Best Digital Cameras of 2022

Introduction

Globally, digital camera companies continued 2022 with the same low production volume as 2021 which saw a dramatic downturn from prior years. While 2020 saw 44 new cameras, 2021 got 17 and 2022 only 16. There is still six weeks until the year ends, so it may pass last but not by much.

Again, Mirrorless Digital Cameras dominated the industry. Only 3 cameras this year were not mirrorless. The Olympus lineup was taken over by OM System which produced just two cameras, nearly identical to those it inherited. Other manufacturers also introduced several models that were simply minor tweaks to previous ones. This feature article will therefore be shorter than previous years and so be sure to consider older models as well when buying a new digital camera.

The Best New Digital Cameras of 2022

Neocamera looks for the best cameras among each of the following distinct categories:

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.
DSLR: Classic digital cameras with large sensors and optical reflex viewfinders. These are renowned for their top image-quality, durability and efficiency.
Premium Compact: Relatively compact, these digital cameras feature a large sensor paired with a fixed lens and efficient manual-controls. This allows them to deliver high image-quality with lower noise and superior dynamic-range compared to other fixed-lens cameras.
Ultra-Zoom: Fixed lens digital cameras with very long zoom ranges. Those are larger than compact which allows them to pack up to 125X optical zoom or shorter ones with bright optics.
NOTE There were no ultra-zoom cameras introduced in 2022.
Travel-Zoom: Compact fixed-lens digital cameras with a relatively long telephoto reach.
NOTE No Travel-Zoom camera was introduced since 2019.
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.

Best Mirrorless Digital Cameras

Mirrorless Digital Cameras are essentially the only remaining market-segment. This year, 13 out of 16 cameras launched were mirrorless. Not only is this fewer models than in 2021, the majority are incremental upgrades and intermediate models. Very little technological progress was achieved on digital cameras during 2022.

There are mirrorless digital cameras for every level of photography on the market. 2022, though, mostly saw the introduction of mid-range models and the cost of entry into the mirrorless world continues to rise with both cameras and lenses become steadily more expensive.

Mirrorless Cameras fall into 5 general categories:

Entry-Level: Cameras that produce good quality images with minimal effort in the most compact size possible.
Prosumer: Mirrorless cameras that output high quality images with efficient controls in a compact form-factor.
Professional Travel Photographer: Mirrorless cameras that maximize image-quality relative to their size while providing efficient ergonomics and the ability to handle any environment.
Professional Onsite Photographer: The absolute top image quality possible for any type of photography where size is no object, weather onsite for architecture or urban photography or in a studio.
Professional Action Photographer: Cameras that excel at capturing fast action with the best image quality.

Just 3 of new 2022 cameras qualify as Entry-Level: The Nikon Z30
Nikon Z30, Canon EOS R10
Canon EOS R10 and Canon EOS R7
Canon EOS R7, all APS-C cameras with dual-control dials in a lightweight body. None of these are weatherproof, which is what keeps them from falling into the next category, plus the lack of a viewfinder on the Z30. Among these only one model truly stands out.

Best Entry-Level Mirrorless 2022

Canon EOS R7

The Canon EOS R7 is the second highest resolution APS-C camera. Its 32 Megapixels Dual-Pixel CMOS sensor captures very detailed images and measures light phase at every pixel. This used to create a highly-versatile virtual 651-point Phase-Detect AF system. The most significant advantage of the R7 is its 5-axis IBIS system that compensates for 7-stops of camera shake, on the the most powerful of any APS-C digital camera.

This mirrorless packs an impressive performance. Its hybrid shutter can capture full-resolution images at 30 FPS and supports shutter-speeds from 1/16,000s-30s. The camera record 4K Ultra-HD video at 60 FPS or 1080p Full-HD at 120 FPS. Dual-Pixel AF produces the smoothest autofocus while filming.

Dual control-dials are now more common which makes the R7 relatively efficient to use. It sports a 2.4 Megapixels 0.39" EVF with 0.72X magnification at 100% coverage and comes with an essential Eye-Start Sensor. This provides a comfortable preview for both photography and videography. Another advanced feature on the Canon EOS R7 is its dual SDXC memory-card slots. This is a truly compelling APS-C mirrorless.

There is certainly a notable price difference between the R7 and R10 but the builtin image-stabilization system is absolutely worth it. No stabilized lens can compensate for the same level of shake and given its incredibly small pixel pitch, it is very beneficial to be able to photograph at lower ISO which maximizes dynamic-range and minimizes noise.

Best Prosumer Mirrorless 2022

Fujifilm X-H2

The flagship Fujifilm X-H2
Fujifilm X-H2 packs the highest-resolution APS-C sensor for Mirrorless Digital Cameras and pairs it with a high-performance X Processor Pro to extract maximum performance. This 40 megapixels X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor seemingly achieves the impossible of dramatically raising resolution compared to the previous generation while delivering comparable image-quality. Its builtin Phase-Detect AF system is incredibly fast.

Fujifilm substantially improved the 5-axis image-stabilization system in the X-H2. It compensates up to 7-stops of camera shake, matching the best-in-class R7. This is incredibly advantageous to allow using lower ISO sensitivities to improve image-quality. The throughput of the X-H2 is absolutely astonishing. Full-resolution images can be captured at 13 FPS for over 1000 JPEG images or 1000 RAW files in a single continuous burst. This camera can record 8K video at 30 FPS and Cinema 4K video at 60 FPS. Full HD can be recorded at frames rates up to 240 FPS.

A hybrid shutter inside the Fujifilm X-H2 captures images at an unprecedented 1/180,000s. It takes timed exposures up to 15 mins and bulb exposures up to an hour. This is an incredibly feature-rich mirrorless. Its highly ergonomic body offers dual control-dials, a traditional mode-dial, an 8-way focusing joystick and plenty of external controls. It fully weatherproof and freezeproof down to -10C. The X-H2 comes with one of the best viewfinders on the market, a 0.5" EVF with 5.8 megapixels that shows 100% coverage at 0.8X magnification.

This new Fujifilm flagship is among the very best mirrorless cameras on the market and is an excellent choice for photography enthusiasts and professionals.

Best Travel Photography Mirrorless

Canon EOS R6 Mark II

After experimenting with mirrorless camera with little success for years, Canon finally produced a pair that Full-Frame Mirrorless Digital Cameras that leaped ahead of the competition. The recent Canon EOS R6 Mark II is the second generation of the Canon EOS R6
Canon EOS R6 launched back then and makes a great Travel-Photography camera.

The Canon EOS R6 Mark II
Canon EOS R6 Mark II is built around a 24 Megapixels Dual-Pixel AF II sensor that measures phase at every pixel to create a virtual 4897-Point Phase-Detect AF system that is sensitive down to -6½ EV. With this resolution, one of the lowest among current Full-Frame cameras, the R6 Mark II can grab much faster bursts than the flagship R5. Paired with a fast processor, the Canon EOS R6 Mark II can capture full-resolution images at 40 FPS that can be sustained for over 1000 JPEG images or 110 RAW files.

One of the best features of this mirrorless is its class-leading 5-axis image-stabilization system that can compensate for 8-stops of camera shake! This is well beyond the power of any other type of image stabilization and provides a huge advantage for travel photography by pushing back the darkness level where a tripod becomes necessary. When a tripod is used, this camera can make Bulb exposures of over 4 hours.

Externally virtually identical to its predecessor, the R6 Mark II maintains excellent ergonomics with triple control-dials, plus an 8-way focusing joystick. A large 3.7 Megapixels 0.5" EVF shows 100% coverage at 0.76X magnification and comes with an essential Eye-Start Sensor makes framing very comfortable.

What cements of Canon EOS R6 Mark II
Canon EOS R6 Mark II in its spot for Best Travel-Photography Mirrorless in 2021 is the number of high-quality yet outstandingly light lenses recently launched by Canon. With a trio of weatherproof lenses spanning a 14-200mm focal-range, the system weighs in at 2.5kg which is lighter than a suitable APS-C mirrorless with equivalent lenses.

Best Onsite Photography Mirrorless

Hasselblad X2D 100C

Hasselblad truly evolved its series of Medium-Format Mirrorless Digital Cameras with the launch of the X2D 100C. This is the third model of the series but really the first one that truly competes with Fujifilm, the only other Medium Format Mirrorless manufacturer by matchings its resolution and offering a competitive feature-set.

The Hasselblad X2D 100C sports a 100 megapixels CMOS sensor with a 294-Point Phase-Detect AF system built right in. This huge sensor has a 0.8X crop factor, making it larger than Full-Frame. More importantly, this sensor discretizes each photosite to 16-bits that allows greater dynamic-range too. The X2D introduces the first Hasselblad IBIS system that manages an impressive 7-stops of efficiency, a level beyond any Medium-Format camera. This particularly important since Hasselblad does not make any stabilized lenses.

This Medium Format is lighter than even most Full-Frame models due to its lack of a shutter-mechanism. Instead, the Hasselblad X-D series depends on lenses with a builtin leaf-shutter. This allows flash-sync at ultra-high speed but lenses for other systems cannot be adapted, leaving users to rely the XCD lens lineup with currently only 13 lenses spanning 21-135mm.

The Hasselblad X2D 100C captures incredibly detailed images with 15-stops of dynamic-range that can be printed to huge sizes. The compact size and light weight of this camera frees it from being exclusively used in a studio environment. Even though this is a high-end professional product, the X2D is the only such camera that is not weatherproof. It may not matter now since not a single XCD lens is weatherproof either. The other important omission to note is that the X2D does not have any video capabilities.

Among Medium-Format Digital Cameras, the X2D X100C is the lightest and the entire system is surprisingly compact. Lenses are relatively light and generally weigh less than the camera, despite projecting a large imaging-circle. Leaf shutters built into those lenses are very small and light. The Hasselblad X2D 100C is extremely suited for studio and onsite photography.

Best Action Photography Mirrorless

Olympus OMS OM-1

Flagship cameras for Action Photography have a long release cycle and given that three were introduced in 2021, it is surprising that two were introduced this year: the Fujifilm X-H2S
Fujifilm X-H2S and the Olympus OMS OM-1
Olympus OMS OM-1. Both those can capture long bursts extremely quickly but the OM-1 surpassed the performance of all others.

The first product launched by OM System takes the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III up a notch with their newly improved OM System OM-1. This Micro Four-Thirds mirrorless is built around an extremely fast 20 Megapixels Four-Thirds Quad-Pixel Stacked-CMOS sensor capable of full-resolution output at 120 FPS! The camera can even continuous focus and meter up to 50 FPS and offers drive modes starting at 10 FPS.

This mirrorless camera is packed with features, including a 5-axis image-stabilization system that delivers 7-stops of efficiency. Its hybrid shutter captures images between 1/32,000s and 60s with added Live-View, Live-Bulb and Live-Composite modes unique to Olympus and now OM System.

The Quad-Pixel sensor design makes it possible to autofocus extremely quickly and provides a virtual 1053-Point Phase-Detect AF system sensitive down to -5½ EV. This combination of ultra-fast continuous drive, fast autofocus with large number of focus-points and sensitivity makes the OM-1 ideal for action photography.

The Micro Four-Thirds platform makes the OM System OM-1 the smallest and lightest action photography camera available. Its 2X crop-factor also makes its lens significantly smaller and lighter than other models typically used for sport and wildlife photography. There is obviously a downside to the small sensor-size in terms of image quality but it also adds extra depth-of-field that is advantageous in fast-moving scenes..

Best DSLR Camera

Only one DSLR was released in 2022. By default, this makes the Pentax KF the best DSLR this year. This is a mid-range DSLR that truly delivers beyond its price-point and is absolutely worth considering. Professionals though must go back to the Nikon D6
Nikon D6 introduced in 2022.

Advantages of DSLR cameras over Mirrorless ones are thinning and the latter provide significantly more capabilities. Still, one can rely on long battery-life and the nostalgic view offered by the optical reflex viewfinder. A few minor advantages persist such as being able to frame with the camera powered off.

Best DSLR 2022

Pentax KF

Ricoh refreshed their DSLR lineup with the Pentax KF that is essentially a K-70 with minor tweaks. These DSLRs are built around a 24 megapixels APS-C CMOS sensor mounted on a 5-axis image-stabilization system. This one provides 4½-stops of Shake-Reduction compared to hand-holding. Uniquely, Pentax DSLRs absolutely make incomparable use of IBIS. The KF is no exception as it can use the image-stabilization mechanism to adjust composition, simulate an anti-alias filter and even track stars, when combined with a GPS unit.

Even though the Pentax KF is the simplest model among the lineup, it packs many features that are expected for professional models. There are dual control-dials and a large 100% coverage viewfinder in a body that is both weatherproof and freezeproof down to -10C. This camera also includes many advanced and sophisticated features. The main difference between the Pentax KF and high-end DSLR is lighter weight body with fewer external controls.

There is no doubt the Pentax KF is nice camera. For those looking for the DSLR experience at an affordable price, there is currently no better choice, even among models from previous years. It does come with several limitations, mostly regarding its speed. Its 11-point AF system is dated and its maximum 6 FPS does not compare well with other cameras from 2022. Among all camera introduced this year, only 3, including this one, cannot capture 4K video.

Best Premium Compact Digital Cameras

Broadly, a Premium Compact is a digital camera designed for prosumers and professional photographers. These cameras offer a relatively large sensor, bright lens and complete manual controls along with external controls to make their use efficient. Only a single Premium compact was launched in 2022 and it is a highly specialized unit only suitable for vlogging.

For photography, the 2020 Fujifilm X100V
Fujifilm X100V remains the best Premium Compact on the market.

Best Premium Compact 2022

Sony ZV-1F

The Sony ZV-1F is the first digital camera designed specifically for vlogging. For those not in the know, vlogging is the video equivalent of a selfie. As such, unlike all other modern Premium Compact digital cameras, the XV-1F does not have any viewfinder. Instead, its rear LCD is the only one among such cameras to rotate forward.

The attraction of the Sony ZV-1F is that it captures images and video vastly superior to cellphones with simplicity. Its 20 megapixels 1" CMOS sensor has really good sensitivity for a compact camera. An electronic shutter in this camera covers shutter-speeds of 1/32000s to 15s and can capture full-resolution bursts of images at 16 FPS.

Uniquely, this fixed-lens camera has a builtin ultra-wide prime lens that is the equivalent of a 20mm lens on a Full-Frame model. This gives an ultra-wide 94° field-of-view, typically used for architecture and sweeping landscape photography. For vlogging though, such ultra-wide lens allows the camera to frame its user at arm-length. The lens also has a maximum F/2 aperture which improves low-light performance.

This is a pocket-size video camera with impressive low-light performance. It can record 4K video at 30 FPS or 1080p at 120 FPS to capture faster action. While the ZV-1F omits image-stabilization, like most prime-lens cameras, it comes with several features rarely seen among those: a hot-shoe and a stereo input mini-jack.

Expect great video quality with excellent front-facing audio, thanks to a built 3-capsure directional microphone, from the Sony ZV-1F. This digital cameras comes with clear limitations which allow it to be highly compact and very light.

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 is another category that got a single new model in 2022, the Ricoh WG-80 which is actually a refreshed entry-level model which still sits below the Ricoh WG-6
Pentax Ricoh WG-6 rugged flagship camera from 2019.

Best Rugged Digital Camera 2022

Pentax Ricoh WG-80

The Ricoh WG-80 is a simple digital camera packed inside a truly rugged body. This model can be taken down to 14m depths for up to 2 hours. It is fully weatherproof, dustproof and freezeproof to -10C. It is also shockproof to 1.6m drops and crushproof under 100kg. This is truly digital camera that can be taken anywhere.

Imaging is provided by a 16 megapixels 1/2.3" CMOS sensor that can also record 1080p Full-HD video at 30 FPS. A small sensor like this does not produce high-quality images yet the WG-80 can capture images that cameras with larger sensors cannot. Paired with this tiny sensor is a dim 24-140mm F/3.5-5.5 lens. It provides nice framing flexibility and can focus down to 1cm from the lens. LED lights around the lens can light macro subjects to avoid casting a shadow over them.

Features of the Ricoh WG-80 are fairly limited. Exposure is always automatic and the shutter-speed range is 1/4000-1/4s. Unusually though for a rugged camera, the WG-80 offers both an Interval-Timer and infrared remote trigger. This point-and-shoot digital camera is designed with contours to allow its use underwater and while wearing gloves.

By Neocamera on 2023-11-20

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NEWS

Best Digital Cameras of 2022

Introduction

The Best New Digital Cameras of 2022

Best Mirrorless Digital Cameras

Best Entry-Level Mirrorless 2022

Canon EOS R7

Best Prosumer Mirrorless 2022

Fujifilm X-H2

Best Travel Photography Mirrorless

Canon EOS R6 Mark II

Best Onsite Photography Mirrorless

Hasselblad X2D 100C

Best Action Photography Mirrorless

Olympus OMS OM-1

Best DSLR Camera

Best DSLR 2022

Pentax KF

Best Premium Compact Digital Cameras

Best Premium Compact 2022

Sony ZV-1F

Best Rugged Digital Camera

Best Rugged Digital Camera 2022

Pentax Ricoh WG-80

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2023.07.10

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2023.05.07

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2023.01.15

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