Best Digital Cameras of 2023
Introduction
The global digital camera market is finally pickup up speed after years of struggling. Through the hardship, manufacturers are coming out with greater innovation and more focus than ever. While 2022 only saw 16 new digital cameras, 2023 welcomed 24 distinct models. Nearly all these models are Mirrorless Digital Cameras. There are also 2 rugged cameras and a couple of odd models, such as the Canon Powershot V10
Canon Powershot V10 that straddles the Digital Camera and Action CameraCameras designed mostly for video recording from attached to a person, not to be confused with a camera for Action Photography. market.
This market direction is expected now that Mirrorless Digital Cameras have significantly exceeded nearly every DSLR capability. High end photography going forward will become exclusive to mirrorless cameras. Every other camera on the market is defined by what it can offer beyond what modern cellphones can do. Rugged Cameras are a prime example of this. Although none were introduced this year, except some Premium Compact and Ultra-Zooms to be launched in the future.
The Best New Digital Cameras of 2023
This year, there are only two categories for Neocamera to cover:
- Mirrorless: Now the most common type of digital camera, featuring large sensors up to Medium Format and interchangeable lenses. Their lack of mirror make it possible to capture top image-quality without the need for a mirror box which also allows them to capture images completely silently.
- Rugged: Compact cameras designed for rough handling. These models all have fixed internal optics that allow the camera to be waterproof, weatherproof, dustproof and shockproof. Most are also freezeproof and crushproof too.
As a consequence of smaller production volumes for products which require a huge amount of research and investments is forcing average sale prices to rise relatively steeply.
Best Mirrorless Digital Cameras
Mirrorless Digital Cameras dominate the market. This year, 16 new mirrorless cameras were launched, breathing a healthy amount of competition. Many models introduced innovative features and unprecedented capabilities. A rise in prices places several models beyond the reach of some consumers. Here are all 16 new mirrorless cameras launched in 2023 with their current pricing in USD:
Camera | Sensor Size | IBIS | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Canon EOS R100 | APS-C (1.6X) | None | $430 USD |
Canon EOS R50 | APS-C (1.6X) | None | $600 USD |
Fujifilm X-S20 | APS-C (1.5X) | 7-Stops | $1300 USD |
Canon EOS R8 | Full-Frame | None | $1300 USD |
Panasonic Lumix S5 II | Full-Frame | 5-Stops | $1700 USD |
Sony Alpha A6700 | APS-C (1.5X) | 5-Stops | $1800 USD |
Panasonic Lumix G9 II | Four-Thirds | 8-Stops | $1900 USD |
Nikon Zf | Full-Frame | 8-Stops | $2000 USD |
Panasonic Lumix S5 II X | Full-Frame | 5-Stops | $2100 USD |
Sony Alpha A7C II | Full-Frame | 7-Stops | $2200 USD |
Sony Alpha ZV-E1 | Full-Frame | 5-Stops | $2200 USD |
Sony Alpha A7C R | Full-Frame | 7-Stops | $3000 USD |
Nikon Z8 | Full-Frame | 5½-Stops | $4000 USD |
Sony Alpha A9 III | Full-Frame | 8-Stops | $6000 USD |
Fujifilm GFX 100 II | Medium-Format | 8-Stops | $7500 USD |
This is quite a wide price-range with the two Canon APS-C mirrorless offering unbeatable prices below that of high-end cellphones. If those are the only ones you can afford, those are the best cameras for you. Compared to other 2023 models, these two are severely restricted yet they can capture great photos and 4K Ultra-HD video. There is little difference between the Canon EOS R100
Canon EOS R100 and R50
Canon EOS R50, with the latter having a higher burst-speed.
The next pricing level finds the Fujifilm X-S20
Fujifilm X-S20 and Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS R8 for exactly the same price. There, the X-S20 easily beats the R8, due to its excellent image-stabilization mechanism. No optically stabilized lens can bridge the gap which is why under most circumstances the Fujifilm X-S20 will capture better images despite having a smaller sensor, earning this mirrorless a spot among the Best Mirrorless Digital Cameras of 2023.
Best Entry Mirrorless Camera 2023
Fujifilm X-S20
The Fujifilm X-S20 is a very light and compact digital camera that delivers features and performance well above it price-point! This mirrorless is built around a 26 Megapixels X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor which captures images of exceptional quality and a truly blazing speed. Its hybrid shutter allows for shutter-speeds from 1/32,000s to 15 minutes. It can also shoot full-resolution images continuously at 20 FPS. Phase-Detection sites spread across the sensor power a sophisticated 425-Point AF system.
A 5-axis IBIS system provides up to 7 stops of compensation for camera shake with any lens, greatly improving low-light photography. Its APS-C sensor allows the X-S20 to use smaller and lighter lenses than full-frame models which together contributes to make it an excellent camera for travel photography. The only important consideration is that, unlike higher-priced models, this camera is nor weatherproof nor freezeproof.
Equally impressive is the wealth of control on this mirrorless camera. It packs triple control-dials and a highly customizable interface. It also delivers the highest video capabilities of any APS-C camera and is able to record 6K Video (6240x4160) at 30 FPS or up to Cinema 4K (4096x2160) at 60 FPS. External audio is also supported via a standard 3.5mm mini-jack. One also gets 2.4 MP 0.39" EVF with 100% coverage and an Eye-Start Sensor, all in a 491g body.
This mirrorless digital camera is highly advantageous for travel photography while being suitable for virtually any subject. It stands among the most advantageous models for street photography while also being able to handle landscape, architecture, portraits and daily life with ease. The X-S20 will even do action photography quite well when paired with a bright lens.
A large gap in pricing separates the X-S20 from stabilized Full-Frame cameras. The price difference is even more significant when taking into account the cost of Full-Frame lenses. Two cropped-sensor cameras launched this year land in a similar price range. While these are certainly good cameras, their price is hard to justify. The Sony Alpha A6700
Sony Alpha A6700 look like a direct competitor to the X-S20 yet offers virtually no advantage while having 2-stop less of stabilization, a narrower shutter-speed range, slower continuous drive, lower resolution video and lacking in features. The reason to choose the A6700 is if one already has compatible lenses.
Similarly, the Panasonic Lumix G9 II
Panasonic Lumix G9 II is highly overpriced for its capabilities. It offers top-notch image-stabilization but that is insufficient to compensate for its smaller Four-Thirds sensor. This one is only to consider for those who want to use Micro Four-Thirds lenses. This leave five Full-Frame Mirrorless Digital Cameras with IBIS below $3000 USD. The undeniable standout is the Nikon Zf which is one of the Best Digital Cameras of 2023.
Best Advanced Mirrorless 2023
Nikon Zf
When the Nikon Zf launched, it brought both a new retro-style design for Nikon and capabilities that even excel the Nikon flagship in some areas. Its new 24 Megapixels Full-Frame CMOS sensor is mounted on a state-of-the-art 5-axis IBIS system with 8-stops efficiency. This sensor has a fast read-out that allows continuous shooting at 30 FPS which the Zf can sustain for 200 JPEG images or 186 RAW files. There are 299 Phase-Detect AF point on the sensor that can measure focus down to -10 EV, by far the highest sensitivity of any AF system.
Features of the Zf are quite comprehensive with virtually all capabilities expected from a high-end mirrorless. It offers builtin HDR, an Interval Timer, Multiple-Exposure, extensive bracketing and more. With 24 MP, the camera has enough resolution to capture 4K Ultra HD video. It can record it at 30 FPS and Full HD video at 120 FPS. All those are packed in a durable weatherproof body with the highest magnification EVF in its class, a 3.7 MP 0.5" EVF with 0.8X magnification, 100% coverage and an essential Eye-Start Sensor.
The Nikon Zf can produce superb images for virtually any type of photography. It is currently the best model for travel photography and will excel at street photography and portraiture. Given its 24 MP sensor and extremely sensitive AF system, the Nikon Zf surpasses even far more expensive models for low-light photography.
Given the all-around excellent performance of the Nikon Zf and that a higher-end model cost at least 50% more, only very specific reasons to justify paying more. Flagship cameras are specialized in one of two ways: Resolution for the majority and speed for a few. With a maximum continuous frame-rate of 30 FPS, the Zf comes close to the maximum speed of most, save for the Sony Alpha A9 III
Sony Alpha A9 III that will only become available next year. It will be capable of Full-Resolution bursts at incredible 120 FPS.
For the ultimate image-quality in terms of absolute resolution, dynamic-range and color-depth, the Medium-Format Fujifilm GFX100 II
Fujifilm GFX100 II delivers by far the best performance of 2023.
Best Professional Mirrorless 2023
Fujifilm GFX100 II
The Fujifilm GFX 100 II has the most superlatives among digital cameras. Its Medium-Format 44x33mm sensor is the largest currently in production and it offers 102 megapixels, also the highest resolution on the market. Even with its large size, Fujifilm managed to match the best IBIS system with their own 5-axis mechanism which brings 8-stop of efficiency. This camera captures the widest dynamic-range and has the deepest color-depth yet.
This Mirrorless Digital Camera offers one of the richest feature-set there is. Its standard sensitivity range covers ISO 80-12,800 and expands to ISO 40-102,400. Combined with a hybrid shutter that can take timed exposures from 1/32,000 to 1 hour, the exposure latitude of the Fujifilm GFX 100 II is extreme. On sensor phase-detection gives it the ability to swiftly focus even in very low light.
In contrast to the X-series, the Fujifilm GFX 100 II provides a thoroughly modern interface with dual control-dials, plenty of customizable buttons and a monochrome status LCD that is highly configurable. In this model, the viewfinder is detachable, allowing to insert a tilting adapter for waist-level photography. The 9.4 Megapixels 0.64" EVF unit shows 100% coverage at 0.9X magnification, the highest resolution and largest magnification of any electronic viewfinder. The camera body is fully weatherproof and freezeproof down to -10C. All this makes it the heaviest camera launched this year which is an unavoidable disadvantage of Medium-Format.
The throughput of the Fujifilm GFX 100 II is outstanding. It can capture 102 megapixels images at 8 FPS which can be sustained for over 1000 JPEG images or 325 RAW files. This increased to 8.7 FPS with a Full-Frame crop and then a single burst can record over 1000 RAW files. This performance extends to video too. This mirrorless is one of the few to record Cinema 8K video at 8192x4320 @ 24 FPS in addition to standard 8K.
For photography that places image-quality above all-else, the Fujifilm GFX 100 II is unbeatable. The is a cost in price and bulk when using the GFX system but those who can are certain to be rewarded.
Best Rugged Digital Camera
All new digital cameras must deliver a clear advantage over cellphones to succeed in market. This is easy for cameras that sport a large sensor yet not for compact models, unless they manage to pack a long zoom or rugged construction. For this reason, the Rugged Camera category makes its debut this year. These digital cameras are fully waterproof, weatherproof, dustproof and shockproof at least. Nearly all are also freezeproof and many are crushproof too.
This year, two rugged cameras were announced, the Olympus Tough TG-7
Olympus Tough TG-7 and the Pentax WG-90
Pentax WG-90. Although both afford a similar level of protection, the TG-7 proved to be the superior alternative.
Best Rugged Digital Camera 2023
Olympus Tough TG-7
The OM System Tough TG-7 is the first rugged camera under the OM System brand which took over the product line from Olympus. Similarly to its predecessor, it continues to deliver more features all its competitors, including supporting a wide variety of add-ons.
This tough compact digital camera is submersible to 15m depths, freezeproof to -10C, shockproof to 2.1m drops, crushproof to 100kg, weatherproof and dustproof. This level of protection is accompanied by large controls with more texture than previous models to facilitate usage while wearing gloves. The TG-7 and its predecessor from Olympus are the only rugged digital cameras with a control-dial.
The OM System Tough TG-7 packs a typical 12 megapixels 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor and pairs it with a bright stabilized 25-100mm F/2-4.9 lens. With a sensor this small, both the extra brightness and image-stabilization system are extremely helpful. There are a good amount of features in this camera but it falls short of providing Manual-Exposure. The sensor uses in the TG-7 can capture full-resolution images at 20 FPS and record 4K Ultra-HD video.
Extra sensors inside the OM System TG-7 record air pressure, depth and a digital compass measures direction, in addition to the position and elevation measured by the builtin GPS. Optional add-on lenses and lights add versatility to this camera. It is really a camera that is ready for adventure due to its incredibly solid body.
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