Best Cameras under CA$1,500 for photography

Best Pick

Sony ZV-1F Black 2022

64 Photography Score
20.1MP 1-inch4K @30fps
Why we recommend this

A 20.1MP 1-inch Exmor RS sensor and 4K video with Eye AF deliver solid image quality in a 408g body. Background defocus and built-in Bluetooth/WiFi simplify one-person vlogging and quick content transfer. Best for vloggers and streamers who need a compact, straightforward 4K camera over extended travel versatility.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Sony ZV-1 II White 2023

52.2 Photography Score
20.1MP 1-inch4K @30fps
Why we recommend this

The 20.1MP 1-inch stacked CMOS sensor and F1.8-4.0 lens deliver professional low-light results with defocused backgrounds, while the ultra-wide 18-50mm zoom keeps you in frame. Its integrated directional 3-capsule mic with a windscreen accessory captures clear audio without external gear, and Real-time Eye-AF tracking maintains sharp focus during movement. This camera is best for vloggers and streamers who need a compact, all-in-one setup with reliable autofocus and audio.

View Details & Prices

Best Cameras under CA$3,000 for photography

Best Pick

Sony Alpha ILCE6700M/B Black 2023

95.8 Photography Score
26MP aps-c4K @120fps
Why we recommend this

The dedicated AI processor enables real-time recognition autofocus with human pose estimation, locking onto subjects across 759 phase-detection points covering 93% of the frame. Its compact 413g body houses 5-stop IBIS and records 4K/120p video from 6K oversampling, delivering 10-bit 4:2:2 quality in a weather-sealed build. This camera is best for hybrid shooters and vloggers who need reliable subject tracking and high-frame-rate 4K in a lightweight, travel-ready form factor.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Sony a7 IV Black 2021

87.7 Photography Score
33MP full-frame4K @60fps
Why we recommend this

The 33MP Exmor R sensor and BIONZ XR processor deliver 10fps bursts with 759-point AF and Real-time Eye AF for both stills and video. Its hybrid strength is reinforced by 4K 60p 10-bit recording with S-Cinetone and Focus Breathing Compensation, features rarely combined at this level. This body is best for wedding and event shooters who need to instantly switch between high-resolution photography and professional-grade video.

View Details & Prices
Sony a7 a7 IV Black 2021 camera
Price CA$2,700
Check Price at Bestbuy.ca
Also available at:
Also available open box & refurbished:

Sony Cinema Line FX30B Gray

84 Photography Score
26MP aps-c4K @120fps
Why we recommend this

The 26.1MP APS-C sensor delivers oversampled 4K at up to 120p with 10-bit 4:2:2 color and 16-bit raw output, rivaling larger cameras in a compact, cage-free body. Its 5-stop IBIS and fast 15mm f/1.4 G kit lens provide stable, low-light shooting straight out of the box at an accessible price point. This camera is best for aspiring filmmakers and YouTube creators who need cinema-grade codecs and slow motion without a full-frame budget.

View Details & Prices

Sony Alpha 7 III ILCE7M3MB Black 2026

76.2 Photography Score
24.2MP full-frame4K @30fps
Why we recommend this

The 24.2MP full-frame BSI sensor and front-end LSI deliver a 1.8x processing boost, enabling 10fps bursts with full AF/AE tracking and 4K video oversampled from 6K. Its 693-point phase-detection AF system covers 93% of the frame, paired with 5-axis stabilization for a 5-stop advantage and dual UHS-II card slots for reliable backup. This camera is best for wedding and event photographers who need a rugged, weather-sealed body with 710-shot battery life and silent shooting.

View Details & Prices

Sony ZV-E1 ILCZVE1/W 2500 K9900 K 2023

59.4 Photography Score
12.1MP full-frame4K @120fps
Why we recommend this

A dedicated AI processing unit enables remarkably accurate subject tracking, even recognizing people in helmets or masks, while the 12.1MP full-frame sensor captures 4K 10-bit 4:2:2 video with 15+ stops of latitude. Its lightweight 399g body uniquely combines 5-stop in-body stabilization with AI-based Auto Framing that automatically crops to keep you prominent. This camera is best for solo vloggers and run-and-gun creators who prioritize cinematic depth of field and automated, reliable focus over high-resolution stills.

View Details & Prices

Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VII Black 2019

57.6 Photography Score
20.1MP 1-inch4K @30fps
Why we recommend this

Its stacked 20.1MP 1-inch sensor and BIONZ X processor deliver 20fps blackout-free bursts and 357-point phase-detect AF with real-time Eye AF for humans and animals. The compact 302g body integrates a 24–200mm f/2.8–4.5 ZEISS lens and, crucially, a 3.5mm microphone jack for video. This camera is best for vloggers and streamers needing a pocketable all-in-one that captures crisp 4K footage with fast, accurate subject tracking.

View Details & Prices

Sony NEX NEX5TL/B

41.7 Photography Score
16MP aps-c1080p
Why we recommend this

Its 16.1MP APS-C sensor and Fast Hybrid AF system combine phase-detection speed with 10fps burst shooting in a body weighing only 277g. The 3-inch touch articulating display and one-touch NFC sharing streamline composition and wireless transfers. It’s best for casual shooters and vloggers who need a pocketable, quick-focusing camera for everyday stills and social media clips rather than professional event work.

View Details & Prices

Sony a6400 ILCE6400B Black

41.6 Photography Score
24.2MP 1/2.3-inch4K
Why we recommend this

A 24.2MP APS-C sensor captures 4K video with full pixel readout to eliminate moiré, and the 180-degree tiltable touch LCD with real-time Eye AF streamlines self-recording. The body-only bundle and included editing software provide a flexible, cost-effective entry for building a custom lens kit. It’s best for vloggers and beginner videographers who prioritize high-quality self-framing over in-body stabilization.

View Details & Prices

Best Cameras under CA$4,500 for photography

Best Pick

Sony FX2 ILMEFX2 Gray

73 Photography Score
33MP full-frame4K @60fps
Why we recommend this

The full-frame 33MP Exmor R CMOS sensor and BIONZ XR engine deliver over 15 stops of dynamic range with a dual base ISO of 800/4000 for clean low-light footage. Its compact, cage-free 680g body integrates a unique angle-adjustable EVF and a professional CineAlta "BIG6" interface for streamlined on-set operation. This camera is best for solo filmmakers and run-and-gun shooters who need a lightweight cinema rig without sacrificing professional Log recording workflows.

View Details & Prices

Best Cameras under CA$7,000 for photography

Best Pick

Sony a9 II Black 2017

82.6 Photography Score
24.2MP full-frame4K @30fps
Why we recommend this

The 24.2MP stacked CMOS sensor enables 20fps blackout-free shooting with 60 AF/AE calculations per second, making split-second action reliably trackable. Its integrated voice memo function and gigabit Ethernet with encrypted FTPS transfer streamline professional field workflows that specs alone don't capture. This body is best for sports photographers and photojournalists who need to deliver images from the sidelines with zero downtime.

View Details & Prices
Price CA$5,998
Check Price at Amazon.ca
Also available open box & refurbished:
Sony a9 a9 II Black 2017 camera

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Sony a7S III Black 2020

71.9 Photography Score
12.1MP full-frame4K @120fps
Why we recommend this

The 12.1MP full-frame sensor and BIONZ XR processor deliver clean 4K 120p 10-bit 4:2:2 video with full pixel readout and a 15+ stop dynamic range. S-Cinetone, 16-bit RAW output, and 5-stop IBIS provide a production-ready, handheld cinematic workflow straight out of the box. This camera is best for videographers and hybrid shooters who prioritize low-light performance and high-frame-rate 4K over high-resolution stills.

View Details & Prices
Sony a7S a7S III Black 2020 camera
Price CA$4,798
Check Price at Amazon.ca
Also available open box & refurbished:

Sony ILCE-7RM6

56.9 Photography Score
66.8MP full-frame8K @60fps
Why we recommend this

A 66.8MP fully-stacked sensor paired with the BIONZ XR2 engine enables 30fps blackout-free bursts and 8K video with up to 16 stops of dynamic range. The AI processing unit delivers refined subject recognition across humans, animals, and vehicles, while the high-resolution sensor captures extreme detail without cropping in 4K 60p. This camera is best for studio and landscape photographers who require maximum resolution and dynamic range for large-format printing.

View Details & Prices

Sony Cinema Line ILMEFX3A Black

54.7 Photography Score
12.1MP full-frame4K @120fps
Why we recommend this

A 12.1MP full-frame sensor with 16-bit RAW output and 4K 120fps recording in a 390g body sets this camera apart for mobile cinema. Its cage-free design allows direct accessory mounting, streamlining rigs for run-and-gun shooting without sacrificing 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording. This camera is best for solo filmmakers and vloggers who need high-end video specs in a lightweight, handheld form factor.

View Details & Prices

Sony Alpha ILCE-7M5

43.1 Photography Score
4K
Why we recommend this

A partially stacked 33MP sensor and BIONZ XR2 engine enable 30fps blackout-free bursts with AF/AE tracking, 4K 120p video, and a 16-stop dynamic range. Paired with the world's lightest 70-200mm f/2.8 lens at just 2.3 pounds and 7.5-stop stabilization, this kit balances handheld agility with uncompromised optical performance. It’s best for sports and wildlife shooters who demand rapid, precise autofocus and long reach in a portable package.

View Details & Prices

Sony RX1R III

34.4 Photography Score
42.2MP full-frame
Why we recommend this

A micron-adjusted 61MP full-frame sensor and fixed ZEISS Sonnar T* 35mm F2 lens deliver images with a character that avoids a sterile digital look. Its compact 454g body integrates a BIONZ XR processor for precise AI-driven autofocus and realistic color gradations. This camera is best for street and product photographers who prioritize unmatched full-frame image quality in a pocketable form factor over video or action shooting.

View Details & Prices

Sony ILX-LR1

32 Photography Score
60MP full-frame4K @60fps
Why we recommend this

The 61MP full-frame Exmor R sensor and BIONZ XR processor enable 4K60 10-bit recording in a body that weighs only 243g. Sony SDK support for remote app control and locking USB-C/micro-HDMI outputs make it uniquely suited for drone and industrial installations. It’s best for drone operators and industrial inspection teams requiring high-resolution, remotely controlled 4K capture from a lightweight E-mount system.

View Details & Prices
Sony ILX-LR1 camera
Price CA$4,568

Premium Cameras for photography

Best Pick

Sony Cinema Line ILME-FX6 Black 2020

56.2 Photography Score
24MP full-frame1080p @120fps
Why we recommend this

A 10.2MP full-frame sensor with 15+ stops of dynamic range and internal 4K 120p 10-bit recording sets this camera apart for high-end image control. Its sub-2 lb body integrates reliable phase-detection autofocus and S-Cinetone color science, making run-and-gun shooting practical without sacrificing cinema quality. This camera is best for documentary filmmakers and solo operators who need a lightweight, weather-sealed body for gimbal or drone work with direct-to-edit codecs.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Sony E12SNILCE7RM5

45.8 Photography Score
61MP full-frame8K
Why we recommend this

The 61MP full-frame CMOS sensor captures extraordinary detail for large prints and heavy cropping, while 8K recording provides resolution headroom despite mediocre video performance scores. In-body stabilization helps manage handheld shooting, but the fixed display and lack of weather sealing limit versatility in challenging conditions. This camera is best for studio and landscape photographers who prioritize ultimate resolution over video features and can commit to a tripod-based workflow.

View Details & Prices