed your photography habit.

If you don't mind carrying something larger, a good mirrorless camera and a couple of lenses easily fit into a small bag, plus net images and videos worthy of sharing with friends and family back home. The Sony ZV-E10 is a good affordable option; alternatives like the Nikon Z fc are a bit more stylish.