What kind of digital camera should i buy

Compact cameras are hugely popular, and for good reason — their diminutive dimensions make them portable and convenient to have with you every day, much like your camera phone. These features could be a zoom lens, better low light shooting capabilities, faster burst shooting, RAW capture, etc.

Some people including me! Smaller than DSLRs but larger than compact cameras, they fill the gap nicely, offering high magnification zoom lenses fixed, not interchangeable and manual controls, but without the bulk of a fully-fledged DSLR. They typically have small image sensors similar to compact cameras, and seldom have an optical viewfinder OVF , opting instead for an electronic viewfinder EVF and the rear LCD screen to take photos.

The beauty of smaller GoPro-type action cameras is that they can be mounted on your body or helmet, giving a unique first-person-perspective. You can also get rugged and waterproof compact cameras, but these usually only offer comparable image quality to modern smartphones. As for buying second hand, you need to be careful. What about camera bundles? My advice is to spend the money on a recent camera model, and if you are tempted by a bundle, get one that includes a lens or two. In general, you benefit from the ability to shoot faster, larger photos in lower light without using a flash.

Build quality will also be better. With practice, you can make an image from a cheap camera look like one shot on something far more expensive. Another thing to consider is that the image quality of a camera depends a lot on the lens attached to it. If you opt for a fixed-lens camera, you obviously have no choice in the matter, but for interchangeable lens models, the lens you choose is very important. This is usually a cheaply-made mid-range zoom lens with a slow, variable aperture.

See: prime vs zoom lens. From this price upwards, any improvement in image quality becomes more vague, except when shooting in low light. One of the main reasons professional photographers spend so much on cameras, is that more expensive models usually offer much better ability to capture good quality images in lower light. Point-and-shoots can be convenient to carry but harder to hold. Size is more of a personal preference, and also very subjective. Personally, I love slightly larger compact cameras which suit my big hands.

I also prefer mirrorless models with a more pronounced grip, which usually makes them slightly bigger. Some small cameras may feel OK to hold, but their buttons are too close together, rendering them awkward to use. A full-frame sensor can produce incredible image quality… but so can an APS-C. There are various types of sensor available for each type of camera, making it a rather confusing topic.

If you have the budget, a full frame camera is a wonderful investment, but remember that full frame lenses are more expensive too. My recommendation to most beginners and enthusiast photographers is to buy an APS-C sensor camera. Different lenses allow you to expand the capabilities of your camera. Interchangeable lenses are a whole world of fun and creative opportunity, but the myriad of options can sometimes be unnecessary to photographers.

I own a fixed length compact Fujifilm XV , and love the simplicity and efficiency of a single lens. Check the review here. Being able to use different lenses vastly expands your creative opportunities. Canon and Nikon offer the largest selection of lenses for their DSLRs, but the smallest selection for their mirrorless cameras here in This relates to autofocus speed, frames per second FPS , and the startup time and general operational speed of the camera. DSLRs and mirrorless cameras typically offer better performance than compacts and bridge cameras, although it depends on the model.

In general, you need to spend a lot more on a compact camera for it to rival the speed of a larger model. A higher FPS anything over 5 can be useful for capturing fast moving subjects, but it needs to be coupled with decent autofocus tracking performance to ensure your shots are in focus. For us, the Alpha is still a good entry-level camera. If you want to spend a little more, we would recommend the Alpha , which in our opinion currently offers the best value for money among the successor models.

Nowadays there are also a substantial number of lenses available for the Alpha For an overview, check out this post:. Sony Alpha lenses. Besides Sony, Panasonic is also known for its very good mirrorless system cameras. The DMC-G81, which is available in a kit with the mm lens, offers a great price-performance ratio. The lens offers a large zoom range and is suitable for almost all situations.

In the kit with the lens you get the camera for about Euro. Olympus has does not need to hide behind Panasonic and Sony when it comes to producing good mirrorless cameras. The E-M10 offers some practical features such as a touchscreen and a tilting display.

As a kit with the mm lens, the camera currently costs about euros. For Olympus there are just as many lenses, as the connection is the same that is used for Panasonic cameras. There are also suitable mirrorless system cameras for advanced photographers with higher technical demands. The following three models leave little to be desired. We have been using such a camera for years now and never regretted the switch from the DSLR. On the contrary. We have been using the Sony Alpha 7ii for several years and are absolutely thrilled.

The camera is equipped with a full format sensor, takes pin-sharp photos and even at very high ISO there is hardly any image noise. OK, one disadvantage are the relatively expensive lenses, but for that you will be rewarded with crisp, wonderful pictures. In its successor was launched, the Sony Alpha 7iii. Unfortunately, it costs about twice as much as its predecessor. But in return some significant improvements were made. The already excellent image quality is even better, the autofocus is faster and sharperand the battery lasts even longer.

If that is worth 1, euros more to you, you need to decide for yourself. If we had to buy a new camera though, we would invest into the Alpha 7iii. To the Alpha 7iii on Amazon. Sony Alpha 7 lenses. Fujifilm has been offering excellent mirrorless cameras for years.

It particularly addresses professional photograpers, which is why there are mainly high-end cameras by manufacturer. The X-T3 is one of them. We would personally take a Sony camera, which offers a full-frame sensor for the same price. It is still a good choice, since Fujifilm stands for highest quallity products.

To the Fujifilm X-T3 on Amazon. For a really long time Nikon and Canon have completely ignored the market for mirrorless cameras. This is why we would not recommend the cameras for beginners. If you already own a couple of Nikon or Canon lenses and want to switch to the mirrorless system, both models are a good alternative. You can then easily use your old lenses with an adapter. Bridge cameras bridge the gap between DSLRs and small compact cameras.

They combine the characteristics of both camera types, hence the name. Nevertheless, these cameras have a very large optical zoom range. In many cases, the zoom range is much larger than that of the lenses usually used on a DSLR camera or a mirrorless system camera. To give you a comparison: A 50x zoom on a bridge camera is equivalent to a lens with a focal length of mm.

Unfortunately, many bridge cameras have problems with image quality in the higher zoom ranges. After all, not having to constantly change lenses can be quite an advantage. Almost all well-known camera manufacturers offer bridge cameras in all price and performance classes. You can get a simple bridge camera for less than euros. So a bridge camera is a good way to get started with photography without breaking the bank. If you have a small budget, but still want to get serious about photography, then a cheap bridge camera is a good choice for the beginner.

This bridge camera provides a 50x optical zoom and an image stabilizer to help protect your shots from camera shake. Another cheap compact camera for beginners is the B The Nikon Coolpix offers a 40x optical zoom and is available in different colors. However, the camera does support the manual setting of aperture and shutter speed. If you want to improve your photography skills, you should choose another camera.

If the different automatic modes are enough for you, this camera is a good choice. It costs about to euros. To the Nikon Coolpix B on Amazon. Panasonic also offers another excellent entry-level bridge camera with the Lumix DMC-FZ72, a name that rolls off the tongue.

The camera is a little more expensive tan the other beginner models, but provides a good image quality and functions, such as a 60x optical zoom. For quite some time bridge cameras were only for beginners. Since then, the market with really good cameras for ambitious photographers grew a lot. The RX10 series is probably the best bridge camera you can find on the market today.

The image quality is very good. Instead, these cameras have Zeiss lenses. There are four models. In our opinion, the best money for value offers the cheapest camera for euros and the DSC-RX10M3 for about 1, euros, which is our personal favorite in this segment. Many people have taken their first steps into the world of photography with a small compact camera. Of course, the main advantage of a compact camera is its low weight and minimal size. Today, compact cameras have disappeared a little from the general perception and have been largely replaced by smartphone cameras.

But for us, a compact camera is still a sensible investment if you choose a high-quality model. Cheap compact cameras, on the other hand, are actually superfluous, since smartphones can now take just as good a picture. It is different with the premium compact cameras, whose prices are in the high three-digit or even four-digit range.

Here the image quality is also right. Such a camera is something for you if you want to reduce the size and weight of your equipment to a minimum. Generally we would not recommend you to buy a cheap compact camera. In most cases you will drive better with a smartphone instead. In our book, it offers the most compelling blend of size, features and value around. But there are definitely some great alternatives out there.

Both have a growing range of excellent RF lenses and are packed with useful features, including in-body image stabilization and superb autofocus. If you're mainly shooting fast action or everyday subjects, we'd say the EOS R6 edges it due to its 12fps burst shooting and lower price. Looking for something smaller or more affordable? Our favorite compact camera right now is the Fujifilm XV — it's the best digital camera for street photography. No matter what kind of budget you have, or what kind of camera you're searching for, our guide contains all of the top cameras for photography.

From affordable instant cameras like the Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 to full-framers like the Nikon Z7 II, you'll find all of the finest cameras for photography in our regularly updated list. Not sure where to start? Check out our guide on what you should look for when buying a camera at the end of this page for helpful pointers on buying a camera for photography.

It isn't a full-frame camera, but the Fujifilm X-T4 is the best APS-C camera we've ever tested — and right now, it offers the best blend of features, size and value for most photographers. Adding to its all-rounder skills are a bigger battery which keeps it going for shots per charge and some improved autofocus, which is fast and reliable in most scenarios.

The IBIS is a big bonus here, and the X-T4 backs that up with a huge range of tools and a great shooting experience, including a fully articulating touchscreen. It might cost the same as many full-frame cameras, but the X-T4 and its fine range of X-series lenses make a great, smaller alternative for those looking for a mirrorless all-rounder.

While the Canon EOS R5 is overkill for most people, the EOS R6 is a more affordable full-frame alternative that is simply one of the best cameras for photography around today.

The EOS R6 brings best-in-class autofocus, a superb in-body image stabilization system, and burst shooting powers that mark it out as a very fine camera for wildlife or sports photography. But for photography, it's an excellent if pricey option that delivers hugely impressive autofocus, handling and features that make it one of the best options around for anyone who needs a full-frame camera. If you see the Canon EOS R5 as a pro stills camera with some impressive video features, then it's one of the best the photography giant has ever made.

There's no doubt it has video limitations compared to a rival like the Sony A7S III, particularly for shooting longer clips. But for anyone looking to shoot mind-blowing stills in almost any situation, whether that's wildlife or studio work, it's a hugely impressive achievement. Particularly worth of mention is the EOS R5's autofocus, which offers very accurate and reliable subject-detection and tracking — particularly when its comes to people or animals.

You also get a superb 5. The video performance, while limited to relatively short bursts, remains superior to the likes of the Nikon Z7 and Sony A9 II, too.

With a growing collection of albeit pricey RF lenses, the Canon EOS R5 is the next-gen mirrorless camera that pro photographers have been waiting for. The Nikon Z6 reigned as the king of this list for a long time — and while the Z6 II is only a modest successor, it should definitely be on the shortlist of anyone who's looking for a full-frame camera.

The Z6 continues to offer great value, but we think the Z6 II is just about worth the extra cost if you can afford it. It's hard to think of another camera that offers the same blend of size, performance, affordability and charm as the Fujifilm X-S For both hobbyists and pros looking for a small mirrorless camera, it's an excellent option that covers all the bases for both stills and video. You get a tried-and-tested This feature, which helps you preserve image quality while shooting handheld, can also be found in some small Sony and Olympus cameras, but none of those offer the X-S10's excellent handling or range of features.

It has a handy vari-angle screen, great build quality, and shoots impressive 4K video, too. Pair it with a prime lens and you have a fine travel or street camera — thanks to X-S10's large grip, though, it'll also match nicely with longer lenses as well. Landscape photographers often demand megapixels, dynamic range and weather-proofing — and the Sony A7R IV ticks all of those boxes in style. Its 61MP sensor delivers incredible detail, and you can bump up that resolution with its Pixel Shift mode.

Not that it's only comfortable shooting spectacular scenery — you also get Sony's excellent Face and Eye AF tracking for human subjects. You also get a bright, sharp 5. Still, this doesn't stop the A7R IV from being the most desirable in its class, and it even shoots decent video albeit with some rolling shutter. Under its stunning retro skin, the Nikon Z fc is essentially identical to the Nikon Z It shares the same That means 11fps burst shooting, detailed stills and solid 4K footage at 30fps.

An homage to the Nikon FM2, the Nikon Z fc features broadly the same dimensions as its analogue ancestor — and an equally arresting shell. From the dials to the typography, there are countless throwback cues. The improvements are more than skin-deep, though: unlike the tilting touchscreen of the Z50, the Nikon Z fc features a vari-angle display.

That unlocks plenty of flexible framing options, plus it can be used with a tripod — or flipped away for the full eighties experience.

The XV keeps what works, only tweaking what it needs to: there's now a very handy tilting touchscreen and a weather-resistant body although you need to add a filter to the lens to get full weather-sealing. Autofocus is faster, noise control better and image quality improved. With a continuous frame rate of 30fps and sensor resolution of And while the screen is only average, the 9. But if money is no object and you want the very best all-rounder on the planet right now, look no further.

With a blend of subtle but important upgrades, including improved autofocus and a deeper buffer, this full-frame mirrorless camera is a very fine choice —particularly if you're making the move from an older Nikon DSLR. The Z7 II combines Nikon's signature handling with an excellent This means you get class-leading dynamic range, sharp edge-to-edge detail and a handy 19MP APS-C crop mode, for sports or wildlife shooting.

With the Z system's lens collection also slowly growing this year, now is the time to make the switch from your DSLR. Looking for compact mirrorless camera to help develop your photographic skills? A useful flip-down touchscreen and good ergonomics make it a fine option for beginners who are moving up from a smartphone or compact camera. And because the E-M10 Mark IV is a Micro Four Thirds camera, it has one of the biggest selections of lenses around, which means it's a model that can really grow with you.

On the downside, it lacks a microphone or USB-C ports, and the autofocus lags a little behind rivals like the Sony A see below. So while the latter is a better bet for sports or action shooting, the E-M10 Mark IV is a more fun camera to use and is one of the few at this price point to bring in-body image stabilization, a very handy bonus for handheld shooting.

Since its launch five years ago, the entry-level Sony A has proven a hugely popular mirrorless camera. Its successor, the A, takes its recipe and adds several helpful tweaks. The result is excellent continuous subject-tracking powers and, paired with a good lens, images with plenty of detail and accurate colors. Battery life is also decent and the tilting screen is now touch-sensitive, though its functionality is fairly limited. It deserves to be just as popular as its predecessor.

This list is dominated by mirrorless cameras, but if you still prefer the benefits of DSLRS — namely, their handling, superior battery lives and value — then the Nikon D is the best one around for beginners.

Taking the baton from the hugely successful Nikon D , it brings a 24MP APS-C sensor and an incredible 1,shot battery life that beats the stamina of most mirrorless cameras by about three times. The useful Guide mode is there to walk beginners through creating effects like a blurred background, while the Nikon DX system has a vast array of lenses. Those looking for a travel-friendly camera should still consider mirrorless alternatives like the Fujifilm X-T and Canon EOS M50 Mark II, but otherwise this remains a brilliant way to learn the photographic basics and start your new hobby.

Looking for a small full-frame camera that can help you shoot an even mix of high-quality video and still photos?