If you ask me, we're living in the golden age of photography.
Why?
It's simple: photography has never been so accessible to so many people. What's more, we have more tools available to us today to create stunning photos than ever before.
That holds true whether you're a veteran photographer or a brand new one.
Among the treasure trove of photography tools are modern cameras that have excellent features that empower us to improve our photography.
That being the case, here are three of the best cameras you can buy today.
Editor's Tip: Short on cash to fund your new gear purchase? Trade-in or sell your old gear and upgrade your kit today. Get started.
Best DSLR Camera: Nikon D850
It should be of no surprise at all that the Nikon D850 tops our list of the best DSLR camera.
After all, this thing has some pretty impressive stats:
- 45.7-megapixel BSI CMOS FX sensor
- Expeed 5 image processor
- 153-point autofocus system
- ISO range 64-25,600 (expandable to 102,400)
- 7fps burst shooting speed (9fps with optional battery grip)
- 4K video at 30fps and 1080p video at 120fps
The sensor on this camera is enough to give it the top spot (in my opinion, anyway).
It's simply the best sensor money can buy in a DSLR or a mirrorless camera. Just ask DxOMark.
But to think that the Nikon D850 is only about its sensor is dead wrong.
The autofocus system has 153 points that offer you improved autofocus detection range.
On top of that, this camera has a lightning-fast 7fps burst shooting rate that jumps to an astonishing 9fps when you add an optional battery grip to the camera.
With a faster processor, improved battery life, a larger viewfinder, and silent shooting mode - among many other features - you have the makings of one of the best DSLR cameras ever made.
The downside, of course, is that the D850 is extremely expensive at around $3,300 for the camera body at the time of this writing.
That puts this camera firmly in the veteran and professional photographer realm.
But, for avid photographers that make money off their photos, you can't go wrong with this rig.
Get a full review of the Nikon D850 in the video above by Dan Watson.
Learn More:
- What I've Learned About the Nikon D850 After Using It For 6 Months
- These Nikon D850 Alternatives are Great Cameras and Cost Much Less, Too
Best Mirrorless Camera: Fujifilm X-T2
Aside from its beautiful retro looks, the Fujifilm X-T2 is an extremely capable little mirrorless camera that is nothing but modern and cutting-edge.
Consider these essential specs as proof positive that this is an excellent camera:
- 24.3-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS III sensor
- X-Processor Pro Engine
- Hybrid 325-point autofocus system
- ISO range 200-12,800 (expandable to 100-51,200)
- 8fps burst shooting speed with full autofocus tracking (14fps in silent shutter mode)
- UHD 4K video at 30fps, 25fps, or 24fps
Though this camera doesn't have a full frame sensor, or the most resolute APS-C sensor, for that matter, it still produces clean, sharp images that will rival just about any other mirrorless camera on the market today.
What's really astonishing about the X-T2 is its autofocus system and that system's performance.
With 325 autofocus points, this little camera rivals the likes of the Sony A7R III in terms of the sheer number of autofocus points available.
Add to that the fact that it can shoot at 8fps with full autofocus tracking or up to a mindboggling 14fps in silent shutter mode, and you have one of the fastest-shooting cameras available.
Additionally, this rig shoots ultra-high definition 4K video, so combined with the scathing burst shooting speeds, this camera is an ideal choice for photographers whose subjects are fast-moving (like athletes or animals) and for photographers that demand excellent video performance as well.
Get more details about the Fujifilm X-T2 in the video above by The Art of Photography.
Editor's Tip: Stretch your photography gear budget further by buying quality pre-owned cameras, lenses, and accessories. Start shopping now.
Best Camera For Beginners: Nikon D3400
If you're a beginner photographer and need a solid camera with tons of modern features that help you take better photos, look no further than the Nikon D3400.
This camera is just a couple of years old now, which means you can find great deals on pre-owned camera bodies.
But beyond that, there's a host of excellent features that include:
- 24-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
- Expeed 4 image processor
- 11-point autofocus system
- ISO range 100-25,600
- 5fps burst shooting speed
- 1080p HD video
Granted, these specs can't compete with the first two cameras on our list, but you have to bear in mind that this is not a professional camera like the Nikon D850 nor is it an enthusiast camera like the Fujifilm X-T2.
This is a solid beginner camera that has plenty of sensor resolution, processing power, and autofocus performance (with face detection!) for new photographers to learn their craft.
Additionally, the Nikon D3400 has all the modern features you want, including Bluetooth connectivity for quickly sharing photos.
This camera can also be controlled via a smartphone app, which is handy for those occasions when you want to get in on a group shot or take a selfie.
Another handy feature is one that this camera lacks - an anti-aliasing filter. Without that filter, that means you can get sharper images.
When it comes to the best cameras you can buy, the Nikon D3400 is our top pick for beginners.
It's got all the features you need, a ton of features you want, and it's inexpensive, too.
Get all the details on this camera in the video above by Chris Winter.