Have you decided you are ready to buy your first camera? Perhaps your smartphone camera is not delivering the quality of photos you want, or you plan to start taking photos for a travel blog or professional website. If you want to choose the best camera for a beginner, there are many options and selecting the best features can be confusing.
There are many factors to keep in mind when attempting to navigate the camera and photographic equipment retail market. Below is an explanation of the main types of cameras and the features you should look for when choosing a good camera for a beginner
Cameras are high on the list of most difficult pieces of technical equipment to purchase. Particularly if you are a beginner, the multitude of features to sift through—aperture, lens quality, autofocus, focal length, resolution, and more—is overwhelming. While it is difficult to buy a bad camera if you have a reasonable budget and do your research, it is not easy to find the best camera for you.
Consider the following features when shopping for your first camera:
While other features such as memory size and flash type are important, choosing a camera with an excellent zoom range, lens aperture and resolution will help you produce quality photos.
Traditional digital single-lens reflex devices— known as DSLR cameras —allow light to enter a single lens. Internal mirrors reflect light either upwards or downward into the viewfinder. Popular and easy to use, DSLR cameras are a great option for those new to photography. Since what you see through the viewfinder on a DSLR is merely a reflection of the real world (as filtered through a lens) then taking photographs with them does require some interpretation of the settings in your head to ensure the shot comes out as intended. However, almost all DSLRs feature various automated fucntions to help ease new users into it. Many professional Photographers still actively use DSLRs.
A mirrorless camera on the other hand, doesn’t have a reflex mirror to reflect the light. Rather, light travels straight through the lens onto the sensor. A preview of the image is displayed on the electronic viewfinder. These are often more expensive, but generally offer better autofocus features and a greater ease of use. Many beginners find mirrorless cameras easier to pick up, since what you see through the viewfinder is almost identical to the final image.
Regardless of if you choose a DSLR or Mirorless Camera, You should look for these important features:
A compact camera, also referred to as a point-and-shoot camera, is an ideal choice for a beginner because it is simple to operate. Most devices are equipped with autofocus and automatic exposure settings. Here are some features to look for when shopping for a compact camera:
While compact cameras are not always ideal for shooting in the dark or capturing wide-angle shots, they are a great option for beginners because of the small size and versatility.
To get started, here are our most popular camera options for beginners on a budget:
C.R. Kennedy is one of Australia’s leading distributors of cameras and photographic equipment. We offer a wide range of DSLR, mirrorless, full-frame, action cameras. and more.
If you need more information on cameras and other camera accessories, check out more articles on the C.R. Kennedy blog.
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