Are you ready to develop your photography skills, upgrade from using your smartphone and finally invest in a camera? With so many shooter options to choose from, we're here to help you to raise your photography game. Figuring out which camera is right for your style of photography and how it will fulfill all of your needs can be overwhelming, but that's why we're here to help with an extensive guide for beginners.
We’re decoding the jargon to bring you Photo Savings’ best cameras for those who are just getting started. From cameras small enough to sit in your palm to shooters with interchangeable lenses, there’s something here for everyone looking to take their photography to the next level. Check out our official guide below to see our breakdown of Point & Shoot, DSLR and Mirrorless cameras.
Point & Shoot Cameras make an excellent transition from your smartphone to a digital camera. They’re lightweight and compact, so you can carry them in your pocket or a small purse for your night out.
Canon PowerShot SX740 Digital Camera
Available in silver and black, the Canon PowerShot SX740 is a wallet friendly point & shoot camera that’s packed with photographer friendly features. It has a 40x zoom, which means you can take photos of objects that are far away. Couple that with the camera’s scene shooting modes like sports and fireworks, and it’s a great option to take along with you to that barbecue on the beach or a family soccer game.
Weighing just 7oz, the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II is the lightest camera on our list. Available in black and a two-tone silver/brown, this point and shoot raises the bar with its ability to capture images in Raw format. This gives you more control over the final image you share—you don’t have to rely on pre-made filters to give your photos the right look. You can edit your Raw files to the minutest levels and adjust light, shadows, exposure, saturation… The possibilities are endless!
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III Digital Camera
The Canon PowerShot G7 Mark III is the newer, slightly more expensive cousin of the G9 Mark II. Why have we included both on the list? Because while the G9 is the more affordable option, the G7 can take your social media game to a whole new level—you can shoot vertical video and upload it to your Snap or Instagram straight from your camera! It takes sharp photos with vibrant colors, even when shooting in dim light, and the fast lens makes it a great camera for shooting portraits.
With the Nikon Coolpix A900, you can start shooting in a flash—turn the camera on and take a photo in just 1 second, so you never have to worry about missing precious moments. It may be on the slightly larger side for a point & shoot camera, but its design makes up for it with a right hand grip that’s comfortable to hold. The camera has a shutter speed of 1/4000 second that lets you capture fast moving objects, and it has several scene shooting modes, including a pet portrait mode. You can take adorable photos of your pets even if they won’t sit still for you!
DSLR cameras are heavier than point & shoots. The range of lenses available for each camera make them a great choice for those looking to grow their photography skills over time.
Pentax KP 24.32 Ultra-Compact Weatherproof DSLR Dynamic with 3 LCD
Let’s get this out of the way: the Pentax KP is sold without a kit lens, so you’ll have to buy a lens to use with this camera. That said, this camera is a contender because it’s compact and weather sealed, so it’s ideal for carrying along on your hiking, skiing, or camping trip. Its Shake Reduction technology keeps your photos from being blurry, and the ultra-high ISO available means you can comfortably take photos even outdoors at night.
Nikon D3500 W/ AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Black
The Nikon D3500 is one of the most beginner friendly DSLR cameras in the market. It has a handy Guide mode designed to help budding photographers learn the basics of photography. You tell the camera what effect you want to achieve, and the camera tells you how to do that. There are two levels of learning with the Guide mode—easy operation and advanced operation—so you can learn and progress at your own pace. And best of all, it has a massive battery life of 1,550 shots!
Nikon 1576 D5600 DX-format Digital SLR with AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens
The Nikon D5600’s touchscreen controls will be familiar to photographers used to taking photos on their smartphone. Even better, it has what’s called a fully articulated screen, meaning you can pull the touchscreen away from the camera body and turn it to an angle that’s comfortable for you while getting the perfect shot. The photo quality is excellent, and the camera itself is compact and light for a DSLR, making it a great option to capture your next vacation.
Canon Rebel SL3 with 18-55mm Lens
Available in black and white, the Canon Rebel SL3 is a superb choice for photographers who love to capture friends and family. It has a Smooth Skin mode that evens out blemishes and softens skin, and the photos display skin tones well enough that you won’t need to tinker with them before sharing. You can even add creative filters to your photos to make them look like water paintings or old black and white film cameras. With rich colors and sharp images, you’re sure to take photos everyone will love.
Mirrorless cameras are ideal for those who want the versatility of a DSLR and the compactness of a point and shoot. The newest entrants to the market, they don’t skimp on features or image quality.
Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera Kit w/EF-M15-45mm Lens
The Canon EOS M50 looks and feels like a small, light DSLR with an ergonomic right grip that makes it easy to use with just one hand. Besides the standard portrait mode on most cameras, the EOS M50 comes with a self-portrait mode, so taking those one-handed selfies has never been easier! It’s the first Canon mirrorless camera to offer a compressed Raw file format. The Raw files take up less space on the memory card, so you can now take more photos without needing to change the card.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II Mirrorless Digital Camera with 14-42mm EZ Lens
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II has an optional grip (sold separately) that gives it the same heft as a DSLR. It’s easy to attach and remove, making it the perfect family camera for those who don’t want to invest in multiple cameras for different users. The M10 Mark II has 0sec Anti-Shock mode, which decreases the blur that shutter vibration can cause when you press it down. The camera is available in black and silver and has many scene modes including panorama, letting you stitch together beautiful, crisp wide angle shots.
Nearly all these beginner cameras come with wireless connectivity, and all of them are guaranteed to provide top-notch picture quality. Through either a WiFi or Bluetooth connection, you can upload your photos directly to your camera or your favorite photo sharing app. You can even use your smartphone as a camera remote, perfect for taking group portraits or selfies.
1 comment
Paul Gagie
Very interesting