Canon film camera list. Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Canon digital SLR cameras fall squarely into 4 groups: consumer, semi-professional, professional and über-professional.
As you jump to the next level of cameras, the price jumps accordingly.
With the jump in price, you also get a lot more features that the pros expect but can be overwhelming to beginners and even intermediate photographers. It makes no sense to pay for a slew of features that you’ll never use.
With a clear budget in mind (and a sense of your skills as a photographer), you’ll substantially limit the number of Canon digital SLR cameras you have to compare.
A Brief History of the Canon Digital SLR
The first Canon digital SLR was the D30, released in 2000. It was a 3.1 megapixel camera that had its quirks but produced fantastic photos.
The biggest issue with the D30 was its low megapixel count, which meant that print sizes were limited. Canon addressed this with the D60. This Canon digital SLR was very similar to the D30, but it featured 6.3 megapixels for larger prints.
These cameras could capture high-quality images but wow were they expensive.
These first-generation Canon digital SLR cameras cost between 2,000 to 3,000 for the camera body only. The technology was so new and advanced that you just couldn’t find one for anything less than that.
Enter the Canon digital Rebel. The Canon EOS Digital Rebel (also called the 300D) was the first digital SLR camera to be offered for less than 1,000.
Canon used the same body style as their popular line of Rebel film cameras, and gave it a digital interior. It was a huge breakthrough, and made the digital SLR accessible to many more photographers.
Canon Digital SLR Cameras Today
There’s no denying it: Canon’s digital SLR cameras are immensely popular.
Canon is a definite leader when it comes to the digital SLR camera market, and each new model they release always generates a lot of buzz in the professional reviews and user forums.
Canon’s dominance in the digital SLR market started with the EOS Digital Rebel, and Canon continues to upgrade their line of digital Rebel cameras.
Today, the Rebel legacy includes the Rebel XT (350D), Rebel xTi (400D), Rebel XSi (450D), Rebel T1i (500D), Rebel T2i (550D), Rebel T3i (600D), Rebel T4i (650D), Rebel T5i (700D), Rebel XS (1000D), the Rebel T3 (1100D) and the Rebel SL1 (100D).
Canon 700D T5i
Price With Lens: 900 USD
Release Date: April 2013
QUICK OVERVIEW: 18 megapixels, touch-screen LCD, flexible LCD and a wide ISO range.
The second Canon Rebel to feature a touch-sensitive LCD screen, the T5i is remarkably unchanged from the T4i. The camera does feature some minor cosmetic improvements, but in the end it is really a T4i with a new number. New camera buyers certainly can consider the T5i, but there is little reason for existing Canon SLR owners to upgrade, especially if they weren’t already tempted by the features on the T4i.
Canon 100D SL1
Price With Lens: 800 USD
Release Date: April 2013
QUICK OVERVIEW: 18 megapixels, small and light, 3 inch fixed LCD screen.
The claim to fame for the Canon 100D SL1 is that it’s the smallest and lightest DSLR you can get your hands on. Weighing in at under a pound (407 g) without a lens, the SL1 aims to be the SLR that you CAN carry with you at all times. The SL1 is available with a new 18-55mm EF-S IS STM lens, where the STM refers to the near-silent focusing motor inside the lens. If you’re looking for a touch-screen LCD, it’s not on this camera. Instead, seek out the Canon 700D T5i or the 650D T4i instead.
Canon 6D
Price With Lens: 2,400 USD
Release Date: December 2012
QUICK OVERVIEW: Full frame, 20 megapixels, built-in Wi-Fi, GPS, huge ISO range, Full HD 1080p video.
The full frame sensor inside the Canon 6D allows it to have a huge ISO range: from 50 all the way up to 102400. The camera can minimize noise even at high ISO values, which allows photographers to shoot in very low-light conditions. In addition, the 11-point autofocus is capable of locking onto subjects even when available light is dim. The 6D can capture professional-looking video in addition to high-quality stills. Built-in wireless allows you to connect the 6D to a smartphone or tablet, and built-in GPS captures location information for every photo you take.
Canon Rebel 650D T4i
Price With Lens: 750 USD
Release Date: June 2012
QUICK OVERVIEW: 18 megapixels, touch-screen LCD, flexible LCD and a wide ISO range.
The Rebel T4i 650D improves upon its predecessors in two very notable ways: this is the first Canon Rebel with a touch-screen LCD, allowing you to set autofocus points, take pictures and change camera settings with the tap (or swipe) of a finger. Second, the T4i has improved autofocus in movie mode. with other digital Rebels, it’s actually easier to use manual FOCUS when shooting video. The T4i retains the flexible LCD screen introduced with the Canon Rebel 600D T3i.
Canon Rebel 1100D T3
Price With Lens: 450 USD
Release Date: March 2011
QUICK OVERVIEW: 12.2 megapixels, dust control, live view LCD, basic HD movie mode.
Basic and beginner are the two words that leap to mind to describe the Rebel T3 1100D. Canon has kept the feature set on this camera limited in order to keep the price down, but this camera can still out-perform many compact digital cameras. It even includes an HD movie mode, if you want to use the camera for both stills and video.
Canon Rebel 600D T3i
Price With Lens: 650 USD
Release Date: March 2011
QUICK OVERVIEW: 18 megapixels, flexible LCD, HD movie mode and creative filters.
The sequel to the Rebel T2i 550D adds on Canon’s new favorite feature: a 3 inch LCD screen that flips out from the camera body and rotates. The T3i also has creative filters that can be applied to any image you take, a new Basic mode to take better shots in full AUTO mode and the ability to capture images in different aspect ratios (including 3:2, 4:3, 16:9 and 1:1). And yes, it’s still got the HD video mode (now with manual exposure and audio level control) available on the previous Canon Rebel.
Canon 60D
Price With Lens: 1,100 USD
Release Date: September 2010
QUICK OVERVIEW: 18 megapixels, Full HD 1080p video, flexible LCD screen, wide ISO range.
The Canon EOS 60D really is a do-it-all sort of a camera. Action photographers will take advantage of the 5.3 photo-per-second speed and 9-point autofocus while portrait photographers can leverage the live view mode to maintain eye contact with their subjects. Photographers of all types will get to use Canon’s first flexible LCD screen on a DSLR: the 3-inch screen flips out from the camera body and rotates in all directions. This flexible LCD can all be used to capture Full High Definition 1080p movies — hard-core videographers can add an optional external microphone for improved audio quality.
Discontinued Canon Digital SLRs
The technology of today would not be possible without all the development and research that has come before.
The cameras listed below can no longer be purchased new, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t great cameras. they are just the elderly grandparents of the cameras above.
If you decide that there are some modern features that you could do without, then see if you can grab one of these older cameras form someone upgrading to the latest and greatest.
List of Canon Camera Types and Names (Easily Explained in 2023!)
If you look at a list of Canon cameras or the type of Canon cameras out there, naming conventions can be confusing. Some have different names in different parts of the world. And a higher number sometimes means better and sometimes worse!
So let’s try and simplify things. First, our article is only about full frame and APS-C models currently in production in the EOS range. We don’t include Canon PowerShot or rangefinder cameras.
EOS stands for Electro-Optical System, and all EOS bodies are now Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) or mirrorless cameras. Within this, you get entry-level, mid-level, and pro bodies. But there are more than three series of cameras!
Type of Canon Cameras: DSLR and Mirrorless Ranges
Within the DSLR line-up, there are four ranges:
- Canon EOS XD cameras are generally (but not always) pro-level models with full frame sensors, like the 6D.
- Canon EOS XXD cameras are mid-level models with APS-C sensors, like the 90D.
- Canon EOS XXXD cameras are entry-level models with APS-C sensors, like the 850D( Rebel T8i).
- Canon EOS XXXXD cameras are entry-level models with APS-C sensors, like the 4000D (Rebel T100).
Note that Canon EOS XXXD and XXXXD models are called “Rebel” in the US and “Kiss” in Asia.
There are four ranges of Canon mirrorless cameras:
- Canon EOS RX cameras are generally (but not always) full frame models with lower numbers or a letter. It’s intended for pros or enthusiasts. Examples are the RP and the R3.
- Canon EOS RXX cameras are entry-level APS-C models, like the R10.
- Canon EOS MX cameras are entry-level APS-C models, like the M5.
- Canon EOS MXX cameras are entry-level APS-C models, like the M50.
The “R” is the initial letter of the first word in Canon’s development concept for the range (Reimagine Optical Excellence).
The “M” stands for Mobility. The “X” is usually a number. But it’s a letter in the Canon RP. The “P” stands for Popular, meaning for everyone.
How Canon Model Numbers Work
All Canon DSLR and mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras have the prefix EOS in their names. Beyond that, it gets complicated. Here’s our cut-out-and-keep guide to all the Canon naming conventions. And all the exceptions!
Canon DSLR Cameras
All the DSLRs in the Canon range have the letter “D” in the name. And the full frame models all have single digits.
Now that the crop-sensor 7D Mark II has been discontinued, all the single-digit models are full frame. The higher the number, the lower the specification. The flagship product is the Canon EOS 1D X Mark III.
Canon’s flagship DSLR. A top-of-the-line professional camera. It offers unparalleled speed, performance, and image quality.
History of Canon Camera | Largest Camera Manufacturer of The World | Canonflex
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Canon’s entry-level and mid-level cameras all have APS-C size sensors. These are in the Canon EOS XXD, XXXD, and XXXXD ranges. As the number of digits goes up, the level of sophistication goes down.
But a higher number now means a higher spec within each range. That means a 90D beats a 77D. But a 77D beats an 850D (Rebel T8i). Crazy, right?
Like Nikon, Canon is gradually replacing DSLRs with mirrorless models. That means there won’t be any more DSLR cameras or lenses introduced in the future unless something dramatic happens.
EOS XD Model Names
In the one-digit Canon EOS XD range, models are ranked by performance and image quality. The lowest number is the best, and the higher numbers are less advanced.
Updates between major model releases are given a different “Mark” with the next number in the sequence. That means the EOS 1D X Mark III is the third and most recent version of the basic design of the EOS 1D X.
The “X” represents the crossover” between two product lines—the 1D and the old 1Ds lines. The “X” also means “extreme.” And it’s the Roman numeral for the 10th generation of Canon pro cameras. (This line started with the F1 of the ’70s.)
The EOS 6D is an entry-level body with a full frame sensor. That means it’s the only model in the XD range with Scene modes that beginners might use, such as Portrait, Landscape, and Macro.
The other cameras are suitable for enthusiasts or professionals. Although they don’t provide high resolution, they have Rapid FOCUS and high frame rates for wildlife and sports.
The EOS 1D X Mark II boasts a continuous shooting speed of 14 fps (frames per second). This is pretty decent for a DSLR. It also offers fast, accurate focusing because of the high number of focusing points and Dual Pixel AF.
The EOS 5D Mark IV and 6D Mark II are smaller without an integrated grip. And they’re less expensive, but still not suitable for beginners. For a start, they need too much hands-on experience to make the most of the AF systems.
EOS XXD Model Names
Canon mid-level cameras all have two numbers plus the letter “D” in their names. The only ones still in production are the Canon EOS 77D and the Canon EOS 90D.
Mid-level cameras provide a few pro features. These include the LCD on the top plate, extra dedicated buttons to avoid navigating menus, and an extra rear control dial. But they still have entry-level options like Scene modes.
In the Canon EOS XXD range, the numbers go in the opposite direction to the Canon EOS XD range. The higher the model number, the better and newer the camera. For example, the Canon EOS 90D is more advanced than the Canon EOS 77D.
Netflix approved: Canon Cinema EOS cameras
With the Canon EOS R5 C now on the list of Netflix approved cameras, we look at what that means for filmmakers and speak to DoP Patrick Smith about using Canon Cinema EOS cameras to shoot original productions for the global content platform.
The Canon EOS R5 C is the smallest Netflix approved Canon camera, but it offers the same professional filmmaking features you’ll find in larger, modular bodies – including full-frame, 4K XF-AVC 4:2:2 10-bit recording, wide dynamic range and even support for anamorphic lenses.
Netflix has been a pioneer in standardising high-fidelity 4K HDR content for home entertainment, and its strict guidelines for evaluating camera technology and workflow pipelines have ensured that Netflix Original content consistently produces outstanding image and sound quality. Approved cameras must have been used for at least 90% of the final cut’s runtime – although there can be more flexibility when it comes to non-fiction.
Netflix has now added the Canon EOS R5 C to its list of approved cameras, meaning that filmmakers in any genre, from documentary and drama to reality TV, are now able to use Canon’s smallest full-frame Cinema EOS body as their primary camera or B-cam for Netflix Original productions.
The EOS R5 C can be used alongside the full-frame Canon EOS C500 Mark II, which gained Netflix approval shortly after its release, or the EOS C300 Mark III and EOS C70 – two filmmaking powerhouses which share the same DGO sensor technology and are also on the Netflix approved list.
Receiving the Netflix stamp of approval for all these Cinema EOS cameras is a result of Canon’s continuous pursuit of developing cutting-edge image technology without compromises, regardless of whether it’s for entry level or high end, says Canon Europe Product Specialist Aron Randhawa.
The EOS R5 C continues to be refined as a filmmaking tool via firmware updates. Recent additions have included improved Subject Tracking autofocus, a Digital Teleconverter function for up to 3x magnification, and expanded lens support – each of which offers new levels of flexibility to Netflix Original productions.
What’s really exciting about the EOS R5 C being added to the Netflix approved camera list is the amount of flexibility that it can provide to the filmmaking industry thanks to its high specification and its incredibly small form factor, adds Aron. This should really open the doors for filmmakers to explore shooting in much tighter spaces, and moving the camera in ways that they may not have thought about before while still remaining on a reasonable budget.
The EOS R5 C is just the latest Cinema EOS camera to satisfy the stringent Netflix requirements. Many of our previous generation cameras were also approved for Netflix Originals, including the Canon EOS C300 Mark II, EOS C700 and EOS C700 FF, says Aron. Netflix Originals shot on these cameras include the Academy Award-winning documentary Icarus (2019), feature film Our Souls at Night (2017), and Emmy-nominated series Grace and Frankie (2015).
This gives filmmakers an extensive choice of Canon Cinema Solutions, allowing them to combine different cameras while maintaining a consistent image quality, Aron concludes.
So what exactly are the camera requirements for Netflix Originals? Here, we explore why the EOS C500 Mark II, EOS C300 Mark III, EOS C70 and EOS R5 C made the cut, while DoP Patrick Smith, whose credits include Tell Me Who I Am (2019) and Captive (2016), explains how he’s been using Canon Cinema EOS cameras to shoot a variety of Netflix documentary projects.
The DGO Super 35mm 4K CMOS sensor and improved 16 stops of dynamic range are just two of the key features filmmakers will find in the Canon EOS C300 Mark III.
There are a lot of cameras that can record 4K 4:2:2 10-bit but those specs alone don’t really explain the image that’s being produced by that camera, says Aron. Netflix has taken the time to evaluate and approve the file system, the colour and the dynamic range of Cinema EOS cameras.
Demanding capture requirements
The minimum technical specification for a Netflix approved camera is a true 4K UHD sensor, a benchmark the Canon EOS C500 Mark II more than meets thanks to its Canon-developed 5.9K full-frame CMOS sensor, while the EOS C300 Mark III, the EOS R5 C and the EOS C70 can shoot Full 4K up to an impressive 120p. However, there are a host of other capture and camera requirements.
Netflix is one of the leading providers of High Dynamic Range (HDR) content, so the ability to deliver an appropriate file for post-production in HDR is important. The EOS R5 C delivers extended dynamic range with Canon Log 3 when recording in Canon’s 4:2:2 10-bit XF-AVC format. Thanks to the groundbreaking Super 35mm DGO sensor, the EOS C300 Mark III and EOS C70 have a dynamic range of 16 stops, while the full-frame EOS C500 Mark II is 15 stops. The EOS R5 C, EOS C70, EOS C500 Mark II and EOS C300 Mark III also have the option of recording in either Cinema RAW Light or XF-AVC format, producing footage that can be successfully put through an HDR workflow, be that in PQ or HLG.
Other capture requirements specified by Netflix include a minimum data rate of 240Mbps at 23.98fps and a minimum of 10-bit colour processing. The Canon EOS R5 C, EOS C500 Mark II and EOS C300 Mark III all hit 810Mbps when shooting XF-AVC, while the EOS C70 delivers 600Mbps. Shooting in Cinema RAW Light, the EOS C500 Mark II and EOS C300 Mark III can achieve 2.1Gbps and 1Gbps respectively at full-resolution 25p, and both also offer 10-bit or 12-bit processing, depending on whether you’re shooting at 25p or 50p.
Often, camera specs alone cannot illustrate the true substance and detail of an image produced by a professional cinema camera, Aron adds. So it’s gratifying to hear from Netflix that it has approved the use of Canon Cinema EOS cameras for its productions when evaluating these intricate details of our camera designs.
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DoP Patrick Smith has shot three productions for Netflix with the Canon EOS C500 Mark II, including a documentary, The Surgeon’s Cut, following the world’s leading surgeons. © Patrick Smith
A BBC Studios first for Netflix
Patrick has shot numerous productions for Netflix with the Canon EOS C500 Mark II including scientific four-parter The Surgeon’s Cut. BBC Studios’ first commission for the prodigious streaming service required a camera that would deliver high-quality images in a high-pressure environment.
My episode was about a brain surgeon, so we were filming awake craniotomies – an extraordinary thing to witness, explains Patrick. The EOS C500 Mark II offered so many brilliant advantages over some of the other available cameras: the full-frame sensor, its compact size, its compatibility with a range of smaller lenses and the Image Stabilisation (IS).
We were asked not to use tripods while filming the surgery, but the in-built IS meant I could keep my distance – from the surgeon and the patient – and hold the frame with complete stability.
Patrick shoots about 50% of his footage handheld and likes to introduce subtle movement. I often rock slightly from left to right. This gives the image a fluidity – and also stops my body from seizing up! I was really pleased to find that the Electronic IS wasn’t too aggressive – it allowed me to keep some lateral movement in the frame but lose some of that high-frequency vibration.
What’s the best kit for filmmaking?
When you’re shooting video, the cameras and lenses have to fit the outlay you have available. Here, we lay out top options for filmmakers on lower, mid-range and higher budgets.
We used the Canon EOS C500 Mark II mounted to a gimbal to follow our subjects through the hospital, explains Patrick. Most of the time I was working handheld, but this setup was used for some of the more stylised shots. © Patrick Smith
Alberto Allica, producer on The Surgeon’s Cut. It was an HDR grade production, explains Patrick. I sent some Canon EOS C500 Mark II tests to the post-production house. They said, if shot well and carefully, they could create high-quality HDR images from 4:2:2 10-bit XF-AVC footage. © Patrick Smith
An adaptable filming companion
The light weight of the camera and its compact, modular format proved advantageous when following medical staff around the hospital. I needed to be able to keep up in those dynamic, fast-moving, reactive environments and the Canon EOS C500 Mark II was the right tool to have, he says.
I love the modularity of the camera. I’m constantly changing the setup, either for the application or as the way I work evolves. I often need a range of additions: wireless video link, follow-FOCUS control, matte box, onboard monitor, radio mic support and sound equipment. You find different ways to power them, different ways to balance them – and that’s part of the enjoyment of filming with the Canon EOS C500 Mark II and the EOS C300 Mark III.
On this particular project, Patrick mainly used Canon’s EF Prime lenses, but the Canon EOS C500 Mark II’s support for the interchangeable lens mount meant he could also switch from EF to PL and use Canon’s Sumire Prime lenses.
The lenses are amazing – light, small and sharp, he says. I’ve been using them for 10 years now, so focusing manually is instinctive. They’re short throw, so pulling FOCUS from infinity to 1.5m is only 10 degrees or so, whereas on a film lens that would be a much larger rotation. With film lenses I need a follow FOCUS system or assistance to get it right, but with the stills lenses I can rack FOCUS very quickly myself, just as accurately.
The Canon EOS C500 Mark II provides support for optional interchangeable EF or PL lens mounts, so as well as the huge range of Canon EF prime lenses, you can also use Canon’s full-frame Sumire Prime lenses.
Using primes rather than zooms helps maintain the visual palette. I wanted to keep things looking as filmic as I could on the full-frame chip, says Patrick. I’m now shooting nearly everything for Netflix in 2.35:1, which is such a cinematic aspect ratio. You have to ask permission to shoot anything wider than 2:1, but if you can justify it, they’ll go with it.
Being able to apply a customised aspect marker on the image is one of the camera’s most useful features. It makes a massive difference when you’re shooting in this Netflix world, where 2:1 as a minimum aspect ratio is something you really want to be able to see rather than just guess.
Despite its compact design, the Canon EOS R5 C is equipped with a range of professional I/O options, including dedicated terminals for timecode in/out, micro-HDMI output, a USB-C terminal and XLR input available via the optional TASCAM CA-XLR2d-C accessory.
Perfect A/B camera setup
With the EOS C300 Mark III now added to his kit and approved by Netflix, Patrick has the perfect multi-camera setup, using a combination of the EOS C500 Mark II and EOS C300 Mark III for much of his work. It’s the perfect setup because they both shoot the same codec. They shoot to the same colour science. They have the same form factor. Everything just works really seamlessly across both of them, he says. I can just stop and swap to suit the individual camera’s strength. With the EOS C500 Mark II, I tend use on the wider frame because it’s got a larger chip, delivering a narrow depth of field for that particular type of shot. The EOS C300 Mark III, I tend to use for close-up shots, while being able to shoot at 120p in 4K is extremely useful. The two cameras complement each other beautifully.
Patrick believes the Netflix approved EOS C70 will also be of great use to him when working on documentary film productions. The small form factor and versatility of the EOS C70 makes it an ideal second camera for high-end documentary work, he says. Whether it’s rigged to cars, being run around on a gimbal or even as an extra angle on an interview, it has a real place on my core kit list.
The addition of the more compact EOS R5 C to the Netflix approved Canon cameras list offers filmmakers like Patrick even more creative options. It can really fit into any type of story being told, regardless of whether it’s a high-budget cinematic piece, a TV drama or a documentary, explains Aron.
The camera is equipped with an active cooling fan that enables long duration recording, while a tough yet lightweight magnesium alloy body ensures durability and versatility. It’s a multipurpose camera that can adapt to any type of storytelling, Aron continues. Being so powerful and compact really does make it an exciting prospect for professional filmmakers.
The EOS R5 C’s small size makes it a natural fit as a B-cam – but it could just as easily be an A-cam for productions that have no need for a more modular type of camera, such as the EOS C500 Mark II. It’s also the most affordable Netflix approved camera in Canon’s range, making it a great option for smaller budgets.
You won’t be making compromises when it comes to the image quality, says Aron. So regardless of whether it’s your A-cam or your B-cam, you can be certain that you’re using a camera that is amongst the best in the industry.
What is the Best Canon Camera?
The Canon EOS R mirrorless camera is a great value
Let’s be honest The best Canon camera for you will be different than the best one for me. This post will help you decide on the best format for your new Canon and has links to the different choices you have for choosing.
But let’s dive in for a quick answer to your question on which Canon is the best camera for you.
Size and price are the two biggest factors that people consider first. Generally the bigger you go the more you spend. Size and cost are important for sure, but you also need to take a realistic look at how you want to use your camera right now as well as what you want to photograph in the future.
BEST Canon CAMERA FOR BEGINNERS
This is such a ridiculous large amount of camera gear for the price that if I didn’t already have 3 Canon DSLR bodie I’d buy it myself. The t series of Canon cameras have been their most successful for sure with beginning photographers.
You get a little more if you get a t6i, but it’s hard to justify the big price jump to get a t6i rather than a t6. The evolution of the Canon t series from one version to the next has not been earth shattering, but give Canon credit for continuously improving this series of very popular DSLR camera bodies.
Now that that we’re up to the t7 cameras, the Canon t6 has become a great value.
The only shortcoming you have in the Canon Rebel t6 is its lackluster performance as a fast action sports camera. It only shoots at 3 frames per second. I shot the US tennis open about 10 year ago with a camera that only shot 3 fps and I got some great shots, but if you shoot a lot of fast paced sports you’ll want more speed.
Here’s a new guest post on what you should consider if you’re a beginner when choosing your first Canon camera.
BEST Canon FOR TRAVELERS
Travel cameras are all about size, weight, and versatility. Mirrorless cameras make the most sense. The first few versions of Canon mirrorless cameras were really lame. They really did suck.
Enter the M5, M6, and M100 and you’ve got three great candidates for good traveling cameras from Canon. The M100 has a great sensor, but I personally like more dial controls on top of my cameras. They give me more of an experience of using a real camera.
If you looking to start with an affordable full frame Canon, consider the EOS R. Here’s a helpful article on a good travel camera.
The M5 is the best of the 3 Canon mirrorless offering reviewed here, but the price tag is simply too high for many shoppers.
BEST ENTHUSIAST CAMERA
The best Canon camera for photography enthusiasts has quality and versatility as the top top requirements. Technology has advanced so much that there’s no reason for you to tolerate mid-level performance. The Canon 80D will give you top performance.
You want a camera that has outstanding image quality, versatility and expandability. A Canon DSLR is your only choice. Although the mirrorless cameras are coming along nicely, you want the large selection of lenses and accessories that come along with a DSLR
The 80D’s dual pixel focusing system, the Digic 6 processor, the 24 MP sensor, and the Vari-angle touch LCD screen makes this camera outperform the expensive top professional DSLRs of only a few years ago.
BEST Canon FOR SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Action, wildlife and sports photography requires your camera ro have fast focusing and fast frame rates. You can either spend top dollar for a true professional camera like the full frame Canon 1D X Mark II or go with a smaller APS-C sensor Canon like 7D Mark II the where it’s easier to get frame rates up higher.
I love my APS-C crop 90D camera for shooting sports.
The Canon 1D X Mark II can shoot at a blistering 14 fps and the 7d Mark II can shoot at a speedy 10 fps. The 1D X Mark II costs about 4 times more than the 7D Mark II.
Both of these cameras excel at fast accurate focusing because of the number of focusing points and the dual pixel technology. What about the Canon 70D as a solid sports camera? It’s a little dated, but very affordable nowadays.
Canon Camera Buyers Guide 2022 500-5000 | THE BEST & Worst Canon Cameras for Every Budget
Here’s another post on options for a good Canon sports camera. It’s in response to a reader asking about photographing gymnastics and basketball. Here’s the link.
Just as important with wildlife, sports and action photography is having a fast lens that lets lots of light into your camera so that you can use super fast shutter speeds. With most of the situations you’ll encounter your lens has to have a lot of magnifying reach for distant subjects.
BEST Canon CAMERA FOR PROFESSIONALS
The Canon EOS-1D X Mark II comes to mind at first, but surprisingly I’m not going to recommend it. Yes, you read that right. The Canon 5D Mark IV is about 22000 cheaper and is smaller and easier to handle.
I know the expanded grip is the ultimate proof that you’re a shooting pro, but the performance of the 5D Mark IV and even the 6D Mark II for even less money are also superb.
In this time of constantly improving technology, you’ll never recoup the extra 2,000 or more to get one of the 1Dx cameras.
It’s true that the 6D Mark II only has a 20 Mp sensor, but remember the megapixel myth. The full size sensor in the 6D Mark II gives you outstanding image quality.
Canon CAMERA REVIEWS
Confused On Which Canon Camera You Should?
There are hundreds of them, but which is the best Canon camera? Consider which camera format is going to be the best one first.
Want a Point and Shoot? Here are some thoughts on the Best Canon Point and Shoot Camera. How about the best Canon dslr? A premium compact like the Canon g12, Canon g15 or G1X?
Canon is one of the biggest manufacturers of cameras and optics on the planet and you shouldn’t just look at the most recently released. You can get great deals on last year’s model once it has replaced by the newest Canon mode in the same category.
Comparing digital cameras just from Canon can get confusing, let alone looking at all camera makers to find out which is the best digital camera. Not sure where to start looking for the best Canon digital cameras?
For some digital camera shoppers, the technical specifications and the scientific test results are what they use to compare cameras.
I don’t have the time, the testing equipment or the proper intellect to perform calibrated tests for color accuracy. Some Canon camera users just want to buy the latest and greatest new camera release as soon as it comes out regardless of price.
The three main categories of Canon cameras to consider are the point and shoot, the compact and the DSLR. Point and Shoot cameras include the Canon Powershot and the Canon Elf Cameras. (The Canon Elf is a commonly misspelled term. It is actually Canon Elph).
The two most important considerations for most camera buyers are price and features. I add size as an important third factor if deciding what camera to buy. Price is usually the first thing people FOCUS on when choosing a camera. This is unfortunate because I often hear people complain about their camera and the way it works.
Don’t get me wrong. Price is very important. I always look at price. We are not as rich as ‘s Mark Zuckerberg or Amazon’s Jeff Bezos. It’s just my opinion to ignore price comparisons when you are first looking to pick your best camera choice. The Canon Powershot cameras are the best Canon cameras for beginners. They are very affordable and are big sellers for Canon for many reasons.
The Canon g series fall in between these other two groups in size, features and price level. Both the Canon g11, the Canon g12, the Canon g15 and the Canon g1X are called premium compact cameras.
These medium-sized camera can almost fit in the palm of your hand, your purse or a large The Canon T series are full-featured DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are extremely affordable, based on the features and quality.
The Canon T3 still has one of the best demands for buying because of it’s price/quality ratio. The Canon Rebel T3i is a step up in quality, and features over the T3. The Canon 4ti is a commonly researched camera, but the correct spelling is Canon T4i.
The Canon 5d Mark iii, of course, is my personal favorite at this time when I write this article because it’s my most recent and most expensive Canon Camera I’ve owned to date. They are all part of the Rebel line of cameras that Canon makes and there are an infinite number of Canon Rebel Accessories available.Canon had some great cameras before digital photography technology advanced in the 1990s and gained so much popularity in the 2000s.
Canon has been making cameras since 1935 The Hansa Canon was the standard and used a (Can you believe), Nikkor 50mm f/3.5 lens-Nikon is now Canon’s biggest rival, but the Canon vs. Nikon argument is for another day.
Canon finally appeared on the consumer digital camera scene with the PowerShot line of cameras starting in 1996 and has progressed rapidly to become one of the leaders in digital cameras. My opinions on the best Canon digital cameras are based on my personal preferences and shooting style. Yours will be quite different, based on the type of photography you do, your experience as a photographer, as well as the Canon camera reviews you read.
It’s my hope that this web site gives you some insight on making a good decision and having a blast with your newly acquired equipment. Whether you are shopping for the best Canon camera, lenses, a Speedlite or other accessories. make it a fun process!
Best Canon Camera Deals
Mamiya 645
The best Canon camera deals can sometimes come from where you least expect it.
I started my portrait photography business in 1992 by buying used medium format cameras and related accessories form sellers on ebay. It was a little risky buying equipment that way, but I was just starting a portrait photography business and getting the cheapest price was the only option.
You can mix in some buying used equipment from a local used camera equipment retailer but they’re almost all out of business now. the brick and mortar camera stores have all gone belly up.
After a trade show in New York City, I visited BH Photo and Video in Manhattan and I was like a kid in a candy store.
I got on the BH mailing list and received their massive equipment catalogs for many years. Catalog shopping was both simple and fun.
The only think that was inconvenient was that they often required a signature for delivery of many of the photography items I ordered. Times have certainly changed. It was before on-line shopping exploded. Now my best deals on Canon cameras and accessories comes from Amazon.
I signed up for Amazon Prime. But here is my disclaimer. The on Amazon are always very good, but they are not always the absolute, bottom, very lowest price. Pretty close, but not the absolute cheapest every time.
It’s my favorite place to buy my camera equipment as well as a lot of other regular house hold products as well for several reasons:
- The return policy is outstanding for any product that doesn’t meet your expectations.
- The delivery time is ridiculously fast. Sometimes I order in the morning and my order arrives the next day.
- I can study the reviews and opinions of the product written by lots of other buyers.
- Free two-day shipping on most items because I enrolled in Amazon Prime
If you are strictly looking for the cheapest price on Canon cameras and accessories, there are sites like Pricegrabber.com that search for from various online digital camera retailers.
Best Canon Camera Format
The video below does a comparison of different digital camera formats to help you determine what the best Canon camera is for you.
(Go back to the top of the page.)
The video was shot with my Canon 5D Mark III which does HD video. The grip on this camera has such a great feel to it. I’ve purchased many cameras over the last 35 years and I was perhaps more excited about buying this camera than any other.
Bruce Lovelace is the publisher of Canon Camera Geek. Read more about him on the About Page. He also publishes how to articles and camera gear reviews at the Photography Tips website.
View some of Bruce’s photos on Instagram and Flickr Join the tribe of followers on YouTube Bruce also runs photo workshops and provides 1 on 1 digital photography coaching.
p.s. Related topics on Canon cameras:
Canon Waterproof Camera. Should you get a camera that can go underwater by itself or get underwater camera housing to put your Canon camera in? Here are you options for accessories for underwater cameras.
Canon Camera Books. You can learn a lot about a specific Canon camera by reading a book that gives you a different perspective than the camera manual that comes with your camera. This could be a valuable tool in helping you choose the best Canon camera for your situation.
This post contains affiliate links and the publisher may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links, at no cost to you.
KEH: WHERE I BUY Canon GEAR I’ve found that the condition of the used equipment from KEH is excellent and a whole lot cheaper than buying new. Bruce, the Canon Camera Geek
Canon EOS 80D Camera
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My goal is to provide useful information and sometimes I recommend products that I believe will help you with your photography, but there are no guarantees. I have used most, but not every single one of these products personally. There are simply too many (millions) for one person to try. I base my recommendations on the performance of the product, other photographers’ feedback I gather, as well as my personal experiences with photography equipment since 1969. Yes, I’m that old! THANK SO MUCH! Bruce
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