How to choose a camera (2026)
By the Let’s Compare Editorial Team · 3 min read · 6 things that matter · Updated November 2026
Short answer: You're buying into a lens system as much as a body, and the lenses you add later will matter more than any spec. Pick a sensor size that suits your budget and how much you're willing to carry, then let autofocus and (if you shoot video) the video features break the tie. Megapixels come near the bottom of the list. Almost every current camera has more than enough.
Choose a camera and you're choosing a lens mount, which ties you to one system for years. The sections below explain each spec, show how much it counts in our 0–100 score and give the typical figure across the cameras we track. Our catalogue leans toward mirrorless and enthusiast models, so read the medians with that in mind.
What matters most, and how much
| Factor | Weight in our score |
|---|---|
| Sensor size | 24% |
| Autofocus | 16% |
| Video | 16% |
| Stabilisation & speed | 14% |
How much each factor moves our 0–100 cameras score.
Torn between the top two? See our head-to-head: Canon EOS R6 Mark III vs Canon EOS R6 V →
Sensor size: the spec that shapes everything
Image quality, low-light ability and depth-of-field depend far more on sensor size than on megapixels. Full-frame gathers the most light and blurs backgrounds most easily. APS-C balances size, price and reach. Micro Four Thirds keeps kits small and light. Every step up costs money and adds weight, so go for the largest sensor you'll actually carry; a camera left at home takes no pictures. Bigger sensors also need bigger, pricier lenses, so budget for the whole system.
Weight in our score: 24%See the best for this →
Megapixels: you almost certainly have enough
Resolution gets oversold. The cameras we track sit at a median of 26 megapixels, which is already plenty for large prints and heavy cropping. More pixels mean bigger files, and on the same sensor size they can slightly hurt low-light performance. High-resolution bodies (45MP+) only pay off for landscape, studio and commercial work where you crop hard or print huge. For everything else, don't let resolution decide.
Autofocus: what actually gets the shot
Whether you catch the moment or miss it usually comes down to autofocus. Look past the raw point count (median 759 across ours) to the system behind it. On-sensor phase detection with subject recognition, which locks onto human, animal and bird eyes and tracks them across the frame, transforms portraits and shots of kids, pets and wildlife. If you shoot anything that moves, put a proven AF system ahead of almost every other spec.
Weight in our score: 16%See the best for this →
Video: check this even if you shoot stills
If you shoot both stills and video, read the video spec closely. 39% of the cameras we track record 4K or better, but usability comes down to details: frame rates (24/30, or 60/120 for slow motion), 10-bit colour and a Log profile for grading. Above all, check for a recording time limit or heavy rolling shutter. When video is a serious part of your plans, these count as much as the sensor.
Weight in our score: 16%See the best for this →
Stabilisation & speed: sharp shots, kept shots
Two features raise your keeper rate. In-body image stabilisation (IBIS), found on 81% of ours, buys several stops of hand-holding for stills, smooths handheld video and works with any lens you mount. For action and wildlife, burst speed and buffer depth come into play; a fast frame rate won't help much if the buffer chokes after a second. Match both to what you shoot instead of chasing the biggest numbers.
Weight in our score: 14%
Handling, sealing & battery: living with it
You'll pick up a camera you enjoy holding more often. Weather sealing (85% of ours) is worth having if you shoot outdoors, dual card slots give you a backup for paid work, and a fully articulating screen helps with video and vlogging. Mirrorless battery life is modest, so carry spares on a long day. Try the handling in person if you can. Grip, dials and menu logic decide whether the camera feels like a tool or a chore.
Frequently asked questions
Does sensor size matter more than megapixels?
Yes. A larger sensor gathers more light, which means cleaner low-light shots and more background blur. Most current cameras already have more than enough megapixels.
What is IBIS and do I need it?
In-body image stabilisation shifts the sensor to counter shake, buying two to four stops of hand-holding with any lens. It's very useful if you shoot handheld or record video.
Should I buy full-frame or APS-C?
APS-C gives the best balance of size, price and reach. Full-frame gathers more light and blurs backgrounds more, but it costs more and weighs more. Buy the largest sensor you'll actually carry.
Explainers for this guide
- Camera sensor size explained: why it beats megapixels
Light gathering, low-light noise, depth of field: sensor size shapes your photos more than any pixel count.
- Do megapixels matter? Camera resolution explained
Why a higher megapixel count doesn't mean better photos, and when it does help.
Sources & further reading
Every figure above is computed from our own catalogue. The general technical claims are backed by the independent references below (some from non-English outlets), so you can check them yourself.
- DXOMARK Decodes: How a large sensor in a smartphone influences image quality — DXOMARK
- What is in-body image stabilization (IBIS)? — How-To Geek
- Phase detection vs contrast detection: which autofocus is better? — Camera House
- Test du Nikon Z8 — TechRadar France (FR)
Ready to compare?
The figures in this guide are computed live from the 36 camerasin our catalogue and update as it grows. Analysis by the Let’s Compare Data Engine.