Nikon vs Canon vs Sony: Which is Best in 2024?

There’s a Nikon vs Canon vs Sony debate regarding photography cameras. All three brands create excellent cameras and optics. So the tough question remains—how do you choose between them?

All three offer excellent cameras at every skill level. They have top cameras for professionals, mid-range cameras for enthusiasts, and entry-level cameras for beginners.

But once you commit to one brand, switching becomes expensive. You have to swap lenses and flashes, too. So choosing the right brand from the start is all the more important. To help you make that choice, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about Nikon, Canon, and Sony.

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Nikon vs Canon vs Sony

Keep in mind we’re only comparing the top camera brands that offer extensive full-frame options. So, let’s dive right into the Nikon vs Canon vs Sony debate! We’ll look at both DSLR and mirrorless camera options.

Nikon
Canon
Sony

Flagship Nikon, Canon, and Sony Mirrorless Cameras

Nikon Z9

Canon EOS R5

Sony a1

Nikon

Nikon has been developing optics since 1917 and launched its first camera in 1948. Nikon has been known for its reliable and high-performance DSLRs. But they decided to discontinue developing DSLR cameras.

Nikon is best known for its DSLRs, which are instantly recognizable by the red swoop on the grips. Although Nikon has stopped developing its DSLR lineup, it is still available on the market.

They have DSLR cameras for everyone, from beginners to professionals. They also have a few bridge cameras (popular superzooms) with a best-in-class zoom. But they’re now focused on expanding their mirrorless lineup.

Images from the latest Nikon cameras tend to have little noise, sharp subjects, and solid color. Even so, some say Nikon colors have a bit too much green and yellow.

Newest Release Nikon Cameras

Nikon Z f

Nikon Z30

Nikon Z8

Nikon also uses terms that can be easier for beginners to understand. Continuous autofocus is called “AF-C” instead of Canon’s “AI Servo.”

Their spot-metering modes also read the light at the focal point instead of only metering the light at the center of the image. This speeds up the process of getting an accurate exposure.

The brand’s long history also means there are plenty of Nikon lenses to choose from. These cover the super-wide angle to the extreme telephoto. They also have great specialty lens ranges like macro and fisheye.

There are all lens types in their F-mount series. Nikon also has a good selection of flashes and accessories. Nikon lenses tend to be priced higher than Canon. But a Nikon camera body is typically priced lower.

Best Nikon Z Lenses

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm F/4-6.3 VR

Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S

Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm F/2.8 S

Nikon DSLR Cameras

Nikon’s priciest DSLR is the D6, which has 20.8 MP (megapixels) and 14 fps (frames per second) continuous shooting. It’s a high-performance professional DSLR.

Nikon’s D850 is the most popular DSLR camera among professional photographers. It’s packed with advanced features. The full-frame sensor gives you a 45.7 MP image resolution. It’s a reliable workhorse that professionals love.

Lower numbers in the name mean fewer features. But the Nikon D780 is still a capable camera.

Best Nikon Full-Frame DSLR Cameras

Nikon D850

Nikon D780

Nikon D6

Nikon offers a wide range of APS-C cameras, from inexpensive beginner to high-end, fast ones. The Nikon D500 still scores high for an older camera.

The Nikon D3500 is widely considered to be the best camera for beginners. It has a 24.2 MP sensor and fantastic guide modes for beginners. But it is one of the cameras Nikon has stopped making along with the D3300.

Nikon D7500 is a good option for beginners. It’s a great camera at a reasonable price. You can read our full review of the Nikon D7500. The Nikon D5600 offers a few more extras while maintaining a low price.

Best Nikon APS-C DSLR Cameras

Nikon D500

Nikon D7500

Nikon D3500

Nikon Mirrorless Cameras

Some of Nikon’s best DSLR technology has migrated to its best mirrorless cameras. Nikon was a bit late to the mirrorless party. But their Z series mirrorless range now has some excellent cameras.

The Nikon Z7 and Z7 II offer many of the favorite features of the brand’s DSLRs. And they add extras like image stabilization and more advanced autofocus (AF) features. Read our full review of the Nikon Z7.

The Nikon Z9 is their most complete mirrorless camera. It’s an upgrade from the Z7 II and a top-quality full-frame mirrorless camera for professionals.

Best Nikon Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras

Nikon Z9

Nikon Z7 II

Nikon Z6 II

The Nikon Z50, Z30, and the newer, retro-looking Z fc have APS-C sensors. They have compact and lightweight bodies. And their photo and video features make them strong hybrid cameras. They’re ideal for vloggers, influencers, and content creators.

Best Nikon APS-C Mirrorless Cameras

Nikon Z50

Nikon Z30

Nikon Z fc

Nikon Camera Verdict

Photographers will likely be very happy with a Nikon camera. Nikon offers solid image quality, an excellent build, fast performance, and plenty of flashes and accessories.

Some photographers prefer Canon’s color quality. So, it may be a big deal if you’re inexperienced in color editing. But the terminology used by Nikon may be a bit simpler for beginners.

Canon

Canon dates back to the “Kwanon” 35mm camera in 1934. Today, Canon produces cameras in almost every category, including mirrorless and point-and-shoots. But like Nikon, it has also decided to discontinue the development of its DSLRs.

Canon’s DSLRs carry the EOS name. It stands for “Electro-Optical System.” Their EOS film cameras, released in 1987, were the first fully electronic systems—lenses and bodies that communicated with each other. Read our review of their classic Canon AE-1 SLR.

This popular brand is known for both its high-end cameras and beginner options. And digital Canon mirrorless cameras continue the EOS name.

Newest Release Canon Cameras

Canon EOS R100

Canon EOS R8

Canon EOS R50

Many of the EOS bodies use a Dual Pixel autofocus system. It involves two halves of each pixel working together when autofocusing. This system works well with both stills and video.

Canon also offers a wide selection of different EOS lens options with the EF mount and the EF-S mount. The latter is designed for the company’s APS-C DSLRs, which have a smaller sensor than a full frame.

Canon also offers many RF-mount lenses for mirrorless cameras. Compared to Nikon and Sony, Canon offers lower prices on lenses and higher prices on bodies.

Best Canon RF Lenses

Canon RF 24-105mm F/4L IS USM

Canon RF 50mm F/1.8 STM

Canon RF 50mm F/1.2L USM

Canon DSLR Cameras

Canon’s best and most expensive DSLR series is the EOS-1D line. The most recent model is the EOS-1D X Mark III. It has a 20 fps burst and a 20 MP full-frame sensor. This series is a popular choice for professional wildlife and sports photographers.

The next line of DSLRs is the EOS 5D series, including the 30.4 MP EOS 5D Mark IV. It’s a powerful full-frame DSLR with excellent photo features. You can read our comparison between the 5D Mark III and Mark IV.

A cheaper full-frame option is the EOS 6D line. This currently has two cameras—the 6D and the newer EOS 6D Mark II.

Best Canon Full-Frame DSLR Cameras

Canon EOS 1D X Mark III

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Canon EOS 1D X Mark II

The only other line with a single-digit marking is the 7D series. The 7D series consists of Canon’s semi-professional crop-sensor cameras. This line also has two models—the original, discontinued EOS 7D and the EOS 7D Mark II. Read our full review of the 7D Mark II.

Canon’s other APS-C DSLRs have a two-digit number, like the Canon EOS 80D. They also have the Canon EOS 90D. It has a powerful 32.5 MP sensor. And its DSLR video features are some of the best in any DSLR camera.

Canon Rebels are the brand’s most affordable cameras and are excellent for beginners. The Canon EOS Rebel T8i is their best entry-level DSLR. Its 24.1 MP image resolution gives you beautiful images. And you also get 4K video recording.

Best Canon APS-C DSLR Cameras

Canon EOS 90D

Canon EOS 80D

Canon EOS Rebel T7i / 800D

Canon Mirrorless Cameras

While Canon is best known for DSLRs, it also offers excellent mirrorless options. Canon mirrorless cameras are some of the most popular and advanced on the market.

Canon has been quite slow in entering the full-frame mirrorless world. Their lineup is still very limited.

The Canon EOS R5 C is one of their best mirrorless cameras. Its powerful full-frame sensor produces incredible 45 MP images. And perhaps even more impressive is its 8K video capabilities.

It’s a pure hybrid camera. And it’s a brilliant investment for professional multimedia makers.

The Canon EOS R8 is another mirrorless beast. It doesn’t have the 8K video of the R5 C. But it’s another example of Canon pushing the boundaries with its mirrorless camera range.

Best Canon Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras

Canon EOS R5 C

Canon EOS R5

Canon EOS R3

Canon’s EOS R7 is a high-performing crop-sensor camera with impressive optics and 4K video recording capabilities. It is worth looking into as a more affordable option.

The EOS M line is another series of mirrorless cameras with an APS-C sensor. The Canon EOS M50 Mark II is a fine example.

The M50’s mirrorless body is compact and lightweight. It also has excellent features for photography and video. This makes it a great camera choice for vloggers and content creators.

Best Canon APS-C Mirrorless Cameras

Canon EOS R7

Canon EOS R50

Canon EOS R10

Canon Camera Verdict

The bottom line? Canon is an excellent brand that many photographers trust. Image quality and contrast are consistently excellent.

Their latest model also features outstanding video functions. And their Dual Pixel autofocus is always fast and reliable. You can’t go wrong with a Canon DSLR or mirrorless camera.

Sony

Sony is a mirrorless camera specialist. They don’t make DSLR camera models. But their range of mirrorless cameras at all levels is second to none.

They didn’t start producing their cameras until 1988. And they were never heavily invested in DSLR cameras. But in 2006, it acquired Minolta, a camera company with a long history of making SLRs. After this, Sony turned their focus to mirrorless cameras.

At the beginning of the decade, Sony took risks by launching the Alpha series. It began as a full-frame mirrorless series. The a7 series evolved with a long list of features and stirred up the professional market.

Newest Release Sony Cameras

Sony a9 III

Sony a6700

Sony ZV-E1

The Sony full-frame line now consists of the a7 and a9 series. The a9 is for sports and wildlife photography and directly competes with the Canon 1D series and the Canon EOS D6.

Sony cameras with the R in the name have a higher-resolution sensor. Those with an S are designed for low light and video shooting. Sony cameras without any letter add-ons are designed with relatively affordable features.

Sony is the world’s largest supplier of image sensors. But camera brands don’t always like to disclose who made the sensor.

You might buy a camera with a different brand name and end up with a Sony sensor (like newer Nikon cameras.) But that’s okay because Sony makes great sensors.

Sony’s native lens options are limited compared to Canon’s and Nikon’s. That’s changing as Sony camera systems grow in popularity. Third-party manufacturers offer all their lenses for Sony E-mount.

Certain lenses can only be used with Sony mirrorless cameras (like Fujifilm). Their short flange distance allows for greater flexibility in lens design.

Best Sony Lenses

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II

Sony E 50mm F/1.8 OSS SEL50F18

Sony FE 24mm F/1.4 GM SEL24F14GM

Sony Mirrorless Cameras

The Sony a1 is their flagship mirrorless camera. It’s an advanced full-frame mirrorless with a 50.1 MP image sensor and 8K video recording. It’s packed with other high-tech features. And it’s aimed at professional photographers and videographers.

The Sony a7 series is now in its fifth generation. Popular cameras include the Sony a7 IV and the a7R IV. The former is aimed at enthusiasts, while the latter is more for semi-professionals. The Sony a9 II is the best in the a9 series, even with the a9 III out.

Then there’s the Sony a7R V. This is another trailblazer in the mirrorless camera division. The 61 MP image sensor is out of this world. That’s unparalleled image production for a full-frame camera. And the results are breathtaking.

Best Sony Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras

Sony a1

Sony a7R V

Sony a7R IVA

Sony’s APS-C line is also fantastic. Of course, you don’t get the headline-stealing resolutions. But the Sony a6600 is still a brilliant mirrorless camera. It produces fantastic photos and videos.

Sony also has some compact cameras you should know about. The best Sony compact camera is the Sony FX30, which captures beautiful cinematic images.

The Sony ZV-E10 is compact and portable. Sony designed it for vloggers and content creators. It has excellent video features for such a small camera. And the Sony RX100 VI is still one of the most advanced compact cameras you can find.

Best Sony APS-C Mirrorless Cameras

Sony FX30

Sony a6700

Sony a6600

Sony Camera Verdict

Sony hasn’t been around as long as Canon and Nikon. But Sony has some of the best mirrorless camera systems on the market.
Compared to the Canon R and Nikon Z mirrorless lineups, they have had more time to refine, add features, and create a strong AF system.

Which Is Better? Nikon, Canon, or Sony?

Each camera brand has some quirks. But Canon, Nikon, and Sony all make great camera systems. The best part about the Nikon vs Canon vs Sony debate? The constant competition has each camera manufacturer pushing to launch the best new camera.

One year, it may be a Canon, the next a Nikon, and the next a Sony. It all depends on the individual camera. Photographers often prefer one camera system over the other.

But when viewing the photos side by side, no one can tell if you shot that image with a Canon, Nikon, or Sony. A camera is just a tool. The photographer using that tool matters more.

You can read our reviews for the best cameras from each brand:

Our Choices for the Best Nikon, Canon, and Sony Cameras

Nikon Z7 II

Canon EOS R5

Sony a7C

Our Picks for Best Nikon, Canon, and Sony Beginner Cameras

Nikon Z50

Canon EOS R100

Sony ZV-1 Mark II

Conclusion: Nikon vs Canon vs Sony

There’s a lot to think about comparing Nikon vs Canon vs Sony. If you’re ready to buy a new camera but aren’t sure what brand to choose, here’s what to do. Go to a store that sells camera systems and ask to shoot with the ones on display. Or, even better, rent a camera body from each brand.

Then, ask yourself how they feel in your hands. Does working with one feel easier or more natural than the other? Dig into the menu systems. Does one camera brand feel more intuitive to you than the other?

Then, look at their lens selection. Can you see yourself using them? How expensive are they? Give yourself time to make the best decision. Compare camera specs and prices. And after you find your perfect camera and lens, hone your skills with our Photography for Beginners course!

Video Course

Photography for Beginners

Unlock the secrets to stunning photography with this course:

Learn to effortlessly set up your camera for any situation.
Master the art of selecting the perfect exposure every time.
Discover 10 composition rules that elevate your photos instantly.

Nikon vs Canon vs Sony

Nikon

Nikon DSLR Cameras

Nikon Mirrorless Cameras

Nikon Camera Verdict

Canon

Canon DSLR Cameras

Canon Mirrorless Cameras

Canon Camera Verdict

Sony

Sony Mirrorless Cameras

Sony Camera Verdict

Which Is Better? Nikon, Canon, or Sony?

Conclusion: Nikon vs Canon vs Sony

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