Megapixels are meaningless as a way to tell a good camera from a rubbish one. So how do you know? There are a few of types of camera to consider, each with a different level of complexity. Compact digital cameras are small and portable, and usually an all-in-one automatic kind of deal — particularly good for casual or basic use. They sacrifice advanced features and some picture quality for compactness and simplicity.
This type of camera has taken a hit in popularity due to the improved camera performance of smartphones. Ultra zoom cameras cameras are often more expensive, and have all the features of a compact, but have some advanced features as well. They're often a bit bulkier, and a good option for someone around the intermediate point in the market. Sometimes these models are also called Bridge cameras as they are a transition from a basic compact camera to a more sophisticated DSLR see below.
DSLR digital single-lens reflex cameras remain popular, with a much larger sensor than other types of camera that can give great image quality, but they are often quite heavy and bulky.
These are good for people wanting to take a pretty mean photo. MIL mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras are a good alternative to the Ultra zoom or bridge camera, as they have similar sensor sizes as DSLRs but in a much smaller camera body. Tough cameras are another option — they have protected features so they can be taken into most situations without fear of dropping or exposure to heat, cold, moisture and sand. The difference is how much rough—handling they can take.
Their image quality and ease of use makes them a beginner to intermediate model. These are designed for quick and easy use in automatic mode, which is why they're often referred to as point-and-click cameras.
Though they can perform well in well-lit environments, they typically struggle in low light without the help of a flash. Knowing the kinds of subjects that will be in front of your camera will help you narrow down your camera search.
Generally, cameras fall into five categories now:. Of course, this is a rough suggestion based only on the topic. But keep these in mind as we continue through the other seven questions. Generally, the bigger the camera, with more bells and whistles, the bigger the price tag as well. These are cameras that have a fixed lens, often a zoom lens. This is usually based on the sensor size and number of megapixels more on those later.
The best digital camera for you might be a compact camera if … you want something small enough to slip into your pocket or handbag, and you like to keep it simple. This type of camera sometimes has fewer options for exposure settings. But most of the medium to high-end ones shoot in RAW format and have a Manual shooting mode. I own and love a Fuji XF which technically falls into this category because the lens is not removable.
I use it for street photography when I want to go light. See how much I love this little camera! If you really want the low-down on these cameras read this more extensive article I wrote just on this category: Mirrorless Cameras — Everything You Wanted to Know. Here again, prices will vary greatly, based on the features and image sensor size in the camera. There are many options available by brand and there are even full-frame mirrorless cameras that compete on image quality with the full-size DSLRs.
You pay a premium for the compact package you get with a mirrorless camera. The only real difference between mirrorless cameras and DSLRs is their physical size. But, choose your brand and model carefully and a mirrorless camera might do everything you need depending on your answer to 1 above. Why might a DSLR be the best digital camera for you? Here are a few reasons:. Of all the categories, a DSLR will still give you the most options as far as a digital camera goes.
But that is rapidly changing. Fuji and Sony were early leaders in the mirrorless race. But now Canon and Nikon are finally getting in the game and are making some impressive advances in this area. There are many brands and models from which to choose. Keep reading for more helpful questions and things to take into consideration. How you answer the question above will help you determine the best digital camera for your needs.
It will likely be too big and bulky for you. Instead look at either an entry-level DSLR, mirrorless camera, or even a good compact camera with some manual settings. That will give you a way to get started at a lower price point so you can see if you enjoy it before investing a lot of money. See my list of best digital cameras for beginners below. Do you want to shoot star trails?
Want to do video? Read up on the reviews of cameras that excel in that area. 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.
Most photographers are likely to shoot video on their smartphone for convenience. All digital cameras shoot video these days, with some offering high-end features such as 4K Ultra HD resolution, multiple frame rates, super slow-motion, high speed recording and time-lapse.
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