If you’re a photography enthusiast looking to upgrade from your current entry-level camera, you’ve come to the right place. This camera guide explores three of the best intermediate camera options available in 2024. If you’re a beginner, we’ve got you covered, too! Check out our best beginner cameras list.
One important thing to know is that all the best intermediate camera options discussed in this article are mirrorless cameras. While good DSLR and point-and-shoot cameras also exist, we decided to focus on mirrorless cameras since they are the most popular interchangeable lens cameras on the market today.
We’ve selected cameras from three different brands: Sony, Canon, and Fujifilm. That way, you can make the best choice based on your past experiences and personal preferences. Additionally, thanks to websites like MPB, buying a used mirrorless camera has never been cheaper and easier.
Who is MPB? It’s a trustworthy and innovative photography company that offers high-quality used photo and video gear at affordable prices. Better yet, every camera and lens it sells is hand-inspected by expert product specialists with years of experience and backed by a six-month warranty, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.
What truly separates MPB from other retailers, though, is its state-of-the-art online platform. It’s a one-of-a-kind tool that has helped us save thousands of dollars buying, selling, and trading photography equipment over the years, and we believe it can do the same for you. With that in mind, let’s dive in and discover which best intermediate camera in 2024 is perfect for you!
Table of Contents
Best Intermediate Camera: Sony Alpha a6700
The Sony Alpha a6700 came out in 2023, replacing the a6500 as the company’s flagship APS-C camera. It houses a 26-megapixel BSI sensor and a Bionz XR image processor. Its industry-leading phase-detection autofocus works seamlessly in both stills and video mode. Moreover, its subject recognition and tracking performance are next-level!
The BSI (back-side illuminated) sensor and 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS) enhance the camera’s low-light capabilities. IBIS also boosts the quality of handheld video footage. Speaking of video, the a6700 has slow-motion and 4K video capabilities, making it a popular choice for vloggers and social media influencers.
Other notable features include 11 fps burst shooting, a sleek design, and a new front control dial. As the smallest camera on this list, it’s the best intermediate camera for travel photography and children.
Now, here’s a closer look at the Sony Alpha a6700 specs and key features:
- Camera Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 26.0MP Exmor R APS-C BSI CMOS Sensor
- ISO: 100 – 32,000 (expandable to 50 – 102,400)
- Lens Mount: Sony E Mount
- Speed: 11.0 fps
- Autofocus: 759 focus points
- Video: 4K/120p & 1080p/120p
- Size/Weight: 122 x 69 x 64 mm / 493 grams
- Battery Life: 570 shots
- Stabilization: Yes
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Weather-Sealed: Yes
- Used Sony Alpha a6700 Price: $1,339 – $1,379
Check out the Sony | Camera Channel video above to learn more about the Sony Alpha a6700.
Best Intermediate Camera: Canon EOS R8
The Canon EOS R8 is a full-frame mirrorless camera released in 2023. It’s one of the lightest and most portable cameras ever made, making it a good choice for people who want a full-frame camera but don’t want to carry a beast of a camera around. Internally, it boasts a 24-megapixel sensor and a Digic X image processor.
Two signature features of the Canon R8 are its lightning-fast continuous shooting and Dual Pixel II autofocus (AF). It can shoot continuously at up to 40 fps (6pfs with the mechanical shutter), making it ideal for sports, wildlife, and action photography. Simultaneously, the reliable and accurate AF makes capturing sharp, in-focus photos and videos easy.
On the video side, the R8 records 4K video oversampled from a 6K area. It offers C-Log3, HDR PQ, and HDR HEIF video formatting options, which are all great for editing and color-correcting in post-production. Furthermore, the R8 offers a vertical video mode built for social media content creators and live streaming capabilities.
Now, here’s a closer look at the Canon EOS R8 specs and key features:
- Camera Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
- ISO: 100 – 102,400 (expandable to 50 – 204,800)
- Lens Mount: Canon RF Mount
- Speed: 40.0 fps
- Autofocus: 1053 focus points
- Video: 4K/60p & 1080p/180p
- Size/Weight: 133 x 86 x 70 mm / 461 grams
- Battery Life: 290 shots
- Stabilization: No
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Weather-Sealed: Yes
- Used Canon EOS R8 Price: $1,199 – $1,289
Check out the Canon Europe video above to learn more about the Canon EOS R8.
Best Intermediate Camera: Fujifilm X-T5
Lastly, there is the high-resolution Fujifilm X-T5. It debuted in stores in 2022, and thanks to its 40-megapixel sensor, it co-owns the title of highest-resolution APS-C camera in 2024 (tied with the Fujifilm X-H2). It pairs the premium sensor with a powerful X-Processor 5 image processing engine.
The X-T5 is undoubtedly the best intermediate camera for still photographers in 2024. Because of its high pixel count, images shot with this camera can easily be enlarged for printing and professional use. It also boasts 15 fps burst shooting, various artistic film simulation modes, and a pixel-shift multishot mode that can help generate breathtaking 160MP photos.
At the same time, the X-T5 is a fantastic video camera. It records 6.2K, 4K, and 1080p Full HD video. 4K and Full HD movies are recorded from the entire width of the sensor, while 6.2K has a slight crop factor (1.23x). Other video features are in-camera image stabilization, multiple control dials, and dual UHS-II memory card slots.
Now, here’s a closer look at the Fujifilm X-T5 specs and key features:
- Camera Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 40.0MP APS-C X-Trans BSI CMOS Sensor
- ISO: 125 – 12,800 (expandable to 64 – 51,200)
- Lens Mount: Fujifilm X Mount
- Speed: 20.0 fps
- Autofocus: 425 focus points
- Video: 6.2K/30p, 4K/60p & 1080p/240p
- Size/Weight: 130 x 91 x 64 mm / 557 grams
- Battery Life: 580 shots
- Stabilization: Yes
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Weather-Sealed: Yes
- Used Fujifilm X-T5 Price: $1,599 – $1,659
Check out the Canon Europe video above to learn more about the Fujifilm X-T5.
Final Thoughts on the Best Intermediate Camera
Overall, the Fujifilm X-T5 is the best intermediate camera for most people due to its unmatched lineup of photo and video features. However, it’s also the most expensive covered in this article. The Sony a6700 is an excellent hybrid camera if you want a cheaper option. Finally, if you want a full-frame camera, the best intermediate camera is the Canon EOS R8.
Now that you’ve seen the best intermediate cameras from Sony, Canon, and Fujifilm, what about the other camera brands? Here’s a list of the best intermediate camera bodies from Nikon, Panasonic, Olympus, OM System, and Sigma.
- Nikon Z7 II (shown above)
- Panasonic Lumix GH6
- Olympus PEN-F
- OM System OM-1
- Sigma FP
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