Your Favorite Digital Camera

Just a quick question—what's your #1 favorite digital camera of all time?

Not the best one you've ever used, but the one you liked best. For any reason—familiarity, results, whatever.

Or, if you're primarily a film photographer now, what's your favorite film camera?

Just name one please—and please, try to keep your comment short. People love to talk about cameras, but the "tl;dr" (too long, didn't read) principle really comes into play when reading other peoples' camera histories. Bear in mind that others are reading through the comments and go a little easy on 'em.

My fave...
...And I'll make this short.

I love my NEX-6* and Zeiss E 24mm**. Despite owning several other digital cameras, it's my go-to buddy o' the moment.

But if I had to say, I'd still pick the 2004 Konica-Minolta 7D as my all-time favorite. It was my first DSLR, the built-in anti-shake worked a treat, and I still think the file quality was wonderful—it had the most accurate color of its time. Konica-Minolta's engineers really knew what a photograph should look like.

Even though it came out forty years ago***, it takes the palm as my #1 favorite of all time...so far.

Mike

*Sony recently consolidated the NEX-6 and NEX-7 in the just-announced A6000.

**Even though it's overpriced. I also use the Sigma 60mm DN lens, which I also love. That one is underpriced—punches way above its $$.

***In digital camera years.

Original contents copyright 2014 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site.

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(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:

Jack Luke: "I am primarily a film photographer and I feel my Fuji GX680-II cannot be beat for versatility. It's an absolute beast of a camera, but the huge negative, incredibly sturdy movements and slick operation make it all worth it. Of course, if I could afford to shoot on my ARCA model B for every shoot, I would."

Alexandre Buisse: "Nikon D4. Yes, it's a beast, but it's so fast and intuitive it feels like an extension of my body. And I know it can take all the awful conditions in which I am often shooting."

[Alexandre is a well-known mountaineering photographer. The Nikon D4 is currently back-ordered at several sources. —Ed.]

Chris Y.: "The Canon 5D 'classic' is my favorite of all time—it brought it all home. Moved on to the Mark III but still can't believe how good the original is."

Paul in AZ: "Short and sweet. I have gone back to film and love my Rolleiflex."

Stephen S. Mack: "Nikon D7000. (Short enuff?)"

Mike replies: Yes, thank you.  :-)

John Wilson: "Ricoh GR Digital!"

Dovydas (partial comment): "For all manual focus lenses: Ricoh GXR A12 M mount with VF. Special Sony sensor with no AA filter and excellent arrangement of microlenses. Will handle any RF lens with no smearing and only Super ultrawides need some easy-to-do color drift correction. Will also handle all SLR lenses with ease."

Tim Allen: "It has to be my Fuji X100 (the original, not the S). Since the final firmware update I can't fault it and it's changed my photography for the better. Just sold my DSLR kit and bought an X-E1 to go with my X100 too. Couldn't be happier."

Gato: "The only digital camera I really loved was the funky Sony F828. I loved the swivel design and the looks of the thing, the fine lens and (for the day) excellent image quality. For making pictures I'm happy enough with my current Sony and Panasonic mirrorless cameras, but can't say I have any real emotional attachment to anything I own now."

Alan: "iPhone."

Mike replies: You win, Alan, that's the shortest answer.

Bill Pearce: "I am happy with my GX7, but haven't had it long enough to make that choice, but all in all, the digital camera I still think of fondly and still own and occasionally use is my Sony R1. Yes, it has its flaws, but no more than any other digital camera of its era. It could write faster, have faster AF and better low light performance, all things I expected in the R2, but Sony didn't need an R2, they got Minolta instead. Poor me."

Mike replies: Poor me too. I wanted an "R2" for years.

Edward Taylor: "I am an early adopter. I got into digital in the 1990s, and I kind of collect cameras. I do take an average of about 50 photos a day, so these cameras do get used. I have loved many cameras, but for this exercise, I will only consider cameras that can be purchased new at this time.

"Current favorite: Sony A7r (I only have the 35mm lens) Former favorite: Sony RX1 (which I returned because it seemed overpriced, but I really loved it). Honorable mention: Sony RX100 (which I carry around with me). Other great cameras I use and really like: Sony NEX-6 and NEX-7, Panasonic GH3, and Canon 5D MkIII."

[Edward has reviewed cameras for TOP several times. —Ed.]

Caleb Courteau: "The tiny combo of a Pentax K-5 with 21mm ƒ/3.2 Limited. Quiet shutter, lovely erogonomics, great image quality, and built as solidly as bowling ball."

Pierre Charbonneau: "Leica Monochrom, for the beautiful prints."

Rory O'Toole: "My Nikon D3s gets used the most (work), and I haven't had many other digital cameras. My first camera, Pentax ME Super, I loved for years, and I love my Holga too  :-) "

Andrew Lamb: "I haven't got a favourite camera in either film or digital. However, a special mention must go to the Sigma DP2 Merrill. It's special."

Dan Gorman: "I'm a digital shooter now, but my first good camera—and still my all-time favorite—was my Canon FTb with the 50mm ƒ/1.8. I still have it, and my daughter just used it for her first photography class—how sweet is that?"

Gary: "F6."

Mike replies: Okay, Gary wins. (Sorry, Alan.)

Brad Burnham: "F5."

Mike replies: And we have a tie.

Stephan Kleiser: "F."

David: "M."

Mike replies: ...!

Cmans: "My friends and family portrait subjects call my Nikon D5100 a 'magic' camera because they say it makes them look so good, and I agree with them."

Mike replies: That's cool. That's all we're all really looking for, a magic camera, isn't it?

jim: "Olympus PEN E-PM2 plus VF-4. It's a KISS. First post after years and years of lurking. Your site is Wonderful. Thanks."

Mike replies: Thanks for commenting! And complimenting.

Phil Maus: "Ever the contrarian, it has to be my Shen Hao FCL180A 8x10 [link might take a while to load —Ed.]. I've used and enjoyed 'em all over the years, some digital too, but once I got my 'sea legs' under me with the 8x10, I can't ever see myself enjoying another camera the way I enjoy this one. (And that's as brief as I can be!)"

Christine Bogan (partial comment): "It took me some years to learn that I wanted to go back to one camera, one lens."

Robert Poe: "Digital: V1. Film: CLE."

Bob Blakley: "My favorite digital camera of all time is one I don't use any more: the Leica M8. I love it because it proved for the first time that a camera could be digital and still look and work like a camera."

Steve Ducharme: "My favorite camera is my next camera. For me, anticipation trumps contentment."

Comments

[Federico Bervejillo]

My first love: Coolpix 950. After that the Lumix GF1.

[Bruce Walker]

The Pentax K20D with DA* 55/1.4 SDM lens.

[Paul Friday]

Pentax k10 - perfect tough digital back with shake reduction that takes all my old lenses.

[Scott Stewart]

Fuji X-T1. Leica-like feel with more bells & whistles.

[Paul Lamontagne]

Canon 5D

[Maggie Osterberg]

M9-P, because it's a camera and nothing else.

[RickW]

The Pentax K-5. Its low-light abilities have really broadened my photography. Before that , my favorite was the K10D, whose image quality and anti-shake also made a big difference.

[Paul H]

Hmmm, it comes down to one of two - either my first decent digital, the Minolta A1, or the most recent one, the Sigma DP2M.

On balance, despite (or maybe because of) its flaws and limitations, I'm going to go with the Sigma. When the conditions and subject are right, the results are outstanding.

[Tom Hassler]

Olympus E-M1.

With the right lenses, this checks all the boxes for me: compact, lightweight, excellent image quality (up to a reasonable enlargement size i.e. 16 x 20-ish) and great ergonomics. People can say what they want to about the complexity of the menus - once you get this thing dialed in, it's a joy to shoot with!

[nokton]

The Fuji X100. I always dreamed of having a digital rangefinder but couldn't afford a Leica. I never imagined anyone would ever bother to make such an esoteric device, then they made the X100.

[David Brookes]

Olympus E-M1 - no question!

[Tom K.]

Sony RX100

[Bill Morgan]

Fuji X100. I also have the X100S, X-E2 and X-T1, but the X100 was the first digital camera I really fell in love with and I still have a soft spot in my heart for it.

[ggl]

The GF1. Haven't got the GX7 yet, it can wait for another six to eight months.

[Markus Spring]

For a long time I used my Sony A700 and learned a lot with it. But now I have my OM-D MD5 and this is the most perfect camera I ever used (not that I wouldn't know areas for improvement, but they are no deal breakers).

For me that camera combines perfectly the necessary image quality, usability and availability of affordable excellent lenses.

[Sean OReilly]

The Olympus EM-5 and a semi normal length fixed lens (panny 12/2.5, 20/1.7, or 25/ 1.4) really hits the spot for me right now. The combination of (1) small size/light, (2) fast autofocus/responsive shutter; (3) autofocus on the eyes, (4) awesome image stabilization; (5) the EVF where you can view and easily adjust the exposure of the picture; and the ability to get shallow depth of field really add up to a winner for me. I have plenty of other cameras and the means currently to buy more expensive gear and this is just the right combination of camera size and image quality for my tastes. A close second is a four year old $150 Canon powershot that is so small it fits in my back pocket and allows for truly immersive photography in social situations. Way inferior picture quality, but it gets photos that are off limits to a larger camera.

[Sergio Bartelsman]

Fuji X100S. Pure shooting joy with a beautiful lens.

[Lynn]

digital FF: 5D Classic
film: OM-1
digital compact: LX3
film compact: Rollei 35S

[Gordon Millar]

Film - Pentax MZ-S, I wish I had kept it:-(
Digital - Pentax *ist DS, still going strong in granddaughter's hands. I wish I could talk her into using primes instead of a new "super" zoom with it.

[Andrew]

Bronica ETRSi (sorry). Although that may change as I'm picking up my new Zeiss Ikon Contessa tonight...

[David Owens]

Olympus E30 - and I still love it. I used it long enough so I figured out how to use it, the files stand up to post processing really well, the pictures look great, and when I was doing wildlife photography with a really long lens it was about a third the size of the equivalent Canon/ Nikon /Sony set-up.

[Dave Raaum]

X100S

[Troels]

Digital: IPhone 5
Film: Mamiya 7II

[AlexK]

Nikon D700. It just fits my hand and the controls are great. I've had three over the past five years and I still have one as a backup because it just works.

I would love a digital camera with the tactility and immediacy that I felt with my Leica M5, but I'm not willing to shell out the cash to try a digital M.

I'd also like a smaller camera, but I haven't met an EVF I like, the one in the Olympus E-M1 is good, but it still bugs me.

[Duncan]

I loved my Pentax ME Super back in the day, but my favorite is my current camera, the Panasonic GX7.

[Bill Poole]

Has to be the Fuji X-Pro, which I am using now almost exclusively. Love the dual finders, low-light capability, and the lovely color rendition. I still have a 5-D and suite of L zooms, which I drag out occasionally, but I am guessing I will sell these soon.

[Michael Sanders]

The Canon 5D Mark 2 and 3 are my favorite digital camera(s) and I think a good case could be made for them being the most important cameras of the digital era and perhaps of all time along with the I-Phone.

[Vegard]

Konica-Minolta A2. It was my second digital camera (after the Olympus Uzi). Simply put, everything about it was "right", both image quality and even more user experience, and I started photographing again. After it I got a Sony A700 mostly because the user interface was very similar. Like other dreamers who don't want to face reality, I have been waiting and looking for the "Konica Minolta A3" ever after. The FZ200 and E-M1 that I have now are of course superior, but... First love.

[Alan Brown]

digital: Fuji xt1

film: Rollei 3.5F

[john f]

Fuji X100. Bought in preference to the "S" regardless of price. To my eye the "S" images appear more clinical and, dare I say, digital?

[John Allen]

Canon S95.

My current camera, it has lived in my pocket for the past 2 years so I take more photographs.

[Michael Meyer]

My Fuji x100 (original) is the camera that is in my satchel everyday, sits in the bag just in case on corporate portrait shoots and is my second camera when I do events. It always seems to add something to my shoots and is fun to use. It ain't perfect but it's got personality.

[Ben Brooks]

Fuji X-T1 w/ Fuji 23mm f/1.4.

I haven't had a lot of time with it, but I've not had love for another camera like this.

[Jim Roelofs]

The FujiFilm X-E1 and 18-55 kit lens. Punches way above its weight.

Regards JR

[Juha Haataja]

Panasonic LX3. (The LX5 would otherwise be better but Panasonic replaced the control stick with an inferior control wheel.)

[Richard]

Canon 5D II, I was going to say my favorite camera will most likely be my next camera purchase but for now I enjoy my 5D II

[Zeeman]

Pentax K5. Most usually paired with the lovely 21mm prime. A smallish package I can just throw in my backpack and bring wherever.

[Pierre]

I did not find yet
The D600 was very nice, but I can't appreciate it anymore with its dust problems. I still have a D70 that I like a lot!
So, I hope the next one will be the good one.

[Larry Gebhardt]

4x5 Chamonix 045N - Favorite camera
Hasselblad 501CM - Runner up favorite camera
D800E - Favorite digital camera

[Chris]

Canon 5d mkII, aka 5d2

[Anthony Baines]

Nikon D700. My third DSLR (following D70 and D300). I still have (and use) the D300, but the D700 is my go-to camera. It simply works well, first time, every time. I like the files it produces as well. Just wish it had a quieter shutter!

[Peter R]

My Lumix LX5 is my favourite - it's so versatile. I take it in preference to my X100 most of the time.

[David A. Goldfarb]

I'm primarily a film photographer, and if I had to bring it all down to one camera, I'd pick my 4x5" Linhof Technika V (or maybe I'd make the modest upgrade to the current model Master Technika). I like having the options of going press-camera style with the rangefinder or view-camera style with the groundglass. The metal construction is precise and stands up to wind and use. I have other cameras that are better in one way or another, but I can do most of the things I like to do with a camera with the Tech V.

[Dan Montgomery]

Sony a57. Humble stuff to many a TOPer, I know, but many of my "clients" think it and I are quite the practically professional combination (Their ignorance is my bliss). I especially like using my Mamiya-Sekor 55mm f1.4 with the a57, for what it's worth.

[Timba]

Though my 7D is better in every way, I think I was more emotionally attached to my Canon 40D. It's the one I used for the longest period and the one with which I learned the most about photography. Too bad it's broken now :-(

My favorite film camera: Zeiss Ikon Nettar 515/16. Small, light and a lot of fun to use.

[mikegj]

OM-D EM-5 is current favorite. It does so many things well, and is "sufficient" for the foreseeable future.

This is followed closely by the EPM-2. With the VF-4 finder and the Panasonic 20mm, this is a digital Leica CL!

Others I have loved: EP-2 (sold), EP-1 (still have), Samsung GX-1s (repackaged Pentax istDS2, still have) LX-3 & LX-5 (both sold, replaced by LF1, which is "loved").

[BrianA]

I see a reference to Mamiya 6 and 7 cameras in a later post. When I compare the feel of digital cameras I have used with my favourite film cameras both of which were Mamiyas (the C330F and the original Mamiya 6)I am left with the sad feeling that digital ain't got no soul!!! Nonetheless it does deliver the goods.

[Andy Mo]

Pentax K5

[Radu]

Nikon D700 - my first and only full-frame professional level camera. I had two good Canons before it - the 20D and the 50D, which I used for more years than the D700.
And then I got an Olympus E-P3 for about 6 months, which I changed for an Olympus E-M5 which I used for nearly two years (great camera and lenses), then I recently purchased an E-M1 which I like even more than the E-M5.
But thinking about all these cameras (and some others I used or dreamed about), I must say the D700 was a camera that had very little flaws and could do nearly everything, especially as I matched it with a grip and good lenses (both zooms and primes). I have considered a D3 or D3s mostly due to improved ergonomics (and a better sensor in the D3s), but they were considerably more expensive.
I gave up and sold my D700 after more than an year of mostly using the Olympus E-M5 almost exclusively, mostly due to weight and dimensions reasons. But I must admit that for moving things (kids, sports, etc) or ultimate image quality (I printed many 13x19 on my HP9800 with great results) or ergonomics and dependability the D700 is still unbeatable.

[Hans Muus]

Fuji X-E2. Got there by way of the X-100 and the X-Pro1. These were the first digital camera's that really appealed to me. I have held the X-T1 as well and was rather impressed, but I fell for the X-E2.
In my film days, I have loved a Mamiya C 330 (my workhorse, with 65 and 180 mm lenses and nothing in between), my Rolleiflex T, a third hand M 3, and a Nikon F3 HP. All these very good tools have enriched my life.

[Michael Rainwater]

My current favorite is the 5D MkIII, though I still think about getting another Rollei 2.8 - my first camera that I had as a kid. I loved how you held it and focused. That said, my father's RB Auto Graflex was the all-time best smelling camera.

[Keith Mitchell]

My first DSLR was a Nikon d50. There was something special about the pictures I was able to take with this camera. The low light capability was surprising. I passed it on to my daughter and I am often tempted to ask her to let me buy it back.

[Rod S.]

Back here again to name my favourite digital camera.

Tricky... before a few days ago I would have said the Fuji X-Pro1 (that I own).

But a few days ago I handled the new X-T1 ...and I think it's a case of "resistance is futile". So...go on, put that one down.

The Q menu button is relocated so I won't push it 50% of the time I lift the camera to my eye, and it has face recognition focus so I can stop moving the focus point all the time. There's much less focus and shutter lag. Teamed with the X-Pro1 it will allow two lenses to be mounted for the once-in-a-lifetime trip to Iran I'm about to take.

[Al Benas]

To keep it simple - my Nikon D800. Has more resolution than the previous fav, the D700. That simplifies post work.

[G. S. Gass]

Mike, my favorite all time camera was my Rolleiflex TLR. I had more fun shooting with that camera than any other. Of course the fact that I was about 50 years younger may improve the memories.

Currently my favorite is the Sony RX10. Good lens, good sensor, and all in one package. The only add-on is a polarizing filter if needed. Since I can't carry a lot of gear anymore, on the rare times I get out to shoot this is ideal. Image output is excellent of course.

Keep up the good work.

George

[Earl Dunbar]

Nun

[Earl Dunbar]

Does that win shortest post?

[Paul]

Pentax 645D. Slow, but great ergonomics, nice viewfinder and good files. Still very good in 2014.

[John]

I love my Em-5 but my Sony S90 is almost always with me. Recently got a GM1 and it about the same size until you put its (admittedly tiny) kit lens on it (or even the 17mm). I thought having MFT and sharing lenses would be great, and it is, but the S90 is still in my pocket unless I am purposely out for picture taking.

[Glen Rowe]

It's the Nikon D800E for me. I've loved it from Day 1, and the affair just grows more passionate each time I partake of its bounty.

[Jeremy Fagan]

Pentax K7. Small, weatherproof, takes cheap, old, great eBay lenses.

[sam]

As much as I hate to admit it... iPhone.

[Akvinat]

Voigtländer Bessa II Apo-Lanthar - for film

Nikon V3 - for digital

[Ernest Zarate]

Canon 5D Mark II. With 50mm f/1.4 Canon lens.

[Ed]

Olympus OM-D EM-5

[Craig Yuill]

My favorite digital camera is the Nikon V1. It is small, quiet, and doesn't call attention to itself. It has simple controls and a great AF and exposure system, allowing me to produce good-quality photos without a lot of unnecessary effort. And since I don't think of the V1 as a "serious" camera I feel empowered to experiment and try shooting things I might not if I was using a "serious" digital camera. I should also mention that the V1 is a good video camera too.

[John Prendergast]

My favorite camera is my Nikon D5100 with the DX 35mm f/1.8. Affordable, I’ve learned so much with it. The reason its my favorite is how much potential it has, but there’s a nagging feeling that Nikon wont maintain. That troubles me deeply. For now I’ll continue happily shooting, though I do have one eye towards something with more staying power into the future [Fuji?]

Sorry dear editor, this post is longer then it need be. :S

[Chris S]

Fuji X100 because it is the only digital camera I've owned that has a soul and because it has a soul I can forgive it its sins.

[James Eaton]

My favorite camera is my Nikon D300. It's like a long time marriage: I've come to know its quirks, adjusted it for mine, and it continue to help me make images I love. Some even sell. It's fun to get a new camera but the longer I do this, the less I find it to be about the equipment. No plans to get a new camera soon.

[MartinB]

pentax k7

[MartinB]

oh, and film - Mamiya 6 with the 50,75,150 lenses

[Henry Rogers]

My vote is for my Leica M-E as my favourite camera ever. That's largely because it feels so similar in use to a dear old IIIg which I've had since 1959 and still use a bit.

[Karsten]

D800

And Fuji X-E2 if I want to go light.

[Martyn Capie]

Nikon F100. Most of my favourite images were taken on this camera. Great size, amazing build quality.

[Bob]

Olympus Evolt E-300. I know. It looked weird. Tiny LCD screen. No stabilization. Noisy at ISO 800. But at ISO 100, its 8-mp Kodak CCD sensor delivered gorgeous colors and crisp, sharp images. My first digital camera and while I purchased and used the E-520, E-5 and now the OM-D E-M1, there was something about that old black brick that none of the other cameras quite got.