There are loads of fantastic cameras on the market in 2025, but which one should you buy? We’ve rounded up the best cameras tested by our team of reviewers.
When shopping for a new camera, the first thing you need to do is decide what type of camera you want. For example, are you a professional sports photographer in need of the latest high-speed mirrorless shooter? Or, maybe you’re a freelance wedding videographer searching for a lightweight video camera? Perhaps you’re more of a casual photographer looking for a compact point-and-shoot snapper to take on holiday? Regardless of what you’re shooting, this guide will help match you with your perfect camera.
Every camera on this list has been meticulously tested in real-world conditions. Our reviewers use them as their main cameras during the review period, examining every aspect, from the design, handling, displays and viewfinders to the software, controls, battery life and image quality. We also consider additional factors such as lens compatibility and smartphone apps when awarding our final verdict.
All of the cameras in this list have impressed us enough to earn four or more stars, with each offering its own strengths from image quality and performance to affordability and ease of use. Below, you’ll find our list of the best cameras at a glance or scroll further for a brief summary of each camera highlighting the pros and cons of each model. You’ll also find links to our complete, in-depth reviews here where you can view sample photos from each camera.
If you’re looking for something a bit more specific, we’d recommend checking out some of our other camera best lists while you’re here. These include the best mirrorless cameras, best DSLRs, best instant cameras, best vlogging cameras, best action cameras and best GoPros.
- Best compact camera: Fujifilm X100VI – check price
- Best mirrorless camera: Nikon Z9 – check price
- Best mirrorless under $/£2000: Fujifilm X-T5 – check price
- Best for video quality: Panasonic Lumix GH7 – check price
- Best for high-speed shooting: Fujifilm X-H2S – check price
- Best full-frame camera for video: Panasonic Lumix S5II – check price
- A fantastic full-frame all-rounder: Canon EOS R6 Mark II – check price
- Best medium format camera: Fujifilm GFX100 II – check price
- Best vintage-inspired full-frame camera: Nikon Z f – check price
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Learn more about how we test cameras
We test every camera we review thoroughly. We use set tests to compare features properly and we use it as our main device over the review period. We’ll always tell you what we find and we never, ever, accept money to review a product.

Fujifilm X100VI
Pros
- Large image sensor
- Hybrid viewfinder
- New subject detection modes
- Slim, travel-friendly design
Cons
- Single memory card slot
- Expensive

Nikon Z9
Pros
- Robust and versatile design
- 120fps shooting
- 8K video recording
Cons
- Expensive
- Large and heavy body
- Additional cost of CFexpress or XQD card

Fujifilm X-T5
Pros
- Huge 40-megapixel resolution
- Fast 15 frames per second burst mode
- Advanced stabilisation system
Cons
- Crop-sensor
- Design won’t suit all

Panasonic Lumix GH7
Pros
- Huge range of pro-friendly video modes
- Impressive all-round image quality
- Superb image stabilisation
- Much-improved autofocus over GH6
Cons
- Bulkier than most MFT cameras
- Battery life is fairly limited

Fujifilm X-H2S
Pros
- Impressive 40fps burst mode
- Quick and accurate subject detection
- Support for 6.2K video at 30p or 4K at 120p
Cons
- Expensive for an APS-C camera and pricier than the X-H2
- HEIF file format isn’t universally supported
- Design has less character than the X-T5

Panasonic Lumix S5II
Pros
- Huge range of video options
- Superb stabilisation
- Much improved autofocus
Cons
- Cables can block the screen
- No tally lights

Canon EOS R6 Mark II
Pros
- Increase in resolution to 24-megapixel
- Major video enhancements
- Dual SD card setup
Cons
- Lower resolution than rivals
- No 4K slow motion option

Fujifilm GFX100 II
Pros
- Large high-resolution sensor
- Detachable viewfinder
- Lots of upgrades over GFX100/GFX100S
Cons
- On the heavier side
- There are full frame cameras better suited to high-speed photography

Nikon Z f
Pros
- Beautifully designed
- Excellent image quality
- Great handling
Cons
- Doesn’t balance well with larger lenses
- No battery charger included in the kit
- Dual card slots include SD and microSD

Fujifilm X100VI
Best compact cameraPros
- Large image sensor
- Hybrid viewfinder
- New subject detection modes
- Slim, travel-friendly design
Cons
- Single memory card slot
- Expensive
The Fujifilm X100VI is a fantastic compact camera, making it our top choice if you want an all-in-one digital camera for travel or street photography.
The X100VI has a slim, timeless design similar to the X100V that came before it and comes in both black and silver finishes. There’s a 2-way tilting LCD monitor for shooting from different angles, along with a hybrid viewfinder that lets you switch between an OLED EVF and a more traditional optical viewfinder. The Electronic Rangefinder function also lets you see a small EVF on the OVF, so you can get a magnified view of the area in focus along with the view outside of the frame lines.
On the front of the camera is a fixed 23mm f/2.0 lens equivalent to 35mm on a full frame camera. The lens is versatile and well-suited to a variety of subjects. It’s also small enough to keep this camera compact and travel-friendly, but can be paired with wide and tele conversion lenses to achieve different focal lengths.
The high-resolution 40.2-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor is the same one found in the Fujifilm X-H2 and X-T5, with the same going for the latest X-Processor 5.
Subject tracking and autofocus have been given a boost, with improved Face and Eye AF compared to that on the X100V, as well as the ability to detect animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, aeroplanes, trains, insects and drones.
The electronic shutter supports up to 20fps continuous shooting, there’s 5-axis IBIS and there are 20 Film Simulation modes to choose from to create more stylistic looks straight out of camera.
The battery is good for around 450 stills or 45 minutes of 6.2K/30p video and the camera supports F-Log, F-Log 2 and 4:2:2 10-bit video. Despite its decent video specs, the X100VI remains a stills-first camera, best suited to capturing sharp and bright photos in a compact package.

Nikon Z9
Best mirrorless cameraPros
- Robust and versatile design
- 120fps shooting
- 8K video recording
Cons
- Expensive
- Large and heavy body
- Additional cost of CFexpress or XQD card
If you’re looking for a capable high-end mirrorless camera with a versatile set of skills, the Nikon Z9 is our top pick.
This camera is particularly great at handling high-speed photography, with a 120fps burst model that includes full autofocus capabilities. The camera features a 45-megapixel full-frame stacked CMOS sensor and a 492-point AF system with 10 AF-area modes and subject detection for nine categories.
Along with 45-megapixel stills, the Z9 can capture stunning 8K/60p RAW video, or sharp 4K/60p oversampled from 8K.
The camera itself is huge, though still smaller and more lightweight than its DSLR equivalent, the Nikon D6. It’s also heavy, weighing in at 1340g and weather-sealed for additional durability. One useful design feature is a second grip and shutter release button for comfortable portrait shooting. This does add to the bulk of the camera, but if you’re someone who likes to move between portrait and landscape intuitively, this is a nice touch.
If you’d prefer something with many of the same features but a smaller footprint and smaller HEIF files, the Nikon Z8 provides an easy compromise for around $1600/£1300 less. However, the Z9 carries a larger battery and that dual grip, to name a few benefits to the larger camera.
You’ll need a CFexpress or XQD card to use the Z9, which is an additional cost to consider, and it certainly isn’t a pocket-sized travel camera. However, if you’re looking for a large camera equipped to take on any shooting scenario, the Z9 is very hard to beat.

Fujifilm X-T5
Best mirrorless under $/£2000Pros
- Huge 40-megapixel resolution
- Fast 15 frames per second burst mode
- Advanced stabilisation system
Cons
- Crop-sensor
- Design won’t suit all
The Fujifilm X-T5 is a fantastic pro-grade camera for photography that doesn’t break the bank at just $1500/£1600. That’s less than half the price of our current favourite pick, the Nikon Z9.
The X-T5 combines retro good looks with plenty of features and the highest-resolution APS-C sensor on the market to create a camera worthy of taking over the Fujifilm X-T4.
The Fujifilm X-T5 sports a similar eye-catching design to the X-T4 with classic milled dials and an even more lightweight feel than its predecessor. Despite its retro design, the X-T5 is remarkably robust with 56 weather-sealed points to keep out dust and moisture, as well as the ability to operate in temperatures as low as -10 degrees.
Along with a huge 40-megapixel crop sensor, the Fujifilm X-T5 benefits from speedy autofocus and a rapid 15fps burst rate that opens up the camera to wildlife and sports photographers alike.
Subject detection allows the X-T5 to detect humans, eyes, animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, planes and trains, while five-axis IBIS with seven stops of compensation ensures that camera shake is kept to a minimum even in low-light conditions and when using longer focal lengths.
Additionally, the battery life on the X-T5 allows for 140 more shots than its predecessor and the X-T5 can be charged on the go using a power bank.
When it comes to video, the Fujifilm X-T5 is capable of capturing 6.2K footage at up to 30p and at 4:2:2 10-bit internally. This means the files can capture a large amount of tonal data that will help with colour grading later down the line. There’s also support for Fujifilm’s F-Log 2 profiles internally, as well as Apple ProRes RAW when captured externally.
Coming back to image quality, we found that RAW files help a huge amount of tonal data, making it easy to recover detail in lighter and darker areas in editing. You can even push beyond the 40-megapixel sensor and capture huge 160-megapixel shots thanks to the Pixel Shift feature that combines 220 frames into a single high-quality image.
If you’re looking for a huge 40-megapixel sensor in a small package with retro flair, the Fujifilm X-T5 is hard to beat.

Panasonic Lumix GH7
Best for video qualityPros
- Huge range of pro-friendly video modes
- Impressive all-round image quality
- Superb image stabilisation
- Much-improved autofocus over GH6
Cons
- Bulkier than most MFT cameras
- Battery life is fairly limited
The Panasonic Lumix GH7 builds upon the strong legacy left by the Lumix GH6, delivering meaningful improvements to image quality, autofocus and 32-bit audio support. The GH7 is the best camera we’ve tested when it comes to video quality and pro-friendly video modes.
Physically, the GH7 is identical to GH6 that came before it, sharing the exact same design and control layout including a wide array of buttons and dials. The camera is quite bulky due to its built-in cooling system which uses a fan to enable unlimited recording times for hi-res video, though this is a worthy trade-off in our opinion.
The camera is dust- and splash-resistant and features the same small but crisp OLED viewfinder and double-hinged 3-inch touchscreen as the GH6.
The phase-detect autofocus system is much faster and more accurate than the contrast-detect AF on the GH6. There’s subject detection of humans, animals, cars, motorcycles, trains and places, with all of them focusing extremely quickly and reacquiring the subject if it moves in and out of frame.
The built-in image stabilisation is excellent, with the system offering up to 7.5 stops of correction resulting in an almost gimbal-like level of performance while walking. This combination of top-tier stabilisation and autofocus makes this camera ideal for vlogging.
The GH7 features the same 25.2-megapixel sensor found in the Panasonic G9 II, addressing the Dynamic Range Boost issue experienced by many on the GH6. Photos and videos look fantastic by Micro Four Thirds standards, going toe-to-toe with the best APS-C cameras in any situation.

Fujifilm X-H2S
Best for high-speed shootingPros
- Impressive 40fps burst mode
- Quick and accurate subject detection
- Support for 6.2K video at 30p or 4K at 120p
Cons
- Expensive for an APS-C camera and pricier than the X-H2
- HEIF file format isn’t universally supported
- Design has less character than the X-T5
The Fujifilm X-H2S is our best mirrorless camera for high-speed photography.
The Fujifilm X-H2S arrived in 2022 as one of two hybrid cameras alongside the identical-looking X-H2. However, where the X-H2 focuses primarily on resolution, the X-H2S is all about speed.
With the X-H2S, Fujifilm has opted for a more neutral look over the retro design of the X-T5. The camera has a small and lightweight body with a 3-inch vari-angle display, an OLED EVF and a monochrome LCD monitor so you can check your settings at a glance.
The X-H2S takes advantage of a new processor and image sensor combo, being the first camera powered by the new X Processor 5 and X-Trans CMOS 5 HS sensor. It also benefits from a new autofocus algorithm, which we found did a fantastic job of tracking people and vehicles alike. Then there’s the incredibly speedy 40fps burst mode which makes the X-H2S the fastest Fujifilm X series camera yet.
The camera doesn’t come equipped with the 40-megapixel sensor found on the X-H2, nor does it take advantage of that camera’s 160-megapixel Pixel Shift Multi-Shot mode. What the X-H2S does capture are wonderfully bright and sharp 26-megapixel stills. Colours are vibrant and punchy and Fujifilm’s famous film simulation modes make it easy to replicate a range of looks and styles directly in-camera.
The hybrid camera can also capture sharp 6.2K video at up to 30p or 4K at up to 120p with support for Apple ProRes 422 HQ on board, too.
The X-H2 has a 40-megapixel sensor for those looking to snap even higher-resolution images and you can get a full-frame camera like the Sony Alpha 7 IV for just a few hundred pounds more than the APS-C X-H2S.
However, for those looking for a lightweight camera with fast autofocus and an even more impressive burst mode, the X-H2S is a great choice.

Panasonic Lumix S5II
Best full-frame camera for videoPros
- Huge range of video options
- Superb stabilisation
- Much improved autofocus
Cons
- Cables can block the screen
- No tally lights
The Panasonic Lumix S5II might just be Panasonic’s most widely appealing full-frame camera to date. The S5II improves upon the Panasonic S5, making it a great buy for young and aspiring content creators.
The Lumix S5II is Panasonic’s first mirrorless camera to adopt phase-detection AF, combining it with its usual contrast-based Depth-from-Defocus autofocus to create a hybrid system comparable to those used by competitors.
The camera also delivers many upgrades over the still-available Panasonic S5, including a new full-frame sensor, a new processor, upgraded image stabilisation and an integrated heat management system to support unlimited 6K and 4K video capture.
The Lumix S5II has a DSLR-style body with a tough and weatherproof magnesium alloy construction. It’s a bit bulkier than the Panasonic S5 due to the integrated cooling system, but the Panasonic S5II is still compact and lightweight for a full-frame camera.
The camera comes with a brand new 3.68-million dot OLED viewfinder, which we found to be wonderfully crisp and detailed with high contrast and a fast refresh rate giving it almost the feel of an optical viewfinder. There’s also a 3-inch monitor with a vari-angle design for versatile positioning and a range of touch controls, including the ability to change settings and set autofocus points.
In-body image stabilisation is excellent for shooting video, as is the new phase hybrid autofocus system. The AF isn’t as snappy as that found on some Sony and Canon cameras, but it’s very capable and a marked improvement over the Panasonic S5.
Photographers can shoot at up to 9fps with the mechanical shutter or 30fps with the electronic shutter and connectivity options are strong, with a full-size HDMI port, 3.5mm headphone and mic inputs and a USB-C port for charging all included.
All-in-all, the Panasonic S5II is a powerful all-rounder for anyone looking to capture full-frame video and sharp photos.

Canon EOS R6 Mark II
A fantastic full-frame all-rounderPros
- Increase in resolution to 24-megapixel
- Major video enhancements
- Dual SD card setup
Cons
- Lower resolution than rivals
- No 4K slow motion option
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is one of the best all-round full-frame cameras you’ll find right now, making it a great pick for anyone considering upgrading from a smaller-sized sensor for the first time.
The R6 Mark II looks very similar to the original Canon EOS R6, sharing the same weight and dimensions as its predecessor. The design is robust with a fair amount of weather-sealing and the grip is well-proportioned to offer users a strong hold over the camera.
One slight difference between the R6 and the R6 Mark II is the control layout. The on/off button has been relocated and there’s now a dedicated switch for toggling between photo and video modes. The joystick that shifts AF points has also been redesigned and there are new Scenes and Creative Features options in the mode dial.
This camera is incredibly versatile, making it a good fit for a variety of scenes ranging from landscapes to sports and even wildlife photography.
The shutter speed is double that found on the older R6 and the Dual Pixel AF II autofocus system supports subject detection for a wider range of subjects. There’s also a Pre Shooting feature that captures the action a half second before the shutter button is fully pressed, along with upgraded Focus Bracketing and up to 8-stops of in-body image stabilisation to fight camera shake.
The camera is capable of capturing 4K video at up to 60p, along with 6K/60p Pro Res RAW footage when paired with an external device like the Atomos Ninja. Slo-mo has also been given an update, now supporting 6x slow motion capture at 180p instead of 120p, and the newer camera supports unrestricted recording times, unlike its predecessor which tapped out at 30 minutes.
Images captured by the 24-megapixel sensor are vibrant without appearing saturated and the camera handles digital noise extremely well. There’s also support for 14-bit RAW files that capture a huge amount of tonal details and make it easier to fix brighter and darker areas later down the line.
If you’re wanting to move up from the original R6, the changes might not be worth the upgrade. However, for those interested in picking up their first full-frame shooter, the Canon EOS R6 Mark II offers a versatile and good value experience all-round.

Fujifilm GFX100 II
Best medium format cameraPros
- Large high-resolution sensor
- Detachable viewfinder
- Lots of upgrades over GFX100/GFX100S
Cons
- On the heavier side
- There are full frame cameras better suited to high-speed photography
If you’re searching for a camera to snap high-resolution images, the Fujifilm GFX100 II is certainly worth considering.
The GFX100 II sits at the top of Fujifilm’s current GFX line-up with its huge 102-megapixel medium format sensor capable of snapping large, detailed images with vibrant colours and great contrast straight out of the camera.
Despite the chunky sensor, the camera remains more compact and lightweight than some similarly-priced full-frame cameras, including the Nikon Z9 and the Canon EOS R3. That said, the GFX100 II definitely isn’t dainty at 1080g without factoring in the lens. The camera has a solid build with a new Bishamon-Tex pattern adorning the grip and has space for two card slots and a variety of ports, including USB-C, HDMI Type-A and Ethernet.
Alongside the main 3.2-inch three-direction tilting touchscreen, there’s a removable EVF with a 120fps refresh rate and a third sub-LCD monitor for glancing at settings atop the camera.
When it comes to features, many of the upgrades on the GFX100 II are powered by the X-Processor 5 – the same image processor found in the Fujifilm X-H2 and X-T5. This includes the new prediction AF algorithm developed for high-speed photography and subject detection for animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, aeroplanes, trains, insects and drones.
The camera also includes a faster burst rate of 8fps, along with an increased eight stops of five-axis image stabilisation. The 40fps Canon EOS R6 Mark II and the 120fps Nikon Z9 and Z8 both offer significantly faster burst rates but with smaller, full-frame sensors.
The battery life is solid, delivering 540 stills or around an hour of 8K/30p recording, while the video quality is incredibly sharp with true-to-life colours and good stabilisation. If you’re looking to capture very high-resolution stills and video, the Fujifilm GFX100 II is a great choice.

Nikon Z f
Best vintage-inspired full-frame cameraPros
- Beautifully designed
- Excellent image quality
- Great handling
Cons
- Doesn’t balance well with larger lenses
- No battery charger included in the kit
- Dual card slots include SD and microSD
The Nikon Z f is a fantastic full-frame camera, combining the retro handling of a film camera with all the bells and whistles of a modern mirrorless one.
The Z f features a design that is heavily inspired by the Nikon FM2, an iconic 35mm film camera from the 1980s. This isn’t the only retro-looking camera on this list with the Fujifilm X-T5 and X100VI also making the cut. However, it is the only camera of the three to boast a large full-frame sensor.
Of course, not everything about the design is traditional. There’s a 3.2-inch vari-angle touchscreen and a bright 3.69m-dot EVF. The small grip plate on the camera makes it best suited for smaller lenses as opposed to larger zoom lenses, though you can use these too.
The camera also inherits plenty of features and functions from the Z9, Z8 and Z6 II. It has a 299-point autofocus system, impressive subject detection manual focus and 8 stops of AI-assisted Vibration Reduction allowing you to shoot handheld at slow shutter speeds. There’s also up to 30fps continuous shooting, though this camera isn’t specifically designed for sports or wildlife photography.
The image quality is excellent thanks to the same 24.5-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor featured in the Nikon Z6 II and the Expeed 7 processor found in the flagship Z9. 4K video is supported up to 30fps or 60fps with a 1.5x crop, or 1080p at up to 120fps for slow-motion capture. Footage can be captured in the H.265/HEVC (8 bit/10 bit) and H.264/AVC (8 bit) codecs with standard profiles, while there’s also the flat N-Log profile for extended dynamic range and colour grading and HDR (HLG) video support.
If you enjoy the vintage style and tactile controls of a film camera but want to retain the benefits of a modern camera, the Nikon Z f is a wonderful choice.
FAQs
Canon and Nikon are two major brands in the camera market, but Nikon has impressed us more in recent years consistently coming out on top in both the mirrorless and DSLR categories.
It depends on what you need. The difference between the two is that DSLRs rely on an optical viewfinder and a mirror to bounce light off the sensor, while mirrorless cameras feature an electronic viewfinder and don’t require a mirror. This makes mirrorless cameras more compact, lightweight and often better equipped for video, while DSLRs usually have a better grip and longer battery life.
Mirrorless cameras generally have a shorter battery life than DSLRs. They also don’t tend to offer as much grip in terms of their physical design.
Test Data
Fujifilm X100VI | Nikon Z9 | Fujifilm X-T5 | Panasonic Lumix GH7 | Fujifilm X-H2S | Panasonic Lumix S5II | Canon EOS R6 Mark II | Fujifilm GFX100 II | Nikon Z f |
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Full Specs
Fujifilm X100VI Review | Nikon Z9 Review | Fujifilm X-T5 Review | Panasonic Lumix GH7 Review | Fujifilm X-H2S Review | Panasonic Lumix S5II Review | Canon EOS R6 Mark II Review | Fujifilm GFX100 II Review | Nikon Z f Review | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UK RRP | £1599 | £5299 | £1699 | £1999 | £2499 | £1999 | £2779 | £6999 | £2149 |
USA RRP | $1599 | $5499 | – | $2195 | – | $1999 | $2499 | $7498 | $1996 |
EU RRP | €1799 | €5299 | – | – | – | €2199 | €2586 | – | €2399 |
Manufacturer | Fujifilm | Nikon | Fujifilm | Panasonic | Fujifilm | Panasonic | Canon | Fujifilm | Nikon |
Quiet Mark Accredited | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Video Recording | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | – |
IP rating | No | No | No | No | No | No | Not Disclosed | No | No |
Battery | – | 3300 mAh | – | – | 2200 mAh | 2200 mAh | – | – | – |
Size (Dimensions) | 128 x 55.3 x 74.8 MM | 149 x 90.5 x 149.5 MM | 129.5 x 63.8 x 91 MM | -1 x x INCHES | 136.3 x 84.6 x 92.9 MM | 102.3 x 134.3 x 90.1 MM | 138.4 x 98.4 x 88.4 MM | x x INCHES | x x INCHES |
Weight | 521 G | 1340 G | 557 G | 719 G | 660 G | 740 G | 588 G | 1030 G | 710 G |
ASIN | – | B09KHC4XCT | B0BKGQHK5Q | B0D6RTT1X1 | B0B2QNKSMR | B0C5DTQRVZ | B0BT518PK6 | – | B0CJF4FNYR |
Release Date | 2024 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 |
First Reviewed Date | – | – | – | – | – | – | 10/08/2023 | – | – |
Sensor Type | APS-C | – | – | Micro Four Thirds | – | – | – | – | – |
Lens | 23mm f/2.0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Zoom | – | – | No | – | – | No | No | – | – |
Autofocus | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Burst shooting (mechanical shutter) | No | – | No | No | – | – | No | No | No |
Burst shooting (electronic shutter) | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | – | No |
Viewfinder | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Screen | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Image stabilisation | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Wi-Fi | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Bluetooth | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Number of Memory card slots | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | – |
USB charging | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Microphone port | – | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Headphone port | – | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Lens mount | – | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |