Find out what camera kit has impressed us most this year, in the 7th annual ePHOTOzine Gear of the Year awards!
| Nikon D850 in Compact CamerasThis year has seen the introduction of a number of new cameras, as well as the refinement and updates of existing cameras bringing you some of the quickest and most feature-packed cameras and products ever available. 4K video is now available in a number of cameras, even ones that cost less than £300, and Wi-Fi is now expected as a standard, with even the cheapest camera here featuring built-in Wi-Fi. As the entry-level compact camera market has mostly been replaced by smartphones, and smartphone camera quality has improved dramatically, we've included the best smartphone. We've also expanded our list to highlight some of the best new lenses reviewed this year.
Here, we have awarded what we believe to be the best of the best; the best in the range, offering not only excellent image quality but also a full range of features, excellent handling and great value for money. If you were to buy any of these cameras, you would not be disappointed.
Lenses and more
Best Budget Camera
Sony Cyber-shot WX200 - They don't really make budget cameras with a focus on quality these days, so we've picked an older model, that is now great value for money, at £159, the Sony Cyber-shot WX220 features a 10x optical zoom lens, FullHD video recording and built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for quick sharing.
"The WX220 is a well-rounded camera with high speed shooting at 10fps, rapid performance, full HD video with stereo sound, Wi-Fi and good ease of use, making it an ideal camera for the casual snapper who wants to be able to quickly share photos."
For more details have a look at our Top 10 Best Budget Cameras 2017.
Best Waterproof Tough Camera
Olympus Tough TG-5 - The TG-5 offers some unique features, including a bright f/2.0 lens, 4K video recording, high-speed 20fps continuous shooting, 120fps FullHD video, built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, and some manual controls. It's waterproof to 15 metres, shockproof from 2.1 metres, as well as being dust and freeze-proof.
"The Olympus Tough TG-5 builds on the TG-4 before it, adding a new 12mp sensor, that not only improves noise performance, but in combination with a new image processor, offers high-speed shooting, 4K video, and improved image quality."
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-5 Review
For more details have a look at our Top 10 Best Waterproof Cameras 2017.
Best Travel Zoom Camera
Panasonic Lumix TZ80 - The Panasonic Lumix TZ80 is so good, it's won two years in a row. The perfect travel zoom camera, with a built-in electronic viewfinder, GPS and Wi-Fi, along with a huge 30x optical zoom lens, the camera can even fit in your pocket. With an 18 megapixel sensor, the camera can record 4K video. The TZ80 is available for £249.
"The TZ80 is capable of taking great photos, with excellent colour and good levels of detail. The lens gives you a great zoom range, the viewing and user experience is excellent thanks to a clear 3inch screen, and a high-resolution electronic viewfinder. If you think about the innovative 4K photo and video features, as well as the post focus shooting mode built into this camera, the Panasonic Lumix TZ80 is an extremely appealing camera, and should be high on your wish list."
For more details have a look at our Top 10 Best Pocket Zoom Cameras 2017.
Best Ultra Zoom Camera
Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 - The Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 (FZ2500) offers a 20x optical zoom lens, shoots at 12fps, and records 4K CINE video quality. The FZ2000 is designed to be the all-in-one camera capable of great stills and video, if you have a strong interest in video recording, then this would be a great choice.
"The Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 offers a 20 megapixel 1inch CMOS sensor, and a new 20x optical zoom lens, with a bright f/2.8 aperture at the wide-angle end of the lens. The camera has a great 3inch tilting touch-screen, as well as a large, bright, high-resolution electronic viewfinder, with a comfortable rubber surround. Build quality is very good and the camera has a lot in common with the Panasonic Lumix GH4, which means that the FZ2000 would make an excellent second camera to anyone familiar with Panasonic's other cameras."
For more details have a look at our Top 10 Best Ultra Zoom Cameras 2017.
Runner Up: Sony Cyber-shot RX10 Mark IV
Best Serious Compact Camera
Canon Powershot G1 X Mark III - The first properly compact camera with a 24mp APS-C sensor and 3x optical zoom lens, the camera can deliver image quality equal to Canon's DSLRs, and will be easy to use for anyone who's familiar with Canon's cameras. The camera records FullHD video, but has quite short battery life.
"The Canon Powershot G1 X Mark III has taken the great usability of a Canon DSLR, and the 24mp APS-C CMOS sensor with phase-detection AF built-in, and squished it into a compact camera, whilst maintaining excellent handling and usability. They've also put a 3x zoom lens (24-72mm equivalent) on the front, with a relatively bright f/2.8 aperture at the wide-angle end of the lens."
Canon Powershot G1 X Mark III Review
For more details have a look at our Top 10 Best Serious Compact Cameras 2017.
Runner Up: Fujifilm X100F
Best Compact Mirrorless Camera
Panasonic Lumix GX80 - The Panasonic Lumix GX80 is a compact and stylish Micro Four Thirds camera that offers a 16-megapixel sensor, 5-axis image stabilisation (in-body), 4K video recording, a tilting 3inch screen, as well as a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF). The Panasonic Lumix GX80 is available for around £549 with lens.
"The GX80 delivers images with very good colour and is capable of producing images with excellent detail, although does benefit from the use of high-quality lenses to get the best out of the camera. However, saying that, the 12-32mm kit lens produces good images, and is particularly convenient thanks to the extremely compact size, turning the GX80 into a camera you can easily take with your where-ever you go."
For more details have a look at our Top 10 Best Entry Level Mirrorless Cameras 2017.
Best DSLR-Style Mirrorless Camera
Fujifilm X-T20 - 
The Fujifilm X-T20 features a 24 megapixel sensor, 4K video recording, tilting 3inch touch-screen, a built-in electronic viewfinder, and the great image quality of the Fujifilm X series, with excellent ISO performance, and colour reproduction.
"The Fujifilm X-T20 offers a number of features from the more expensive X-T2, but at a lower price point, and without the weather-sealed camera body. For those that want the image quality from the 24 megapixel Fujifilm sensor, then the X-T20 certainly delivers, with excellent image quality and great noise performance. You also have the option to shoot at up to 14fps using the electronic shutter, as well as record 4K video (for up to 10 minutes)."
For more details have a look at our Top 10 Best EVF Mirrorless Cameras 2017.
Best Advanced Mirrorless Camera
Panasonic Lumix G9 - The Panasonic Lumix G9 is Panasonic's latest DSLR-style mirrorless camera, and features high-speed continuous shooting, at up to 60fps at full resolution, a 20mp sensor, 4K video recording, and up to 20fps continuous shooting with AF. The camera is weather-sealed, has a 3inch vari-angle touch-screen, dual UHS-II SD card slots. It's also got one of the largest electronic viewfinders available, at 0.83x.
For more details have a look at our Top 10 Best EVF Mirrorless Cameras 2017.
Runner Up: Sony Alpha A9
Best Innovation of 2017
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, and Panasonic Lumix G9, both push forward not only what is possible with mirrorless cameras, but what is possible with any camera, using an electronic shutter and high-speed sensor, to give these cameras the quickest continuous shooting of any digital camera available, both shooting at 60fps at full resolution.
There are other innovations, as well, including an extremely large EVF on the G9, at 0.83x magnification, and the E-M1 Mark II offers an "optical viewfinder" simulation mode, designed to emulate an optical viewfinder. The Panasonic Lumix G9 uses "Depth-From-Defocus", and the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II uses phase-detection focus, for rapid focus speeds.
The G9 and E-M1 Mark II both give excellent handling, with large grips, and customisable buttons, and the G9 features a top LCD screen. They both offer multi-shot high resolution shooting with 50mp (E-M1 II) and 80mp (G9) shots being possible in-camera. There's also built-in 5-axis sensor shift image stabilistion, which works in combination with the lens, to give up to 6.5 stops of image stabilisation.
In fact, there are too many features to list here, so head over to the reviews to find out what these cameras offer.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Review
Panasonic Lumix G9 Review
Best DSLR Entry Level Camera
Canon EOS 200D - The 24 megapixel Canon EOS 200D is a compact Digital SLR with a 24mp sensor, improved ISO range, and good battery life, offering up to 650 shots. The camera is easy to use, with a new interface, a 3inch vari-angle touch-screen, and features built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
"The 200D is ultra-compact for a DSLR when used with the Canon 40mm f/2.8 pancake lens, and this makes the camera a great tool to pick up and take with you everywhere you go, compared to a larger DSLR. There's also a good sized handgrip making the camera comfortable to hold. The user interface has been updated, and the touch-screen makes changing settings a breeze."
For more details have a look at our Top 10 Best APS-C DSLRs 2017.
Best Professional APS-C DSLR Camera
Nikon D7500 - The Nikon D7500 offers a 20 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, 8fps continuous shooting, 4K video recording and built-in Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. The camera offers an impressive ISO range from ISO50 to a massive ISO1,640,000 (1.6 million!). The camera has a tilting 3.2inch touch-screen, 51 AF points, and 950 shot battery life.
"With the Nikon D7500 featuring the same image sensor as the Nikon D500, you are getting the same D500 image quality, at a lower price point, and in a more compact camera body. This means you can benefit from the best-in-class noise performance, giving usable ISO up to ISO25600."
For more details have a look at our Top 10 Best APS-C Digital SLRs 2017.
Best Full-Frame DSLR Camera
Nikon D850 - The Nikon D850 offers a 45.7-megapixel full-frame BSI CMOS sensor, fast continuous shooting, 4K UHD video, a tilting 3.2inch touch-screen, a weather-sealed body, and built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. You can create 4K timelapse videos in-camera, as well as batch process RAW files.
"The Nikon D850 does everything you could ask of a new Digital SLR, whether you want high resolution images, or high speed shooting, it will do both, without complaining. The camera delivers 45.7mp images, and thanks to a new BSI CMOS sensor, noise performance is excellent, giving you have a wide ISO range, unlike some high-resolution competitors."
For more details have a look at our Top 10 Best Full-Frame Digital SLRs 2017.
Best Medium Format Camera
The Fujifilm GFX 50S is an all-new medium format mirrorless camera from Fujifilm, with Fujifilm's ease of use, and excellent handling, making it possible to get medium format quality and exceptional image quality without the usual restrictions of medium format shooting, being more compact than normal, with it possible to get great results without using a tripod or studio.
"The Fujifilm GFX 50S makes medium format photography accessible to those previously put off by the size and weight of medium format system cameras. Sure the camera and lenses are still quite big, which is the case with all medium format cameras, due to the sensor size, and therefore the lenses also need to be large to cover the image area. But the Fujifilm GFX 50S is as easy to use as other Fujifilm X-series cameras and the results from the camera are simply fantastic."
Best Smartphone for Photography
Samsung Galaxy S8 - The Samsung Galaxy S8 features a dual pixel 12-megapixel sensor with phase-detection AF, plus a bright f/1.7 lens. It has an impressive 5.8inch 18:9 "borderless" screen and can capture 4K video as well as 9-megapixel stills when in video mode. It's also dustproof and waterproof to a depth of 1.5m for up to 30 mins. There's also Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on the screen and back on the phone, and a MicroSD card slot to expand the memory.
"The S8 has all of the benefits of the S7, including the same camera, waterproofing, MicroSD card slot, but with exceptional design improvements, increased memory and storage, as well as improved performance. The Samsung Galaxy S7 has one of the best cameras on a smartphone available, and the S8, with effectively the same camera, gives similarly excellent results, with one of the brightest lenses available at an impressive f/1.7."
For more details have a look at our Top 10 Best Camera Phones for Photography 2017.
Best Accessory - Memory Cards
Samsung PRO Plus and EVO Plus MicroSD Memory Cards - The latest EVO Plus and PRO Plus MicroSD cards from Samsung offer high speeds with a U:3 rating, and large capacities. They are also waterproof, temperature proof, x-ray proof and magnet proof and with a 10-year warranty, it is a memory card you can rely on, suitable for both smartphones and cameras.
"The Samsung EVO Plus 256GB microSDXC UHS-I U:3 memory card offers some of the fastest read and write speeds available as well as offering a 10 year warranty that is also backed up by the card being waterproof, temperature proof, x-ray proof and magnet proof making it much more likely to survive when compared to more fragile cards."
Samsung EVO Plus MicroSD Memory Card Review
Best Accessory - Photography Accessory
The LensPen has become an essential tool for any photography, whether they're using a DSLR, a mirrorless camera, a compact camera, or wanting to keep their filters clean. It's much more effective than a lens cloth or blower, and excellent at getting rid of smudges and grease.
"The LensPen is an essential tool for every photographic situation, and can easily be put in any camera bag or pocket. There's a brush on one side to get rid of dust."
And ePHOTOzine's Overall Camera Of The Year 2017:
The Fujifilm GFX 50s blew us away with the image quality possible, combined with the ease of use, and flexibility of the system. You can choose whether you want a smaller camera, or whether you want to use it with the electronic viewfinder. The medium format camera offers 50 megapixels, and Fujifilm's excellent colour reproduction, with beautiful images straight from the camera.
Fujifilm's first digital medium format camera not only delivers the high-quality you expect from a medium format camera, but challenges the competition, with its ease of use, ergonomics, compact size, and a growing range of high-quality lenses. The GFX 50s is suited not only to landscapes, portraits, and studio work, but is versatile enough to be used on location being similar in size to a full-frame DSLR.
Want more help finding the right camera? Have a look at our Camera Buying Guide. Don't forget to pick up a bag to protect it - have a look at our complete guide to bags. If you want a memory card for your camera, have a look at our complete guide to memory cards.
This is the 7th year of the ePHOTOzine Gear of the Year Awards! If you'd like to have a look back at previous winners, or simply have a trip down memory lane, then you can view previous winners from 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011.
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Photographs taken using the Nikon D850
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