Ready to take your photos beyond your smartphone? If taking amazing-looking photos and high-quality video are your priority, then picking up one of the best cameras for beginners is the best decision you can make. This guide will help you find the just-right photography camera to get your creative journey started.
Being a former photography teacher, I have spent quite a lot of time fielding the question: “What camera should I buy to get started in photography?” My advice has been unchanged. Shop for a camera that is inexpensive, easy to use, and has the capabilities to sustain you as you grow in your photographic skills. Above all, it needs to be capable of delivering high-quality images.
It’s a fallacy that if you use a beginner-level camera, you’ll only capture beginner-level photos. This is simply not true. There’s no need to worry about the quality of the photos you capture with the best camera for photography beginners; the images can be sharp and vivid, suitable for professional use. Heck, I know this to be true because I’ve had photos made with amateur cameras published in magazines. Gear is only part of the equation.
You can navigate the top choices on the market with the aid of this comprehensive guide. We’ll look at different types of cameras, describe key features in plain English, and define what’s most important when finding the right camera for you. Don’t forget that the lens on your camera is just as important as the body. Many of the best entry-level cameras for beginners come with a “kit lens,” a general-purpose zoom lens that will be a good first way to understand what sort of lens you ultimately will want to get. We’ve included a strong kit lens option in all our picks so you can get straight into making shots.
Our selection for the best beginner camera for photography
Below are the best beginner cameras, reviewed and ranked. All are a great introduction to the world of professionally produced imagery.
1. Canon EOS R100: The Top Beginner Mirrorless Camera Overall
The Canon EOS R100 is a great option if you’re looking for a simple, back-to-basics camera that will produce amazing images without breaking the bank. It is built from the ground up to help you learn and progress.
Specifications:
- Price: US$449
- Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: APS-C CMOS (24.1MP)
- Lens Mount: Canon RF
- Screen: 3.0-inch fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
- Viewfinder: Electronic
- Max Video: 4K UHD (with a crop)
Why We Love It for Beginners
The Canon EOS R100 hits the proverbial nail on the head since it’s about the basics. Its controls are easy, and it´s brilliant. Guided UI (User interface) acts like a built-in tutor. When you change a mode, the screen shows you what the effect of that mode is, which makes it clear what the difference between portrait photography and taking photos of fast-moving action is.
Its trump card, however, is the Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus system. Which is the same technology that’s built into the Canon professional SLRs. The camera locks onto your subject’s eyes and maintains their sharpness because of excellent face and eye tracking. This is a game-changer for a newbie. It’ll let you concentrate on your composition and creativity, with the camera nailing the focus every time.
The 24.1-megapixel APS-C sensor is a huge improvement over every smartphone’s sensor. It produces rich, detailed images with gorgeous colors as well as outstanding lower-light performance. And because it uses Canon’s latest RF lens mount, you have access to some of the best lenses on the market right now. And if you have an inexpensive adapter, you can also take advantage of the vast library of older (and very inexpensive) Canon EF lenses.
What to Consider
No cheapskating to that sexy price; Canon had to cut a few corners to achieve it. The first is the display. It’s a fixed, non-touch LCD. That, of course, entails using buttons and dials to adjust settings in ways that may feel a bit less intuitive than with the smartphone you already know.
For video shooters in particular, the 4K mode has two big gotchas: A significant 1.55x crop, which means your video will look “zoomed-in,” making it harder to get wider shots. And that great Dual Pixel Autofocus disappears in 4K, replaced by a more erratic system. But, for 1080p Full HD videos, the autofocus is spot-on.
Buy it if:
- ✅ You like guided menus: The camera, in essence, teaches you, and as you learn, it’s the perfect learning tool.
- ✅ You crave incredible autofocus. The pro-level AF system ensures your photos are tack-sharp where they need to be.
- ✅ You’re on a budget: This is a huge bang for your buck.
Don’t buy it if:
- ❌ You’re serious about 4K video: 4K’s heavy crop and limited AF will not make it the ideal option for wannabe videographers.
- ❌ You want a touchscreen. Without a touchscreen, the lack of touch capability can feel old-fashioned if you’re accustomed to a smartphone.
Conclusion:
🔎 The Canon EOS R100 is a great gateway into the world of cameras. It packs pro-level autofocus and excellent image quality into a package that is easy, accessible, and designed to be the learning tool that works in the real world, without frustration or limiting your creativity.
2. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV: The Best Feature-Packed Camera for Novices
For the beginner who wants it all — stabilisation, creative features, and the tiniest system—the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is the small wonder with a lot of technology jammed into its little frame.
Specifications:
- Price: US$699.99
- Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: Micro Four Thirds (20.3MP)
- Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds
- Screen: 3-inch tilting touch-sensitive screen
- Viewfinder: Electronic
- Max Video: 4K UHD
Why We Love It for Beginners
The superpower of this camera is the in-body 5-axis image stabilization (IBIS). This is something typically seen in cameras that cost a lot more. The sensor in the camera moves when you’re shifting to compensate for your movements; even camera shakes do not cause blur. This means you can capture incredibly sharp photos when shooting handheld in low light. No problem without a tripod, or shoot smoother videos. It’s the kind of feature that directly improves the quality of everything you shoot.
A Micro Four Thirds (MFT) sensor is the foundation of the E-M10 Mark IV. It’s physically smaller than the Canon’s or Nikon’s APS-C sensors, but it will still produce beautiful 20.3-megapixel images. Size is the MFT system’s advantage. Both the camera and the lenses are far smaller and lighter than their competition. That makes it ideal for a beginner travel camera, because you can take a full complement of glass without feeling too weighed down.
It’s also a delight for anyone with a creative shooter’s mentality. With 28 scene modes as well as 14 unique art filters, the E-PL9 gives you the capability to easily capture a wide variety of images with a one-of-a-kind style right in the camera, with no need for additional editing. The touchscreen tilts 180 degrees, making it ideal for vlogging and taking selfies.
What to Consider
There is one trade-off to having a smaller sensor: It’s harder to get that beautiful, blurry background (known as “bokeh”) than it would be with a camera boasting a larger APS-C sensor. Although it’s doable with the proper lens, it’s certainly something portrait photographers should consider.
Its autofocus system is also contrast detection. It’s quick and usually accurate for most situations, but it simply isn’t quite as “sticky” or as reliable in tracking fast-moving subjects as the phase-detect systems used on, say, the Canon R100 or Sony ZV-E10.
Buy it if:
- ✅ You need a shot to be steady and video: The in-body image stabilization is a game changer and best in class.
- ✅ You’re creative: You can play around with how you want your pictures to look, providing plenty of artistic freedom with the range of Art Filters and Scene modes to choose from.
- ✅ You want a compact setup: There is no better solution for travel and general carry-around than the MFT system.
Don’t buy it if:
- ❌ You’re desperate for super-blurry backgrounds: An APS-C camera will deliver shallow depth of field more readily.
- ❌ You’re in search of best-in-class subject tracking: The autofocus is good, but competitors deliver more advanced tracking.
Conclusion:
🔎 The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a compact powerhouse. Its amazing stability and bevy of creative options make it a camera that you’ll find as a new shooter and grow out of as a seasoned shooter.
3. Nikon Z fc: The Best Beginner Camera for Inspiration
Some cameras are tools, and there are cameras that are an inspiration. The Nikon Z fc is both. You’re drawn to the sleek, modern look and cool feel of the image, but you know that it’s the one you want to take.
Specifications:
- Price: US$856.95
- Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: APS-C CMOS (20.9MP)
- Lens Mount: Nikon Z
- Screen: 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen
- Viewfinder: Electronic
- Max Video: 4K UHD
Why We Love It for Beginners
Let’s be honest: the Nikon Z fc is visually appealing. Inspired by Nikon’s classic film cameras from the 80s, it’s a joyful camera. But the look is not just for show. There are also manual, tactile dials for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation, so learning photography on the X-A3 is exceptionally intuitive. Rather than scouring menus, you can witness and touch your settings, which makes for a much better sense of how a camera operates.
It features the same excellent 20.9MP APS-C sensor and processor as the Nikon Z50. That means you get beautiful image quality, with great colors and nice detail. Autofocus is, too, both fast and reliable, with great eye detection for both humans and animals, so your portraits will always be sharp.
Oh, and it’s a very good video camera for beginners to boot. It shoots sharp 4K video that’s not cropped, and its fully articulating screen can flip out to the side and face forward, which is perfect for vlogging or filming yourself. This versatility also works wonders for shooting from higher or lower angles.
What to Consider
The most significant pitfall of the Nikon Z fc is the relatively small native APS-C (or “DX”) lens selection for the Z-mount system. And although the collection is expanding, it’s much smaller than for Canon, Sony, or Micro Four Thirds cameras. You can use Nikon’s full-frame Z lenses or its older F-mount DSLR lenses with an adapter, but this tends to nullify the camera’s smaller size.
Also, like the Canon R100, it’s missing in-body image stabilization. However, you’re going to need to use lenses with stabilization already in them (known as “VR,” for “vibration reduction,” in Nikon parlance) or have a steady hand to avoid blurry shots in low light.
Buy it if:
- ✅ You want a camera that inspires you. It’s impressively designed, with tactile dials that make you want to go shoot.
- ✅ You want a fully articulating screen: There’s no quicker way to vlogging, selfies, and creative-angle picture taking.
- ✅ You like to learn by doing. When you’re adjusting the dials on the camera to change exposure, it’s a great way to learn how things work.
Don’t buy it if:
- ❌ You want a wide selection of affordable lenses. There’s still a relatively small native APS-C lens lineup.
- ❌ You want image stabilization: The camera’s lack of IBIS means you’ll need stabilized lenses or a gimbal for the steadiest shots.
Conclusion:
🔎 The Nikon Z fc is a stylish mix of form and function. It’s a capable, modern camera that lends the learning process a tactile, fun, and deeply inspiring quality.
4. Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / EOS 250D: Best beginner DSLR camera
Even with mirrorless cameras taking over the world, the DSLR holds incredible value. The Canon Rebel SL3 (otherwise known as the 250D) is a compact, user-friendly DSLR that serves as a great gateway into traditional photography.
Specifications:
- Price: US$749
- Type: DSLR
- Sensor: APS-C (24.1MP)
- Lens Mount: Canon EF-S
- Screen: 3in vari-angle touchscreen
- Viewfinder: Optical
- Max Video: 4K UHD
Why We Love It for Beginners
Easy-peasy DSLR The Rebel SL3 is a great DSLR choice for beginners, thanks to the best of both worlds. What you do get is the classic, through-the-lens shooting experience, thanks to its bright optical viewfinder, which a lot of photographers prefer since it provides a view that’s not filtered through the lens.
But when you switch to the screen (a.k.a. “Live View”), it acts exactly like a modern mirrorless camera. It has a vari-angle touchscreen, and it relies on Canon’s speedy and polished Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus. It’s absurdly simple for someone graduating from a smartphone to frame using the screen and take a photo.
The high point of buying this DSLR is that it gives you access to Canon’s gigantic library of EF and EF-S lenses. There are hundreds of lenses to choose from, from the dirt-cheap primes to high-end zooms, and the second-hand market is bursting with bargains. This all makes it an incredibly budget-friendly system you can gradually build over time.
What to Consider
It’s bigger and heavier than all our mirrorless choices here, because, well, it’s a DSLR. The major tech-spec downside is its AF while using an optical viewfinder. It employs an older system with only 9 autofocus points, which is very long in the tooth when put up against the screen-covering AF of its mirrorless rivals. For best results, I would recommend shooting in Live View.
Just like the Canon R100, its 4K footage is also severely cropped and loses Dual Pixel AF, so it’s an option to avoid for any serious video work.
Buy it if:
- ✅ You desire the widest, most affordable selection of lenses. The EF mount has decades of glass available for great prices.
- ✅ You want an optical viewfinder: If you prefer a “real” view of the scene you’re shooting, you’ll want a DSLR.
- ✅ You’re a pure photographer: It’s a stills-first camera that can help you learn your craft.
Don’t buy it if:
- ❌ You mostly want to shoot video. Opt for a mirrorless camera like the Sony ZV-E10 that has significantly better video features.
- ❌ You want the latest autofocus. You get a very basic nine-point system.
Conclusion:
🔍 The Canon Rebel SL3/250D is an excellent, affordable way of getting started in the world of interchangeable-lens photography. It’s a solid workhorse for stills, and it comes accompanied by an amazing selection of cheap glass.
5. Ricoh GR IIIx: Top Street Photography Camera for Novices
What if you desire big-camera image quality in the smartphone form factor? The Ricoh GR IIIx is the solution. The be-all-end-all, mini SLR for the amateur beyond noob.
Specifications:
- Price: US$1326.89
- Type: Premium Compact
- Sensor: APS-C (24.2MP)
- Lens: Fixed 40mm f/2.8 lens
- Screen: 3in fixed touch-sensitive screen
- Viewfinder: Non (accessoire optionnel)
- Max Video: 1080p Full HD
Why We Love It for Beginners
What’s magic about the GR IIIx is that it packs a huge APS-C sensor — the same size sensor used by the Canon R100 and Nikon Z fc — into a body that truly does slide into your pocket. That means stunning, professional-looking images with amazing detail and low-light performance from a camera you can take wherever you go.
Its lens is a fixed 40mm prime. This means you cannot zoom. And, limiting as that may sound, it is a powerful creative force. It makes you “zoom with your feet” and think harder about your composition, which is one of the best things you can do to improve as a photographer. The 40mm focal length is an ideal general-purpose lens — perfect for everything from street photography to portraits to landscapes.
Despite its straightforward exterior, it is loaded with pro features like in-body image stabilization, a built-in ND filter (for shooting in bright sunlight), and fast phase-detect autofocus. It’s a point-and-shoot on the outside, a pro camera on the inside.
What to Consider
This is a niche camera. It has a fixed lens, so it’s not an all-in-one thing — you’re not going to be taking shots of wildlife or sports with it. It’s tailored to a certain way of taking photos. Its video features are also severely limited, as they max out at 1080p, so it’s not for video creatives either. Lastly, the battery life isn’t great, so you need to take a spare.
Buy it if:
- ✅ Portability is everything: This pocket camera has a pro-grade sensor.
- ✅ You want to learn composition: The fixed lens is a wonderful creative constraint that will help you become a better photographer.
- ✅ You are passionate about street or travel photography: Its unobstructive design and flexible focal length can help you capture life as it occurs.
Don’t buy it if:
- ❌ You want the flexibility of a zoom lens. This is not a zoom camera.
- ❌ You plan to shoot 4K video: It’s a stills-first camera with rudimentary video capabilities.
- ❌ You’re shooting portraits or wildlife: You’re not going to get great photos of people or animals with a 40mm lens.
Conclusion:
🔍🚀 The Ricoh GR IIIx is a stealthy powerhouse. It’s a great learning tool that delivers stunning image quality from a camera you’ll never have an excuse not to have with you.
6. Sony ZV-E10: The Best Camera for Content Creation Beginners
But if the first and only thing you’re going to do with it is make videos for YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram, you need a camera that was created specifically for the task. Your reigning monarch of beginner vlogging cameras is the Sony ZV-E10.
Specifications:
- Price: US$698
- Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: APS-C (24.2MP)
- Lens Mount: Sony E
- Screen: Vari-angle touchscreen
- Viewfinder: None
- Max Video: 4K 30p
Why We Love It for Beginners
And the ZV-E10 is a video-first machine. Its photos are fantastic, but every design choice is made to ensure you’re not just consuming content, but creating it, though it doesn’t hurt that there’s something to admire when you’re done. It doesn’t have a viewfinder, but instead fits in a big, high-quality three-capsule microphone that delivers excellent audio from day one. It also includes a “deadcat” windscreen to minimize wind noise when you’re filming outside.
Its auto-focus is just class-leading. Sony’s Real-time Tracking and Eye AF is lightning quick, reliable, and “sticky”, which means that you or your subject will always remain in focus, no matter how much you or they move. It also has special vlogger-centric features like “Product Showcase,” which quickly shifts focus from your face to an item you hold up to the camera, and a “Background Defocus” button that instantly provides you with a blurry, cinematic background.
Perfect for vlogging, the fully articulating screen flips around to let you shoot at yourself, and it also uses the Sony E-mount, which brings with it a giant range of lenses between Sony and third-party manufacturers like Sigma and Tamron, so you have plenty of flexibility when it comes to creativity.
What to Consider
As a video-first camera, it compromises for photographers. The absence of a viewfinder can also make taking photos in bright sunlight difficult. It also doesn’t feature in-body image stabilization, instead opting for electronic stabilisation (which crops the image) or stabilised lenses.
But the menus aren’t touch-controlled, which is the biggest irritant. You can tap to focus, but you have to press physical buttons to change settings, which feels clunky when you’re standing in front of the camera.
Buy it if:
- ✅ Video is your thing: It’s built from the ground up for vlogging and content creation.
- ✅ You want perfectly tracking autofocus: For the smoothest, most buttery footage, you’ll need to use stabilized lenses or a gimbal.
- ✅ You care about built-in audio quality. The great microphone represents a massive upgrade over standard camera audio.
Don’t buy it if:
- ❌ You’re primarily a photographer: Not having a viewfinder is a deal-breaker for still photographers.
- ❌ You want in-body stabilization: You’ll need to engage a gimbal or stabilized lenses for the most buttery smooth footage.
- ❌ You want total touch-control: Navigating the touch-free menus often feels frustrating.
Conclusion:
🔎 The Sony ZV-E10 is an ideal entry-level camera for aspiring vloggers and content creators. It makes video easy to create with its intelligent features and best-in-class autofocus.
How We Test Beginner Cameras
Our recommendations are the result of our thorough lab testing, as well as living with the products in the real world. Our lab crew tests resolution, dynamic range, and noise in a scientifically controlled environment. But we know firsthand that for a beginner, usability is just as crucial as performance. Because I used to teach photography, I review these cameras based on what kind of learning curve they have, what it feels like to use them, and how helpful their features are in actually learning how to become a proper photographer. A camera can have the greatest specs in the world, but if it’s so complicated that you can’t use it, it’s not a good choice for a beginner. On that practical basis, this is a guide constructed.
Your First Photography Camera: How to Pick the Right One
The confusing world of photography cameras can be virtually unnavigable. Here is a rundown of what you need to think about to find the best camera for you:
DSLR vs. Mirrorless Cameras: What’s the Better Choice?
This is a common question. Both types of cameras will let you change lenses and are a great place to start.
- DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex): These are more traditional (but still very good) cameras, such as the Canon Rebel SL3 or Nikon D3500. A mirror and prism system direct the image towards the eye when the shutter is open. They usually have a larger size, amazing battery life, and access to a massive library of excellent, cheap, older lenses.
- Mirrorless: This is the future of the industry, and cameras like the Canon R100 and the Olympus E-M10 IV stand as the embodiment of that. They also have no mirror, which means they can be smaller and lighter. They work with an electronic viewfinder (EVF), which gives you a digital preview of your image and how exposure adjustments will change it. This live preview makes them the best digital cameras for beginners, since you know what you’re getting before even taking the photo.
A mirrorless camera is (for most beginners in 2019) the better long-term choice.
Understanding Sensor Size
The sensor is the digital version of film. As a rule, the bigger the sensor, the more light it can gather, which in turn improves the quality of images, particularly taken in low light.
- Full-Frame: The most expansive sensor size… typically in a professional-grade camera. You can begin with a single but they are costly.
- APS-C: The most common sensor size found in entry-level and enthusiast cameras, including the Canon R100, Nikon Z fc, and Sony ZV-E10. It’s an amazing trade-off between image quality, physical size, and cost.
- Micro Four Thirds (MFT): Used by Olympus/OM System and Panasonic. This sensor is smaller than APS-C, so even smaller cameras and lenses can be made. There’s still that great image quality.
Don’t overly fixate on sensor size. There’s no need for any APS-C or MFT camera to produce any professional results.
Why the Lens Matters More Than the Camera?
Your camera is only half of the equation. The lens is what collects the light and forms your image. The best photography cameras have a robust lens ecosystem. When you purchase a camera from Canon, Nikon, or Sony, you are buying into their system of lenses. Before making a decision, take a look at the range of lenses and the pricing for those you may wish to add to the kit for other purposes (a portrait lens, a telephoto zoom, etc.).
Megapixels and Price
Sometimes, more megapixels is not better. Most beginner cameras have between 20 and 24 MP, which is plenty of resolution for printing large or cropping. Look more at the feature set and usability of the camera, rather than who offers a few fewer megapixels. Cost is always a consideration, but spending a bit more up front can buy you features or video image stabilization that you can’t add to the camera months later, and saving money is a good thing in the long term.
Type of Sensor (APS-C vs. Micro Four Thirds):
Consider the sensor as your film. A larger sensor (APS-C) is likely to capture more light and detail, leading to better “dark light” performances and “bokeh” (blurred background) easier to achieve.
A smaller sensor (Micro Four Thirds) translates to cameras and lenses that are a lot more compact and lightweight, which is wonderful for travel.
Autofocus (AF):
This is how your camera gets a subject in focus. For novices, a system with strong Eye Detection AF is an invaluable aid, for it automatically locates and focuses on the eyes of a portrait, keeping your photos pin-sharp at all times.
Image Stabilisation (IBIS):
If you plan to shoot a lot without a tripod, especially in low light, a camera with in-body image stabilization (such as the Olympus) will prevent motion blur by compensating for your hand movements.
Lenses:
Your first camera will generally come with a “kit lens” (usually a standard zoom). That’s cute when you’re getting started, but don’t forget the lens has an enormous impact on your photos. A system with an abundance of inexpensive lens choices (think Canon EF for DSLRs or Micro Four Thirds) is a boon for a budget-conscious beginner.
Video:
If video is your priority, you’ll want a camera that can shoot 4K without a crop. Look for a forward-facing screen, an input for an external microphone, and rock-solid video autofocus, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best camera for a beginner?
Which camera is ideal for novice photographers?
Is Canon or Nikon better for a beginner?
What is the best camera for a beginner?
What is the best advice for choosing my first camera?
Is it a good idea for a beginner to invest in an expensive camera?
Which camera is ideal for personal use?
Our Verdict: What’s the Best Beginner Camera for You?
There’s no such thing as the “best” camera for everyone. The ideal camera for you has everything to do with what you want to do with it.
However, the Canon EOS R100 is our top choice for those who are completely new to photography. The combination of simplicity, image quality, and pro-level autofocus for an unbeatable price makes it the ideal entry-level setup.
Sony ZV-E10 If you are one of the curious people looking for either the zoom-in 8K 60fps recording capability of this camera or you were originally considering a dslr and wanted to switch to mirrorless to begin recording vlogs, then the Sony ZV-E10 will most likely be the best option for getting into vlogging with one due to its ability to better angle the screen. Its video-first approach and impeccable autofocus will help you make the most polished content from day one.
For the imaginative traveller who wants to find everything they need in one small package, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a stunner. Its in-body stabilization is a genuine game-changer.
In the end, the best beginner camera is the one that gets you excited to get out and shoot. Each of these cameras is an awesome piece of gear that can take excellent photos. Choose whatever speaks to you, and begin to catch the world on film. Happy shooting!
