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Title: The best cameras for 2025

Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2025 09:01:26 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/cameras/best-cameras...

Finding the best camera isn't just about picking the most expensive model ΓÇö
itΓÇÖs about choosing the one that fits how, where and what you shoot. For
some, that means a lightweight mirrorless camera that delivers DSLR-level
quality without the bulk. For others, it might be a compact gimbal camera
built for smooth handheld footage, or a rugged action cam that can survive
mountain trails, underwater dives or chaotic travel days. The world of
cameras is incredibly diverse, and todayΓÇÖs gear can do a lot more than just
snap high-res photos.

WeΓÇÖve tested a wide range of options to help you choose the best camera for
your needs and budget. Content creators might gravitate toward vlogging-
friendly setups with flip-out screens, strong autofocus and solid 4K video.
If you're after a mid-range all-rounder, there are models that strike a great
balance between performance and portability. And for those chasing the best
of the best, premium cameras with full-frame sensors and interchangeable
lenses offer unbeatable control and image quality. From mirrorless marvels to
adventure-ready action cams, this guide breaks down the top picks to elevate
your photography or video game.

Best cameras for 2025 Best mirrorless cameras

Mirrorless is the largest camera category in terms of models available, so
itΓÇÖs the best way to go if youΓÇÖre looking for something with the most
advanced features. Canon and Nikon recently announced theyΓÇÖre discontinuing
development of new DSLRs, simply because most of the advantages of that
category are gone, as I detailed in a video. The biggest selling feature of a
mirrorless camera is the ability to change lenses depending on the type of
shooting you want to do.

Best action camera or gimbal camera

The most important features to look for in an action cam are image quality,
stabilization and battery life. GoPro has easily been beating all rivals
recently in all those areas, but DJI has taken a lot of its business with the
Osmo Pocket 3 gimbal camera.

Best compact camera

This category has fewer cameras than it did even a few years ago and many
models are older, as manufacturers focus instead on mirrorless models.
However, IΓÇÖm still a big believer in compact cameras. TheyΓÇÖre a
noticeable step up from smartphones quality-wise, and a lot of people will
take a compact traveling or to events when theyΓÇÖd never bother with the
hassle of a DSLR or mirrorless camera.

Compacts largely have type 1-inch sensors, but a few offer larger options,
particularly FujifilmΓÇÖs XF-100V. Another popular model, SonyΓÇÖs XV-1, is
primarily aimed at content creators looking to step up. In any case,
desirable qualities include image quality, a fast lens, relatively long zoom,
flip-out display, good battery life, a high quality EVF, decent video and
good pocketability.

What to consider before choosing a camera

Though smartphones get better for video and photos every year, full cameras
still have an edge in many ways. The larger sensors in mirrorless cameras let
more light in, and you have a wide choice of lenses with far superior optics.
Dedicated cameras are also faster for shooting things like sports or
wildlife, offer superior video for content creators and create more
professional results.

Sensor size

There are a few key things to consider to get the most out of a camera. The
first is sensor size: in general, the larger the sensor, the better (and
usually more expensive) the camera.

Full frame is the largest sensor size for mainstream cameras, and itΓÇÖs
available on models like the new Panasonic S9, the Nikon Z III and Canon EOS
R5 II. At a size equivalent to 35mm film (36 x 24mm), it offers the best
performance in terms of image quality, low-light capability and depth of
field. But itΓÇÖs also very expensive and finicky. While bokeh looks
incredible at an aperture of f/1.4, the depth of field is so razor thin that
your subject's eyebrow might be in focus but not their eye. This can also
make shooting video difficult.

The next size category is APS-C (around 23.5 x 15.6mm for most models and
22.2 x 14.8mm for Canon), offered on Fujifilm's X Series lineup, the Canon
R10, the Sony ZV-E10 II and the Nikon Z50. It's cheaper than full frame, both
for the camera body and lenses, but still brings most of the advantages like
decent bokeh, high ISOs for low-light shooting and relatively high
resolution. With a sensor size the same as movie cameras, it's ideal for
shooting video, and itΓÇÖs easier to hold focus than with full-frame cameras.

Micro Four Thirds (17.3 x 13mm), a format shared by Panasonic and Olympus, is
the next step down in sensor size. It offers less bokeh and light-gathering
capability than APS-C and full frame, but allows for smaller and lighter
cameras and lenses. For video, you can still get reasonably tight depth of
field with good prime lenses, but focus is easier to control.

The other common sensor size is Type 1 (1 inch), which is actually smaller
than one inch at 12.7 x 9.5mm. That's used mostly by compact models like
SonyΓÇÖs ZV-1 vlogging camera. Finally, action cameras like the GoPro Hero 11
and DJIΓÇÖs Osmo 3 have even smaller sensors (1/1.9 and 1/1.7 inches,
respectively).

Autofocus

For photographers, another key factor is autofocus (AF) speed and accuracy.
Most modern mirrorless cameras have hybrid phase-detect AF systems that allow
for rapid focus and fast burst speeds. The majority also offer AI features
like eye-detect AF for people and animals, which locks in on the subjectΓÇÖs
eyes, face or body to keep them in focus. However, some models are faster and
more reactive than others.

Displays

The electronic viewfinder (EVF) and rear display are also crucial. The best
models have the sharpest and brightest EVFs that help you judge a shot before
taking it. For things like street photography, itΓÇÖs best to have as bright
and sharp a rear display as possible, so itΓÇÖs easy to see your subject and
check focus in all manner of lighting conditions. You may also want a screen
that flips out rather than just tilting, too.

Lenses

DSLRs and mirrorless cameras let you change lenses, but you're stuck with
what's built into a compact camera. While that's great for portability, a
single lens means you're going to sacrifice something along the way. The
Fujifilm X100V, for instance, has a fast but fixed 35mm-equivalent f/2.0 lens
and no zoom. The Sony RX100 V has a 24-70mm zoom, but it's slower at the
telephoto end (f/2.8) and less sharp than a fixed focal (prime) lens.

When choosing a lens for a mirrorless camera, youΓÇÖll need to consider the
focal or zoom length, along with the minimum aperture. Smaller numbers like
f/1.4 for a prime lens or f/2.8 for a zoom are best, as they let you work in
darker environments and maximize background blur to isolate your subject.
However, those lenses are more complex and thus more expensive.

Video recording

When it comes to video, there are other factors to consider. Some cameras
combine or skip over pixels (line skipping or pixel binning) for video
recording, which is not ideal because it can reduce sharpness. Better cameras
tend to read out the entire sensor and then ΓÇ£downsampleΓÇ¥ to improve video
sharpness (camera manufacturers donΓÇÖt often say if video is pixel binned,
but will say if itΓÇÖs downsampled). Another important factor is sensor
speed, as slower sensors tend to have more rolling shutter that can create a
ΓÇ£jelloΓÇ¥ effect that skews video.

In addition, howΓÇÖs the battery life? How do you like the handling and feel?
How long can you shoot before the camera heats up or stops? Does it support
10-bit HDR video? Is there a microphone and/or a headphone jack? (If you
record a lot of interviews, it's preferable to have both.) How's the video
autofocus? All of these things play a part in your decision.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/cameras/best-cameras...

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