Gear of the Year: Cameras

Posted on Jun 20, 2025 by Pro Moviemaker

Gear of the Year is here – cast your vote and back the best camera tech of 2025

Just when you thought cameras couldn’t get any better, these manufacturers continue to find ways to pack in more tech than ever, with higher resolution and often at more competitive prices that offer greater value for money.

Our most popular class is mirrorless, and there has been a glut of new models, often with fresh technology or trickle-down spec from flagships but at a keener price. It’s in the flagship models where there’s been a lot of action, though, with Canon’s EOS R1 – the brand’s first truly pro mirrorless flagship – hitting the shelves and battling with the Sony A1 II and A9 III. The latter is the only mirrorless camera to feature a global shutter and incredible, high-speed performance in video as well as stills. Canon’s R5 Mark II offers higher resolution for those that don’t feel the need for speed.

Fujifilm went its own way with its mirrorless flagship, as the GFX100 II has a huge sensor that gives a unique look to footage.

Leica weighed in with its SL3-S mirrorless that shares a lot of spec with the latest Panasonics, such as the Lumix S1R II. Nikon’s rebirth continues with the Z 5II and Z 6III offering significant upgrades to rival the mighty Z 8.

The category for hybrid/ crossover cameras covers those machines that fuse a conventional mirrorless with a cinema camera. This year, the Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K stirred up the market with its full-frame sensor and internal Raw recording and recently got decent AF. But bigger news was the Canon C80 going full-frame.

Canon also led the way in the cinema camera class with its new C400 getting lots of attention. But old firm rivals Nikon joined the party with its Red brand, as the Nikon Z mount found its way onto the Red Komodo-X and V-Raptor X. Blackmagic joins the competition with the great-value Pyxis 6K, Ursa Cine 12K LF and its 17K 65 sibling.

For the camcorder category, where it’s all about live events and streaming, Panasonic stepped up with the all-in-one AG-CX370 and AG-CX20 machines. And in PTZs, Panasonic upgraded its AW-UE150AW/AK, while Atomos launched into the market with its A-Eye 4K-20X leading the way. Sony’s FR7 is the world’s first PTZ with a full-frame sensor and interchangeable E-mount lenses, and Canon’s CR-N700 has 12G-SDI connections and Dual Pixel CMOS AF. Please cast your vote to have your say in this crucial class.

Cast your vote here!