Last Updated on 11/04/2018 by Mark Beckenbach
Canon cameras are built solidly, perform very well, and have access to one of the biggest libraries of lenses around.
Whether you are new to the world of photography or you’re a seasoned pro, there are Canon cameras on the market for you and your current skill set. Canon has been making quality cameras and lenses for a very long time, in fact it’s the lens selection and outstanding optics that convince many to switch to Canon cameras.
Glass aside, the bodies available for beginners all the way through to pros will serve you well no matter what genre of photography you shoot. In this article we are going to take a look at Canon cameras that will enable you to learn the basics of photography, all the way through to cameras that are capable of producing commercial quality work.
Beginners and Enthusiasts – EOS Rebel 77D
The Canon EOS 77D is a great place for beginners and enthusiasts to start their journey with Canon cameras. Yes, it is slightly more expensive than some of the Rebel series of bodies Canon sells, but you will be getting a better constructed body and better overall performance. The 77D is a very forgiving camera that’s easy to use.
In our review we said:
“Canon’s implementation of the touch screen is arguably some of the best in the industry especially in regards to navigating the menus. There simply is no other faster option on the market right now.”
The 77D features a 24.2 Megapixel APS-C sensor, a three-inch flip out vari-angle touch screen, Dual-Pixel autofocus, a six frame per second burst mode, one SD card slot, full HD recording capabilities, and Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC connectivity.
The Canon 77D is small and light weight (1.2lbs) which makes using this camera very easy. The ergonomics are great and it feels nice in the hand. There is no weather sealing, but overall the 77D is built terrifically. Image quality is really nice, and JPEGS that come out of this camera are colorful and sharp. This is great because as a beginner or as an enthusiast who just wants to take family pics, shooting JPEG’s is likely what you will be doing. You can, however, shoot RAW images when you are ready. Pair this camera up with the affordable Canon 50mm f1.8 and you have a setup that will serve you very well.
Thanks to the built-in wireless functions you can easily transfer images to your phone or tablet to post them to Instagram or any other social media site. There are multiple auto modes you can choose from while you learn about the exposure triangle and composition, and when you’re ready you can then put the camera in full manual mode. The touch screen makes using this camera incredibly easy. Canon’s menu system is easy to navigate, and is arguably still the best around.
If you are looking for a camera to learn and grow with, the Canon EOS 77D is perhaps the best Canon camera for the job. Small, light, easy to use, and packing enough features to keep you going for a couple of years.
Buy now ($799): Amazon
Canon EOS 77D Image Samples
Pro Tip: Make your camera using experience more enjoyable and comfortable by using a camera sling. The neck straps that come packaged with cameras are not comfortable to use for long periods of time. A camera sling disperses the weight of your equipment across your entire upper body making it far more comfortable. This one is well built, padded, and is very affordable at just $19.99.
Semi Pro and Hobbyist – EOS 6D Mk II
The Canon 6D Mk II has had a lot of things said about it that don’t necessarily put it in a good light, but this is a perfect camera for those who want to take their photography to the next level, and for those who want a Full Frame option that won’t break the bank.
In our review we said:
“What’s pretty excellent about the Canon 6D Mk II is the fact that it’s incredibly simple to use. Everything from the touch screen interface, navigating the menus, using the exposure settings, etc.”
This Canon won’t set the world alight, it won’t break records, and it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles a lot of new cameras have, but it’s a solid, weather sealed, Full Frame camera that can produce some really nice images. I personally used a 6D Mk II for close to a year and had no issues with it at shooting events, portraits, landscapes, and sports.
The Canon EOS 6D Mk II features a 26.2 Megapixel sensor, 45 cross type autofocus points, a vari-angle three-inch touch screen, Dual-Pixel autofocus, 6.5 frames per second burst rate, Native ISO from 100-40,000, Full HD video, 4K time lapse functionality, weather sealing, and Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and GPS connectivity.
This camera is aimed at those who are really starting to take photography seriously. For a semi-pro user this camera offers enough to help you hone your skill sets further, and it will allow you to take some really nice shots, especially when paired with a 24-105mm f4L IS II USM lens. The 6D Mk II focuses fast, and it tracks subjects well. Low light performance is outstanding, with images up to ISO 6,400 being virtually free from noise. It’s also incredibly easy to use thanks to the well thought out button placement, and the intuitive menu system.
The Canon 6D Mk II won’t blow peoples’ socks off, but it is a camera that will just say yes to everything you ask of it. It’s a solid option for those who want to continue their learning, and for those who want to focus on photography and not a technical spec sheet. It’s a workhorse for a semi-pro or hobbyist who wants a Full Frame body that is weather sealed and will just work, period.
Buy now ($1,319): Amazon
Canon 6D Mk II Image Samples
Pro Tip: Be sure to keep your camera, and it’s sensor in tip-top shape by performing regular maintenance and cleaning. These affordable camera cleaning kits come with everything you need, including sensor cleaning swabs for APS-C sensors and Full Frame sensors.
Professional Photographers – Canon EOS R
Canon’s first foray into the world of professional grade Mirrorless cameras is here. The EOS R is a fantastic camera that has really surprised us with its overall performance, image quality, and it’s ability to use EF-S and EF mount glass (with the use of an adapter). If you are wanting to move to Canon cameras, or want to move on to a pro body and still be able to use your library of lenses, along with the new RF mount glass from Canon, then this is the camera for you.
In our review we said:
“Overall, the image quality of the Canon EOS R is more than acceptable. I’d honestly call it some of the best image quality that Canon has delivered thus far in that it again is a jack of all trades.”
The Canon EOS R is basically a 5D Mk IV in Mirrorless form (sans dual card slots), and that is no bad thing as the 5D4 is a true workhorse perfect for power users. The EOS R features a 30.3 Megapixel Full Frame Sensor, Dual-Pixel autofocus with a whopping 5,655 autofocus points, face and eye autofocus, a silent shutter mode, five frames per second burst rate in continuous shooting, eight frames per second in single shot mode, a vari-angle touch screen, a 3.69 million dot electronic view finder, class-leading weather sealing, good battery life, and it can shoot 4k video at 30 frames per second.
Image quality from the EOS R is outstanding, in fact we believe it produces the best looking images and RAW files from any Canon camera to date. Autofocusing is ridiculously fast, high ISO performance is very good, and you get the gorgeous Canon colors we all know and love. The fact that you can use any EF-S, or EF lens on this camera with an adapter is a major selling point, and one that long time Canon users will love.
This camera is perfect for professional portrait photographers, event photographers, and wedding photographers who want to move into the world of Mirrorless with Canon. The overall build quality, weather sealing, image quality, and surprisingly low price point make this one of the must have Canon cameras for pros.
Buy now ($2,299): Amazon
Canon EOS R Image Samples
Pro Tip: High resolution images like those produced with Canon cameras take a up a lot of storage space, and newer cameras with fast burst modes need fast SD cards that can write as fast as the camera can take pictures. Make sure you have enough high speed, high capacity SD cards so that you can shoot for long periods of time. This Samsung EVO is UHS III and is 64GB, the best part is that it’s incredibly affordable.
Commercial Photographers – EOS 5DS
The Canon EOS 5Ds is a camera that is geared towards the commercial photographer who needs the highest quality images available, and thanks to the massive 50.6 Megapixel Full Frame sensor in this body, that is exactly what you will get. This Canon camera is for those who work in the fashion industry, work in a studio, produce fine art, or who shoots landscapes for a career.
In our review we said:
“The Canon 5Ds has a lot going for it. You’ve got tons of resolution, versatile files if you mind the highlights, lots of color depth, a beautiful viewfinder, pretty fast burst shooting rates, and a crop factor that is completely optional if you choose to get more reach from your lenses. On top of this, the camera’s autofocusing abilities are excellent.”
As stated above the 5Ds has a 50.6 Megapixel sensor, 61 autofocus points (41 being cross type), apocalypse proof build quality, insane amounts of weather sealing, a truly gorgeous optical viewfinder, a five frame per second burst mode, native ISO range from 100-6400, and a 3.2 inch clear view screen.
This camera may not have a lot of the bells and whistles that the newest Mirrorless and DSLR camera’s have, but that is not what this camera is about. The 5Ds is all about the images, and boy are they good! Landscape photographers will marvel at the amount of detail they will be able to capture in their images, and fashion photographers who need to capture tiny details will love it too.
The autofocusing system is fast, even in lower light situations, and high ISO performance is very good. You’ll want to pair this with a lens like the Canon 85mm f1.2L II USM to really get the most out of this camera, and to make use of all of those Megapixels.
This camera is not for the feint of heart. The EOS 5Ds is an unforgiving camera and needs to be handled by those who will know how to get the most out of it. In the right hands, the images you can produce with this tank of a DSLR will really amaze you. You’ll be able to crop away to your hearts content and not have any real loss of detail, and you can produce images that will be suitable for incredibly large prints.
Buy now ($3,499): Amazon
Buy now Intl Version ($1,949.99): Amazon
Canon EOS 5DS Image Samples