Every time the half-year mark comes around, I think to myself, "This has been a great year for cameras." It happened last year and the year before, and it has happened again this year. So far in 2026, we've been treated to some fantastic cameras and drones, and brands continue to prove that there's still room to grow and develop in terms of imaging tech.
If you don't know me, my name is Nikita and I'm a Senior Reviews Writer, testing the best drones and the best cameras. This year, I've tested 12 of these nifty gadgets so far — from keychain cameras like the Kodak Charmera and black-and-white snappers like the Leica Q3 Monochrom, to speedy mirrorless beasts like the Canon EOS R6 Mark III and aerial wonders like the DJI Avata 360.
After a somewhat slow start to the year, we've been spoiled thanks to new launches from the likes of Leica, and DJI coming out with a range of drones and gimbal cameras. Now that we're well into July, I thought I'd round up my top five cameras and drones of 2026 so far. Has there been a camera or drone that's been a standout for you? I'd love to hear from you in the comments!
I review the best cameras and best drones here at Tom's Guide. I've adored photography for as long as I can remember, and when I'm not working, I love taking my Fujifilm X-T50 on a walk and capturing the sights. My favorite subjects to photograph are animals, birds, and my partner. You can follow my work on Instagram.
5. Kodak Charmera
Just a no-frills, fun keychain camera
My rating: ★★★★☆
When I was putting this list together, I knew the Kodak Charmera was going to be included. If there's one thing 2026 has shown us already it's that cameras can be whimsical and just pure fun — and the Charmera proves it. You may have seen this nifty little keychain camera on TikTok or Instagram. It went viral earlier this year for its compact form factor and oh-so little asking price, and if you need a no-frills camera for a night out, this is the one to get.
Though the camera is fitted with a 1.6MP 1/4-inch CMOS sensor that doesn't take award-winning images, the Charmera is all about fun. The charm lies in its lo-fi images that remind me of the photos in my family's photo albums. What makes the Charmera unique is its extremely portable body — clip it on to your keys or your bag and you're good to go.
What I love most about the Charmera is its ease of use. Your 5-year-old niece who's just getting to grips with using her hands will be able to use it, as will your 60-year-old uncle who just wants to immortalize memories without caring much about image quality. Pass it around a table at a pub, or add it to the camera gear that's going to be at your wedding — the Charmera is for everyone.
Read my full Kodak Charmera review.
4. DJI Osmo Pocket 4P
DJI's best gimbal camera just got better
My rating: Not scored yet
The DJI Osmo Pocket 4P is perhaps one of the industry's worst kept secrets. Rumors have been circulating for months, so when the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 dropped, people wondered why it didn't have two dual lenses — and then the Osmo Pocket 4P dropped. Well, you can't buy it yet, but it's out there. I've held it; I've recorded footage on it in Malta; and I can tell you that it's very real. I can also tell you that this gimbal camera might give the Insta360 Luna Ultra a run for its money.
But my lips are sealed due to embargoes and restrictions, and all I can really tell you about the Osmo Pocket 4P is this: it features D-Log2 support and a whopping 17 stops of dynamic range, and it comes in black and white. It's also got two lenses, one of which is a 60mm medium-telephoto.
I've spent a fair amount of time using the Osmo Pocket 4P, and it didn't take long for it to become one of my favorite cameras of 2026 so far. And why wouldn't it be? It builds on the success of the base Osmo Pocket 4 (which received a 5/5 rating from Senior Reviews Editor, Peter Wolinski). If you haven't bought the base model, I think it's worth waiting for the Osmo Pocket 4P. Trust me, I've been gobsmacked by it, and I'm sure you will be too.
Read my first impressions of the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P.
3. Canon EOS R6 Mark III
Good becomes great
My rating: ★★★★½
The Canon EOS R6 Mark III succeeded the second-gen model in November 2025, but I tested the camera in 2026, so it counts! Good became great as Canon introduced substantial upgrades to its predecessor to deliver one of the best mid-range cameras. Having taken over 6,000 photos on the EOS R6 Mark III, I've been extremely impressed with its capabilities. The camera packs a 32.5MP full frame sensor that captures plenty of detail and gives you some room for making crops in post-production, too.
Combine that beautiful sensor with 40fps burst shooting and best-in-class autofocus, and you've got yourself a powerful camera for sports, wildlife, portraits, landscapes, you name it. As someone who loves photographing birds and animals, I appreciated the EOS R6 Mark III's ability to quickly lock on to subjects and capture stunning images. Canon's vaunted color science is the cherry on top of the cake.
And it's a delicious cake topped with many, many cherries. 7K Open Gate video and 4K/120fps video capabilities make the EOS R6 Mark III a competent hybrid camera. The addition of CFExpress support means the camera can accommodate 7K RAW files and sustain its rapid 40fps drive.
Read my full Canon EOS R6 Mark III review.
2. Leica SL3-P
Finally taking the fight to Canon and Sony
My rating: ★★★★½
Leica’s a legacy brand and though it has always made excellent (albeit very expensive) cameras, it’s always struggled to compete with heavy hitters like Sony and Canon, in my opinion — until now. The Leica SL3-P is one of the finest mirrorless cameras I’ve ever tested, and certainly the best of 2026 so far. What makes the SL3-P a standout is its sublime handling, superb build quality (you'd expect nothing less at this price), and imaging prowess.
I was seriously impressed with its 40fps high-speed drive and best-in-class autofocus that ensures you never miss an action shot — and as a wildlife photographer, I love it. Throw in a 44MP sensor, 8K Open Gate video, strong dynamic range performance, and sublime handling, and you’ve got yourself a winner. Well done, Leica.
The SL3-P makes Leica a serious alternative to Canon and Sony, and if you think, "Nope, Leicas are way too expensive," you'd be wrong. Sony's flagship A1 II and Canon's EOS R5 Mark II bodies cost almost the same. I don't think Leica's price tag should scare you any longer — especially when you're getting a ridiculously sharp sensor.
Read my full Leica SL3-P review.
1. DJI Avata 360
DJI claims its stake as the king of the skies
My rating: ★★★★½
When the Antigravity A1, the world's first 360° drone came out last year, I thought to myself, "This is an excellent drone; I wonder what DJI's answer is going to be." And DJI's answer was simple: the Avata 360 did everything the Antigravity A1 does but better, and at a much lower price. It undercut its primary rival, and DJI delivered a 360° drone that doesn't give you much to complain about.
I absolutely adore the Avata 360, and as someone who has spent nearly a thousand hours flying, testing, writing and reading about drones, it's one of the best today, period. Fitted with twin lenses that capture every angle in 8K at 60fps without any stitching lines, and 120MP hi-res stills, the Avata 360 is a formidable content creation tool.
Exceptional build quality, dual ways to fly (FPV and with a standard controller), user-friendly software for editing, you name it: the Avata 360 does it all. Out of all the cameras and drones I've tested this year so far, this is the one I come back to time and again. DJI, despite facing a ban on its drones and enhanced scrutiny in the U.S., shows no signs of stopping with its Avata 360, Lito X1 and Lito 1 quadcopters, and I can't wait to see what else the Chinese giant has up its sleeve going forward.
Read my full DJI Avata 360 review.
There's more where that came from...
There are, of course, other cameras I've tested that haven't made the list, but they still deserve a shoutout. The first honorable mention that springs to my mind is the Fujifilm Instax mini Evo Cinema, a hybrid instant camera that redefines everything we know about instant cameras.
It's one of a kind: it lets you shoot photos and print directly from your smartphone, and you can record video clips up to 15 seconds long, choose a frame, and print on Instax film with a QR code that plays said video on a smartphone. It's fun and it's different, and it earned a 4.5-star rating from me.
Then there's the Fujifilm Instax mini 13, which takes things back to basics. It's an analog instant cameras that simply shoots and prints photos within 90 seconds. Image and print quality is great, with retro colors that remind us all why we fell in love with instant photography in the first place.
I also tested the Potensic Atom 3, a powerful DJI alternative that, for the first time on a Potensic drone, introduces 4K/60fps video and RAW images. At an affordable price tag, the Atom 3 packs up to 50 minutes of flight time and accurate AI subject tracking.
But that's all from me (for now). I hope you've enjoyed reading about my favorite cameras and drones of 2026 so far just as much as I've enjoyed writing about them. And like I said, do let me know in the comments what's been your favorite release this year!
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