top 10 BEST cameras for 2026 (and the WORST!)
I have been very lucky this year and managed to test a good chunk of the cameras released in 2025. I have not tried everything, I am only one person, but I have used enough to get a solid feel for what worked, what didn’t, and what I would genuinely recommend.
So, as always with my review, I’m less concerned about spec and more interested in how these cameras actually feel to use.
Let’s start at the bottom and work our way up…
Lumix TZ99
A big miss
This one genuinely disappointed me. The Lumix TZ99 is a premium compact with a frankly ridiculous amount of zoom, around 720mm in full frame terms. If zoom is your only priority, it will do that job.
The trade off is image quality, which really suffers. What makes this more frustrating is that people have been asking Panasonic for a proper premium compact for years now. Something like a new LX100 or LX10. This is not that camera.
Removing the electronic viewfinder from the older model was a baffling decision, and at £549, I struggle to recommend it. It feels more like a family holiday camera than something aimed at photographers, which is a shame.
Sigma BF
Style over comfort
The Sigma BF is undeniably beautiful. It is minimal, premium looking, and always starts conversations when you are out with it. I love seeing brands try something different.
But living with it is hard work. There is no in body stabilisation, no mechanical shutter, no viewfinder, limited video features, and the handling is not great. The sharp edges dig into your hand and the single strap lug feels like an afterthought.
I can see this camera sparking joy for some people, but for the price, the compromises were too much for me. Personally, I would rather buy a Lumix S9 and get far more camera for my money.
Check out the used market here at MPB!
Caira Camera
Clever but specific
Caira is a Micro Four Thirds camera that attaches to your phone and lets you shoot and share instantly. It is clever, genuinely innovative, and I respect the idea.
For me, though, it does not quite work. Adding something to my phone makes the whole setup bigger, not smaller, and the footprint ends up being larger than many cameras I would happily take out instead. It is also mainly iPhone compatible, and I am very much team Android.
This will appeal to a very specific type of creator. I just am not that person.
DJI Osmo 360
Good hardware, rough software
DJI’s first 360 camera does a lot right. The image quality is genuinely impressive, especially in low light, and features like 10 bit colour and 8K video are very welcome.
Where it falls down is polish. When I used it, the app felt buggy and basic, and there were simple features missing. A bigger issue for me is the lack of user replaceable lenses. These cameras are basically glass on both sides. They get dropped. Trust me.
This feels like a solid first generation camera that will be much better in its next version.
Check out the Osmo 360 here
I also have a dedicated review video on my YouTube channel here!
OM System OM-5 Mkii
Frustratingly Close..!
I had very mixed feelings about the OM System OM 5 Mark II, mostly because it was so close to being exactly what I wanted.
For photography, it is excellent. It is small, weather sealed, rugged, and has some of the best stabilisation you will find anywhere. I loved travelling with it and felt confident using it in bad conditions.
The frustration is the video. Sticking with 8 bit footage in 2025 feels dated, especially when the camera has the hardware to do more. If you mostly shoot photos, this is a lovely little camera. I just wanted a bit more ambition.
Lumix S1R Mkii
Serious Camera Energy
The Lumix S1R Mark II is a serious bit of kit. Forty four megapixels(!) full frame, and built for professional use. I have shot weddings and client work with it this year and it has been excellent.
For my own day to day work, though, it is probably too much camera. What a time to be alive, that we can say a camera is “too much” for us? The files are huge, the body is big, and it is not something I can casually throw in a bag. If you are shooting professionally, it makes a lot of sense. Otherwise, it may feel like overkill.
Insta360 Go Ultra
Quietly Brilliant
The Insta360 Go Ultra was one of the nicest surprises of the year for me.
I have always loved the idea of this camera. Tiny, magnetic, easy to stick in places a normal camera cannot go. In the past, image quality was the weak point. This year, that has changed.
The footage from the Go Ultra is genuinely good now. I have used it for personal projects and even a bit of client work, which I never would have done with older versions. It is one of those cameras that encourages you to experiment, and I value that a lot.
Check out the Insta 360 Ultra on the Insta 360 website here, or on Amazon if you prefer :)
Lumix S1 Mkii
My Reliable All Rounder
The Lumix S1 Mkii is what I would call a dependable hybrid. It does photo and video extremely well, without constantly getting in your way.
Things like 4K 60 without a heavy crop, strong subject detection, and excellent burst modes make it incredibly versatile. It’s my main camera for all my YouTube “talking head” stuff, client jobs, and anything where I need reliability.
It is not small or particularly pretty, but it delivers every single time. Sometimes that is exactly what you need.
Canon PowerShot V1
A Lovely Surprise
I tried the Canon PowerShot V1 late in the year and ended up buying it almost immediately.
It is compact, intuitive, and just very easy to get along with. The menus make sense, the controls feel logical, and I was up and running almost immediately. That does not always happen.
The combination of a relatively large sensor (almost the same as M43!) a very useful lens range, built in ND filters, and good audio makes it a genuinely versatile little camera. It is one of those cameras that feels friendly, and that counts for a lot. I imagine you’ll be seeing a lot more from this camera in 2026 and beyond. In fact, if I’m honest, it’s the camera I wish Lumix would hurry up and make. But in the mean time this will do the job!
I have a dedicated video on YouTube here!
OM System OM-3
My Favourite Camera of 2025!
If you have been following my work this year, this will come as no surprise. The OM System OM-3 has been my favourite camera release of the year.
It is stylish without being precious, built like a tank, and packed with genuinely useful features. I have used it for wildlife, street photography, travel, in bad weather, in good weather, and everything in between.
It is not the smallest camera in the world, and it will not suit everyone, but for me it strikes a near perfect balance between capability and enjoyment. I grin like an idiot whenever I use this beaut of a camera! It is the camera I reach for when I am shooting purely for the love of it, and that says a lot.
You can check out the OM-3 on the official website here, or on Amazon if you prefer!! Anddd…. I’ve spied some MPB bargains recently, now there are a few units on the used market.
Check out the used market here at MPB!
Final Thoughts
There is no single “best” camera for everyone. What matters is finding a camera that fits how you like to shoot and makes you want to go out and take photos.
This past year gave us some brilliant releases, a few odd ones, and a couple of frustrating near misses. But overall, it was a strong year, and that is encouraging to see.
Just remember my golden rule: If a camera makes you excited to pick it up, you are already on the right track!
See more sassy opinions and example images in the full video below!