The 10 best Canon digital cameras in 2021: reviews and tips

Mika Danzo
14 min readAug 12, 2021

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Canon is a Japanese company specializing in the manufacture of photographic and optical products known around the world. In fact, Canon has already achieved the status of the best camera producer since 1984, when it manufactured its first camera: the RC-701, one of the most reliable and high-end of the time. .

This company is able to provide you with cameras for all tastes and needs. There is a wide variety of digital SLR cameras for professionals and beginners. Hybrid or compact cameras as well as some cameras are also available. In addition, there are various price ranges that allow you to choose a suitable camera.

Thus, we have selected the best Canon cameras in terms of performance and build quality available to date in 2021.

The 10 best Canon digital cameras in 2021

What is the best Canon camera? Although I answered the question directly with the list above, the truth is that there is no one “best” or “ultimate” camera for everyone, and many photographers need it. More than one model. Different needs can be met by different cameras.

Canon manufactures a wide range of camera models and each has a specialty more suited to certain photographs and certain situations. For example, a good choice of sports camera will have a very fast frame rate, allowing a precise moment to be captured in a matter of milliseconds. However, a fast frame rate is generally much less important for landscape photographers. While sports photographers may appreciate the ultra-high-resolution images much sought after by landscape photographers, few are willing to forgo the fast frame rate to achieve this special feature. Price is often a factor to consider, size and weight being other common purchasing factors.

The full list of camera specs is huge, and we have provided a list here to help you compare cameras using this objective information. This is good information, but there is much more to be said.

Just because the raw specifications of one box are better than those of another does not mean that the device is suitable for all situations: your decision-making process should be based on your needs and possibly on your experience. ‘Other users. So first choose the necessary characteristics (speed, focus, resolution and sensors for different light conditions, full frame?) For a function (sport, landscape, wedding, travel, etc.) to choose your camera.

The user experience is often very useful to do this: our tests, opinions and recommendations presented here are intended to help you go faster in your search for information.

At the end of this page, I will also give you some tips for choosing between an SLR, mirrorless or compact camera.

Hybrids

Hybrid cameras are the bridge between compact cameras and digital SLRs.

The majority of new cameras with interchangeable lens systems are now mirrorless hybrid cameras, which means they have a smaller electronic viewfinder instead of a larger mirror viewfinder.

This all-digital approach has many benefits, such as smaller bodies, the ability to see the effects of setting changes in the viewfinder, and advanced features like face and eye detection. Picture quality and performance are now on par with digital SLRs, although DSLRs still offer superior battery life and, depending on your taste, responsive handling.

All of the major camera makers, including Nikon, Canon, Fuji film, Olympus and Sony, now have flagship hybrid models, although it was the latter that really started the trend with cameras like the Sony A7 III.

Within this category, there are a number of different types of sensors used, each resulting in a very different experience. Olympus and Panasonic use Micro Four Thirds sized sensors, which allows them to have an intermediate position and exceptional and affordable lenses.

The biggest sensors you’ll find in affordable CSCs are APS-C sensors, used in Fuji film and Sony cameras. Of course, Sony has now taken it a step further by adopting full-frame sensors in the high-end A7 series. They offer the best picture quality among CSCs, rivaling some professional digital SLRs.

1. Canon EOS R.

The EOS R has received a mixed reception, perhaps because it will take time for users to understand its place, but we believe that with its attributes in terms of resolution, characteristics, quality and competitiveness: it will quickly take the place it deserves on the market!

On paper, it looks like a hybrid version of the Canon EOS 5D IV DSLR, but there are a few important differences. The Canon EOS R has a much more advanced autofocus system with an incredible 5,655 focus points, the other difference is that its brand new lens mount brings the promise of exotic and original new lens designs.

What we really liked was that Canon also made optical adapters that let you fit your existing Canon EF and EF-S lenses, so it’s easy to add the EOS R to a collection of Canon lens already existing.

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2. Canon EOS M100.

In search of the best Canon camera, we decided to start our list with the one widely recognized as one of the most advanced digital cameras: the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV.

It’s a big rival for giants like Nikon or Sony’s top-of-the-line models. This representative model of SLR cameras was released in August 2016 and since then it has continued to take places in the market.

So what is the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV so special about? This camera has a beautiful 61-point autofocus, thanks to which the photos will always be precise and fine. In fact, it’s probably one of the best renderings you can get these days because most cameras don’t have more than 51 autofocus points. As for the shooting speed, it can reach up to 7 frames per second.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV also has a full frame APS-C CMOS sensor and as we know this type of sensor avoids any risk of cropping as it is intended for wide angle photography. In addition, its DIGIC 6+ image processor offers fast focusing and a noise reduction option even at high ISO sensitivities.

Note that the ISO range of this Canon camera can be extended from 100 to 32,000 to 50–102,400. Thus, it adapts to all lighting conditions. In addition, this model has a resolution of 30.4 megapixels, which helps to make the images more incredibly sharp and precise.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV isn’t just good for taking pictures. The videos produced by this camera also deserve your attention. This Canon camera, one of the most excellent available, can shoot in 4K. There are also settings for Full HD up to 60p and HD up to 120p. Its 150,000-pixel RGB + IR metering sensor provides precise exposure measurement and detects flickering lights.

The wide variety of settings and options of the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV are very easy for the experienced photographer to use. It has a clear button panel and additional functions such as GPS and Wi-Fi. However, bear in mind that this Canon camera is expensive.

It is currently not available, but will be by the end of August.

3. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV.

In search of the best Canon camera, we decided to start our list with the one widely recognized as one of the most advanced digital cameras: the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV.

It’s a big rival for giants like Nikon or Sony’s top-of-the-line models. This representative model of SLR cameras was released in August 2016 and since then it has continued to take places in the market.

So what is the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV so special about? This camera has a beautiful 61-point autofocus thanks to which the photos will always be precise and fine. In fact, it’s probably one of the best renderings you can get these days because most cameras don’t have more than 51 autofocus points. As for the shooting speed, it can reach up to 7 frames per second.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV also has a full frame APS-C CMOS sensor and as we know this type of sensor avoids any risk of cropping as it is intended for wide angle photography. In addition, its DIGIC 6+ image processor offers fast focusing and a noise reduction option even at high ISO sensitivities.

Note that the ISO range of this Canon camera can be extended from 100–32,000 to 50–102,400. Thus, it adapts to all lighting conditions. In addition, this model has a resolution of 30.4 megapixels which helps to make the images more incredibly sharp and precise.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV isn’t just good for taking pictures. The videos produced by this camera also deserve your attention. This Canon camera, one of the most excellent available, can shoot in 4K. There are also settings for Full HD up to 60p and HD up to 120p. Its 150,000-pixel RGB + IR metering sensor provides precise exposure measurement and detects flickering lights.

The wide variety of settings and options of the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV are very easy for the experienced photographer to use. It has a clear button panel and additional functions such as GPS and Wi-Fi. However, bear in mind that this Canon camera is expensive.

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4. Canon EOS Rebel SL2 / 200D.

This affordable Canon camera offers a variety of features. Unlike most digital SLR cameras, the EOS Rebel SL2 does not consist of a heavy and bulky body: on the contrary, it is compact and light. Plus, it has a swivel touchscreen that lets you zoom in and focus. It’s also great for taking selfies. The Canon EOS Rebel SL2 also has an optical viewfinder, which is particularly useful for shots in bright light conditions.

Its Dual Pixel CMOS AF autofocus offers a fast autofocus speed of 0.03 sec and a phase detection option is also included. Equipped with the DIGIC 7 Image Processor, this Canon camera produces crisp, detailed images.

Although there is no 4K video recording option, the EOS Rebel SL2 supports Full HD at 60p and delivers high quality stereo sound. You can also produce slow motion footage in post-production. There is a built-in mic jack for an additional microphone.

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5. Canon EOS Rebel T7i / 800D.

This Canon camera is very similar to the EOS Rebel SL2. It is inexpensive and has an optical viewfinder as well as a Dual Pixel CMOS AF viewfinder. Its swiveling touch screen makes this device very convenient to use.

There are still some differences between these two Canon cameras. The EOS Rebel T7i comes with a Movie Electronic IS6 system that helps reduce blur and make images smoother and sharper. In addition, you can achieve 5-axis stabilization in all horizontal, vertical and rotational planes if you use a Canon Movie Electronic IS compatible lens.

The T7i does not support 4K video recording. It does, however, offer HDR photos and videos with Time-Lapse Movie mode that condenses long periods of time into shorter videos. You can personalize your images using various creative filters which are available as presets and have the option to preview the result before shooting. Another nice option is that you can share all your photos using the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection.

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6. Canon EOS 6D Mark II.

In case you prefer full frame cameras then this Canon should be of interest to you. The Canon EOS 6D Mark II features a 26.2 mp full-frame CMOS image sensor that is combined with the DIGIC 7 image processor. It is also equipped with a 45-point cross-focus optical viewfinder.

Taking all of the above features into account, you can already guess that this Canon DSLR camera produces crisp and detailed images.

It has a large ISO range which can go up to ISO 102,400. These ISO specifications allow you to take pictures in completely different lighting conditions. However, despite its dual pixel CMOS AF Canon EOS 6D Mark shows a small area of ​​coverage for autofocus.

This digital SLR camera offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. In addition, it is equipped with the GPS option, which allows you to find your bearings when traveling in a city or region you do not know. The EOS 6D Mark II has a dust and water resistant body. Another significant advantage is its long battery life.

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7. Canon EOS 77D

According to Canon, this is a camera model for advanced amateur photographers.

The Canon EOS 77D has an optical viewfinder with a 45-point All Cross type autofocus system. Note that its Dual Pixel CMOS AF focusing is fast and precise, and includes phase detection. There’s also a 24.2-megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor and a DIGIC 7 image processor.

This digital SLR camera offers a range of ISO 100 to 25,600 expandable to 51,200 equivalents and continuous shooting at 6 fps. It additionally has a Live View autofocus option for continuous tracking of moving subjects with a shooting speed of 4.5 fps.

There’s also the latest version of the Canon EOS Scene Analysis System and the new color tone detection. Light flicker detection and anti-flicker shutter delay are also available in this model. The Canon EOS 77D has electronic optical stabilization for video and built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth.

Video recording is Full HD 1080 / 60p in MP4 format, which is very convenient for sharing on social media.

The Canon EOS 77D is equipped with a 3.0-inch, 1 million-dot LCD II screen and intelligent liquid crystal overlay viewfinder. Options on the rear control dial and a switch add to the ergonomics of the device.

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8. Canon EOS 80D.

If you are looking for a camera that is capable of taking you to the next level, you will need a camera powerful and versatile enough to go with you in your various tasks and perhaps take you in unexpected directions. This is where the Canon EOS 80D is just perfect, I consider it one of the best DSLRs for beginners.

It’s not Canon’s cheapest DSLR, unfortunately, as prices have remained high, but it does offer a great all-around feature set. These include Canon’s 24-megapixel Dual Pixel CMOS AF CMOS sensor, a fully articulated touchscreen on the rear, a continuous shooting capability of 7 fps for sports and action, a secondary information panel on the top plate and numerous customization possibilities. If you’re an enthusiast and can shell out a bit more cash, the EOS 6D II (below) will give you a full-frame sensor, but the EOS 80D gives you performance, value, and features that are out of the ordinary. complete balance that make it one of a kind.

The anti-flicker option is also available. The Canon EOS 80D has 1080p video recording capability at 60 and 50 fps. In addition, HDR recording and streaming recording function is built-in.

Note that this EOS camera provides 960 photos per battery. There is a built-in and easily usable GPS and Wi-Fi option. NFC and PictBridge options are also available.

The camera is quite durable — it has a weatherproof body sealed against dust and moisture with a 3.0-inch, 1.04 million dot articulated touchscreen touchscreen.

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9. Canon EOS-1D X Mark II.

The EOS-1D series is a favorite with sports photographers around the world, and this latest release brings many layers of new technology to broaden its appeal to working professionals.

Notably, Canon has chosen to include 4K video recording up to 60p, while adding a touchscreen for ease of use. Its proven Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology for fast and precise focusing, enables live viewing when shooting movies. A new 20.2MP full-frame sensor will enable the best combination of dynamic range at high ISO levels, allowing for a modest pixel count for 14fps burst shooting (which you can increase to 16 fps in Live mode).

Yes, it is a bulky, heavy and expensive camera, and the arrival of a large number of high performance hybrid cameras could challenge its dominance in the world of sports photography in the years to come.

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10. Canon PowerShot SX740.

Are you looking for a budget Canon camera capable of capturing the most intriguing moments of your life? The PowerShot SX740 is worth considering. Since this is a compact and lightweight camera, you can take it anywhere in your pocket.

The Canon PowerShot SX740 is equipped with a DIGIC 8 image processor and a 20.3mp CMOS sensor. Of course, it’s not a combination that equals SLRs, but it’s one of the best for the price. The picture quality is really decent. There is a dual detection function for image stabilization which reduces the consequences of camera shake and movement and makes images sharp and precise.

This compact camera is equipped with a 40x optical zoom. With its framing assist feature, you can easily follow a fast moving object and capture it at the right time.

This Canon camera offers the possibility of shooting videos in 4K. Its shooting speed can reach up to 7.4 fps or even 10 fps with AF lock.

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Why choose Canon over another brand?

Here are some reasons to choose Canon for your next digital camera:

*Canon cameras are renowned for their impressive image quality, with color rendering being a particularly noteworthy aspect.
* Canon cameras are very easy to use and have an excellent menu structure.
*Canon cameras have excellent ergonomics, which makes them comfortable to use even for long periods of time.
*Canon has a very wide range of camera models and even the lowest end models are very feature rich.
* Most Canon cameras are on a high model number iteration, bringing great maturity to most models. The bugs have been fixed a long time ago.
* Canon has the most incredible range of (extremely important) lenses, flashes and other accessories available.
*Canon has a very impressive customer service team, ready to respond to questions quickly.
*My experience in repairing service at Canon has been excellent. Although Canon photography equipment rarely needs repair, problems can happen. Fallen cameras, spilled drinks, etc. It is important to know that a camera can be put back into service quickly.

I have been using Canon-branded cameras as my primary models since the very early days of digital photography. I also own top of the line Nikon and Sony cameras and they are also great, each with their own advantages, but neither have made me want to switch from my main Canon kit.

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Mika Danzo
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