Nikon
Z6
Test score
We use cookies to allow us and selected partners to improve your experience and our advertising. By continuing to browse you consent to our use of cookies. You can understand more and change your cookies preferences here.
DSLR and mirrorless cameras come packed with impressive-sounding features that promise to take your photography to the next level – but not every camera comes good on these promises.
The best DSLR and mirrorless cameras will give you superb quality and control, but we've also found DSLR and mirrorless cameras that are fiddly to use and deliver disappointing photos. Many models aren't cheap, so it's a decision you don't want to get wrong.
Whether you're an experienced photographer looking to upgrade from a much-loved but outdated camera, or a beginner looking to buy your first DSLR or mirrorless camera, we explain the features to look out for, how much you need to spend, and which brands you can pick from.
You can find out more about the differences, and how much they matter, in our guide: mirrorless vs DSLR cameras – what's the difference?
Only logged-in Which? members can view our recommendations in the table below. If you’re not yet a member, you can get instant access by joining Which?.
This high-quality camera comes with a price to match, but it’s worth the investment. It has high-speed shooting, super-fast autofocus and amazing picture quality – perfect for professionals.
Sign up to revealFull Access first month £2.99, then £9.99 per month, cancel at any time
DSLR fanatics will love this camera which delivers premium performance at a mid-range price.
Sign up to revealFull Access first month £2.99, then £9.99 per month, cancel at any time
It offers functionality above and beyond a compact model, and image quality is good; the camera produces balanced, highly-detailed shots with good colours and natural skin tones, especially when used in bright, evenly lit scenarios.
Sign up to revealFull Access first month £2.99, then £9.99 per month, cancel at any time
Already know the kind of camera you're looking for? Go to our digital camera reviews.
Only logged-in Which? members can view our recommendations in the table below. If you’re not yet a member, you can get instant access by joining Which?.
The king of cameras, this model is the best we’ve seen. It scores higher than all other mirrorless and DSLR models, thanks to outstanding image quality and superior focusing, even in low light. It’s practically faultless.
Sign up to revealFull Access first month £2.99, then £9.99 per month, cancel at any time
One of the best mirrorless cameras we’ve ever tested and a true success for this brand in a saturated market where it’s difficult to stand out from the pack. By delivering outstanding quality in stills and video, alongside upgraded performance features such as in-body stabilisation and an improved autofocus, this brand has bagged itself another Best Buy.
Sign up to revealFull Access first month £2.99, then £9.99 per month, cancel at any time
It's not the best camera we've tested, but this lightweight camera impressed us on test and it comes at an attractive price. It's a brilliant stills camera in a wide range of environments.
Sign up to revealFull Access first month £2.99, then £9.99 per month, cancel at any time
DSLR and mirrorless cameras range in price from less than £400 to more than £4,000 – but our tests have found that cost doesn't guarantee quality.
We've found reasonably priced Best Buy cameras that produce exceptional photos, and we've also tested premium cameras that we didn't think were anything special. That said, if you want cutting-edge features, the largest sensors and a wealth of controls, then you will need to splash out.
The high-end nature of DSLR and mirrorless cameras means that we'd describe very few as 'cheap', but some are certainly more affordable than others. Below, we outline what you can expect to get for your money in different price ranges; between 20 and 40 of the cameras we've tested fall within each range.
For quality on a budget, head to our pick of the best cheap DSLR and mirrorless cameras.
Some camera features matter more than others. Here are some of the most important.
Because lenses are usually only compatible with cameras made from certain brands, you can easily become a captive consumer who needs to stick with the same brand, or small range of brands, to get value from your lens library. This makes it important to get it right the first time.
Some experienced users will swear by a particular brand, but we test every product on its own merits. Read our digital camera reviews to find out which models are the best.
The DSLR market is in decline, since most new releases are mirrorless cameras. DSLR market leaders are Nikon and Canon, both of which have long legacies. Pentax also offers a selection.
We've crunched the numbers to find out which brands stand out from the competition based on our test scores.
Which? members can log in to reveal the average scores that brands receive for DSLR and mirrorless cameras, as well as the highest and lowest scores they have earned from our testing.
If you're not yet a Which? member, sign up today to access our table and all of our reviews - from digital cameras to mobile phones.
Brand (models online) | Test score range | Average score |
---|---|---|
Canon (20) | ||
Fujifilm (10) | ||
Nikon (12) | ||
Olympus (9) | ||
Panasonic (13) | ||
Sony (14) |
Table notes: This table was last updated in February 2021.
DSLR and mirrorless cameras are fantastic pieces of kit, made up of electronics and optics. But they have lots of moving parts, which can increase the risk of something going wrong with your camera.
That said, when we surveyed more than 1,000 camera owners*, we found the large majority of cameras remained fault-free after five years of ownership.
The three most commonly reported faults were:
You should expect to own your digital camera for at least half a decade, so it's a long-term investment.
Data based on a survey conducted with 1,103 Which? members from April-July 2019.
Buying a high-end camera can be an expensive business, particularly if you invest in multiple lenses. If you're still undecided about whether the rewards justify the investment, consider whether a less complicated camera might suit your needs:
We've put together a guide for beginners to improve their camera skills, whatever the device they're using. Read how to shoot and edit photos like a pro to find out more.