Not sure which beginner’s digital camera to buy? Quickly learn all you need to know before investing in a new or used camera and lens. Or skip straight to the recommended cameras; all of these will support progression from complete beginner through to intermediate level. Also great if you’re looking to buy a camera as a gift!
I’m often asked what camera should I buy?… so, here’s a helpful digital camera buying guide for beginners! Also take a look at my How to Learn Photography Guide, and for those of you living in or near Sussex take a look at my Photography Courses and Lessons.
Step 1
Choosing The Right Beginners Camera
We’ll first figure out what you want to use your camera for. Deciding now will give you good direction when shopping, or opt for one that does everything well if you want to keep your options open.
Which one or more of these would you like to photograph? Keep your choice in mind for later… Portraits | Wildlife | Landscape | Sports | Street
Step 2
Types of cameras for beginners
Beginner’s digital cameras come in all shapes and sizes to suit any situation. Each type of camera is shown below in size order, starting with the smallest. Professional cameras also fit into the same categories but are often larger, heavier and more expensive!
Compact Camera
New Price: £100 – £1000
Offers a lot in a small, lightweight form so you’ll have it with you more often! Has some limitations e.g. outright image quality
Pros:
- V Small + lightweight, easy and discreet to carry
- Improved image quality compared to phonefully retractable Lens
- Simple by design
Cons:
- Size brings limitations
- Built-in lens can’t be swapped
- Not all compacts have an eye viewfinder (personal preference)
Bridge Camera
New Price: £350-£1200
Comparable to a Compact but with added features accessed through extra buttons and dials, and a much larger zoom for distant views. Mainly aimed at novices but fine for improvers, too.
Pros:
- Massive zoom range for distant views, wildlife etc
- Many dials and buttons for quick access to features
- Gives greater flexibility in what you photograph and how
Cons:
- Won’t rival interchangeable lens cameras for outright image quality
- Many dials and buttons can be overwhelming
- Larger than a Compact and the built-in lens can’t be swapped
- Jack of all trades does bring limitations
Mirroless Camera
New Price: £500 – £3000
Lens Price Starts From £150-£250
The traditional SLR (or DSLR), further below, is being superseded by the mirrorless camera. They do everything a DSLR does and a bit more
Pros:
- Small, lightweight, and discreet
- High image quality
- Inter-changeable Lens
- Significant jump up from compacts and bridge cameras
- Includes many user aids to make photography easier
Cons:
- Not all mirroless models have an eye viewfinder
- Interchangeable Lens Creates Added Bulk
- Because they’re the latest design the cost is higher
DSLR Camera (Digital SLR)
New Price: £280 – £2000
Lens Price Starts From: £100-£180
DSLRs are perfect in many ways if you don’t mind a little more bulk and weight compared to the other camera types. Need to photo a new subject? e.g. macro close-ups. Just add a new lens
Pros:
- Excellent Image Quality
- Abundant Supply Of Used Cameras and Lenses
- Changeable Lens
- Flexibility For All Subjects
Cons:
- Lacks the advanced features of the mirrorless camera
- The smallest models are easy to carry but many models are on the large side
- Added weight
STEP 3
Camera Image Quality
The Megapixel (MP), how many dots (pixels) make up each photo, is the headline figure here. More dots = higher image quality; allowing sharper photos and ever larger prints.
How many megapixels is enough?
A lowly 16MP will produce excellent quality A4 prints, but even less is needed for social media use or sharing your photos online. Nearly all entry-level digital cameras offer 16MP or much more.
Note: Megapixels are not the only deciding factor for image quality but is the most obvious one advertised in the specs. Notice how a humble 24MP will offer a good A2 print.
| Use | 16MP | 24MP | 36MP | 50MP |
| Social Media | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Website Images | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 10 x 8 inch Photo Print | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| A4 Print | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| A3 Print | Y (Passable) | Y | Y | Y |
| A2 Print | N | Y (Passable) | Y | Y |
| A1 Print | N | N | Y (Passable) | Y |
STEP 4
Which Camera Lens To Buy (for DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras)
The lens you buy is as important as the camera body for many reasons that I’ll cover. Compact or bridge cameras have the lens built-in and it can’t be replaced. That said, it’s important to know a little about lenses to help when buying any type of camera.
Lens Focal Length
How much the camera lens can zoom in and make everything appear larger / nearer, or zoom out to give a wide field of view. The latter is the friend of estate agents as it makes rooms look much larger!
Focal length is shown as a range in millimetres (mm). e.g. 70-200mm. Where a camera has an interchangeable lens – these numbers will depend on the lens or selection of lenses used as and when needed.
A common zoom range is 18mm-55mm and will work closer in but won’t make distant objects / landscapes / wildlife / people appear large in the photo. For that, you’ll need a lens of 100mm or larger.
| Description | Use | Focal Length |
| Wide-angle Lens | Squeezes more into the picture e.g. interior or property photography. Popular with many Landscape photographers. | Less than 24mm |
| Standard Lens | Very similar to human eye-sight | 35mm or 50mm |
| Telephoto Lens | For distance subjects; wildlife or sports photography, and telephoto landscapes. 80-135mm is often a portrait favourite. | More than 70mm |
| Macro Lens | Close-up photography; insects, flora, product details etc. Can focus very close to objects – much more than other lenses. | More than 85mm |
Image Stabilisation
Avoid blurry photos from camera shake in dark conditions with lens image stabilisation. Ability to reduce shake is measured in ‘stops‘ and the higher the better e.g. 6-stops is better than 5-stops. Lens manufacturers use their own branding e.g. Image Stabilisation (IS), Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), Vibration Control (VC) etc.
This tech helps with many forms of photography and is especially helpful when shooting at night-time e.g. street photography, events etc.
Lens Maximum Aperture
Some styles of photography – often lifestyle and portraits – require a soft background (shallow depth of field), as shown here. For landscape photography, it’s much less important.
For this effect, look for a camera with a large aperture / small f-stop in the specs e.g. f/4, or ideally f/2.8 and lower.
The most cost-effective lens for a shallow depth of field is the trusty 50mm fixed lens. Very little money will buy you a f/1.8 or f/1.4 lens with excellent image quality!
STEP 5
Which Camera Features?
The right camera features will make photography easier and more enjoyable. Much like cars come in different shapes and sizes; some have cruise control, large load space, and quick de-mist features – camera’s have a host of features to help you on your way too.
Learn the most important features to help with your decision making…
Size & Weight
Small cameras are great for carrying and they do say the best camera is the one you have with you!
The smallest type – known as the compact camera – prioritises size and is lightweight to easily carry with you. You’ll just about be able to learn photography whilst using a compact camera and more so with the better (more expensive!) ones.
Some of us are a little more committed (or should be committed??) and choose to carry a larger and heavier camera that offers superior quality and greater flexibility e.g. longer focal length zoom and more features. These cameras fall into the category of Bridge cameras or DSLR / Mirrorless as described later on.
Screen
We’re all used to a touchscreen on our phone but not all cameras have them. It’s worth having one if it fits your budget. Photography will be that little bit quicker, easier and more pleasurable for it!
Camera screens are either fixed, tiltable or fully-articulated. A tiltable screen helps use your camera up high or down low when taking photos. A fully-articulated screen can be angled for viewing at many different angles and often is reversible for selfies / video recording.
Shooting Speed
Need to shoot fast-moving action such as sports, motorsport, birds or wildlife? Look for the frames per second spec (fps)for how many photos the camera can take in a second when the shutter button is held down. Ideal for not missing the decisive moment where there’s lots of movement. 6 fps is good, 10 fps is very good and 15+ is excellent and possibly overkill!
Auto Focus Speed
For sharp photos your camera and lens must keep up. The camera and lens together both influence the speed at which your camera focuses. Focusing speed is especially important when photographing anything fast-moving e.g. children, pets, wildlife, vehicles.
There is no common measurement to guide you but know that newer models bring advancements every year. Seek out helpful reviews where professional testing and comparison has taken place.
Price
Not a feature as such but a key consideration unless you have a money tree in your garden. Should your budget not stretch to the desired type of camera, consider purchasing a 2nd-hand previous model. Many cameras from the last 10 years offer excellent image quality for a very reasonable price. Little changes in a year of camera development.
Beautiful Views In Any Room
Vibrant colours, beautiful textures and amazing landscapes. Framed and ready to hang
Camera Recommendations
These are my recommendations based on the cameras I often recommend to beginners, and of course working in their feedback and experience.
Best Sports and Wildlife Cameras For Beginners
Sports and wildlife cameras share the same requirements:
- Ability To Fill The Frame With Distant Subjects
- Strong Auto Focus Performance
- High Continuous Shooting Speed
- Weather Sealing May Also Be Preferred
Budget Option
1. Olympus OM-D E-M10 III (Mk3)
Used Price Without Lens: £300
Pros:
- Olympus OM-D cameras offer long focal length (big zoom) compared to larger cameras, meaning; smaller, lighter and more affordable lenses with massive ability to zoom-in from far away
- Compact and lightweight camera
- Photos look great without editing
- Good Auto Focus, continuous shooting speed, and protection from wet weather
Cons:
- Auto Focus, Shooting Speed, and Weather Sealing are good but look elsewhere for very demanding environments
Camera Types
The camera to suit you will fall into one of the following three types. It’s helpful to understand a little about the pros and cons of each to make choosing one easier.
1. Compact
Price Range £50 – £1000
Pros: Compact size and weight, relatively cheap, relatively simple to use, most allow some progression into more creative photography
Cons: Limited image quality, lens zoom often limited, limited flexibility, usually no eyepiece viewfinder (personal preference)
When size is most important a compact camera will give you lots of features in a small and lightweight form. Some find they’re much more likely to carry their camera with them when it’s compact.
Size limitations bring compromises that will impact overall image quality and flexibility. As always, you get what you pay for.
The cheapest models offer just an automatic mode. The next step up brings extra modes for progressing your photography and having more creative freedom.
Most compact cameras don’t have an eyepiece viewfinder. Some prefer one, especially in bright daylight and others prefer using the rear screen. More expensive models may offer a pop-up viewfinder.
The lens is fixed and cannot be swapped or replaced. Zoom range varies from model to model; some are fairly limited and others much more extensive – allowing more situations to be captured. It’s important to get this right as the level of zoom needs to be right for you from the outset.
Note: Whilst £50 can buy you a compact camera, I would strongly recommend against it! A realistic starting point for a decent compact is £150-£200.
2. Bridge
Price Range £300 – £1500
Pros: Flexible and Fully featured, allows progression into more creative photography, lens zoom often very good
Cons: Larger than compact cameras and similar size to DSLR, lens can’t be replaced or upgraded, slightly limited flexibility compared to DSLR
For those who would like a halfway between a compact and DSLR/Mirrorless camera. A bridge camera is larger than a compact camera and will often provide additional features and functionality e.g. a larger and more flexible zoom lens, an eyepiece viewfinder in addition to the rear screen etc.
Like compact cameras, the lens is not fixed and can’t be changed.
3a. DSLR
Price Range £400 – £3500
Pros: Image quality, excellent selection of 2nd hand options, lenses can be changed to suit subject matter / upgraded, excellent flexibility
Cons: Larger than compact cameras, doesn’t always come with a lens if advertised as body only
It is sometimes shortened to just SLR. DSLR cameras offer superior image quality and greater creative freedom when compared to compacts. The lens is interchangeable and can be freely swapped for shooting different subject matters or upgraded for improved image quality.
The weight and size are the down side. Entry-level models are usually relatively light but certainly heavier than a compact. The weight and size significantly increase for professional model DSLRs where they become more durable, weather proofed and with larger electronics for improved image quality.
3b. Mirrorless
Price Range £500 – £4000
Pros: Image quality, ultimate flexibility, slightly smaller & lighter than comparable DSLR, can use lenses made for other cameras/brands using an adapter
Cons: More expensive than DSLR, limited 2nd hand options being recent compared to DSLR, doesn’t always come with a lens if advertised as body only
An evolution of the DSLR resulted in a smaller and lighter camera with these advantages: Changes applied in the camera can be seen through the viewfinder before pressing the shutter e.g. enabling black & white mode will show the world in black & white through the viewfinder.
It is possible to achieve something similar on a DSLR camera – known as Liveview – but using the screen on the back and not the viewfinder. There are several downsides to Live View but it has its place.
A massive bonus for mirrorless cameras – use lenses made for other cameras by using a simple adapter e.g. Use Canon lenses on a Sony camera. It’s an excellent option for anyone who has a collection of vintage or modern lenses collecting dust. There is a small downside; autofocus can be slower to function and the adapter adds a little extra size.
Summary
The ideal camera for you will depend on a combination of your needs and camera features.
Where small size is most important
Buy a compact camera if the size is your primary concern and you’re happy to make sacrifices in other areas. Look to spend £200 upwards on a quality camera from a reputable brand such as Sony, Canon or Panasonic.
Where image quality and overall flexibility matter most
Opt for a mirrorless or DSLR camera for ultimate image quality, excellent features and the ability to upgrade and swap lenses to suit the situation. Mirrorless cameras are a little better and more compact but come at a higher price for both the camera body and lenses.
Where you need something in between
Choose a bridge camera for most of the ability of a DSLR but the simplicity of just having one lens. OR buy one of the smallest mirrorless cameras that use interchangeable lenses e.g. Sony A6000 or Canon M200.
Where money is tight
I’d always recommend a second-hand DSLR camera that’s no more than 10 years old.
Read on for extra bonus content…
Other Features
Many cameras of the same price point have very similar features but it pays to understand the options available. This is even more true when comparing cameras of different ages e.g. previous generation versus the current generation or when looking at second-hand cameras.
Viewfinder and Screen
Not all cameras have a viewfinder and some rely on just the rear screen – although largely just compact cameras. In bright conditions, the screen alone can be hard to view and this is where the eyepiece viewfinder excels. Some prefer to use the viewfinder regardless and this comes down to personal preference.
Screens vary in a few ways: Screen articulation e.g. is the screen fixed or can it be angled for improved viewing when holding the camera at waist height or above head height. Some screens can be rotated into a stowed position for protection when not in use.
Screen sizes vary and have increased over the years for improved visibility. Touch Screens have in recent years become available improving usability e.g. pinch to zoom when playing back photos and touch to set the focus point and take a photo.
Accessories
What else will you need?
- Memory card to save photos
Most often these are SD or Micro SD cards and any brand can be used on any camera. In a small number of cases other types are used e.g. some Sony cameras use the proprietary Sony memory cards. Check which you need by checking the camera details online.
The larger the card capacity the more photos and videos can be stored. 32GB is plenty enough for thousands of photos. When taking many rapid-fire photos it pays to invest in a fast memory card otherwise your camera stops taking photos until it’s caught up again - Spare battery
When out all day or travelling it pays to have a spare battery or two. The camera manufacturer will sell you some but aftermarket ones can be bought for a fraction of the price with very similar performance. - Camera bag/backpack
Invest in something to carry your camera in – keeping it dry and protected. Many types and sizes exist e.g. messenger bags, backpacks. Find one with the right amount of room for your camera and accessories - Tripod
When camera shake is a problem or when you want to take your time to compose the shot a tripod is a must. Start with something relatively cheap to see how much you use it before investing in something more stable and hard-wearing.
