A Simple Guide to the Different Types of Cameras in 2024

Understanding all the different types of cameras can be a bit daunting. Especially these days when our phones are so good, we might wonder if we even need a camera.
So we’ve put together this short guide to the different types of cameras available. And we’ve chosen some of the best examples of each type for you to choose from.
We’ve even included the best smartphone cameras as well. In case you decide you don’t need anything more than that.

The Best Smartphone Cameras

Let’s start with the best camera phones around at the moment. There are some pretty heavy hitters out there. Your choice might come down to your operating system preference. And that means Apple’s iOS or Android.
Sometimes, you might not have many options. If you use an Apple Watch, then iOS is for you. Or you might be invested in one or other of the “digital ecosystems.” In other words, all Apple or all Google.
The most impressive camera phones out there come from the three biggest manufacturers: Apple, Google, and Samsung.

Our top pick is the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max. This late 2023 model is the flagship of the iPhone family. It has exceptional camera abilities and will be the natural choice for many users. On the downside, it is a bit of a beast physically. If you prefer a smaller phone, the iPhone 15 Pro might suit you better. It’s a more conventional size. But you will sacrifice the 5x telephoto found on the Pro Max.

Many reviews find the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is the best smartphone out there at the moment. But at least an equal number say the same about the Google Pixel 8 Pro. Opinion is divided because these are both excellent camera phones.
The Pixel uses the purest form of the Android operating system. Google doesn’t overlay an OS like other manufacturers. And why should they? It’s their OS to begin with. Many users find it the cleanest, fastest edition of the OS.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro has some impressive features and produces superb photos. It also has some nifty in-camera abilities that are unmatched by Apple. For example, if your Uncle Harry closed his eyes just as the shutter went for the family photo, fear not. The pixel will find another picture of his face and edit it in. It’s really impressive.

The other big hitter to think about in this category is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. This gem is a winner for a host of reasons. It comes complete with the S Pen, which stores neatly in the phone.
But perhaps of more interest to photographers are the four cameras, the 200 MP sensor, and a 230mm telephoto lens. Those are some big numbers. And Samsung has a well-deserved reputation for the quality of its cameras and their image processing.
The Samsung OS adds a layer over its Android foundations. And that isn’t to everyone’s taste. But to choose between these three camera phones is a tough call. And it might just come down to which OS you prefer. Or you will find one set of images more to your taste than another.
It’s safe to say that they all produce excellent images.

The Best Compact Cameras

I have two pictures taken at the same place, 15 years apart, that tell a story. The place is looking at the Astronomical Clock in Prague’s Old Town Square. In the first photo in 2007, a host of people look up at the clock, and there is a sea of compact cameras. Fifteen years later, there’s an identical scene, but now it’s a sea of phones and not a single compact camera.
All of this is to say that the compact camera is an endangered species. But there are some excellent cameras out there. They offer more flexibility, control, and capability than even the best smartphones.
Our choice of the top compact cameras offers a range of features that make it worth carrying something extra around with you. And they a smaller and lighter than a DSLR or mirrorless camera.

 
The Fujifilm X100V possesses something unimaginable in a smartphone—an incredible retro look. Brushed metal and leatherette are complemented by properly engraved dials and etched control wheels.
Underneath the retro outer shell is modern technology. There’s a 26.1 MP APS-C sensor and a fast f/2 lens. The most standout feature of the X100V is the brilliant viewfinder. Optical viewfinders are bright and clear, but they don’t show you what the picture will look like with the current settings. Electronic viewfinders solve the latter problem but often flicker or lack brightness.
The Fujifilm X100V overcomes this, with both available through the same eyepiece. You can choose one or the other, or you can overlay the electronic image over the optical one. It’s brilliant.

The Canon Powershot G7 X Mark III has some of the retro style of the Fujifilm X100V but is less than half the price. It has a smaller sensor, both in physical size and pixels. But it has a zoom lens and an impressive ISO range of 125 to 128,000.
The 20 MP sensor delivers superb-quality images. And the image stabilization and 4K video add to the all-around appeal of this camera.

 
Our last pick for a compact camera is the Panasonic LUMIX FZ300. This is the least expensive of our top picks. And its sensor is not much larger than the best smartphones. 
Where it stands out, though, is with its lens. You get a whopping 24x zoom. In full-frame terms, this goes from a decent 25mm wide angle to a 600mm super-telephoto. That’s in the specialist, sports, and wildlife range. And all of this at a constant f/2.8. That’s impressive.
The lens is made by Leica, so expectations are high. And the Lumix does not disappoint. For the money, this is an enticing prospect. The 4K video, 5-axis image stabilization, and solid, splashproof design make this a great performer.

The Best Action and Adventure Cameras

The Panasonic Lumix FZ300 may be splashproof, and your smartphone might boast IP68 ratings. But few of us will want to risk such a device in extreme situations. Or they might be too bulky to take along on our adventures.
These are the exact circumstances that action and adventure cameras were designed for. Perhaps the best-known is the GoPro, but there are several attractive offerings.

 
The GoPro Hero12 Black is the latest flagship camera from the action camera specialists. Not everyone is a fan of the processed look that characterizes a GoPro image. But it has some exceptional qualities that make it very popular.
Even without an external housing, the GoPro HERO12 is waterproof down to 33 feet (10m). It is small enough to be worn on your head, chest, or arm (or even your dog!). It has 5.3 K video and possibly the best image stabilization in the business.
It is so easy to mount that you will find it recording everywhere. Car reviewers love it, and in-cockpit flight videos rely on it. The time-lapse and Hyper-lapse help to capture the world in new ways. And the 8x slow-motion capture is loved by extreme sports lovers.
The GoPro Hero12 Black goes where your phone shouldn’t and brings back memories for you.

A different take on the action camera niche is the Olympus Tough TG-6. Its form factor means that it could have been included in the compact camera section. But it’s built tougher than that.
First of all, it is waterproof down to 49 feet (15 m), can survive a drop from 6.9 feet (2.1 m), and can survive a crushing force of up to 220 lbs (100 kgs).
The Tough also has a modest but acceptable 12 MP sensor, 4K video, Wi-Fi, and GPS. Two features that make it very different from the GoPro are the built-in LED lighting for underwater shooting and the 4x optical zoom. This is definitely a boost for some shots compared with the very wide angle of the GoPro.
The Olympus Tough TG-6 is a versatile camera. It’s easy to hold and operate underwater, with a decent sensor size and a good zoom.

 
Another camera that is very different from your smartphone is the DJI Pocket 2. It’s the perfect camera for walk-and-talk filmmaking or vlogging.
Instead of optical image stabilization, the Pocket 2 has an integrated gimbal. This means there’s no cropping of the image to achieve a steady shot. And the handle makes it easy to use on the go.
Another remarkable feature is the massive 64 MP sensor. Combined with a 240 fps frame rate and 4K video, it’s an impressive package.
The gimbal also allows for sophisticated panning shots and time-lapse videos. The DJI Pocket 2 offers something that is hard to beat if you want an unobtrusive, rock-steady camera on the go.

The Best DSLR Cameras

There was a time, and it wasn’t that long ago, that the DSLR was the king of the jungle. They were the best balance of size, usability, versatility, and quality. Professional photographers of all stripes used full-frame DSLRs. And discerning amateurs cut their teeth on the APS-C versions with their smaller sensors (and price tags!).
What we are now witnessing is the slow death of the DSLR. Major manufacturers are quietly discontinuing models and focussing their research and development on the mirrorless market.
There are good reasons for this. Done well, the mirrorless camera offers all the benefits of a DSLR, with improved AF, shooting speeds, and automation.
That doesn’t mean that the DSLR is dead, and the vast majority of professionals still use them. But the demise of the DSLR is inevitable.
There are still some phenomenal DSLRs out there. We’ve chosen some high-end ones for you. Partly because the entry-level sector is really now overrun with mirrorless systems. At the other end, there are some incredible DSLR cameras still available.

 
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is the latest (and maybe last) DSLR to wear the 5D badge. One step down from the flagship 1D models, it is a pro favorite.
The camera is a beast because it is a big, robust body built to withstand the rigors of daily use. It has an impressive 30.1 MP sensor, 7 fps shooting speed, an eye-watering 102,400 Max ISO, and a big color touchscreen.
Autofocus is impressive, and the low-light performance is great. Video (which is 4K) was a little clunky in the Mark III, but this camera is much better, especially with AF performance.
If you’re looking for a robust, top-quality camera with access to a huge stable of compatible lenses, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is a great choice.

 
Canon’s biggest competitor in the DSLR market is Nikon. And the Nikon D750 is similar in specs and appeal to the Canon DSLR. It’s a big, solid camera with a 24.3 MP sensor. And it’s designed to keep busy pros happy day in and day out.
The D750 boasts a wider dynamic range than the Canon, and the autofocus is noted for its speed and accuracy. Video is 1080p, which is not quite up to the 5D. But its autofocus works down to -3 EV to make low-light shooting more reliable.
The 6.5 fps shooting speed helps to keep up with the action. And the focus tracking makes it easier to catch fast-moving activity.
The range of available lenses is as comprehensive as with the Canon. And you can be sure that if you get a Nikon D750, it will deliver superb images in demanding circumstances.

The Best Mirrorless Cameras

As we have seen, the mirrorless sector is the main area of growth for the camera industry. Compared to DSLRs, they are lighter and come with better specifications.
If you doubted the manufacturers’ commitment to the camera type, then simply look at how they are investing in it. Canon, for instance, continues to roll out L-series lenses for the mirrorless RF mount. These high-end lenses are a sign that this is the way they see the market going.
The term “mirrorless” covers pro-level and entry-level cameras. We’ve chosen a mixture, and you’ll see both full-frame and APS-C cameras in our recommendations.

The Fujifilm X-T30 II shares the style notes of the compact X100V. It has proper brushed metal and real dials. But it includes the added versatility of an interchangeable lens system.
The 26.1 MP sensor is impressive, and the Fujifilm is known for producing bright attractive images. When you first pick one up, you might be surprised at how small it is. Because in pictures it looks like an SLR, but is tiny by comparison.
The APS-C Fujifilm X-T30 II is a superb example of the excellent quality that can be found in mirrorless cameras. Even in this relatively low-cost model, there’s plenty to admire.

The Nikon Z6 II is a full-frame mirrorless camera. And it sits comfortably in the prosumer sector of the market. There’s plenty here to please the pro photographer and enough to delight the enthusiast.
The 24.5 MP sensor isn’t groundbreaking. But it is good. And it is backed up by a brilliant AF system that uses 273 phase-detection AF points.
In-body stabilization combines with Nikon lenses VR to give excellent control. And many users will love the 14 fps burst speed.
With an ever-growing list of OEM and third-party Z-mount lenses, the Nikon Z6 II is well worth a look.

For a mirrorless powerhouse, you can try the Canon EOS R5. It’s not their flagship mirrorless model. But it packs an enormous punch.
Starting with the sensor, you get a massive 45 MP resolution. It can also shoot at 20 fps using the electronic shutter. That’s impressive, but the Canon EOS R3 can make you look twice with its 195 fps burst speed!
Autofocus is super fast and uses 1,053 AF points across the whole sensor. This is an advantage of the mirrorless design. Autofocus is quicker, and edge-to-edge coverage is a tremendous boost.
The Canon EOS R5 is as good as the EOS 5D and better in many ways. It outperforms in sensor size, fps, and image stabilization, just to name a few. It’s a great choice for the enthusiast.

The Best Medium-Format Cameras

The term “medium format” comes from the days of film. When 35mm cameras used a 24 x 35 mm negative, a medium format camera used a 6 x 6 cm film (or, in the case of Bronica, a 6 x 4.5 cm). It’s “medium” because it’s not a full-size plate camera.
And in the days of film, the medium-format camera was the gold standard. David Bailey and Terry O’Neil are some of the famous users. But perhaps Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong are the most famous. Because it was Hasseblad cameras that went to the moon.
Since the arrival of super-detailed full-frame sensors, it was a case of adapt or die for the medium-frame world. We’ve picked a couple of notable cameras for you to see.

It can come as a surprise that Fujifilm makes a medium-format camera. Many people my age saw Fuji as a cheap, point-and-shoot kind of camera. But they have vast experience in making high-end optical devices for industry and medicine. And the Fujifilm GFX 50S II puts that expertise to good use.
Styled like a DSLR on steroids, the 50S has a 51.4 MP sensor. It’s not a 6 x 6 cm format, but the 43.8 x 32.9 mm size is more than twice the size of a full frame. That extra space allows the pixels to be larger and thus better in low light.
Medium-format cameras are ideal for landscape work, studio portraits, and other genres where the action is slower. The Fujifilm GFX 50S II makes this sector more affordable than almost any other medium-format camera. And it is a joy to use.

The iconic form factor of the classic Hasselblad 6 x 6 SLR is now a thing of the past. But fantastic medium-format Hasselblad’s are not. The Hasselblad X2 100C is the latest digital camera from the famous brand.
It boasts an extraordinary 100 MP sensor, delivering an impressive 15-stop dynamic range. With the size of those images, you’ll appreciate the 1 TB of internal storage.
You’ll also love the sheer engineering excellence of this camera. Take it to the studio or out into nature, and you’ll capture images of stunning quality.
The AF won’t amaze you, and there’s no video. But that’s not what medium format photography is about. But the Hasselblad 6 x 6 SLR is about as good as it gets in handheld digital cameras.

Conclusion 

Maybe you’re a beginner, hobbyist, or looking to get into professional-level photography. No matter your level, there are many types of cameras to choose from that will suit your needs. You can even find a variety of cameras for kids.
Take the time to explore the features of several models before narrowing it down to a final choice.