7 Best Cameras for 2022 Photography
Top picks for any style and budget
Find the best camera for photography, whatever your budget is today.
Are you are looking for the best camera for your photography? Well, you have a lot of choices in 2022. It’s been a strong year so far for Micro Four Thirds and APS-C cameras, which now offer an alternative to the many full-frame options we’ve seen. The difficult part is deciding the best camera you need, but luckily here’s where we can help. Based on countless hours of testing in the field, we offer these top 7 as among the finest cameras for used photography.
Our list divides these cameras into three skill levels, so you can select the right camera for your experience and budget. Do you want to know our overall best camera for photography?
The Sony A7 IV. This is a super-powerful camera that makes you feel at home when shooting most types of photography, from portraits, to weddings, and wildlife. Oh, you can also rely on it for video, too.
Sony A7 IV – A perfect all-rounder camera great for stills and video
The Sony A7 is bit pricey camera, though, so we also included lots of options that offer better value for the $$$ money in these financially trying times.
Following Sony’s fantastic A7 III model was never going to be easy to improve, but the A7 IV is a worthy successor. Equipped with a new 33MP sensor that’s great for stills and video, and it is a perfect selection as a mirrorless option for hybrid users. Our review on the A7 IV determined it as a fantastic camera with photographic power and video versatility.
Its price however, does mean it’s no longer an entry-level full-frame camera like its previous model, but the Bionz XR processor powers it with solid performance that justifies the extra cost expenditure.
The A7 IV also gets beautiful class-leading autofocus capabilities, plus upgrades like 10-bit video support and a extended buffer depth with a CFexpress card on-board. We found this buffer ability to be more generous than most camera users need, with an image quality improved resolution over low-light performance.
However, No hybrid camera comes without compromises. This camera puts a heavy crop on 4K footage and it is not the simplest camera for to use with beginners. The Canon EOS R6 offers faster burst speeds for a similar price, but considering its powerful versatility and higher resolution, the A7 IV deserves a #1 number one ranking.
For camera users on tight budget, the Fujifilm X-T4 remains a great alternative.
Fujifilm X-T4 – Liked best as all-round camera
This camera is not a full-frame camera, but we believe the Fujifilm X-T4 is one of the best APS-C cameras we have tested – and its blend of good features, size and price value makes it a top choice for hobbyist camera users. The X-T4 builds on the Fujifilm X-T3’s impressive functionality with adding in-body image stabilization (IBIS), faster burst shooting, and a few other new design tweaks. Adding to its all-rounder abilities is a larger battery that is strong with 500 shots per charge and improved autofocus, which we find it to be fast and reliable in most situations.
We believe the X-T4’s 26MP APS-C sensor is class-leading for still photography, and the X-T4 is a solid performer video camera. Improved in-body image stabilization (IBIS) is a bonus upgrade where the X-T4 backs it up with a large range of tools, delivers a great shooting experience, and has a fully articulating touchscreen. This great choice might cost the same as some full-frame cameras, but the X-T4 has a range of X-series lenses making it a great, smaller alternative for those looking for a mirrorless all-rounder camera. Despite having the Fujifilm X-H2, the X-T4 remains one of the best cameras to use for photography.
Canon EOS R6 – Powerful camera with best-in-class features
While the Canon EOS R5 is overkill for most people, the EOS R6 is a more affordable full-frame alternative that is simply one of the best cameras for photography around. If you already own one of Canon’s early mirrorless full-framers like the EOS R, or any of its DSLRs, this is a more than worthy upgrade. Based on our review, the EOS R6 brings best-in-class autofocus, a superb in-body image stabilization system, and burst shooting powers that mark it out as a very fine camera for wildlife or sports photography.
Despite its ability to shoot 4K/60p video, the EOS R6 lacks options like the ability to DCI 4K and we found it to have overheating limitations compared to video-focused rivals like the Sony A7S III, making it better suited to still photographers. But for photography, it’s an excellent option that delivers impressive autofocus, handling, and features that make it one of the best options around for anyone who needs a full-frame camera.
Olympus OM-1 -A brilliant all-rounder camera if you don’t need full-frame
However, not everyone needs a full-frame camera – and like the Fujifilm X-T4, the Olympus System OM-1 harnesses the benefits of its smaller sensor to create a compelling alternative for those whose priorities are size, versatility and a fun handheld experience. Thanks to its new stacked Micro Four Thirds sensor, which is the first of its kind, with a speedy TruePix X processor, the OM-1 performs admirably in testing. Quite simply, it’s the one of the most enjoyable cameras you can buy.
We find that the OM-1 performs well up to ISO 1600 and has a slightly less aggressive noise reduction than its Olympus predecessors. Its computational modes are among the best you can find outside a smartphone, with the likes of HIgh Res Shot, Live ND and in-camera Focus Stacking with its smaller sensor. On the downside, the X-T4 autofocus tracking isn’t up to the level of Canon or Sony, and the cameras controls can be a little difficult. Additionally, the 20MP resolution also is not great for a camera at this price. But, if you can overlook these drawbacks, then the OM-1 will make a fine companion.
Nikon Z6 II – No longer the mirrorless king, but close
The Nikon Z6 reigned as the king of this list for a long time – and while the Z6 II is only a modest successor, it should definitely be on the shortlist for anyone who’s looking for a full-frame camera. The Z6 offers great value, but we believe the Z6 II is worth the extra cost if you can afford it.
Nikon’s Z6 Expeed 6 processor brings a bunch of improvements, including 14fps burst mode and some handy autofocus boosts for animal eye/face detection. The Z6 also has an extra UHS-II card slot, which joins the existing XQD/CFexpress slot, and firmware updates delivering a new 4K/60p video mode.
Fujifilm X-S10 – An affordable, hobbyist versatile camera
It’s hard to think of another camera that offers the same blend of size, performance, affordability, and charm as the Fujifilm X-S10. The X-S10 is great for hobbyists and pros looking for a small mirrorless camera, and it’s an excellent choice that covers all the bases for both stills and video. Our testing review discovered, a tried-and-tested 26.1MP APS-C sensor and, impressive in-body image stabilization (IBIS).
This feature, helps you preserve image quality while shooting handheld, can is found in some small Sony and Olympus cameras, but none offer the X-S10’s excellent handling or range of features. The X-S10 has a good vari-angle screen, great build quality, and shoots impressive 4K videos. When paired it with available prime lens and you get a great travel or on-the-ground street camera with a larger grip, that matches nicely with longer lens use.
Nikon Z5 – Best entry-level full-frame camera for the money
Despite not being perfect, the Nikon Z5 is the best entry-level full-frame model you can buy on the market, making it a great option for those looking to upgrade to the larger sensor. With a 24.3MP sensor it reliably produces vibrant, crisp and clean images, a reliable autofocusing system, and a comfy well-built body that you will like.
Equipping it with the same high-resolution viewfinder as the more advanced Nikon Z6/Z7 siblings is a good upgrade that adds a premium quality to the camera. The cons are the Z5 4.5fps maximum frame rate falls a bit short for action shooters, and the cropping it applies to 4K video is frustrating for vloggers. However, if you’re not bothered by these things, it is one of the best cameras used for photography and a fine choice for those who want full-frame functionality on a beer budget. Like Our Post?
Post By: Tread Productions
