Top 5 Best Canon Cameras in 2025

Since we started testing cameras more than two decades ago, TechRadar has reviewed every Canon camera worth writing about, from premium compacts to the most recent mirrorless flagships. That means we have a unique opportunity to recommend the best Canon cameras for every buyer and budget. That is exactly what we have done in this guide.

If we had to pick just one Canon camera to take the top spot, it would be the EOS R5 Mark II. It has a powerful stacked sensor and near-perfect autofocus, as well as a generous suite of in-camera features, making it the best Canon camera most people could ask for. But it doesn’t quite work that way: some users will want a Canon for video, while others may prefer a Canon DSLR.

We have covered all bases below. Every Canon camera featured here has been rigorously tested in real-world scenarios, so you can trust our recommendations. We’ve distilled our expert team’s feedback into nine entries, each labeled to help you determine whether it’s right for you.

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Last update on 2025-03-28 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Top 5 Best Canon Cameras in 2025

1.Canon EOS R5 Mark II

Last update on 2025-03-28 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Canon has improved its best-ever camera for photography, the EOS R5, with a stellar upgrade: the EOS R5 Mark II. We still get 45MP stills and 8K video, as well as a rugged body that feels good in our hands, but that’s where the similarities end. That 45MP full-frame sensor is now stacked, greatly improving the camera’s control over rolling shutter, while a second processor boosts the camera’s overall speed and unlocks some brand-new features, including in-camera image upscaling. You can select a JPEG / HEIF image captured with the EOS R5 Mark II and upscale it 400% to 180MP, yielding impressive results.

We’ve used the EOS R5 Mark II extensively, particularly for action photography and videography, where it excels. New autofocus modes can detect specific sports such as soccer and basketball and intelligently choose where to focus, including on one of up to ten stored faces. Canon’s eye control AF is also a revelation, as it tracks where you look in the viewfinder to determine which subject you want to focus on.

For outright speed, including sustained burst shooting sequences, the more expensive EOS R1 is the better choice. For almost every other professional, the EOS R5 Mark II is an excellent choice. There are too many incredible features to cover here, so read our in-depth review for more information. Simply put, we’ve been blown away by Canon’s most versatile and capable camera yet, despite the fact that it costs a fraction more than rivals like the Nikon Z8 and Sony A7R V.

Not everyone requires a high-resolution camera, but many prefer it. With 45MP available, there’s more than enough sensor resolution for most photographers, and having fewer pixels than the 61MP Sony A7R V and the 45.7MP Nikon Z8, the Canon can handle speed better than some of its competitors.

Even on a pre-production model of the R5 II, I was able to achieve excellent results, with colors that I personally enjoy, as well as focus and subject tracking that is nearly flawless. That performance was equally impressive when I tested the final production model.

Despite the limitations of the R5 II’s stacked sensor design, it has been difficult to find flaws in the results. As I previously stated, this increases the camera’s speed but at the expense of some dynamic range. I didn’t have the older R5 with me to make a direct comparison, but in my real-world testing, I found this compromise to be so minor, even when shooting with the electronic shutter, that it’s barely worth mentioning. Unless you intend to significantly crop an image, the resulting noise in darker areas will not be an issue due to the lower dynamic range.

2.Canon EOS R10

Last update on 2025-03-28 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

If you can get past the older sensor, we believe Canon’s EOS R10 is one of the best entry-level mirrorless cameras for beginners. It features Canon’s powerful Digic X chip and truly modern autofocus capabilities. In testing, the processor and AF tracking combined proved to be extremely powerful. The EOS R10’s continuous shooting speeds of 15fps with the mechanical shutter make it an excellent choice for those looking to experiment with action photography. The lack of in-body image stabilization limits low-light capabilities, but image quality performed well during our tests, with plenty of detail hiding in the shadows. Video skills are also strong, with 4K footage oversampled at 30fps.

With dual control dials and a dedicated AF joystick, we discovered that the EOS R10 made it easy for beginners to experiment with creative shooting. Its lightweight body will also feel comfortable to anyone who has previously used a DSLR, and the articulating touchscreen will make it an easy transition for smartphone photographers. If Canon releases more native APS-C lenses to grow with, the R10 will be the best option for beginners.

The Canon EOS R10 fills a gap in Canon’s mirrorless camera lineup that had existed for several years. If you’re a beginner looking to broaden your photographic horizons, or an existing Canon fan looking for a fun second camera for everyday shooting, it’s now one of the best cameras on the market, and because of its small size and weight, it’s also one of the best for travel.

While it is slightly more advanced and expensive than traditional entry-level cameras such as the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / EOS 250D DSLR, the EOS R10 is a significant upgrade and well worth the price. It’s essentially an evolution of double-digit DSLRs such as the Canon EOS 90D, which became popular among those looking to capture their family, vacations, and daily lives with smartphone-level quality.

The Canon EOS R10’s charm stems from its Digic X processor, which enables the latest autofocus technology and impressive burst-shooting speeds for its price. You get Dual Pixel CMOS AF II and 15fps continuous shooting (albeit with a firm brake applied by the EOS R10’s buffer), which make this camera more than capable of snagging a shot of the family dog’s winning goal in the garden water polo.

The EOS R10 can track a variety of subjects, including people, animals (dogs, cats, birds), and vehicles, and follows them around with tenacity. This is a very useful tool that elevates this camera above rivals such as the Fujifilm X-S10, though that camera does compete with in-body image stabilization and (for the time being) a larger selection of lenses.

Ah, yes, lenses. The EOS R10’s main flaws include a slightly small viewfinder (with 0.59x magnification). Canon has only released two native lenses for the EOS R10 and EOS R7: the RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM and the RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM zoom. This is pretty paltry compared to Sony and Fujifilm, but you can use both Canon’s full-frame RF lenses and older EF ones on this camera with an optional adaptor.

3.Canon EOS R3

Last update on 2025-03-28 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The Canon EOS R3 is more akin to a sports DSLR than the more portable EOS R5. However, it is still a professional mirrorless camera. It has fewer megapixels than the EOS R5, but it’s designed for speed rather than resolution – and if the former is important to you, this is the best Canon camera you can buy. During our extensive testing, we discovered that the EOS R3 is one of the best sports and wildlife cameras we’ve ever tested.

A 24.1MP stacked CMOS sensor, described as a “purring photographic engine” in our review, is at the heart of it. It can shoot full-quality raw images at an impressive 30fps and 6K/60p raw video internally with no visible rolling shutter. We were also impressed by its autofocus system and reassured by the sturdy magnesium alloy construction. In short, the EOS R3 represents the pinnacle of mirrorless performance. It’s undeniably large and expensive, but if you need a high-quality Canon camera and can afford the extra cost, you won’t be disappointed.

If you want to see the future of Canon’s mirrorless cameras, look at the Canon EOS R3 – it may look like a ten-year-old DSLR, but it’s actually one of the most advanced sports and wildlife cameras ever made.

Canon positions the EOS R3 between the Canon EOS R5 (its smaller mirrorless all-rounder) and the Canon 1D X Mark III (its bulky flagship DSLR). In practice, it is a hybrid of the two, and the mirrorless successor to the latter.

Canon hasn’t simply repackaged its existing technology with the EOS R3. It represents a number of new technologies, the most notable of which is a new 24.1MP backside-illuminated stacked CMOS sensor.Unusually for a professional sports camera, the EOS R3 includes video features such as the ability to shoot 6K raw video internally and an articulating touchscreen. There’s even a modern version of Canon’s ‘Eye Control AF’ system from the 1990s, which allows you to select focus points simply by looking at them in the viewfinder.

But does this unusual combination of skills result in a great camera, or a slightly confused one? There is no doubt that for professional photographers, the former is unquestionably one of the world’s best cameras for photography, as well as one of the best Canon cameras available right now.

If you’re a paid snapper, just knowing that the EOS R3 is available will be detrimental to your bank balance. After all, it’s difficult to justify shooting anything else when the camera makes it extremely difficult to miss a shot – whether due to autofocus, continuous shooting, or low-light capabilities.

And yet. Pick one up. Turn it over in your hand. This is the current pinnacle of mirrorless technology, at least for Canon users. And while the EOS R3 is undoubtedly overkill for most amateurs, and hardly a discreet camera for the street, it is – like the EOS 1D X Mark III before it – the new default choice for professionals who can’t or won’t compromise.

4.Canon EOS R7

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We believe the EOS R7 is one of Canon’s best options for enthusiast shooters, offering a generous feature set while undercutting its full-frame counterparts. One of the standouts is Canon’s latest Dual Pixel CMOS AF II autofocus, which demonstrated both speed and dependability in testing. Electronic burst speeds of up to 30fps make the R7 ideal for sports and wildlife photography, while in-body image stabilization provides eight stops of compensation when shooting handheld. Overall, our real-world experience demonstrated that the EOS R7 can produce beautiful images under a variety of conditions. Low-light performance isn’t quite as good as Canon’s full-frame models, but it’s hard to argue when you’re getting such great versatility and value.

Canon has combined elements from both its DSLR line-up and its existing EOS R series cameras to make the EOS R7 both portable and intuitive.

If you’ve used a Canon EOS camera before, you’ll likely be very at home. But even if this is your first time with the brand, it won’t be too difficult to find everything you need. Impressively for such a small camera, the EOS R7 manages to include a deep chunky grip, which should prove popular among photographers. At the same time, the overall size of the camera isn’t too big for travel shooting.

As you’d expect from a mid-range camera, there’s no top-plate LCD for quickly checking settings. The same is true for the full-frame EOS R6, so APS-C users should not be disappointed here. What you do get is a well-organized control system, which includes a mode dial to the right of the viewfinder, a control dial just behind the shutter button, and dedicated buttons for ISO and video recording.

Flipping to the back of the camera reveals a joystick-cum-control wheel hybrid that some will adore, while others may despise. It takes some getting used to, especially if you’re already a Canon owner. However, after a few days in its company, it works well in conjunction with the main control dial. The dials can be used to adjust shutter speed and aperture based on the shooting mode, as well as to navigate menu items and images in playback.

When shooting through the viewfinder, the joystick is ideal for moving the AF point around the frame, but you can also use the screen if you enable ‘Touch and Drag’ in the main menu.Other buttons include a four-way d-pad, a convenient ‘Q’ button for quick access to common settings, and playback and delete buttons. Almost all of the controls are located on the right side of the camera, making it ideal for one-handed operation. Because of the camera’s small size, everything is easily accessible with your thumb.

5.Canon EOS R6 Mark II

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Canon’s EOS R6 was a more affordable version of the R5 that prioritized speed over resolution. The R6 II improves on that formula in several ways, cementing its place as one of the best mirrorless all-arounders for Canon fans. By doubling the already fast electronic burst shooting speeds to 40fps, the EOS R6 II sets the standard for mirrorless cameras, making it a top choice for shooting action. Our tests revealed that in-body image stabilization fell short of the promised eight stops, but color rendering was very appealing, and image quality was impressive overall.

Despite being upgraded from 20.1MP to 24.2MP, the sensor still has fewer pixels than the EOS 6D Mark II. And its video resolution of 4K/60p falls short of the R5’s 8K. However, we discovered during testing that the EOS R6 II is an excellent shooting tool: its AI-powered autofocus proved to be extremely effective, and its low-light performance was outstanding. If you prioritize stills or video, you’ll get better value, and the incremental improvements aren’t enough to justify upgrading from an EOS R6. However, if you’ve already invested in Canon’s RF system and are willing to pay a premium, the R6 II is an extremely capable hybrid.

The EOS R6 is not significantly larger than its 6D Mark II DSLR cousin in terms of size. At 680g (as opposed to the latter’s 765g weight) and 138mm x 98mm x 88mm (as opposed to 144mm x 111mm x 75mm for the 6D II), it is only slightly lighter and smaller. You won’t even notice the difference in practical use.

The R6 has a deep grip, which makes it incredibly ergonomic for prolonged holding and use. Additionally, the R6 is weather sealed for those who are concerned about the weather. To reduce dust damage, you can actually configure the EOS to keep the shutter closed when the camera is turned off through the menu system.

Though there are some noticeable differences, the main one being the return of the joystick multi-controller on the back of the camera, the body is largely similar to the older EOS R. It’s good to see that the touch bar on the EOS R’s back panel is no longer there, as it was a major source of contention for many users. You can easily locate the textured joystick without taking your eyes off the viewfinder. If you’re not a fan of Canon’s touchscreen functionality, you can use it to navigate the menu system or quickly locate your preferred AF point.

The other difference on the rear control setup is the return of the Quick Menu (Q) button which was also missing in both the EOS R and the RP. If you’re an existing Canon user, the control layout will, for the most part, be very familiar to you, as will the menu system. For those coming from a completely different system, Canon’s setup has always been very intuitive and easy to use, and just a few minutes spent familiarizing yourself will have you up and running.

On the top, the R6 misses out on the LCD display that’s available on the EOS R and R5 (and also on Canon’s DSLRs) but gets a traditional mode dial that will be familiar to most Canon DSLR users.

How to choose the best Canon camera

It can be tricky to pick the right Canon camera for you. The brand offers a wide array of choices, ranging from pocket-friendly compacts to bulkier DSLRs to cutting-edge mirrorless systems. Canon caters to pretty much every type of photographer and filmmaker out there, and which model is right for you will depend hugely on what and how you like to shoot. In particular, you’ll need to consider which body style and sensor format best suits your needs.

For instance, you should seek a camera with fast frame rates and dependable in-body image stabilization if you’re interested in wildlife and sports photography in order to consistently record quick action. All of this and more is provided by the Canon EOS R3 (but at a cost).

What’s the best Canon camera for beginners?

Canon makes a range of cameras for beginners. Which one is right for you will depend on your specific needs, skills, and budget. Whether you’re upgrading from a point-and-shoot or switching from a smartphone, Canon has a camera for you.

Which is the best Canon camera for beginners? We think the best all-round Canon camera for most novices is the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / EOS 250D. A lightweight, entry-level DSLR with excellent battery life and ergonomics that make it great to hold, it’s a brilliant camera for new photographers to handle. Although its 9-point autofocus system is dated, it performs consistently and image quality is good. Plus there are plenty of compatible lenses in Canon’s catalog when you’re ready to get creative.

Is Canon or Nikon better?

The Canon versus Nikon debate has been rumbling on for decades. For as long as both Japanese brands have existed, there’s been a question as to which is superior. Yet a simple answer is impossible: while there are many die-hard fans of each camera maker, the winner in each case will depend on what kind of camera you want and how you plan to use it.

As you can see from the above list, Canon offers a vast array of cameras to suit the needs of various types of photographers and videographers. Nikon is no exception; if you look at our list of the top Nikon cameras, you’ll see that they have an equally extensive lineup of models, from full-frame mirrorless beasts to travel compacts.