While smartphones are getting better every day with computational photography and crazy telephoto lenses, dedicated cameras still produce images you just can get on your mobile device. Cameras give you so much more flexibility with your changing your focal length, bokeh, and tweak your exposure. Not to mention dedicated cameras are far more capable for shooting sports, landscapes, video, and almost anything you throw their way.
TL;DR – These are the Best Cameras:
Fujifilm X-T5
Best Camera
The Fujifilm isn’t the fastest, most accurate, highest resolution camera in the work, nor is it the best camera for video. But it’s possibly one of the best-priced cameras on the market at $1,699 to start that offers plenty of character that hits the right balance of image quality between megapixels, noise, and color.
From the outside, this is a real photographer’s camera with all the shutter speed, ISO, and aperture dials right at your fingertips, leaving you with almost no need to ever get into a digital menu while shooting. Then the 40MP sensor produces images with plenty of detail without introducing too much noise even at higher ISO speeds. Shooting video with this camera is passable for most users, but it’ll take a lot of work and gear to create something cinematic with the Fujifilm X-T5.
Sony A7 IV
Best Full Frame Camera
If your budget allows it and you’re looking for more depth of field in your images and better video overall shoot for the $2,499 Sony A7 IV. This full-frame camera features a 33MP sensor that might be lower-res than our top pick, but it’s bolstered by one of the best and fastest autofocus systems around and a powerful Bionz XR processor.
This camera also offers much better video capabilities with up 7K that’s downsampled to a higher detailed 4K30p output. Alternatively, you can record a 4K60p video with full 10-bit 4:2:2 color. Just be aware there’s a large 4K crop when shooting at full resolution and your frame will shrink dramatically.
Panasonic Lumix S5 II
Best Camera for Video
If you’re looking to specialize in more photos than video the Panasonic S5 II hits an insanely sweet spot for features to its $1,999 price. It only features a 24MP sensor, but it still shoots up to 10-bit 6K video at 30 frames per second. Plus you have all the V-Log if you like to color correct your footage and plenty of industry standards like CineD2, CineV2, and a Rec2100 HLG.
The autofocus in video mode is also steady and reliable. The best thing about shooting video with the Panasonic Lumix S5 II is it has a built-in fan with shielded ventilation that’s cleverly built into the viewfinder so you can record even while it’s raining.
GoPro Hero 11
Best Action Camera
The GoPro Hero 11 Black is not only the best action camera but also possibly the best vlogging camera as well. It’s unique in that its larger sensor records video and photos in an almost-squared aspect ratio for easier reframing into horizontal and/or vertical media.
The Hero 11 also delivers better color, stronger stabilization, and the widest digital lens yet from GoPro. It also features easy controls for novices to pick this camera up and go, plus there are automatic upload and edit features.
DJI Mini 3 Pro
Best Drone
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is a small but mighty drone for $759. It also features a fairly unique camera that flips vertically and horizontally so you can photos from the air like you would with any old camera. The camera can capture high-resolution 48MP RAW photos and record video at up to 4K at 30 frames per second.
This miniature drone is perfect as it weighs less than 249 grams so it can slip under some aerial regulations. At the same time, it’s not lacking in power at all with a maximum 35.7 mph flight speed and 34 minutes – or 47 minutes with the extended, but heavier, batteries – maximum flight time.
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Kevin Lee is IGN’s SEO Updates Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam.
