The best beginner cameras need to strike the perfect balance between quality and ease of use while remaining affordable. Some users want a compact camera to slip into their pocket on their travels, while others want something they can grow with, something that can be the first step of a longer photographic journey. In this guide, we’ve covered a range of budgets and applications to offer something for everyone, from content creators to astrophotographers.
All of these options are fantastic for a wide range of photographic uses, although the best beginner cameras for astrophotography specialize in low light, and the best cameras for wildlife photography will need to prioritize burst rate and autofocus.
We’ve selected models that we’ve either tested and reviewed ourselves or cameras that our expert team recommends based on their extensive knowledge and experience in the field.
The quick list
Best overall
For a total package of beauty and brains, the Nikon Z fc is a very capable camera for beginners who want to shoot stills and video.
Read more below
Best for growth
While it’s a bigger initial financial outlay than other models, you’ll be able to grow your skills more with the R8 thanks to its full-frame sensor.
Read more below
Best budget
A great option for total beginners who want to learn the basics of photography without breaking the bank.
Read more below
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
Best for casual users
While it won’t win any awards, beginners who want a small but capable camera for everyday use will love it.
Read more below
Best compact camera
As point-and-shoot cameras go, this is an incredible option. The 24-200mm lens is insanely versatile, and the 4K video will satisfy vloggers.
Read more below
The best beginner cameras we recommend in 2025
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Best overall
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Buy it if
✅ You want interchangeable lenses: You can swap the lenses out for different purposes.
✅ You want to shoot a range of subjects: It’s great for street photography and portraits, and it’s also good in low-light.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want something simple: If you want a simple point-and-shoot camera you can just switch on and go, try the Sony RX100 VII.
❌ You want more lens options: There are limited lenses for Nikon APS-C cameras —Sony offers a better range.
The bottom line
🔎 Nikon Z fc: A stylish, lightweight camera that’s easy for most users to get to grips with. It blends the retro looks of cameras 10 times its age with the modern features and impressive specs of today’s cameras. ★★★★½
Inspired by classic film cameras, the Nikon Z fc is a fantastic choice for beginners who want a stylish but capable camera. The retro design is a joy to use while still offering all the benefits of modern mirrorless technology.
It features a 20.9 Megapixel sensor, the same as the well-loved Nikon Z50, which delivers sharp, detailed images with great color reproduction.
One of the biggest advantages for beginners are the intuitive manual controls, unlike many other cameras that rely more on confusing digital menus. These may take a little more getting used to if you’re a complete beginner, but the effort more than pays off once you’ve got the hang of it.
The Nikon Z fc has dedicated dials for shutter speed, ISO and exposure compensation (though we’d also love an aperture wheel on the lens), helping users to understand the settings more naturally. But if that sounds daunting, it does offer a fully automatic mode for users who prefer a more “point and shoot” approach.
It can record 4K video with no crop, making it a great option for content creators and vlogging. Plus, its compact size and USB charging make it a great travel-friendly camera. That said, it doesn’t have in-body image stabilization, so you’ll need to pair it with a lens that does. If image stabilization is an important feature for you, consider spending more and going for the Nikon Zf.
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Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
|
Design |
Stylish, compact and lightweight |
|
Performance |
Bright, sharp images. |
|
Functionality |
Intuitive controls for automatic and manual settings. |
Best for growth
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Buy it if
✅ You don’t want to upgrade in a year: This camera will grow with you as your skills grow.
✅ You want a good camera to travel with: Even though it’s bigger than an APS-C or compact, it’s still lightweight and travel-friendly.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want to use it in inclement weather: It’s not fully weather sealed, so you’ll need to avoid using it in bad weather.
❌ You don’t need interchangeable lenses: If you’re looking for a point-and-shoot, the Sony ZV-E10 will be better suited.
The bottom line
🔎 Canon EOS R8: Canon’s lightest mirrorless full-frame camera is ideal for photographers who want to advance their skills and take their camera all around the world. ★★★★½
The Canon EOS R8 is a great entry-level full-frame camera for beginners who want to step up their photography while keeping the potential to continue growing their skills. As the R8 is a full-frame camera, users are less likely to outgrow it as they improve, which is often the case with compact or APS-C cameras. During our Canon EOS R8 review, we were very impressed by the excellent image quality from the 24.2MP sensor, and it also performs excellently in low light, making it a great option for astrophotography.
It also holds the title of being Canon’s most lightweight full-frame camera body, making it great for travel without compromising on image quality or features. Even though it’s a little on the expensive side for beginners, it’s still Canon’s second most affordable full-frame.
No matter what subject you want to shoot, the R8 can handle it. It has excellent autofocus that can quickly and accurately track people, animals and vehicles, making it ideal for sports, wildlife and portrait photography. Speaking of wildlife photography, it can shoot up to 40FPS (frames per second) when shooting in JPEG mode and a still-impressive 30FPS when shooting in RAW, making it one of the best cameras for wildlife photography.
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For content creators, it can shoot 4K 60p video without cropping and although it lacks in-body image stabilization, it does offer digital stabilization in video, which can help reduce shakiness when shooting handheld. We’d still recommend investing in a lens with stabilization, though.
If you can stretch your budget a little further to invest in a camera with image stabilization and weather sealing in a lightweight package, the Sony A7C and A7C II are both fantastic cameras you can grow with, and the Sony lens lineup is fantastic.
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Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
|
Design |
Canon’s lightest full-frame mirrorless. |
|
Performance |
Impressive image quality all around. |
|
Functionality |
No image stabilization, but up to 40FPS burst rate. |
Best budget
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Buy it if
✅ You’re not sure if you’ll continue the hobby: If you decide photography isn’t for you, you’ll have only spent a few hundred bucks.
✅ You want a compact setup: It’s a small and lightweight camera with compact kit lenses available.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You’re a tech lover: It’s quite basic in terms of features and functionality in order to keep the cost down. If you want snazzy tech, you’ll have to pay more.
❌ You want to shoot video: While it can shoot 4K at 24FPS, there’s a noticeable 1.55x crop. Video shooters on a budget would enjoy the Sony ZV-E10.
The bottom line
🔎 Canon EOS R100: For a no-frills option that won’t break the bank, the R100 is a neat little camera that’s ideal for learning the basics until you’re ready to move up to the next level. ★★★★
While you often have to pay out for the newest tech and the fanciest features, you don’t always have to spend a lot of money to get a good camera. Beginner cameras are often more affordable than intermediate and professional models, but you can pick up the Canon EOS R100 for around $500, and there are even some bundles that include a couple of lenses. Plus, you can save even more on the used market.
It has guided menus that explain what all the different modes do, which is a big plus for beginners looking to learn the basics. The 24.1MP sensor produces great images with good detail and color, and it has reliable autofocus with human face and eye detection.
Being an APS-C camera, there’s a 1.6x crop if you use a full-frame lens on it, although this could end up being advantageous if you want to use it for wildlife as it will give you an extra bit of zoom. That said, the 3.5 FPS burst rate does let it down a little for wildlife photography — just make sure you’re not photographing fast-moving animals.
To keep costs down, there are, unsurprisingly, some compromises. The screen is fixed and has no touchscreen capabilities, and there’s a noticeable 1.55x crop in video, so it’s better suited to users who primarily want to shoot stills and learn the basics of photography before moving on to video or a more advanced camera.
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Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
|
Design |
Lightweight and compact, but fixed screen. |
|
Performance |
Decent still images. |
|
Functionality |
3.5 FPS with autofocus is a little underwhelming. |
Best for astrophotography
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Buy it if
✅ You can spend a bit more: Although it’s come down in price since its release, it’s still not cheap, considering you’ll also need a lens.
✅ You want to grow your skills: You won’t outgrow it as quickly as the more obviously beginner-oriented models on this list.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want something compact: While it’s not the bulkiest camera, there are certainly more lightweight and compact options, like the Canon EOS R8.
❌ You want to vlog: The tilt-only screen doesn’t lend itself to vlogging — try the Sony ZV-E10.
The bottom line
🔎 Sony A7 III: Although it’s showing its age, the Sony A7 III is still a fantastic camera for all styles of photography if you can afford it. ★★★★½
Most of the options in this guide are smaller, simpler models more suited to beginners, but for anyone wanting to learn astrophotography specifically, we’d recommend going full-frame if your budget allows. The larger sensor and better lineup of compatible lenses lend themselves to astro shooting better than APS-C, MFT (Micro Four Thirds) or compact cameras. Plus, full-frame models tend to have enough dials on the body to adjust all the necessary settings independently, without having to dive into confusing menus.
When it comes to astro shooting and low-light performance, the Sony A7 III is still one of the best you can get. During our Sony A7 III review, we noticed a minor “star eater” issue, but this won’t be much of a problem for beginners. The 24.2MP sensor produces beautifully detailed images without too much noise, and the back-illuminated sensor design improves light gathering.
That said, it’s a fantastic option for all types of photography. Its 10FPS burst rate and accurate autofocus are great for aspiring wildlife photographers, and there was nothing else like it back when it was released in 2018. If you can afford the initial investment, this camera has the potential to last years as your skills grow as a photographer.
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It can shoot 4K video, but the tilt-only screen makes it unsuitable for vlogging. If you’re more interested in stills, you could do a lot worse than the Sony A7 III.
If you want to jump even further into the deep end, and can stretch your budget further, we adored its successor, the Sony A7 IV, when we reviewed it.
We also love Nikon cameras for astrophotography. Beginners would get on well with the Nikon Z5.
|
Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
|
Design |
Relatively compact, but we’d have liked a flip-out screen. |
|
Performance |
Fantastic low-light performance. |
|
Functionality |
Great for all types of photography, but better for stills than video. |
Best for wildlife photography
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Buy it if
✅ You want to photograph wildlife: It has all the necessary ingredients for fantastic wildlife photography.
✅ You aren’t bothered about full-frame: While we do wish this camera was full-frame, it’s an incredible camera if you don’t mind the smaller sensor.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want a lightweight camera: It’s not the lightest or most compact model, particularly when paired with a long lens. The Canon EOS R8 is much lighter.
❌ You want to shoot wide-angle: There are limited APS-C lens options. You can use full-frame lenses, but the 1.6x crop will increase the apparent focal length.
The bottom line
🔎 Canon EOS R7: This crop sensor powerhouse is a no-brainer for wildlife photography. It’s fast and powerful, although we wish it was compatible with faster cards to keep up with the burst rate. ★★★★★
If you’re interested in wildlife photography, the Canon EOS R7 is an excellent choice for beginners. Its 32.5MP resolution produces high-quality images with impressive detail, and during our Canon EOS R7 review, we were highly impressed by its killer autofocus for any subject we pointed it at, all while rattling off images at 30 frames per second.
Although it’s “only” an APS-C camera, the smaller sensor actually provides a distinct advantage for wildlife photography in particular. There are some crop sensor RF-S lenses that are suitable for wildlife photography, but when you pair the R7 with a full-frame RF lens, the 1.6x crop increases the reach of the lens, giving extra zoom and making it easier to capture distant subjects without the need for a longer lens or teleconverter. So, an RF 70-200mm lens effectively becomes a 112-320mm lens.
Although it’s slightly more expensive than the full-frame Canon EOS R8 above, the R7 has some significant advantages over the R8, making it potentially a better option. For example, the R7 has weather sealing and in-body image stabilization, making it one of the best cameras for wildlife photography on the market.
We’d have liked it to be compatible with faster CFexpress cards to really make the most of the deep buffer, however, this would increase the cost, so we imagine most beginner users wouldn’t grumble at this.
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Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
|
Design |
Weighty to hold with a good grip. |
|
Performance |
Stunning 32.5MP resolution. |
|
Functionality |
30FPS, image stabilization and weather sealing are fantastic for wildlife shooting. |
Best for casual users
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Buy it if
✅ You want a camera for everyday use: It’s a lightweight, compact and easy to use camera that’s great for casual users who still want great images.
✅ You like creative features: It has 28 Scene modes and 14 Art Filters to unleash your creativity.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want the best autofocus: The contrast detect is good enough, but phase-detect autofocus is much better.
❌ You want a fast burst rate: For wildlife and other fast-action photography, the 5FPS (with continuous autofocus) will likely be too slow.
The bottom line
🔎 Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV: It’s one of the most feature-packed options on this list, including a handy astrophotography feature. It’s ideal for casual users who want to unleash their creativity, but more advanced users might want something more. ★★★★
For casual users who want a great everyday camera with the versatility to carry around in their backpack or take on vacation, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV has our vote.
The smaller Micro Four-Thirds sensor is housed in an incredibly compact and lightweight body, although its plastic construction doesn’t have the most premium feel. While the 20.3MP resolution might seem low in comparison to other models in this list, it still produces some nice images that beginners and casual shooters will be more than happy with. We think it’s a great step up from your smartphone.
Its Advanced Photo mode offers creative shooting options like Focus Bracketing and Live Composite. We loved shooting star trails using Live Composite during our OM-1 Mark II review. Plus, it has 28 Scene Modes and 14 Art Filters to jazz up your images, which you can then share straight to your smartphone with the Olympus Image Share app.
While the contrast detect autofocus is good, we’d like it to have phase detect to make it better for portrait or wildlife photography. Plus, the 15FPS burst rate is fine for most uses, but you’ll only get 5FPS when you use continuous autofocus.
Vloggers will also get a lot out of this camera thanks to the 180-degree flip down touchscreen and 4K video recording — although there’s no port for a microphone jack. Still, for an inexpensive entry-level camera for beginners, you can’t go wrong.
|
Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
|
Design |
Lightweight and compact with a stylish retro design. |
|
Performance |
Great versatile, entry-level camera that produces lovely images. |
|
Functionality |
Packed to the brim with creative features. |
Best compact camera
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Buy it if
✅ You’re a content creator: Very travel-friendly with a versatile zoom range, tilt-up screen and external microphone jack.
✅ You want something small: This is a very capable camera in a very small package.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want image stabilization for stills: This camera only has active stabilization when shooting video.
❌ You want interchangeable lenses: Compact cameras have a fixed lens — you’re better off going for something like the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV.
The bottom line
🔎 Sony RX100 VII: A powerful compact camera designed for beginners who want high quality images without the bulk of a DSLR or mirrorless system. ★★★★
Despite its small size, the Sony RX100 VII delivers sharp images with excellent dynamic range, even though the small 1-inch sensor is only packing 20.1MP. While it won’t capture the same images as an APS-C or a full-frame, beginners who prioritize size and portability will get on just fine with it.
Everything about this camera lends itself perfectly to point-and-shoot photography to document your travels or grow your creative skills. It sports a very versatile 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 zoom lens, which can handle everything from astrophotography to wildlife photography, and the 20FPS, blackout-free shooting is great for capturing fast action.
Plus, with Sony’s clever Real-Time Tracking and eye autofocus, you can be sure you’ll get sharp images of people and pets with minimal effort.
While it doesn’t feature image stabilization for stills, it does have active digital stabilization while shooting 4K video. If video is what interests you most, you’ll be pleased to hear the screen can flip up 180 degrees, and there’s also an external microphone port — great news for vloggers.
It’s a little pricey for a point-and-shoot compact camera, but for what it can do and the high quality Sony continuously delivers, we are confident that you’ll get years of use out of the RX100 VII.
|
Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
|
Design |
Pocketable, tilt-up screen and pop-up EVF. |
|
Performance |
Very versatile 24-200mm zoom lens. |
|
Functionality |
Sony’s best-in-class real-time tracking and eye autofocus. |
Best for content creators
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Buy it if
✅ You focus on video: While it can shoot stills, it’s better suited to content creators and vloggers.
✅ You need something compact: Its small form and light weight are ideal for traveling.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want an equal photo/video split: It’s better for video than stills — you’re better off with the Sony RX100 VII.
❌ You like an electronic viewfinder: The only way to see and compose your shot is with the LCD screen.
The bottom line
🔎 Sony ZV-E10: Perfect for vloggers and social media content creators who want a small but capable camera. ★★★★
The Sony ZV-E10 is a fantastic entry-level mirrorless camera designed specifically for beginners, vloggers and content creators. The 24.2MP APS-C sensor produces excellent image quality and, unlike compact cameras, has an interchangeable lens system. Despite its versatility, it remains compact and lightweight, making it a great option for everyday shooting and for taking on your travels.
A big draw of the ZV-E10 is Sony’s incredible real-time tracking and eye autofocus. Combined with the fully articulated touchscreen and built-in directional microphone, it’s perfect for self-recording on the go. It can shoot 4K at 24/30fps, but it doesn’t support 4K 60fps for smoother footage. If you can stretch your budget and spend a few hundred extra dollars, the ZV-E10 II can shoot 4K 60fps. Still, for beginners, the 4K 24/30fps will be more than good enough, especially considering the video is uncropped.
It also features a ‘Product Showcase’ mode, which quickly shifts the focus from your face to an object you hold up — perfect for reviews or tutorials.
A potential downside is the lack of in-body image stabilization, but as many vloggers use a gimbal, the lack of IBIS isn’t a dealbreaker.
|
Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
|
Design |
Small and compact with fully articulated touchscreen. |
|
Performance |
Better suited to video than stills. |
|
Functionality |
Ideal for vloggers and content creators. |
Best DSLR
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Buy it if
✅ You prefer a traditional approach: If you want to learn photography without having clever tech do everything for you, this is a fantastic pick.
✅ You’re on a budget: Older DSLRs are very affordable now they are no longer in production — plus you could save even more if you get a used one.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want to shoot video: It can’t shoot 4K video — every other camera on this list can.
❌ You want something futureproof: Brands are focusing more on producing mirrorless cameras and lenses these days.
The bottom line
🔎 Nikon D5600: An excellent DSLR for beginners looking for a balance of image quality, ease of use and affordability. ★★★★
If you’re a beginner who wants to actually learn photography skills rather than rely on clever tech to do everything for you, the Nikon D5600 is an excellent choice. Its user-friendly interface and step-by-step Guide Mode are great for beginners who want to learn the basics, and it still produces some pretty impressive 24.2MP images.
It has a 3.2-inch fully articulated touch screen and an optical viewfinder, and the autofocus is good enough for an entry-level DSLR, but it’s obviously not as advanced as the newer or higher end models. Still, it has face detection and subject tracking in Live View, although it won’t be fast enough to shoot fast action or anything in low light.
It’s great for stills photography with its long battery life and high quality images, but video shooters will likely be disappointed as it can’t shoot 4K video, and there’s no in-body image stabilization.
DSLR cameras certainly still have their place, but if you think you’ll want to upgrade as your skills grow, consider whether you’ll want to switch to mirrorless further down the line when you want something a bit more powerful. If so, you’ll have to trade in your entire DSLR camera and lens setup, so the other models on this list may be a bit more futureproof.
|
Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
|
Design |
Lightweight enough to not be too bulky. |
|
Performance |
Fantastic image quality. |
|
Functionality |
Somewhat outdated. |
Best beginner cameras: comparison
|
Type |
Resolution |
Screen |
Viewfinder |
Autofocus |
Burst rate |
IBIS |
Video |
Weight |
Dimensions |
|
|
Nikon Z fc |
APS-C, mirrorless |
20.9MP |
3-inch vari-angle, 1.04M dots, touchscreen |
2.36M dots |
Face & Eye detection, Humans & animals |
11FPS |
No |
4K/UHD 30p |
15.7 oz / 445 g |
5.3 x 3.7 x 1.8-inches / 134.5 x 93.5 x 43.5 mm |
|
Canon EOS R8 |
Full-frame, mirrorless |
24.2MP |
3-inch vari angle touchscreen, 1.62M dots |
2.36M dots |
People, animals & vehicles |
40FPS |
No |
4K 60p |
16.26 oz / 461 g |
5.24 x 3.39 x 2.76 in / 133 x 86 x 70 mm |
|
Canon EOS R100 |
APS-C, mirrorless |
24.1MP |
3-inch fixed, no touch screen, 1.04M dots |
2.36M dots |
Human face & eye detection |
3.5 FPS with autofocus, 6.5FPS without |
No |
4K 24FPS (with 1.55x crop) |
12.56 oz / 356 g |
4.57 x 3.39 x 2.72 in / 116 x 86 x 69 mm |
|
Sony A7 III |
Full-frame, mirrorless |
24.2MP |
3-inch tilt screen, 921,600 dots, with touch |
2.36M |
Eye AF, Human & Animal |
10FPS |
Yes |
4K 30p / 1080p 120p |
1.43 lbs / 650 g |
5 x 3.78 x 2.91 in / 127 x 96 x 74 mm |
|
Canon EOS R7 |
APS-C, mirrorless |
32.5MP |
3-inch fully articulating touch screen, 1.62M dots |
2.36M dots |
People, animal & vehicles — face, eye & body |
30FPS |
Yes |
4K 60p |
1.35 lbs / 612 g |
5.2 x 3.54 x 3.62 in / 132 x 90 x 92 mm |
|
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV |
Micro Four-Thirds, mirrorless |
20.3MP |
3-inch, 1.04M-dot tilting touchscreen |
2.36M dots |
Face & Eye AF, People & Animals |
15 FPS (5 FPS with continuous autofocus) |
Yes |
4K 24fps |
13.51 oz / 383 g |
4.8 x 3.31 x 1.93 in / 122 x 84 x 49 mm |
|
Sony RX100 VII |
Compact |
20.1MP |
3-inch tilt up touchscreen, 921,000 dots |
Pop up EVF, 2.36M dots |
Real time face & eye detection, human & animals |
90FPS short bursts / 20FPS blackout-free |
Digital in video |
4K / Full HD at 120FPS |
10.65 oz / 302 g |
4.02 x 2.28 x 1.69 in / 102 x 58 x 43 mm |
|
Sony ZV-E10 |
APS-C, mirrorless |
24.2MP |
3-inch touchscreen, 921,000 dots |
None |
Real time tracking / humans, animals and birds |
11FPS |
No |
4K 60 FPS |
12.10 oz / 343 g |
4.53 x 2.52 x 1.77 in / 115 x 64 x 45 mm |
|
Nikon D5600 |
APS-C, DSLR |
24.2MP |
3.2-inch fully articulating touchscreen, 1.037M dots |
Optical |
Face detection |
5 FPS JPEG / 4 FPS RAW |
No |
1080/60p |
1.03 lbs / 465 g |
4.88 x 3.82 x 2.76 in / 124 x 97 x 70 mm |
Contributing experts
Jase Parnell-Brookes
Jase Parnell-Brookes is the Managing Editor for e-commerce for Live Science and Space. Previously the Channel Editor for Cameras and Skywatching at Space, Jase has been an editor and contributing expert across a wide range of publications since 2010. Based in the UK, they are also an award-winning photographer and educator winning the Gold Prize award in the Nikon Photo Contest 2018/19 and named Digital Photographer of the Year in 2014. After completing their Master’s degree in 2011 and qualifying as a teacher in 2012, Jase has spent the last two decades studying and working in photography and publishing in multiple areas, and specializes in low light optics and camera systems.
Best beginner cameras: Frequently Asked Questions
Is full-frame better than APS-C?
While most beginner photographers will opt for a smaller, easier to use and more affordable model than a full-frame camera, users who want to grow their photographic skills would do well to consider going straight to full-frame, if budget allows. By doing this, you can invest in some really good full-frame lenses that you can keep for years, and should you decide you want to upgrade the camera body further down the line, you won’t have to buy a whole new lens lineup, which you would have to do if you went for an APS-C body at the beginning.
While full frame tends to be a bigger financial outlay at the beginning, you’re likely to save money in the long run.
Should a beginner go for DSLR or mirrorless?
Mirrorless cameras tend to have a lot of clever tech that can help beginners get the shots they want, but DSLRs are good if you want a more traditional approach to learning photography.
While they both have their place, we’d recommend mirrorless cameras for beginners, as they tend to be smaller and more lightweight.
Should I buy a used camera as a beginner?
There’s no reason why you can’t buy a used camera, and you can even save money by doing so. Just make sure you’re buying from a reputable source.
How do I choose my first camera?
Consider what it is you want to shoot and go from there. Some cameras are better at stills, others are designed more towards video. The best cameras for wildlife photography will need a faster burst rate, whereas the best beginner cameras for astrophotography need to perform better in low light.
Plus, think about whether you want a small, pocketable camera to take traveling, or if you don’t mind a bit of weight.
Does shutter count really matter?
Shutter count was typically more important when DSLR cameras were more popular, as it indicates how well-used the camera was. It’s still a good indicator of how much a mirrorless camera has been used, but as mirrorless cameras don’t have a physical shutter, it’s not as important nowadays.
How many megapixels are good for a camera?
For beginners, anything from 20MP to 24MP is about right. If you want more resolution, you’ll typically have to spend a bit more.
What lens do I need?
It depends what you want to shoot. Most cameras come with a decent kit lens as standard, but we’ve also provided some lens recommendations for each option in this list.
How expensive are beginner cameras?
Photography as a hobby isn’t exactly cheap, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend thousands on a camera. All of the options in this list are under $1,500.
Do I need separate lenses for my camera?
Not always. Some cameras have a fixed lens — these are known as compact or “point-and-shoot” cameras. They tend to be geared towards casual photography for documenting your travels, whereas interchangeable lens cameras have a lot more versatility.
Where do I start with photography?
If you’re into astrophotography, you might want to learn how to photograph the moon or the northern lights, and aspiring wildlife photographers will want to start with the basics of wildlife photography. Alternatively, you might be more interested in photographing beaches and coastlines.
How we tested the best beginner cameras
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For each camera in this guide, we evaluated how intuitive they are for a beginner, including menu navigation, button layout and the effectiveness of auto modes. We also consider image quality, which is determined by the resolution and size of the sensor, plus autofocus capabilities, including whether each model has eye, face and subject detection. All of this is taken into account to determine their overall value for beginners.
Each model is compared with similar cameras on the market to determine which is the most suitable for beginners in terms of both specs and price point. While some models we haven’t included might perform better overall, they could be overkill for someone just starting out or far too expensive for most beginner budgets.
