Buyer's guide · 172 cameras · 9 brands

What camera should I buy?

A plain-English guide to sensors, lenses and specs, a quiz that matches you to a camera, and new-versus-used prices from MPB. From £500 enthusiast bodies up to Hasselblad, Fujifilm GFX and Leica flagships, plus 101 older models still worth buying, 27 of them DSLRs.

Take the 2-minute quizBrowse camerasRead the guide
SHUTTER 1/500sAPERTURE f/2.8ISO 400FOCAL 35mmWB 5600K
Medium format43.8×32.9mm · 1441mm²Full frame36×24mm · 864mm²APS-C23.5×15.6mm · 367mm²Micro Four Thirds17.3×13mm · 225mm²1-inch13.2×8.8mm · 116mm²Large phone sensor9.8×7.3mm · 72mm²
Everyday & travelLight bodies, versatile zooms
PortraitsEye AF and fast primes
LandscapeResolution and weather sealing
Wildlife & animalsReach and subject tracking
Sports & actionFast readout and bursts
AstrophotographyFull-frame low light
REC 00:12
Vlogging & videoFlip screens, IBIS, good audio
'98 7 24
Vintage / film lookDials and film simulations
What does more money buy?f/1.2 vs f/1.8 indoors, depth of field, and newer versus older generations Older cameras and DSLRsWhy a 2017 D850 can still beat a new entry camera Brands comparedHeritage, strengths and where each brand is heading

Mode dial · what do you shoot?

BBeginnersEasy to grow intoTTravelSmall do-it-all kitsPPortraitsFast primes, blurLLandscapesResolution and rangeWWildlifeReach and trackingSSportBursts and readoutAAstroClean high ISOVVloggingAF and audioFFilm lookRetro bodies and colour

Or by budget: best £1,000 sports setup · best £2,000 sports setup · best £3,000 sports setup · more specific guides · all best-for guides →

Readout leaderboard · lower is better for action

Sony Alpha A9 III
global
Nikon Z8
≈4 ms
Sony Alpha A1 II
≈4 ms
OM System OM-1 Mark II
≈4 ms
Canon EOS R1
≈5 ms
Fujifilm X-H2S
≈5 ms
Nikon Z6 III
≈14 ms
Canon EOS R6 Mark II
≈16 ms
Canon EOS R8
≈16 ms
Fujifilm X-T5
≈55 ms
Sony Alpha A7 IV
≈65 ms
Sony Alpha A7 III
≈65 ms

Approximate full-resolution electronic-shutter readout. Under about 10ms behaves almost like a mechanical shutter; 60ms and slower can bend fast subjects. What readout speed means.

Two lenses that do it all

One body with a standard zoom and a 70-200mm-style telephoto.

Under £1,500Under £2,000Under £3,000Under £5,000Under £10,000

Popular comparisons

Alpha A7 IV vs EOS R6 Mark IIAlpha A7 IV vs Z6 IIIEOS R6 Mark II vs Z6 IIIX-T5 vs Alpha A6700Z8 vs EOS R5 Mark IIAlpha A7 III vs Alpha A7 IVEOS R7 vs Alpha A6700Zf vs X-T5

All 242 comparisons →

What camera for…

WeddingsConcerts and gigsBird photographyKids' sportProperty and real estateYouTubeFamily and kidsStreet photographyProduct photographyFood photographyHiking and backpackingThe northern lightsMotorsportEvents and corporate workPets and dogsTeenagers and young beginners

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