The 7 Best Canon DSLRs
This wiki has been updated 22 times since it was first published in March of 2018. Revered for their image quality when shooting both stills and videos, the Canon DSLRs on our list can help you create crystal clear memories and enviable works of art with minimal effort. We've included options suitable for inexperienced photographers looking to invest in new gear, as well as more advanced full-frame and mirrorless cameras for experienced enthusiasts and working professionals. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Editor's Notes
January 18, 2021:
While we removed the EOS RP and EOS R, recognizing that their designation as mirrorless cameras disqualified them for consideration in this specific category, we also added the EOS-1D X Mark III to our list.
The EOS-1D X Mark III first came to market January 2020, and was presented as an upgraded version of the EOS-1D X Mark II — our previous top pick for this list. We decided to retain the Mark II – as it’s still a great choice for professionals, and now costs considerably less than its successor – but the Mark III establishes its superiority in a number of notable ways, including the the ability to shoot continuously at a rate of 20 frames per second (compared to 16 FPS for the Mark II) and the ability to shoot 5.5k video (compared to 4k for the Mark II).
September 30, 2019:
The biggest shakeup in this category since we last visited it is undeniably the introduction of Canon's two mirrorless models. After lagging behind the Sony, Panasonic, Olympus, and Fujifilm in this sector, both Canon and Nikon came out with full-frame mirrorless bodies capable of some truly exceptional photography. While Nikon released their Z6 and Z7 models simultaneously, Canon came out with their high-end EOS R first, whetting the appetites of consumers for the RP that would follow, offering slightly truncated specs at an incredibly reasonable price point situated below their budget full-frame DSLR, the 6D MK II.
The arrival of these capable bodies made the likes of their M5 mirrorless camera all but obsolete, as any R&D in lens manufacturing for the mirrorless sector was going to go to this new RF mount. So, we sent the M5 packing, along with older versions of the company's recently updated APS-C king, the 90D. Canon also updated their SL2 to the SL3, which features more than 400 times the number of autofocus points as its predecessor.
Obviously, the decision making process here is going to have a lot to do with budget, as well as what lenses a given consumer might already own, but for newcomers to the brand there has never been a better variety of options, especially for those willing to make the jump to full-frame right out of the gate.