Canon’s EOS R50 is an entry-level model with a small, lightweight design. Credit: Andy Westlake
Looking for the best Canon mirrorless camera? I’ve got you covered – whether you’re a total beginner, or a seasoned shooter looking to jump in from another system, these are the Canon cameras that have impressed us most, and that I think represent the best value for money for photographers and videographers in 2026.
I keep this list up-to-date regularly, meaning it includes all the latest Canon cameras the AP team has reviewed. I’ve arranged it in rough order of price and complexity, so we start with beginner- and budget-friendly models, then move up the scale until we hit the top-tier professional cameras. As this list consists of Canon’s best cameras, it mostly comprises mirrorless cameras from the flagship EOS R series, though I have found room for a couple of popular Canon compacts. If you prefer good old-fashioned DSLRs with the Canon EF mount, we do keep an updated dedicated guide to the best Canon DSLRs.
I’ve only included cameras that our team have reviewed and have scored, so you can be sure that you’re only getting cameras that our experts believe are worth their price tag. That does mean there are a few omissions – I haven’t included Canon’s cheapest mirrorless camera, the Canon EOS R100, as we felt in our review that it was too compromised to be worth the money; our top pick for beginners is the EOS R50. You can also scroll to the bottom of this page for an explainer on technical terms, as well as answers to a few of the questions we most commonly get asked about Canon cameras.
Best Canon camera under $1000: Canon EOS R10 – Buy now
Best high-speed APS-C Canon: Canon EOS R7 – Buy now
Best compact Canon for stills: Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III – Buy now
Best compact Canon for video: Canon PowerShot V1 – Buy now
Best budget full-frame Canon: Canon EOS R8 – Buy now
Best all-rounder Canon camera: Canon EOS R6 Mark III – Buy now
Best professional Canon camera: Canon EOS R5 II – Buy now
Best Canon camera for sports: Canon EOS R1 – Buy now
Looking for the best deal on Canon cameras? Not only will you find the best Canon cameras, but you’ll also find some of the best Canon camera deals, as our ‘Buy now’ buttons are set to automatically take you to the best prices, from trusted retailers, plus you’ll also find a list of other retailers below each camera, so you can find the right deal for you.
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BEST FOR BEGINNERS
Best Canon camera for beginners: Canon EOS R50
Canon EOS R50 with 18-45mm kit zoom and flash raised. Credit: Andy Westlake
Amateur Photographer verdict
It’s small and light yet comfortable in your hand, It also delivers consistently attractive JPEGs. Its strongest selling point is the brilliant subject recognition autofocus.
Pros
Best-in-class autofocus
Snappy burst shooting
Nice and lightweight
Cons
Very limited RF-S lens range
Small viewfinder
Specifications at a glance:
Sensor
24.2MP APS-C sensor
Continuous shooting
15fps with electronic shutter
Autofocus
Subject recognition AF
ISO
100-51,200 (extended)
Image stabilisation
No
Video
4K 30p
Viewfinder
2.36m-dot, 0.59x equiv magnification
Screen
3in 1.62m-dot fully articulated touchscreen
Initially, I thought the Canon EOS R50 would be the Canon EOS R mirrorless camera for beginners, but the subsequent arrival of the cheaper and more basic Canon EOS R100 complicated that picture. However, having spent time with both cameras, I’d say that if you can afford the extra outlay for the EOS R50, it’s a much more fully-featured camera for beginners to learn the basics on.
It’s a nice and light camera, with a standard 24.2MP APS-C sensor and a fairly generous (for this level) ISO range that goes up to 32,000 natively, or can be expanded to 51,200. Of course, some of this is little more than marketing – as we found in our review, it’d be a very rare situation where you’d want to push this beyond 25,600, as you simply don’t get very useable images at these higher settings. But this is still a decent showing for a camera of this type.
What’s more exciting though – and really sets the EOS R50 apart from the inferior EOS R100 and many other cameras around this price – is its fantastic subject recognition autofocus. Inherited from the more expensive professional camera, this intelligent system can recognise and track focus on specific subject types (people, animals and vehicles). This pairs beautifully with the surprisingly clippy burst rate – 12fps, or 15fps with the electronic shutter.
All in all, this is one of the most capable and versatile cameras in this price bracket – it costs $679 / £589 body-only, or $799 / £699 with an 18-45mm kit lens. It’s still somewhat hobbled by the meagre selection of RF-S lenses, a problem that Canon doesn’t seem to be in a rush to correct. You can get by with EF-S lenses and an EF-EOS R adapter, though the latter will add an extra £100 / $100 approx. to your costs. Also, bear in mind that if you’re more interested in video than stills, Canon has released a vlogging-oriented version of this camera: the Canon EOS R50 V, which tends to be the same price as the EOS R50, or even cheaper.
Canon EOS R50, RF-S 18-150mm F3,5-6.3 IS STM at 100mm, 1/800sec at f/6.3, ISO 100. Image credit: Andy Westlake
BEST UNDER $1000/£1000
Best Canon camera under $1000/£1000: Canon EOS R10
Canon EOS R10. Photo: Andy Westlake
Amateur Photographer verdict
A likeable little camera that ticks most of the boxes we’d expect for an $879 / £999 body. It ain’t flashy, but it gets the job done.
Pros
Excellent controls and handling
Very good value
Subject-detect autofocus works well
Cons
Again, lack of RF-S lenses
No IBIS
Single card slot
Specifications at a glance:
Sensor
24.2 MP APS-C (crop sensor)
Continuous shooting
23 fps with electronic shutter
Autofocus
Subject detect AF
ISO
100-51,200 (extended)
Image stabilisation
No
Video
4K 30p
Viewfinder
2.36m-dot, 0.6x equiv magnification
Screen
3in, 1.04m-dot vari-angle touchscreen
Being smaller, lighter and less expensive than the EOS R7 (featured below), but a little more capable and sophisticated than the EOS R50, the Canon EOS R10 is designed for enthusiasts with a smaller budget. It offers a more sophisticated suite of manual controls and a faster burst shooting rate than the EOS R50, with up to 23fps available for wildlife and sports photographers. The smaller APS-C sensor is ideal for shooting distant subjects without having to employ super long lenses. You also get 4K video recording, a single UHS-II SD card slot, a 3-inch 1.04m-dot articulating touchscreen and Dual Pixel CMOS AF. All this is fairly standard for a camera at this price, but it’s certainly nothing to complain about.
In our full review, we found the EOS R10 to be a likeable, well-handling camera, and an especially good bet for the price. The main forfeits compared to the EOS R7 are the small viewfinder and lack of in-body image stabilisation (IBIS), which for many users will be acceptable trade-offs. A key problem is one we’ve already discussed at length – the poor selection of RF-S lenses for APS-C cameras, but this is common across the range, and as mentioned, can be mitigated by investing in an adapter to be able to use EF-S lenses.
The Canon EOS R10 currently starts at $999 / £899 for the body only, and there are various lens bundles available that will nudge the price up by $/£100 or so. That’s very impressive value for such a well-featured camera.
The EOS R10 delivers consistently attractive images. Canon EOS R10, RF-S 18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM at 18mm, 1/2500sec at f/, ISO 800
BEST HIGH-SPEED APS-C
Best high-speed APS-C Canon camera: Canon EOS R7
The Canon EOS R7 in hand. Photo credit: Joshua Waller
Amateur Photographer verdict
Whether you’re looking for a camera for stills or video, the high-speed and high-quality output of the R7 certainly makes for an appealing camera.
Pros
High-speed, high-resolution
Compact, weather-sealed body
In-body image stabilisation
Cons
Limited RF-S lenses
And the kit lens isn’t weather sealed
Specifications at a glance:
Sensor
32.5 MP APS-C (crop sensor)
Continuous shooting
30fps with electronic shutter
Autofocus
Intelligent subject detection
ISO
100-51,200 (extended)
Image stabilisation
8 stops
Video
4K 60p
Viewfinder
2.36m-dot LED, 0.72x equiv magnification
Screen
3in, 1.62m-dot Vari-angle touchscreen
The Canon EOS R7 was one of the first EOS R cameras to sport an APS-C sensor – proof if proof were needed that the EOS M system’s days were numbered. While there have been several other APS-C RF models since then, the EOS R7 still has a place as a speedy crop-sensor camera that’s particularly good for wildlife at a budget.
A smaller APS-C sensor doesn’t quite offer the same image quality as full-frame – however it has advantages of its own. The crop factor extends the focal length of lenses, giving you more telephoto reach, which is great for wildlife photography. It also allows the camera to be smaller and lighter, which is one reason why crop-sensor cameras are so popular for travel.
The EOS R7’s AF tracking is highly impressive; it locks on and maintains focus with very high accuracy, easily detectinganimals and birds. Paired with up to 30fps continuous shooting speed with the electronic shutter, the R7 is well-suited to wildlife photography. Unlike Nikon’s APS-C mirrorless offerings, the EOS R7 boastsin-body image stabilisation (IBIS) too. This system can deliver up to 8 stops of compensation and also has automatic horizon correction, a feature that was previously exclusive to Pentax.
Elsewhere, Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF II is highly impressive as always, with 651/5915 selectable focus points that cover the entire image area and work in extreme low-light conditions. As is fast becoming standard on new cameras, the EOS R7 also benefits from AI-powered subject-detection autofocus.
The body is lightweight and well-balanced, but Canon has still found room for weather-sealing, meaning you can capture wildlife images in the great outdoors without worrying about the rain – or at least, you could if the kit lens were weather-sealed too. You’ll probably want to upgrade from this lens anyway so it’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s something to be aware of. The camera costs $1,349 / $1,349 body-only, or $1,819 / £1,499 with an 18-150mm kit lens.
Cat detection AF has focused on the cat’s left eye. Canon EOS R7, 1/160s, f/6.3, ISO640, 84mm. Photo: Joshua Waller
Best compact for stills
Best Canon compact for stills: Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III. Image credit: AP
Amateur Photographer verdict
The Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III is a lovely pocket camera that
will give you more advanced control and better results than a smartphone.
Pros
Very good image quality
Plenty of useful features
Small, light and easily pocketable
Capable of 4K video capture and YouTube live streaming
Cons
Display can be hard to see clearly in bright sunlight
Touchscreen could be fiddly for larger fingers
Specifications at a glance:
Sensor
20.1MP CMOS, 13.2 x 8.8mm (1inch)
Continuous shooting
20fps in AF-S, 8fps with continuous AF
Autofocus
31 AF points
ISO
ISO 125-12,800, (ISO 25,600 expanded)
Image stabilisation
3 stops
Video
4K (3840×2160), 30fps
Viewfinder
None
Screen
3in, 1.04-million-dot tiltable touchscreen LCD
Although now almost seven years out from its release, the G7 X Mark III is still a perennially popular pocket powerhouse, and the best compact Canon you’ll find for stills. The 20.1MP stacked CMOS sensor coupled with the DIGIC 8 processor delivers images far superior to a smartphone. So if you are ready to ditch your handset but don’t want to deep dive into to ins and outs of using a bigger interchangeable lens camera yet, the G7 X III could be an ideal upgrade.
It is equipped with a fixed lens that has a 24-100mm equivalent focal range and a bright f/1.8-2.8 variable aperture, letting you compose wide landscapes or zoom in on some distant action. Thanks to the 3 stops of in-body image stabilisation and three stops of built-in ND filters, the G7X III tackles slow shutter speed shooting remarkably well, giving you more latitude to shoot handheld in low light. It also features 4K video recording at 30fps, but you are limited to only 10 minutes of recording time at this resolution.
Its tiny 105.5 × 60.9 × 41.4mm body is packed with other useful features like High-Speed Raw capture that employs the electronic shutter to capture an impressive 30fps. An ideal travel camera or everyday photography companion that easily slips into your pocket and delivers better results than a smartphone, the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III currently goes for $879 / £819 – and is still so popular that it often goes out of stock.
Canon recently celebrated the continuing success of this camera with the release of an updated ‘special’ anniversary edition for 2026. Don’t get too excited though – the sum total of the upgrades for the new version was a new graphite colour, as opposed to the regular old black, and a special box. As our own Gavin Stoker pointed out in his comment piece on the release (linked above), what would really be nice is a properly updated and stills-focused camera to join the PowerShot range. Fingers crossed.
While the maximum zoom reach doesn’t lend itself to capturing far away, fast-moving action, the 20.1MP resolution lets you crop into your photos and produce reasonable results. 100mm equivalent, 1/320sec at f/4, ISO 400. Image: Audley Jarvis
Best compact for video
Best Canon compact for video: Canon PowerShot V1
Canon has equipped with V1 with a unique 16-50mm equivalent zoom. Image credit: Richard Sibley
Amateur Photographer verdict
The Canon PowerShot V1 is very capable as a high-end compact camera for video and vlogging. But its ultra-wideangle zoom limits its attraction for general-purpose photography.
Pros
Relatively large sensor
Built-In 3-stop ND Filter
Optical and Digital Stabilisation
Cons
Wide-angle zoom can be limiting for photos
Price isn’t very competitive
Strange stabilisation effects
Specifications at a glance:
Sensor
22.3MP 1.4in-type sensor
Continuous shooting
30fps
Autofocus
3431 autofocus points
ISO
ISO 100-32,000; ISO 51,200 extended
Image stabilisation
3 stops
Video
4K 30p video (unlimited recording)
Viewfinder
None
Screen
3in 1.04m-dot vari-angle touchscreen
As the ‘V’ designation suggests, Canon’s latest compact on the market is geared towards video capture. With its extremely wide 16-50mm f/2.8-4.5 equivalent lens, the V1 is clearly designed for video, and especially well suited for vlogging. You can hold it at arm’s length at the widest, 16mm setting and record yourself with a good amount of background included in the frame.
It relies solely on its 3in 1.04m-dot vari-angle touchscreen, as there is no viewfinder. A nice touch is the added countdown timer, so when filming yourself or someone else, you can factor in a few seconds to settle down for the recording.
The dual pixel autofocus puts in a good performance in terms of tracking both during video and stills capture, and the 3,431 selectable focus points cover the entirety of the sensor. Moreover you get autodetect subject recognition for people and animals
Like other compacts from Canon, the V1 includes a built-in 3-stop ND filter, which makes it ideal for filming with larger apertures while still using slower shutter speeds. A headphone socket is included as well as a windshield which you can mount on the hotshoe. You also have the option to record in C-Log3, allowing for more flexibility in post-production colour grading, and thanks to the built-in fan, overheating won’t be a limiting factor for recording times. But you still need to keep an eye on battery charge and SD card space.
With an asking price $899.99 / £959.99, the Canon PowerShot V1 is pretty good value for an all-in-one vlogging camera. It’ll blow your smartphone away in terms of image quality, and while it’s a little more expensive than the vlogging-focused EOS R50 V, it’s easier to use, and will probably better suit the majority of independent content creators.
An image from our Canon EOS R8 review. Photo credit: Andy Westlake
Amateur Photographer verdict
While the EOS R8 isn’t aimed at advanced users, you just can’t argue with the results. For the price especially, the autofocus is class-leading.
Pros
Absolutely superb autofocus at this price point
Delivers sublime images straight out of camera
Lightweight build
Cons
Over-simplified body design with few physical controls
No in-body stabilisation
Specifications at a glance:
Sensor
24.2MP CMOS full-frame sensor
Continuous shooting
40 fps with electronic shutter
Autofocus
Subject detect AF
ISO
50-204,800 (extended)
Image stabilisation
No
Video
4K 60p
Viewfinder
2.36m-dot, 0,7x, 60 or 120 fps
Screen
3in, 1.62m-dot fully articulated touchscreen
Canon provided a welcome upgrade for the ageing Canon EOS RP in the form of the Canon EOS R8. At first glance, it looks much the same, with a similar body size, and a full-frame sensor of about the same resolution. So what’s the difference?
Well, Canon packed in the fantastic subject-detect autofocus system from the high-end Canon EOS R6 Mark II, giving it one of the most reliable autofocus systems of any camera around its price. It uses Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF sensor to lock on quickly and accurately anywhere in the frame. And thanks to that AI-powered subject-detection, it can recognise subjects like humans, animals and vehicles and keep hold of them even as they move. Focusing basically becomes something you no longer have to think about, which can really improve your hit-rate for tricky subjects like wildlife and street scenes.
The Canon EOS R8 really is just a camera that nails the shot, again and again. Thanks to Canon’s well-judged in-camera processing, it produces JPEGs good enough to share straight out of camera, punchy and sharp with fantastic colours. Again, it gives you less to think about, resulting in a camera that just gets out of your way and lets you focus on the business of composing and shooting.
As we found in our review, the compromises with the EOS R8 mostly concern build and handling. The EOS R8 skates by with very few physical controls, necessitating some menu fiddling to get to grips with its settings. There’s only one card slot, and the LP-E17 battery is unusually small for a camera in this class, rated to just 220 shots (in practice you’ll probably get a few more, but you’ll still definitely want a spare). Also, be aware that there’s no in-body stabilisation, so you’ll be relying on the systems built into the lenses.
The Canon EOS R8 has been out for a little while now, and discounts are not uncommon. Currently you can get this mirrorless body for $1,299/ £1,499, which is pretty competitive in the crowded full-frame market, and makes it a compelling option for anyone looking to make the jump to a larger sensor format.
The EOS R8 works flawlessly with EF-mount SLR lenses – this was taken with the classic Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro. Canon EOS R8, Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/2000sec at f/2.8, ISO 100. Image credit: Andy Westlake
BEST ALL-ROUNDER
Best full-frame all-rounder: Canon EOS R6 Mark III
The Canon EOS R6 Mark III can turn its hand to many different types of photography. Photo credit: Andy Westlake
Amateur Photographer verdict
A seriously impressive jack of all trades, with a large, deep handgrip, extensive external controls and excellent image quality.
Pros
Fast burst mode and deep buffer
Highly capable autofocus
Excellent in low light
Records raw video internally at 7K resolution
Cons
Inevitable price bump over original R6
Lower ISO range than its predecessor
Specifications at a glance:
Sensor
32.5 MP full-frame sensor
Continuous shooting
12 fps (mechanical)40fps (electronic shutter)
Autofocus
Subject recognition AF
ISO
ISO 100-64,000 (standard) ISO 50-102,400 (expanded)
Image stabilisation
8.5 stops at centre, 7.5 at periphery
Video
7K 17:9 60p internal RAW, 4K 120p, 2K 180p
Viewfinder
3.69m-dot OLED, 120fps, 0.76x magnification
Screen
3in, 1.62m-dot fully articulated touchscreen
The original Canon EOS R6 was a big hit with a lot of users and reviewers, including us. It was a quieter launch than the Canon EOS R5, but arguably a more successful one, fielding a lower-resolution sensor for a more reasonable price tag. It was the quintessential full-frame all-rounder – and the EOS R6 Mark III very sensibly builds on that formula to deliver an even better jack-of-all-trades for enthusiast photographers and videographers.
The biggest addition is the new 35.2MP Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, which ups the resolution from a slightly stingy 20MP on the original, giving you more latitude to crop into your images without losing details and for making high-quality prints. This sensor is not a stacked type as with the sports-focused cameras like the EOS R1, so you don’t get those ultra-fast readout speeds. However, it is optimised to deliver exceptional low-light performance, with a standard ISO ceiling of 100-64,000, extendable to 50-102,400, which means the EOS R6 III can go on shooting and get useable images even in exceptionally poor light conditions, especially if you’re willing to put some time into post-processing. This is complemented by the highly capable autofocus system.
The EOS R6 Mark III does inherit one thing from the top-end sports cameras, however – that freakishly powerful subject-detect autofocus that can lock onto specific targets: everything from humans and animals to cars and trains. This provides real versatility to a photographer, allowing you to try your hand at different sorts of subjects and consistently come away with sharp, high-quality images.
In our review, we were particularly impressed by the video specs that get the most eye-catching boost from the Mark II predecessor. The R6 III can record raw video internally at 7K resolution and 60fps in 17:9 aspect ratio, or 30fps in Open Gate mode that capture the full sensor area. Alternatively, 4K can be shot at 120fps, and Full HD at 180fps, for slow-motion playback.
While you couldn’t call it a cheap camera, with a current starting price of $2799 / £2799 body-only, the EOS R6 Mark III definitely represents excellent value for how much functionality you get. I can safely say that the Canon EOS R6 Mark III is one of the best cameras for amateur and enthusiast photographers who want to capture all kinds of different subjects.
Cygnet, RF 45mm F1.2 at f/1.2. Image credit: Andy Westlake
BEST PROFESSIONAL CANON
Best professional Canon camera overall: Canon EOS R5 Mark II
Canon EOS R5 Mark II with RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens. Credit: Andy Westlake
Amateur Photographer verdict
The Canon EOS R5 Mark II stakes a strong claim to be the best professional high-resolution, high-speed all-rounder on the market. The addition of eye control focus elevates it from its rivals, too.
Pros
Excellent handling
Incredible subject detection AF
Eye Control Focus
Great image stabilization
Cons
Not compatible with some third-party LP-E6 batteries
Eye control may not work well for everyone
Pro-level price
Specifications at a glance:
Sensor
45MP stacked CMOS sensor
Continuous shooting
30 fps
Autofocus
Eye Control Focus
ISO
50-102,400 (extended)
Image stabilisation
8.5 stops
Video
8K 60fps internal raw recording
Viewfinder
5.76m-dot, 0.76x OLED
Screen
3.2inch, vari-angle, 2.1M-dot touchscreen
The R5 has been one of Canon’s best high-resolution full-frame mirrorless cameras. It boasted impressive specs but had some issues with overheating during high-res video recording. The EOS R5 II addressed this problem and further improved the video specs and overall performance of this otherwise stellar full-frame powerhouse.
The R5 II has the same megapixel count as its predecessor, but now it’s equipped with a new back-illuminated stacked-CMOS sensor, that is said to reduce rolling shutter by 60%. Rolling shutter is an undesirable effect caused when a subject (or the camera) moves during the short amount of time that the sensor is being read, resulting in it appearing distorted. This can make even the most high-quality video look cheap and amateurish, so it’s always welcome when manufacturers take steps to deal with it.
The EOS R5 II has also received a new DIGIC X processor, which powers many of its exciting new features, as well as delivering faster and more responsive operation. It inherits some tech from Canon’s high-end sports cameras, such as the impressive Eye Control Focus technology, previously seen in the EOS R3, which detects where you are looking in the viewfinder and then automatically focuses on the subject you’re looking at. Another new autofocus feature ‘Action Priority’ autofocus has ball tracking and recognises ‘action poses’ in football, basketball, and volleyball. It also registers up to ten faces that it will prioritise focusing on, and it even lets you arrange them in order of priority. All this is designed to make you a faster and more responsive photographer, able to keep up with demanding subjects and complex scenes.
Now, for the video specs. Canon made sure to bulk up in this area, fixing the overheating issue that plagued the original EOS R5 by adding an internal heat dissipation channel. If you plan to put it through even more demanding use, there is an additional cooling fan grip. The R5 II records internally in 8K 60fps using Canon’s proprietary SRAW format, delivering ultra-high resolution video with a great deal of latitude for post-processing. Another new feature is proxy recording where a low-resolution file can be simultaneously recorded to the second memory card, creating clips that can be quickly edited and shared ahead of the high-res stuff. There’s also a new dual still/video shooting function, in which it’s possible to record Full HD video to one memory card and still images to the other at the same time.
In our full review we found that “for any photographers still using 5D-series DSLRs, the EOS R5 Mark II is a massive step forward. Even for existing EOS R5 users, there’s plenty here to make it worth considering upgrading.” Of course, with starting price of $4,099 / £4500 body only, the Canon EOS R5 Mark II sits exclusively in the professional realm. If you don’t need all of its class-leading features – and most users don’t – you can afford to spend less and pick up one of the other options on our list.
The EOS R5 Mark II is also very quiet, so it won’t disturb your subjects. Photo credit: Andy Westlake
Canon EOS R5m2 · f/7.1 · 1/500s · 500mm · ISO1600
BEST FOR SPORTS
Best professional Canon camera for sports: Canon EOS R1
Canon EOS R1 with RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM. Image credit: Andy Westlake
Amateur Photographer verdict
A superb camera in its niche at the top-end of sports and action photography. Super-fast, built like a tank and very expensive, it’s one for the pros.
Pros
Robust build and excellent control setup
Superb viewfinder
Lightning fast shooting
Eye control focus
Works seamlessly with EF-mount SLR lenses
Cons
Eye-watering price
Large and heavy
Slightly compromised dynamic range
Specifications at a glance:
Sensor
24MP stacked CMOS full-frame sensor
Continuous shooting
40 fps with electronic shutter
Autofocus
Eye control focus
ISO
50-409,600 (extended)
Image stabilisation
8.5 stops
Video
6K 60p
Viewfinder
9.44m-dot OLED, 0.9x magnification
Screen
3.2in, 2.1m-dot fully articulated touchscreen
Designed for professional sports and action photography, the Canon EOS R1 is the firm’s first mirrorless model to sport its flagship “1-series” designation. Announced in mid-2024 alongside the 45MP EOS R5 Mark II, it can shoot 24MP stills at up to 40 frames per second, record 6K raw video at 60fps, and has a large body with an integrated vertical grip. In many ways, it can be seen as a fully pro-spec update to the Canon EOS R3 from 2021.
The EOS R1 employs a 24MP stacked-CMOS sensor, yet differs from the unit in the EOS R3. The big first difference is in its implementation of Canon’s dual-pixel CMOS AF, where every sensor pixel is split into two for phase detection autofocus. In Canon’s other cameras, each pixel is split into left/right pairs, but in the R1, alternate green pixels are split vertically instead. This enables cross-type focusing, which helps the R1 to focus in certain situations where other cameras might fail. What this means in simple terms is that the EOS R1 is a rugged, shot-getting machine. It practically sics itself onto subjects and keeps hold of them, allowing you to make use of that powerful burst mode to fire off reams of ultra-sharp images.
Some new autofocus features reflect the EOS R1’s particular specialisation for action and sports. The Action Priority mode, which initially works for football, basketball, and volleyball. It employs ball tracking and an understanding of certain ‘action poses’ to determine when to switch focus between the players. With soccer, for example, it’s designed to recognise and prioritise such things as ‘save by keeper’ and ‘sliding tackle’. We tested it out on a basketball game and were simply blown away by its ability to keep up with the action and produce exactly the shots we wanted, time and again.
At its top-tier price of $6,799 / £6,799 for just the body, however, this is a camera exclusively for professionals. This is the best Canon camera for sports and action – but if you’re not shooting sports and action for a living, you don’t need it.
The EOS R1’s Action Priority AF is designed for sports photographers. Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM. Image credit: Andy Westlake
How to choose the best Canon camera
Canon make mirrorless cameras, DSLRs, and compact cameras. Of these, the mirrorless camera is the most versatile, as well as the newest, and is what we’d recommend for most photographers and videographers. Picking a Canon mirrorless camera can be a daunting task, particularly if it’s your first. So let’s run through the key specs to consider when choosing the best Canon camera for you.
Sensor and resolution: Canon’s mirrorless cameras contain either a full-frame or an APS-C sensor. Essentially, full-frame tends to give better image quality in a range of situations, especially low light, while APS-C makes for an overall smaller system and can be beneficial for certain subjects such as wildlife. See our guide to full-frame versus APS-C for more on the key differences between the two. Resolution is also worth thinking about – it’s not necessarily true that more pixels are better. Whether you need a very high resolution likely comes down to the type of subjects that you photograph.
Screen and viewfinder: All of the cameras in our list include a rear screen, while most (but not all) include an electronic viewfinder too. Think about whether you would like an articulating or tilting screen (which can be handy for composing from awkward angles, as well as for video). For the viewfinder, pay attention to the resolution and size.
Image stabilisation: Canon’s first mirrorless cameras with in-body stabilisation arrived in 2020 – the EOS R5 and the EOS R6. Since then, the sports flagship EOS R3 has also included it, though you don’t get IBIS with Canon’s APS-C format cameras. Image stabilisation is not essential, since many Canon lenses have IS (Image stabilisation) built in too. But it is definitely beneficial for those who prefer to shoot handheld rather than on a tripod.
The EOS R7 was one of Canon’s first APS-C format cameras utilising the EOS RF mount. With the RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM fitted, the stabilisation benefit is up to 7-stop benefit while with the RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM this increases to 8-stops. Image credit Canon
Frame rate: For photographing fast-moving subjects like sports and wildlife, you need a camera with a fast frame rate. Some cameras in the EOS R and EOS M ranges give you up to 30fps (frames per second). This will be less important to you if you mainly shoot static or near-static subjects, such as landscapes or portraits.
Video: All the cameras on this list can record 4K video. Other video-related specifications to consider include whether a crop is applied to 4K, frame rates and special video modes.
Lens choices: Canon’s two mirrorless lines (R and M) use different lens mounts, and as such, the lenses between them are not interchangeable. Despite being much older, the EF-M lens range for the M series never really took off, there are just 8 available optics. By contrast, there are currently 30 native lenses for RF-mount, though only three are designed specifically for the smaller APS-C models.
If you choose a Canon camera with interchangeable lenses, then you’ll need to know about the Canon lens mount options
RF mount: this is used by all the latest Canon mirrorless cameras including both full frame and APS-C EOS R models. You can use the full-frame lenses on the smaller camera bodies too.
RF-S mount: this is the mount used by Canon’s new APS-C mirrorless cameras. Physically, it’s the same as the RF mount, but the smaller sensor size benefits from specially designed lenses which carry the ‘RF-S’ designation
EF-M mount: this is a mount used by Canon’s first-generation APS-C mirrorless cameras, the EOS M series. These cameras and lenses are now discontinued, but you can still find some bargains on the second-hand market.
EF mount: this is Canon’s DSLR mount. These lenses can also be used on its mirrorless cameras via an adapter.
EF-S mount: this is a special adaptation of the EF DSLR mount for Canon’s smaller APS-C DSLRs. You can use EF lenses on a camera with an EF-S mount, but not the other way round. You can also use EF-S lenses on a Canon mirrorless camera via an adapter.
You can use the best EF-mount zoom lenses made originally for Canon DSLRs, with either the M or the R mount cameras, via adapters. Take a look at our guide to DSLR vs mirrorless: which is best for more on the differences between the two types of camera.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Is Canon EOS M discontinued?
Yes. Canon no longer develops cameras or lenses for the EF-M mount, meaning the EOS M system is effectively dead – hence why we haven’t included it in this guide. You can still buy EOS M cameras and lenses on the second-hand market, and for what it’s worth, some of them are quite likeable cameras, like the nifty EOS M50 Mark II. But for all intents and purposes, the system is finished.
Is it better to buy a Canon mirrorless or a DSLR?
While the range of Canon DSLRs still includes some fantastic cameras, we haven’t seen a new Canon DSLR hit the market since 2020. This seems unlikely to change. Canon’s focus on developing its mirrorless range and the system’s obvious advantages are convincing more and more Canon DSLR users to switch to mirrorless. This means for most users, mirrorless is the better buy.
Which Canon mirrorless camera is best for wildlife photography?
While the objectively correct answer is a professional sports camera like the Canon EOS R1, practically this is not an option for most people. So, we’d say a camera offering a good balance of wildlife-friendly features is the Canon EOS R7, which is much more affordable and punches above its weight with impressive speeds. Plus, its APS-C sensor produces a crop that extends the effective focal length of your lenses.
Do professionals use Canon cameras?
Absolutely. Canon is one of the most popular brands among professional photographers and videographers, along with Nikon and Sony. Canon’s full-frame mirrorless and DSLR cameras are a common sight in the photography pits at pro sports events, and its cine cameras are in demand for professional film and TV productions.
Has the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS been discontinued?
Yes. Despite its high popularity, Canon officially discontinued the PowerShot SX740 HS zoom compact in 2025. If you’re looking for a similar zoom compact experience in a current camera, your best bet is the PowerShot G7 X Mark III, a hugely popular compact that Canon has kept in circulation. It only has a 4x zoom, which is a far cry from the SX740 HS’s 40x optic, but it offers similarly slim and pocketable dimensions.
What does ‘EOS’ mean in Canon cameras?
‘EOS’ (pronounced ‘e-os’) is short for ‘Electro Optical System’. Essentially, it’s a fancy term for a camera that has autofocus, dating back to a time when that wasn’t common; it originates with Canon’s EOS 650 film SLR, which was released in 1987. While Canon’s naming conventions have changed in various ways over the years, the ‘EOS’ moniker has endured, and modern ‘R’ series mirrorless cameras still bear the EOS name. It is exclusively reserved for interchangeable-lens cameras, with Canon designating its compacts as ‘PowerShot’.
What is the cheapest Canon mirrorless camera?
Talking purely in terms of new cameras, the cheapest Canon mirrorless camera you can buy in 2026 is currently the Canon EOS R100. Eagle-eyed readers may notice that the EOS R100 has not been included on our list – this is because while it’s a decent enough camera, our reviewer felt it was too limited, with too many corners cut, to really be worth the asking price. The EOS R50 or EOS R10 can be picked up for not much more money, and both offer much greater value.
How we test Canon mirrorless cameras
We test Canon cameras by putting them through a wide range of real-world shooting scenarios, from street and travel photography to sports, landscapes, and video. We use each model over several weeks to gain a true sense of its usability and performance in a variety of conditions you will encounter as a photographer. Our assessment begins with handling, design, and controls, paying close attention to ergonomics, the viewfinder, and the rear screen.
We also consider special features, such as Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF, or touchscreen functionality, and how user-friendly menus are. On some models, like the beginner-focused Canon EOS R50 we also look at guided interfaces and creative assist features. Autofocus is tested alongside continuous shooting speed and buffer performance across a variety of subjects, from static scenes to fast-moving action. However, when a camera is designed for a specific purpose, such as the EOS-1D X series, built for high-speed sports and wildlife photography, we test it extensively in fast-action scenarios to see how well it locks on and tracks subjects as well as evaluating burst performance.
Most Canon cameras on this list feature In-body image stabilisation (IBIS). We evaluated its effectiveness in handheld stills as well as video, particularly how well it fares in low-light and at longer focal lengths. Finally, we critically assess image quality in both JPEG and raw formats, focusing on resolution, high-ISO noise, and dynamic range. All of these factors — combined with considerations like value for money and lens ecosystem – are used to form our final verdict and score. You’ll find the full breakdown of how each Canon camera has performed in our full reviews.
Recent updates
February 2026: Reordered listings to prioritise affordable and beginner-friendly cameras first, placing higher-end and specialised cameras towards the end.
January 2026: Updated listings with the latest prices for 2026, and expanded FAQs to answer more of the most common questions around Canon cameras.
November 2025: Canon EOS R6 Mark II replaced by Mark III model as the best Canon all-rounder.
October 2025: Canon EOS R5 and R6 removed as these models are no longer available new. ‘How we test’ section expanded.
Text by Amy Davies, with contributions from Jon Stapley.
Amy is a highly experienced photography and technology journalist who has been working on AP since 2018, having been working in the industry since 2009. She is a graduate of the magazine journalism course at Cardiff University and has written for a wide range of publications and websites. As Features Editor, she is responsible for commissioning an eclectic mix of features connected to general photography, along with interviews. She is also a very experienced reviewer of cameras and associated technology, with her reviews featured on multiple sites including TechRadar, Digital Camera World, Trusted Reviews, ePhotozine, Stuff, Expert Reviews, T3, Photography Blog and more. She is also an expert on smartphone photography and smartphones generally.
