When it comes to choosing a camera for photography, there are a few key factors to consider. The availability of lenses that fit your budget and future needs, the latest model within your budget, and the type of subjects you like to photograph regularly are all important. It's often a wise decision to opt for an old, used camera body with better specifications, rather than a new, basic one as your first camera. In fact, a camera body reconditioned by the manufacturer may be even the best option.
As you go from beginner to amateur level, you'll end up learning much more about the equipment and you'll begin to appreciate some of the more advanced features and manual controls. You'll also have a better idea of the equipment you'll need in the future, so it's best to save some money up front by buying used items. When it comes to choosing a camera for photography, there are many options available. The Nikon D3500 has been one of our favorites for a long time. It's by no means the most advanced DSLR you can find, but its simplicity, controls and the quality of the images it can create make it our top recommendation for anyone starting out.
There are a lot of things that the D3500 doesn't do: it has a fixed rear screen that isn't touch-sensitive, it doesn't have a hybrid autofocus on the sensor and it doesn't record 4K videos. Read our full review of the Nikon D3500 for more information or The best cameras for beginners (opens in a new tab).For those looking for something more advanced, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is ideal. With a foldable screen for selfies and very good image stabilization on the body, this camera is perfect for learning photography and video, and portable enough for everyday use. With 4K video and an attractive style, the E-M10 Mark IV is ideal as a basic camera that can do just about anything.
It has a smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor than other mirrorless or DSLR cameras, but the advantage is that the lenses are smaller and lighter. For those looking for something with even higher resolution, the Sony A7R Mark IV is an excellent choice. The best thing is not only the reproduction of details, but also the 4K video capacity and the continuous shooting speed of 10 fps of this camera, all combined with the 5-axis image stabilization integrated in the body and one of the most powerful autofocus systems in the world, with the best autofocus (so far) in the world. Read our full review of the Sony A7R IV for more information or The best mirrorless cameras (opens in a new tab).The Canon EOS 90D is another great option for enthusiasts. With its excellent construction quality and handling, as well as its optical viewfinder which many people still prefer to electronic viewfinders of mirrorless cameras, this camera offers great performance at an affordable price.
Read our full review of the Canon EOS 90D (opens in a new tab) for more information or the best DSLRs (opens in a new tab).The Fujifilm X-S10 is another great option for those looking for something more advanced. It doesn't have all of the external exposure controls of higher-level X series cameras, but its construction quality and handling stand out immediately. The switch to a conventional mode dial might disappoint Fujifilm fans, but its excellent finish and inclusion of IBIS (internal stabilization) make this camera have very wide appeal. Finally, Canon's latest flagship mirrorless camera -the EOS R5- seems to be trying to capture every segment of the market at once. It has a completely new 45 MP sensor that produces images in incredible detail thanks to a new low-pass filter, as well as class-leading autofocus system of EOS-1D X Mark III with 5,940 AF points for photography and 4,500 for video.
Its handling and ergonomics are a pleasure since they remind us why shooting with digital SLR is such a pleasant tactile experience. When it comes down to it, many photographers have half a dozen lenses or more with only one or two camera bodies to place them on. Mirrorless cameras are certainly becoming more popular as they offer great performance at an affordable price. However, when you feel that your cell phone camera is becoming inadequate then you'll better understand why investing in dedicated camera system is worth it. IS stands for Image Stabilization and it's an impressive technique that reduces blur caused by camera movement. This feature can be found on many cameras today and can be very useful when shooting in low light conditions or when using longer lenses. In conclusion, when choosing a camera for photography there are many factors to consider such as availability of lenses that fit your budget and future needs; latest model within your budget; type of subjects you like to photograph regularly; construction quality; handling; optical viewfinder; image stabilization; resolution; dynamic range; noise across ISO range; autofocus system; 4K video capacity; continuous shooting speed; external exposure controls; IBIS (internal stabilization); etc. At the end of day it all comes down to personal preference so make sure you do your research before making any decisions.
