We're exceedingly lucky at Digital Camera World that we test virtually every new camera that gets released – which makes us exceedingly spoiled, so it takes a lot for a camera to stand out from the pack and genuinely wow us. We are also lucky that there are so many amazing cameras to pick from. We've taken a microscope to the best out there and narrowed the field for you.
Here are our picks for the best cameras this year by the core DCW team, as well as our extended family.
Canon EOS R5
My personal camera
I'm so firm in my belief that the Canon EOS R5 is the best camera of the year that I bought one for myself – the biggest endorsement I can possibly give! It's just an all-round astonishing piece of kit, and there's nothing it can't do.
I predominantly shoot portraiture and video, but I can just as easily take this to the basketball court and capture blistering action, take it on a hike to photograph wildlife in a way that's never been possible before, and even use 8K video to film a scene and extract massive 35MP stills at my convenience.
For me, this is hands down the best camera of the year, the best Canon camera I've ever used, and the best mirrorless camera on the market right now.
James Artaius Editor, Digital Camera World
Fujifilm X-T200
Everything you need at a great price
Seeing as my trusty old Nikon D800 was really beginning to chug, and my Olympus OM2 film camera isn't exactly cutting-edge technology, 2020 was the year that I finally decided to invest in a new camera. I always thought that when I eventually upgraded I'd go for a Nikon D850 or a Nikon Z7 II. I would have never guessed that it would be the unassuming, diminutive Fujifilm X-T200 that would catch my eye.
However, not only is the X-T200 staggeringly cheap (especially now that it's dropped in price), it's jam-packed with useful features. Its vari-angle screen, 4K video and accompanying pocket rocket Fujinon XC 15-45mm f3.5-5.6 OIS PZ lens all make this a truly tempting bit of kit.
Louise Carey Ecommerce Editor, Digital Camera World
DJI Mini 2
A different take on the classic "best camera"
Drones are literally flying off the shelves, as more and more people realize the potential of shooting scenes from a lofty angle. It is drones like the DJI Mini 2 that bring UAV aerial photography to the masses – providing a quadcopter that is easy and safe to fly. Crucially, thanks to its weight, it gets around a lot of the red tape that is associated with flying heavier drones.
The Mini 2 may feel like a simple update to the DJI Mavic Mini launched the year before, but for photographers and videomakers, the improvements are impressive. There is the step up to 4K video, for instance, and the ability to shoot RAW photo files. But just importantly the drone becomes easier to fly, thanks to having forward (as well as downward) collision sensors.
Chris George Content Director, Photography Group
Nikon Z6 II
Amazing in every way
When Nikon entered the full-frame mirrorless market, there really wasn't very much wrong with the cameras – with the possible exception of the single card slot being the eye-wateringly expensive XQD memory card format.
The release of the Nikon Z6 II addresses the issue by adding a second slot that uses the far cheaper SD format – and throws in an extra processor, to boot, to make them faster, their images cleaner, their video more high-def, and turn them into better all-singing, all-dancing cameras all-round.
On top of that, over the past couple of years the range of Z lenses has matured into a fully-fledged system, including razor-sharp f/1.8 primes from 20mm up to 85mm, a trinity of pro-level f/2.8 wide, standard and telephoto zooms, a superzoom, and the truly exotic Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct – all of which have smashed it in our lab tests to consistently win out as the sharpest glass in their class, virtually fringing and distortion-free, proving that the Z mount is the simply the best system from any manufacturer.
Adam Waring Editor, N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine
Fujifilm X-T4
This is such a comfortable camera to use
The handling and user experience of the Fujifilm X-T4 is truly unique, and the image quality is exceptional. I love the enthusiasm for this camera from the video community, too – it really is the embodiment of ultra-modern technology in a retro-styled package.
The weight and balance are perfect and the viewfinder is a joy to use. When you get a good bit of Fuji glass on the front it really does feel like a professional’s tool, for any occasion. Keep making them like this, Fujifilm!
Peter Fenech Technique Editor, Digital Photographer magazine
