7 best professional cameras

Professional cameras are renowned for their advanced features that add to the cost of the technology accordingly. Therefore, in this case, it is necessary to choose a model for shooting as responsibly as possible, so as not to regret the money spent in the end. Therefore, we decided to collect the best cameras for professional shooting in one rating. When compiling the article, we paid attention to the opinions of real buyers and the reviews of experienced photographers. But if you are just learning, then it hardly makes sense to buy an advanced device, because an inexperienced person will get worse footage on it than with an amateur camera.

Which company to buy a camera for professional shooting

Unlike other market segments, there are not many camera manufacturers. This niche has long been occupied by several undisputed leaders, whose products are bought most often. Moreover, almost all companies, one way or another connected with photographic equipment, are based in Japan. Among them, three brands got into our review:

• Canon
• Nikon
• Pentax

The latter belongs to the Ricoh brand known for printers and MFPs. Although its market share is only 1%, this does not make the company's cameras less interesting.

The best professional SLR cameras price-quality

The cost of modern technology is constantly increasing, which is associated with the economic situation and the improvement of the devices themselves. However, people's incomes are growing disproportionately to the rise in prices, so not every buyer can spend a lot of money on a camera. Of course, a good photographer will never be left without income, but what if you are just reaching a high level, planning to change your profession, or for other reasons do not have an impressive budget? In this case, you can purchase a professional camera with a good value for money.

1. Canon EOS 200D Kit

Let's start with a top-notch entry-level camera. The EOS 200D Kit can be recommended for those buyers who are just starting to dive into the world of photography. The camera is available in black, white and gray colors. In the latter case, a decorative overlay on the ledge under the right hand is made of brown plastic, stylized as leather. The assembled device is excellent, we did not notice any creaks, backlashes and other shortcomings.

The first thing that attracts attention about a professional Canon camera is its lightness. With batteries (without a lens), the device weighs only 456 grams, which is a record low for our review. Another advantage of the EOS 200D Kit is the screen. It is touch-sensitive and rotatable, which provides complete freedom in choosing angles. HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC are available from the interfaces in the camera.

Advantages:

• microphone input;
• build quality;
• compact and lightweight;
• great shots;
• intuitive control;
• rotary display;
• video settings.

Disadvantages:

• noise at ISO 3200;
• simplified interface.

2. Canon EOS 77D Kit

EOS 77D in the hierarchy of the manufacturer Canon is located slightly higher. But from the entry-level models, it inherited its simplicity and relatively compact dimensions, which makes it possible to recommend this camera not only to professionals, but also to amateurs.The design of the camera is made in the style typical for the Japanese company. In addition to the main 3-inch touchscreen, the EOS 77D also received an additional one on top.
The second display shows shooting information and other useful information.
The top panel houses a built-in flash, as well as a "hot shoe" for connecting external flashes and other accessories. Like the older EOS 80D, which we'll talk about below, the good professional 77D Kit comes with a 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor. The two models do not differ in the processor - DIGIC 7, which provides high speed and excellent shots in low light.

Advantages:

• chic opportunities;
• excellent ergonomics;
• folding touch screen;
• built-in Wi-Fi module;
• a high resolution;
• autofocus speed.

Disadvantages:

• not quite correct work of the Auto-ISO function.

3. Nikon D7200 Kit

Almost 5 years have passed since the presentation of the D7200. But this camera can hardly be called outdated. The age of the device is only hinted at by the impossibility of recording video with 4K resolution, which in the end 2025 years are needed even for beginners. Otherwise, this model is great, and if you are only interested in photography, then feel free to choose it.

In Russia, the D7200 camera can be purchased without a lens, and in three complete sets with the kit: 18-105, 18-140 and 18-300 VR. However, the latter is now quite difficult to find. The front of the camera is occupied by a metal Nikon F mount and several controls, including a programmable aperture repeater key and an Fn button.
Judging by the reviews, the Nikon camera will turn out to be quite ergonomic. All elements are conveniently placed, so you can understand them without instructions. Above, for example, there is a shutter button with a power lever, an external and folding standard flash mount, an auxiliary screen and a shooting mode selector.

Advantages:

• reliable protection against dust and moisture;
• tenacious tracking autofocus;
• the presence of NFC and Wi-Fi modules;
• the possibility of fine tuning;
• productive processor;
• battery resource (1000 photos);
• ergonomics of the body and control.

Disadvantages:

• modest Wi-Fi capabilities;
• slightly confusing settings;
• the screen does not flip up.

4. Canon EOS 80D Kit

The first category of the review is closed by another Canon production model. And such a dominance of the Japanese giant is quite justified, because if a buyer wants to choose a professional camera that is understandable for a beginner and provides many functions to an experienced user, perfectly assembled and not too expensive, then it will be quite difficult to find something more interesting on sale.

The camera has an EF-S mount on the front, so all Canon lenses or compatible lenses will fit. But keep in mind that if you choose a lens from a full-size camera, then you need to multiply its focal lengths by 1.6, because the matrix of the 80D is "cropped". The camera works with memory cards up to 1 TB, inclusive, and its battery capacity is enough to take 960 photos. Of the interfaces, there is a connector for a remote control and a microphone, Wi-Fi, NFC, HDMI, as well as video, audio and a USB 2.0 port.

Advantages:

• touch interface;
• burst shooting speed;
• well-designed ergonomics;
• availability of NFC and Wi Fi;
• the microphone is placed on the front panel;
• buffer size for JPEG;
• 45 AF points;
• photo quality up to ISO 3200.

Disadvantages:

• fine noise at low ISO in JPEG;
• there is no GPS module.

The best cameras for premium professional photography

For advanced cameras you have to pay a pretty impressive price. And if you take into account the need to purchase additional lenses and other accessories that are not included in the kit, which may be required by professionals, then the amount will even exceed 200 thousand. Is it worth it? Of course, if photography is your main and stable source of income, and the purchased camera will be actively used for its intended purpose, and not "decorate" one of the drawers of the cabinet. The cameras described above are suitable for simple tasks.

1. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Body

Among DSLR cameras for professional photography, the Canon "Five" is considered one of the most popular in the world market. At the time of this review, the Mark IV brings the best of the Japanese company, including an astonishingly fast and accurate autofocus system, Dual Pixel RAW technology for advanced image processing and a full-frame CMOS sensor with 30.4 million effective pixels.

The EOS 5D Mark IV is well-built and dustproof. Thanks to this, the device can be used in a rainstorm, snow, and even temperatures well below zero do not interfere with comfortable work with a Canon camera.
On the front panel, in addition to the bayonet with the optics release button, there is a programmable button, an infrared receiver window and a remote control connector. Among other interfaces, USB is provided here, with the standard 3.0, NFC, Wi-Fi, HDMI, as well as a microphone input. In addition to stills, the EOS 5D Mark IV can record cool videos. The maximum frame rate when selecting HD, Full HD and 4K resolutions is 120, 60 and 30 fps, respectively.

Advantages:

• photography resolution;
• little noise up to ISO 6400 inclusive;
• high speed of continuous shooting;
• convenient touch display;
• excellent burst speed (7fps)
• the case is protected from dust and moisture;
• the presence of the GPS / GLONASS module;
• Dual Pixel CMOS AF for both stills and videos
• dynamic range when shooting in shadows.

Disadvantages:

• video recording in UHD resolution with 1.74 crop.

2. Nikon D850 Body

Continues the review of the best professional cameras from Nikon D850. An impressive 45.7 MP resolution, continuous shooting at 9 frames per second, a rotary touchscreen display with a resolution of 2,359,000 pixels - these are just some of the advantages of the reviewed model. Reviews also praise the camera for using an electronic shutter rather than a mechanical shutter. This provides silent Live View photography, which is especially useful for public events.

The improved image sensor is also making itself felt. Even with a lack of light, the frames turn out to be excellent up to ISO 1000. Starting from 1400 values, the noise becomes more noticeable, and at higher sensitivity it turns into frankly unpleasant for the eye. However, a lot depends on the nature of the scene and settings, so you can get excellent shots even at night when shooting handheld, but you shouldn't count on something supernatural.

Advantages:

• juicy and realistic colors;
• auto white balance work;
• wide dynamic range;
• backlit buttons;
• excellent protection against moisture and dust;
• excellent autofocus;
• the regular battery lasts up to 3000 shots;
• photo at night (especially with high-aperture optics);
• convenient touchscreen display measuring 3.1 inches.

Disadvantages:

• there is no built-in stabilizer;
• contrast focusing speed in Live View mode.

3. Pentax K-1 Mark II Kit

Our review ends with a professional DSLR from Pentax. The K-1 Mark II is designed in a traditional style that reflects both externally and internally. The front of the camera has a bayonet mount that supports KAF and KA lenses. At the back are a touchscreen display, a viewfinder and some of the controls; on top - an additional screen, buttons for adjusting shooting parameters and 3 selectors responsible for selecting modes, as well as activating various functions.

Taking photos with the Pentax camera always takes place without blurring, which is possible thanks to in-camera image stabilization. This is one of the key advantages of the K-1 Mark II over competitors from Nikon and Canon, which require lenses with a dedicated lens group.

Advantages:

• excellent autofocus;
• image stabilization;
• comfortable screen design;
• thoughtful management;
• reliability in work;
• flexible customization;
• the presence of a Wi Fi and GPS module;
• Supports very high resolution shooting mode Pixels Shift Resolution II;
• no noise at high ISO.

Which professional camera to choose

The clear leader in our review of cameras was the Japanese brand Canon. This company produces really high-quality cameras that are used by journalists, bloggers, wedding photographers, and ordinary people who need a good device with a reasoned price tag. If your requirements for the result are very high, then it is worth buying premium cameras. Nikon solutions and all the same Canon proved to be very good in the TOP of the best professional cameras. But we still preferred the Pentax camera, which provides excellent shooting and stabilization with any lens. But, alas, it lacks the ability to record 4K video.