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Digital cameras are far from dead in 2019 even though more people take pictures and record videos with their smartphones than ever before. To stay relevant, camera manufacturers have been forced to offer more megapixels and better features at very attractive prices, and consumers are those who benefit.
The most difficult thing about creating this list of the top 7 best digital cameras available in 2019 has been narrowing all the excellent cameras that are currently on the market to less than 10 winners. Right from the get-go, our goal was to include something for everyone—from vloggers and bloggers to professional photographers and their amateur counterparts.
1. Nikon D850
The Nikon D850 may just be the most recommendable digital camera on this list.
Features:
It doesn’t matter why you want to buy a new digital camera because the D850 can do it all—from shooting mesmerizing pictures with a beautiful bokeh effect to recording 4K video footage at 30 frames per second.
The camera has a 45.7 MP sensor and support for continuous shooting at up to 7 frames per second, allowing you to capture action as it unfolds and without any reshoots.
Of course, all this brilliance comes at a price, but we think it’s better to pay extra for a digital camera that you can grow with instead of buying a camera that is guaranteed to restrict your creativity before you even get a chance to fully unleash it.
Pros: Records 4K video at 30 frames per second. Has a 45.7 MP sensor. ISO 64 (expandable down to ISO 32). Designed for the Gold Ring Series NIKKOR lenses. 153 focus points with autofocus that’s reliable down to -4 EV.
Cons: Expensive compared with entry-level DLSRs, but so much more capable and fun to use.
2. Canon EOS 6D Mark II
If you’re into landscape photography or like the wide-angle effect created by lenses with small focal lengths, you’ll be eyeing full-frame DSLRs sooner or later. And when it comes to full-frame DSLRs that don’t cost more than a used Toyota Prius, the Canon EOS 6D Mark II is right at the top.
Features:
Featuring the mighty DIGIC 7 Image Processor, this semi-professional digital camera is capable of sensitivities ranging from ISO 100 to ISO 40,000, and its 45-point all cross-type AF system is more accurate than any human could ever wish to be.
On the back of the Canon EOS 6D Mark II is a tilting touchscreen that lets you experiment with high- and low- angle shooting—not to mention that you can rotate it 180 degrees to record vlogs.
Pros: Relatively affordable as far as full-frame cameras go. Capable of sensitivities ranging from ISO 100 to ISO 40,000. DIGIC 7 Image Processor. Tilting touchscreen.
Cons: Doesn’t record video in 4K, which is a bummer because the camera would otherwise be perfect for serious videographers.
3. Sony Alpha A7 III
In recent years, many photographers have sold their equipment to buy mirrorless cameras. Why? Because mirrorless cameras are lighter, quieter, smaller, and more durable.
Features:
The Sony Alpha A7 III is an incredibly popular mirrorless camera with a back-illuminated full-frame CMOS sensor and other advanced imaging innovations whose purpose is to convince all avid photographers that cameras don’t need mirrors to capture once-in-a-lifetime moments.
With its continuous shooting of up to 10 frames per second, the Sony Alpha A7 III is fit for action photography, and its sophisticated autofocus mechanism can keep any subject in focus.
You can use the camera Sony’s comprehensive range of lenses, which includes everything from super telephoto zoom lenses to prime lenses with incomparable bokeh and sharpness.
Pros: Fast burst shooting. Sophisticated autofocus mechanism. Compatible with Sony’s comprehensive range of lenses. Records uncropped 4K video.
Cons: Only one the camera’s two memory card slots supports UHS-II cards.
4. Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100
Digital cameras with interchangeable lenses are in vogue now, but not everyone wants to spend their hard-earned money on something they may use only once or twice a year. If you dabble in a variety of photography genres and never know exactly which focal length will be ideal for the occasion, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 is the entry-level camera to get.
Features:
It comes with an integrated 24-75mm Leica DC lens (f/1.7-2.8), so you can take breathtaking landscape pictures one minute and ask your model to pose for you the next.
The camera can additionally record 4K video at 30 frames per second, and its ultra-high speed autofocus ensures professional results.
Pros: Inexpensive. Versatile and highly portable. Great image quality for the price. Records 4K video.
Cons: We have found its electronic viewfinder to be slightly oversaturated.
5. Fujifilm X100F
Digital cameras are instruments of art. As such, they should inspire creativity and be a joy to use. When we look at the Fujifilm X100F we definitely feel inspired and ready to grab our camera bags and hit the streets to capture life as it unfolds everywhere around us.
Features:
This retro mirrorless camera features a hybrid viewfinder that combines the characteristics of an optical viewfinder (OVF) and electronic viewfinder (EVF). The camera also has several effects that are supposed to simulate the look of analog film and let you produce unique pictures without the use of Photoshop or other image editing software.
Pros: Unique hybrid viewfinder. Built-in digital effects. Long battery life. Retro design.
Cons: Doesn’t record 4K video.
6. Olympus TG-5
Tough jobs demand tough equipment, and you would be hard-pressed to find a tougher digital camera than the Olympus TG-5. This little tank of a camera even has the word “tough” printed on it so you know that you can take it with your anywhere without worrying about it.
Features:
According to Olympus, the TG-5 is waterproof up to 15 meters, freeze-proof to -10 Celsius, crush-proof to a pressure of 100 kg, sealed against dust and sand, and protected against drops of up to 2.1 m, just to list a few of its specifications. It also takes pretty good pictures, but its ability to double as a hammer is really what sets it apart from other cameras featured in this article.
Pros: Extremely tough. Records 4K video. Takes great pictures.
Cons: Quite expensive for a compact digital camera.
7. Panasonic Lumix GH5S
The Panasonic Lumix GH5S is an excellent digital camera for videographers who want to record 4K video at 60 frames per second and use a gimbal for stabilization.
Without a gimbal, you’ll notice the lack of a built-in optical image stabilization system. The camera is sealed against moisture and dust, allowing you to shoot even on the beach or while it’s raining.
Pros: Perfect for capturing 4K video. Ergonomic design. Great picture quality.
Cons: Doesn’t have image stabilization.
Conclusion
If you already own a digital camera and have a drawer full of camera accessories, you might want to consider buying a new camera from the same manufacturer so you can save money on lenses, filters, and perhaps even batteries. However, you can always sell your existing gear on eBay or Craigslist and make a switch, which is why you shouldn’t disregard any of the digital cameras described below before you evaluate its pros and cons.
Choosing a new digital camera is never easy. While your smartphone will be with you for two or maybe three years tops, a good digital camera can serve you for many years. In this article, we’ve described the top 7 best digital cameras you can buy in 2019, and we guarantee that you won’t regret buying any one of them.
