Best APS-C cameras: what to look out for and what to buy in 2021

The best APS-C cameras are smaller and lighter than most full-frame cameras, and they allow you to fill your frame with your subject from a greater distance. APS-C is a very popular choice for sensor size, appearing in both DSLRs and point-and-shoot cameras (and even some high-end point-and-shoot cameras). In this buying guide, we help you choose the best cameras with an APS-C sized sensor.

Although not as big as a

full frame sensor

, APS-C sensors larger than most other types, including four-thirds, one inch, and the smaller sensors found in the average mobile phone. That means you get benefits like better noise control and greater depth of field, without the bulk of a full-frame camera.

Here we'll look at a range of different cameras currently available, showing you the best of what the APS-C market has to offer. We picked the finalists based on high image quality, a good range of features, and exceptional handling.

What does APS-C mean?

APS-C is short for Advanced Photo System Type-C, which was a late addition to film photography. The advanced photo system was a new film negative format measuring 25.1 mm x 16.7 mm and providing an aspect ratio of 3:2 image.

The APS-C, or crop, sensor corresponds to the size of a single APS-C film negative in the same way that a full-frame sensor corresponds to a single frame of 35mm film. For more information, see our guide to

when to use APS-C lenses instead of full frame.

Is APS-C better than full frame?

APS-C cameras tend to be smaller and lighter, to begin with. They are also popular with wildlife photographers. This is because the cropped sensor allows you to fill your frame with your subject from farther away.

The best APS-C cameras

Nikon Z50

A gem of a camera with powerful features

Sensor:

APS-C CMOS

Megapixels:

20.88

Lens mount:

Nikon Z

AF system:

Phase detection with 209 AF points, Eye AF and subject tracking

Viewfinder:

2.36 million dot electronic viewfinder

Screen:

3.2-inch 1040k-dot tilting touchscreen,

Maximum video resolution:

4K at 30 fps and Full-HD at 120 fps

Advantages:

Great size and shape, Nikon camera heritage

Disadvantages:< /p>

Screen tips down for front view, no joystick to adjust AF point

Nikon may have been late to take mirrorless cameras seriously, but the Z50 isn't playing catch-up with anyone. It's a very nice, solid camera with well-implemented touch control and superb image quality.

Its autofocus system is also excellent and can handle moving subjects in low light conditions.

There are currently only two Z-format Nikon DX-format lenses, but more are in the works and F-mount lenses can be used via an adapter. Also, because Nikon used the same Z mount on the Z50 as it does for its full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Z6 and Z7, the lenses are interchangeable.

Read our review of the Nikon Z50

Nikon D500

A great all-rounder, well-suited to many different subjects

Sensor:

APS-C CMOS,

Megapixels:

20.9,

Lens mount:

Nikon F mount,

AF system:

Viewfinder:

Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.0x magnification

Screen:

3.2-inch, tilting, 2,359,000 dots, touchscreen

Maximum video resolution:

4K,

Maximum frame rate:

Advantages:

Touch screen, two card slots

Disadvantages:

Screen doesn't articulate, Live View shooting a bit stilted

Nikon D500 review

Sharing many of the same specifications as the top-end (and full-frame) D5, the D500 has a huge array of attractive specs. Designed to perform well in a variety of situations, there's an excellent AF system and processor (shared with the D5) that handles action and fast-moving subjects brilliantly - which you can shoot at 10fps.

The sensor has a relatively modest 20.8 million pixels, which sees it well for coping with low-light shots over a very wide sensitivity range.

With a sturdy body and plenty of buttons and dials to give you direct access to commonly used controls, the D500 also has an excellent viewfinder and tilting touchscreen.

Fujifilm X-T4

Style and substance with this well presented and attractive option p>

Sensor:

X-Trans CMOS 4 APS-C sensor

Megapixels:

26.1

Lens mount:

Fuji X

AF system:

Intelligent hybrid with up to 425 selectable AF points

Viewfinder:

0.5 inch, 3.69 million OLED dots, 100% coverage

Screen:

3-inch, 1.6 million dot vari-angle touchscreen LCD

Max Video Re solution:

C4K (4096 × 2160) at 59.94p/50p/29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p 400Mbps/200Mbps/100Mbps, internal SD card recording 4:2:0 10bit; 1080/240p

Advantages:

Fast AF and frame rate, 4K video, IBIS

Disadvantages:

It's hard to fault the camera

Fujifilm X-T4 review

It may have the same 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor and X-Processor 4 processing engine as the X-T3, but the Fujifilm X-T4 also has in-body image stabilization on 5 axes with a shutter speed compensation value of 6.5 Ev, a quieter shutter, a bigger battery, a new film simulation mode and a vari-angle touchscreen.

Like the X-T3, the X-T4 can record C4K (4096 x 2160) MOV video at up to 60p. However, it can also record in MP4 format.

Additionally, Full HD video can be recorded at up to 240p (with continuous focus), double the rate possible with the X-T3. This is great news for those who like to see the action in slow motion.

All of this, combined with Fujifilm's expertise in image quality, makes the X-T4 the company's best X-series camera yet, not to mention one of the best mirrorless cameras around. that you can buy today.

It might not be an automatic upgrade choice for X-T3 users, but X-T1 and X-T2 photographers will love it. More importantly, it's very appealing to anyone considering their first serious Fuji camera.

Sony A6500

A great camera with a super array of specs for your money

Sensor:

APS-C Exmor CMOS

Megapixels:

24.2

Lens mount:

Sony E-Mount

AF system:

Hybrid AF, 425points/169points

Viewfinder:

0.39inch, 2.36million-dot XGA OLED, 100% coverage

Screen:

3 inch, 921600 dots, touch, tilt

Maximum video resolution:

4K

Maximum frame rate:

11fps

Advantages:

Excellent autofocus, high-speed shooting

Disadvantages:

Can feel unbalanced with bigger lenses, somewhat complicated buttons

Sony Alpha A6500 review

The market for high-end APS-C cameras is quite crowded, but the Sony A6500 stands out by offering a wide range of features.

There's a very capable sensor, capable of resolving very fine detail, but those are the speed specs that fans of high-speed subjects, such as action and sports, are likely to be drawn to. There's 11fps shooting, plus an extremely capable hybrid AF system.

If you mainly shoot still subjects (such as landscapes, posed portraits) you might want to consider the very good Sony A6300 which is available even cheaper.

For this camera, after what seemed like years of begging, Sony finally implemented a touchscreen, along with a high-resolution viewfinder. Oh, and you can shoot 4K video too - all in all a superior range of attractive features.

Canon 7D Mark II

A robust and versatile device, ideal for transitioning from Canon's entry-level models

Sensor:

APS-C CMOS

Megapixels:

20.2

Lens mount:

Canon EF-S

AF system:

65 cross-type AF (double cross-type center point)

Viewfinder:

Optical pentaprism, 1.0x magnification, 100% coverage

Screen:

3inches, 1040000points

Maximum video resolution:

Full-HD

Maximum frame rate:

10fps

Advantages:

Weather resistant, excellent handling< /p>

Disadvantages:

Fixed non-touch screen, no 4K video

Although it's one of the older models on our list, the 7D Mark II is still a great choice for those looking for a high-performance APS-C camera.

Canon has yet to update its 7D range, so it remains its best offering for the smaller-than-full-frame sensor size. Designed to appeal to photographers who enjoy shooting many different subjects, it handles a variety of different tasks well, including action photography with 10fps shooting and a very capable autofocus system.

Offering a rugged body that's weather-sealed, the 7D Mark II is easily equipped for outdoor shooting, while features like a top-plate LCD screen make it very user-friendly.

If you're already a Canon photographer going for something lower in the company's range, the 7D Mark II is the obvious choice.

Fuji X100V

A premium, retro-styled compact that's ideal for street photography

Sensor:

X-Trans CMOS 4 APS-C sensor

Megapixels:

26.1

Goal:

AF system:

Intelligent hybrid with up to 425 selectable AF points

Viewfinder:

Optics: Reverse Galilean sight with electronic bright frame display, 95% coverage and 0.52x magnification, Electronic: 0.5 inch 3690000- Dot OLED with 100% coverage, 0.66x magnification

Screen:

3.0-inch 1,620,000-dot tilting touchscreen LCD

Maximum video resolution:

DCI 4K (4096×2160) at 29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p, 200Mbps/100Mbps, up to 10 minutes

Advantages:

Hybrid viewfinder, 35 mm focal length ideal as a walking lens

Disadvantages:

Expensive

Fujifilm X100V Review

The Fuji X100V is a compact camera and the fifth model in Fujifilm's highly respected X100 series. Inside, it has the same 26.1MP APS-C sized sensor and processing engine as the manufacturer's recent enthusiast-level interchangeable lens cameras, the

Fujifilm X-T4

,

X-T3

and

X-Pro3

.

This means it can capture the same quality images despite using a fixed 23mm f/2.0 lens with an effective focal length of 35mm.

It has a high quality build and traditional exposure controls along with a hybrid viewfinder and tilting touchscreen. It's not for everyone, but it's a camera that many people will fall in love with.

Leica CL

An elegant and easy-to-use entry into Leica's long heritage

Sensor:

APS-C CMOS

Megapixels:

24.2

Lens mount:

Leica L

AF system:

Contrast based

Viewfinder:

2.36m electronics, 0.74x magnification

Screen:

3 inch touchscreen, 1.04m pixels maximum

Video resolution:

4K

Maximum frame rate:

10fps

Advantages:

Intuitive operation, excellent viewfinder

Disadvantages:

Expensive, screen doesn't tilt

Leica CL (Type 7323) Review

Many photographers aspire to own a Leica, and the CL is a good choice for those looking to get into the system. You won't really need the funds for a full-frame Leica M10, but you should still be prepared to shell out a pretty penny.

It's also much easier to use than an M10, with an autofocus system and an intuitive set of dials and buttons you can use to quickly adjust all key settings.

The resulting images are crisp and vibrant, and when paired with an 18mm pancake lens, the CL is neat, compact and ideal for travel and street photography.

Ricoh GRIII

Slim, sober and capable of excellent results

Sensor:

APS-C CMOS

Megapixels:

24.24

Goal:

GR 18.3mm (28mm equivalent) f/2.8 p>

AF system:

hybrid

Viewfinder:

n / A

Screen:

3 inch touchscreen, 1037000points

Maximum video resolution:

1920×1080

Advantages:

Small size, simple

Disadvantages:

No viewfinder, screen does not tilt

We might be getting a bit of a head start, but after shooting a final production sample of the Ricoh GR III shortly before its announcement, we think it's worth adding to this list.

It's not an all-singing, all-dancing camera, but the Ricoh GR III lets you focus on the essentials. It is designed for instant shooting and it is a good choice for street photography.

Inside, the 24.24MP CMOS sensor doesn't have an anti-aliasing (AA) filter to help it capture more detail, but there's built-in anti-aliasing if you have it. need. There's also a maximum sensitivity setting of ISO 102400 and a sensor-shifting Shake Reduction (SR) system.

The 14bit DNG raw files contain loads of detail and are very well preserved in the corners. Flare, chromatic aberration and vignetting are also closely controlled.

Read our Ricoh GR III review