Short answer: Buy into a system, not just a body — the lenses you'll add matter more than any spec. Pick a sensor size that fits your budget and how much you'll carry, then let autofocus and (if you shoot video) the video features break the tie. Megapixels are near the bottom of the list; almost every current camera has more than enough.
Cameras are a long-term commitment because the lens mount ties you to a system for years. Here's what each spec really means, how much it moves our 0–100 score, and what's typical across the cameras we track. Our catalogue leans toward mirrorless and enthusiast models, so read the medians in that light.
Torn between the top two? See our head-to-head: Canon EOS R5 Mark II vs Canon EOS R5 →
Sensor size drives image quality, low-light ability and depth-of-field far more than megapixels. Full-frame gathers the most light and blurs backgrounds most easily; APS-C is the sweet spot for size, price and reach; Micro Four Thirds keeps kits small and light. Each step up costs money and weight, so pick the largest sensor you'll actually carry — the best camera is the one you bring. A bigger sensor also means bigger, pricier lenses, so budget for the whole system.
Resolution is oversold. Our tracked cameras sit around a median 26 megapixels, and that's already more than enough for large prints and heavy cropping. More pixels mean bigger files and can slightly hurt low-light performance on the same sensor size. High-resolution bodies (45MP+) earn their keep only for landscape, studio and commercial work where you crop hard or print huge — for everything else, resolution should not be your deciding factor.
Autofocus is where modern cameras win or lose the moment. Look past the raw point count (median 759 across ours) to the system: on-sensor phase-detection with subject-recognition AF that locks onto eyes — human, animal and bird — and tracks them across the frame is transformative for portraits, kids, pets and wildlife. If you shoot anything that moves, prioritise a proven AF system over almost any other spec.
Hybrid shooters should read the video spec carefully. 43% of the cameras we track do 4K or better, but the details decide usability: frame rates (24/30 vs 60/120 for slow-motion), 10-bit colour and a Log profile for grading, and — crucially — whether there's a recording time limit or serious rolling shutter. If video is a real part of your plan, these matter as much as the sensor.
Two features quietly raise your keeper rate. In-body image stabilisation (IBIS) — on 83% of ours — buys several stops of hand-holding for stills and smooths handheld video, and it works with any lens you mount. Burst speed and buffer depth matter for action and wildlife: a fast frame rate is only useful if the buffer doesn't choke after a second. Match these to what you shoot rather than chasing the biggest numbers.
A camera you enjoy holding is one you'll use. Weather sealing (83% of ours) matters if you shoot outdoors; dual card slots add backup for paid work; a fully articulating screen helps video and vlogging. Battery life on mirrorless is modest, so plan on spares for a long day. And handling — grip, dials, menu logic — is genuinely worth trying in person, because it decides whether the camera feels like a tool or a chore.
Every figure above is computed from our own catalogue. These independent references — including non-English outlets — back the general technical claims, so you can verify them yourself.
The figures in this guide are computed live from the 30 camerasin our catalogue and update as it grows — analysis by the Let’s Compare Data Engine.