Best Camera for Photography Beginners
If you’re just get started with photography, then you’re probably wondering what the best camera for beginners is, and which one you should splash your hard earned cash on.
So today, I’m going to give you just THREE cameras to choose from, so that you can narrow down the options from the 100’s to single digits, and ideally, get your first camera picked out within the next hour 🙌
Only 3?! Why not a list of 20, or even 30?
Allow me to tell you 😀
Searching for cameras can be a time suck, and the truth is, there is little difference between brands, (so canon v nikon is not generally a deal breaker!) plus you’re probably already constrained by your budget, which narrows down the options a fair bit all on it’s ownsome.
You also don’t want anything too advanced so you can take your first steps without being overwhelmed, but you also want something that you can grow into as your skills develop.
Getting the right DSLR or mirrorless camera will give you the CONTROL you need to take better photos, without making you frustrated. Because in order to get photos that you love and that have a more of a professional look to them, you’re going to want to make choices about the camera settings yourself, rather than letting a bunch of wires and sensors (that’s can’t actually see what’s in front of them!) do it for you 😉
That’s things like choosing your own aperture, shutter speed and ISO in manual mode in order for your photos to have a certain “look”, taking control of focus so that your images are tack sharp, or setting the right colour yourself all means that you’ll get better results, and fall in love with the photos you take.
So although getting the right camera is an important part of photography, the thing that will make the BIGGEST difference to your photos is actually learning how to use it.
(Little side note: If you want to get your hands on free Photography Starter Guide & Checklist that will help with this, then go here to grab your copy!)
All of these cameras on this page have a good level of features, which will give you that control we’ve just been talking about, but won’t require you to take out a second mortgage on your home to get out of the store.
Of course, if you have MORE money to spare, feel free to move up to the next level of camera - similarly, if these are out of your budget right now, feel free to go one step down! These are suggestions, not a shopping list :)
Finally, I’ve left Fuji and Panasonic (and others) off the list, for no other reason that the “heavyweights” of DSLR’s is undoubtedly Nikon and Canon, and for mirrorless right now, Sony (Although the others are catching up quick, and in fact, may already be there) but if you prefer these brands go for it! Look for similar features and you’ll be golden.
Enough talk, let’s dive in!
Option #1 - Canon Rebel T8i DSLR Camera
My very first “proper” camera was a Canon Rebel, in fact it was a T3i, which shows you just how long ago that was ☺️
This T8i camera gives you a whopping 24 megapixels, which is more than you will ever need.
In case you don’t know, the number of megapixels can be important because it determines how large you can print your images, and still have good image quality: more megapixels means larger images. But the other reason we pay attention to this is because it gives you a little bit of leeway when cropping your images, as you can crop away half your picture and STILL have enough to get a large print!
The other thing I like about this camera is that it shoots at 7.5 frames per second, and has 45 auto-focus points, both of which are fantastic features for shooting action images, such as a running toddler, sports days or wildlife.
The frames per second is how fast your camera can actually take a picture (and sometimes with action you have to take several in quick succession) and more focus points gives you more to choose from, so that you can get your focus exactly where you want it.
It also has wireless capability which is great for sharing your photos, and it can record video too, should you wish to do that.
All in all, it’s a great all rounder that will allow you to take fantastic images with beautiful clarity (once you learn how to use it!) but isn’t too complicated to learn and use as a beginner.
The price for this model with a lens is currently $899 from Amazon. (But see the end of the post about lenses!)
Option #2 - Nikon D5600
This model has been around for a while, but probably for good reason!
Just as with the Canon version above, it has 24 MP and also has wifi and video capabilities.
It has 39 Auto-Focus points, and it shoots at 5fps, so again, enough focus points to help you get accurate focus, and the FPS is decent; not quite as fast as the Canon Rebel, but still good.
Again, this camera is advanced enough for you to get the control you need, and keep you happy for a good long while, whilst not being overly complicated with too many bells and whistles for when you’re still getting to grip with the basics.
The price for this model with a lens is currently $799 from Amazon. (But again, see the end of the post about lenses!)
Option #3 - Sony Alpha A6400 Mirrorless
Nowadays, Mirrorless cameras are real contenders to DSLR cameras, because they are smaller and more lightweight than their DSLR counterparts, and their focusing systems (which once lagged behind) have been significantly improved, so they are definitely worth considering.
This model is again 24 Megapixels (same as the Canon or Nikon) but shoots at a whopping 11 frames per second, which is FAST, and 424 focus points, which is, quite frankly, bananas.
With wireless and video capabilities too, it’s another great all rounder, but if size and weight is your primary consideration, then this is the one to go for.
This price for this option is $898 from Amazon (but that doesn’t include a lens, more on that in a moment!)
So, what’s all this about lenses?!
Lenses are a whole other story, and just as important (if not more so!) than your camera body.
Most entry level cameras come complete with what is known as a “kit lens’. These are relatively inexpensive lenses, and are pretty versatile, so they can be used for lots of different types of photos. (Both the Canon and Nikon versions in this post come with a kit lens)
However, these kit lenses are not the best to have, because they won’t give you a nice wide aperture (useful for low light shots or getting yummy, blurry backgrounds) nor are they particularly quick to focus (bad for capturing action shots) and at the risk of offending them, they just simply aren’t the sharpest lens on the block.
That’s why I generally recommend skipping the kit lens (if it’s worth it to do so) and buy the body only, and get a different lens instead.
Again, there are lots and lots and lots of options here (photographers do love some lens talk ) but let me narrow this down significantly and tell you that the almost universal upgrade lens is what’s known as the “Nifty Fifty” a.k.a the 50mm F1.8 Lens.
The price of these is not bank breaking, but still a definite step up from the kit lens.
Having that better lens will pay you back tenfold in low light situations (because you can let MORE of the limited light into the camera via your aperture) give you the soft buttery background blur I know you want, and help give you sharper images.
You can get versions of this lens for both Nikon camera bodies and Canon camera bodies, and I’ve linked to them on Amazon there to save you a bit of time. As a side note, both these lenses will work on an upgraded camera body should you decide to go down that route in the future! And of course, you can get one for the Sony Mirrorless too.
(And if you DO get a nifty fifty lens, be sure to check out these Canon 50mm F1.8 tips to help you make the most of it! It says Canon, but the tips are relevant for Nikon or any other manufacturer too)
However, it has to be said, these kit lenses are usually so cheap when bundled in with the camera bodies, that you may just wish to get one too. As I say, they’re not great, but useful to get started with until you can see what you like, and what you don’t like! So if it’s a good deal with a kit lens, go for it.
If lenses are confusing to you, then check these out:
How to Understand the Numbers on Your Lens and finally,
How to Choose the Best Lens for You.
They all do what they say on the tin :)
Buying second-hand
I bought my first camera and lenses new, but now that I’ve been around the block a bit (when it comes to photography) I think I’d probably go second hand if I had my time again.
Some people buy cameras, rarely use them, and then flog them. And many people go on to LOVE photography, and invest in a better camera, or upgrade their lenses. Which all means you can get a lightly used camera and lens cheaper by going second hand.
Ebay is one option (I sold my first camera and lens on eBay and whoever got them got a bargain) but also look to well-known second hand stores like B&H in the US or MPB Photography in the UK. They’re a bit more expensive, but they’ll have checked everything over, so if you want that peace of mind, it’s a good option. (that’s probably the route I’d go down rather than ebay!)
I won’t link to specific offers here (as they would be sold by the time you read this) but a quick glance at these gave an option for a Canon T7i camera body (that was the model before the T8i mentioned in this post was released) for just $489 on B&H, and a Canon 50mm F1.8 lens for $85 #bargain
Something to consider!
The most important part of any camera
And now to the most important part of any camera you buy, because it will literally make or break your photos…
YOU.
I’ve seen pro photographers take the most incredible photos with beginner level cameras, because they know their stuff. I’ve had Auto to Awesome students go from snapshots to professional level photos with the most basic of gear because they learnt how to use it properly. (Don’t believe me? Check here and here!)
I know right now you probably think that the better a camera you have, the better photos you’ll take, but it’s simply not true. So make learning a priority over better gear, because I pinky swear it will give you more bang for your buck.
To that end, I have something for you; our free Photography Starter Guide & Checklist, where I’ve detailed the whole thing out for you!
There you go, 3 different options for cameras that will be perfect for you if you’re just starting out.
I hope this was helpful, and above all, has made you feel less confused about what cameras to look at! Wasn’t it better to have 3 choices rather than 20?!
And please, if you think this guide would be helpful to others, share the love by pinning to your pinterest board, sharing on Facebook, or just email a friend the link!
As always, I love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and let me know if there is another model you’ve had your eye on, or if you’ve already purchased one, what you got!
Much love,
Audrey x
