Deciding to get a new camera can be a daunting task, not least because of the sheer number of options available. After all, many do not know what cameras are and how they differ. Therefore, before buying, the user must answer a series of questions that will help to find the most suitable option.
But first of all, you need to know what types of cameras are. As a rule, they are classified into compact and mirror. The first type also includes transitional bridge and superzoom cameras with a large range of focal lengths and greater control over exposure settings. The lens is built into the body and cannot be replaced.
Mirrorless cameras are close to the second type, since they allow the photographer to work in manual, automatic and semi-automatic modes like SLR cameras. Their lenses are interchangeable.
Now let's dwell on different types of cameras in more detail.
Compact entry-level cameras
When deciding which camera is best for a beginner photographer, you need to look for inexpensive devices that are small in size, simple, no frills, ideal for everyday shooting. Often they are powered by AA batteries, which lose their charge quickly and are therefore not very economical. The best solution is to invest in a set of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and charger. It's more expensive, but these batteries provide better battery life and can be used over and over again, lowering your total cost of ownership.
Most budget compacts are equipped with lenses with 3-10x optical zoom, which usually corresponds to 35-105mm. This range is convenient for general shooting, although some cameras extend it a little by offering extra wide or extra long focal lengths. A camera with a 28mm lens is ideal for group shots and landscapes, while a 140-150mm lens is ideal for capturing distant details. What is the best camera for a beginner photographer? As a rule, optical zoom of more than 8x is available for compacts above the average level, so such models are worth a closer look.
In recent years, there has been fierce competition between camera manufacturers to provide budget cameras with the functionality of high-end devices. During this time, the size of LCD screens has gradually increased. A 2.7-inch display is standard on low-end models, with 3-inch options becoming more common. This does not directly improve the quality of the photos, butprovides a better view of the scene and footage.
When choosing which camera is best for a beginner photographer, you should listen to the advice of professionals and pay attention to image stabilization. Although the systems in this type of camera are not as advanced as those in higher-end models, they usually do the job and can help you capture sharper footage.
Is it important for a beginner photographer, what is the resolution of the camera? Putting too much emphasis on the number of megapixels that compact cameras have is not advised by professional photographers, since they are all equipped with sensors with sufficient resolution. In fact, a large number of pixels can even be detrimental to image quality (especially when shooting in low light), and photos take up a lot of space on a memory card. Unless there is a particular reason to take larger pictures, remember that smaller is more.
Compact cameras are great for beginners and kids, but those who want to control shooting options should consider other options.
Standard compact cameras
Most compacts of this type cost 8-20 thousand rubles. Some of them offer wide-angle lenses, and almost all of them run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that come with the camera. At the budget end of the range, the focus is on style - thin and colorful cases with lots of trendy features likebuilt-in Wi-Fi and face and smile recognition. More expensive models may include zoom lenses with longer focal lengths and larger LCD screens that may even be touchscreens.
What kind of cameras of this type are there? Many compacts offer a kind of artificial intelligence that automatically adjusts a number of settings depending on the subject. According to professionals, this is an ideal option for less confident users who may be confused by the abundance of adjustments. If the user likes style and portability, the Sony Cyber-shot range is a good place to start, as many compact cameras are either thin, bright, and packed with technology, or all of the above, while Canon's IXUS range is also always highly rated..
While these cameras are good all-around models, they can be intimidating to users with large hands or those who are used to larger controls. With the exception of touch screen cameras, which are controlled via a series of virtual buttons on the LCD, the compacts are equipped with a set of buttons and a navigation pad. Often they are quite small, and sometimes it is difficult to understand what is being pressed, especially since not all cameras have their designations clearly marked.
This type of camera is suitable for users who prefer stylish things.
Enthusiast compacts
In this section we will talk about what arecameras that provide high image quality in a small body. This is usually achieved with a larger sensor and high quality optics, as well as manual controls and superior build. With good lighting and using the right photography technique, you can achieve the results that you get with SLR cameras. This makes them ideal backup cameras for more expensive models. Even when light levels drop, the noise management offered by the compacts is generally good, albeit inferior to the best professional units.
These are the cheapest cameras that support RAW recording, which is used by those who want to take charge of the photo editing process. Some models have a sync terminal for connecting additional accessories such as a viewfinder and flash. Cameras with telephoto lenses are sometimes also equipped with geo-location modules, which record the location of the shooting in the footage.
Some cameras offer high resolution LCD screens like DSLRs. Because they allow you to magnify an image without compromising quality, they are ideal for checking detail in a finished shot, or for checking focus while composing a shot, according to professionals.
In addition, advanced compact cameras are starting to appear with large image sensors (over an inch), full manual control, RAW recording, and a lens with a wide aperture ratio.hole. The Canon G9X and Sony RX100 Mark IV are great examples of this kind of model.
Professional compact cameras are great for creative and low-light photography, but not for those on a budget or looking for point-and-shoot devices.
Super zoom cameras
This type of camera combines the flexibility of a wide focal range with a small body. Many offer manual exposure control (such as aperture or shutter priority options, and some also allow manual focusing, meaning the photographer can make a lot of decisions on their own.
One of the important aspects of a super zoom camera is its image stabilization system. Shooting at longer focal lengths requires more effort to keep the frame sharp, making image stabilization in the lens or sensor vital. In some cameras, this is done by manipulating the sensitivity, i.e. by increasing the ISO. Professionals advise avoiding this if alternative solutions are available.
Another popular feature of these models is the swivel LCD screen. It separates from the body and allows you to shoot in otherwise extremely uncomfortable positions (for example, at ground level). It can also help when shooting in bright conditions, as it allows you to find a position where glare on the screen is minimal.
A key aspect of a camera is its zoom. There are models witha more modest focal length, but with a wide aperture (for example, Panasonic FZ200). On the other hand, there are cameras with a huge range of focal lengths (like the Nikon P900 with an incredible 83x zoom).
This type of camera is great for outdoor activities and travel, but it won't fit in your pocket.
Mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses
Although compact system cameras have only become available in recent years, they have significantly changed the photography market. Some models use the same sensor as DSLRs and can achieve a similar image quality standard. Others, like the Pentax Q, use small sensors to further reduce the size of the camera. They can be made much smaller due to the lack of a traditional SLR camera. This means, however, that they lack an optical viewfinder. Instead, there is an electronic viewfinder or LCD screen for framing.
Because the market for mirrorless cameras is new and growing, the full range of lenses for them is not yet completely filled. One of the advantages of such optics is that, like the cases on which they are mounted, they can be made smaller and lighter. For those looking to travel the world, a multi-lens hybrid body may be the best solution, where image quality is key. The Micro Four Thirds line was the first of these systems to enter the market, and today itoffers the most features, in part because compatible optics are developed by Olympus and Panasonic, as well as some third-party manufacturers.
Each of the major players in the camera market produces at least one compact system camera, but currently only Sony produces a full-frame variant.
Mirrorless models are a great alternative to high-end compacts, especially for street and travel photography. Professionals do not recommend using them for shooting subjects that require fast focusing, which is provided by SLR cameras, and for those who are accustomed to using the viewfinder.
What are the cameras: DSLR-cameras
DSLRs are what a lot of people think of when it comes to advanced photography. Thanks to major advances in technology, it's no longer an axiom that they offer better image quality than mirrorless, but it's a very different style of shooting that some people prefer more. In general, it is still true that the widest range of optics available for a DSLR allows the photographer to choose one that has been specifically designed to meet their requirements.
What are the lenses for SLR cameras? Basically, they are classified by focal length, maximum relative aperture, mount type, sensor format. For example, lenses can be normal, wide, ultra wide, macro, telephoto, fixed, orvariable focal length.
Most consumer DSLRs offer APS-C format sensors that are slightly larger than Micro Four Thirds but smaller than full frame. This means that the conversion factor is about 1.5x for any lens installed, increasing the equivalent focal length. The downside to this solution is that it's harder to achieve wider angles, and usually means investing in a full-frame body or ultra-wide-angle optics that can handle partial frame cropping. As time goes by, full-size sensors are starting to become more affordable, with Nikon and Canon offering entry-level full-frame cameras such as the Canon EOS 6D and Nikon D610.
Digital SLR cameras currently have the widest range of accessories available. Regardless of which professional camera is chosen, in addition to a variety of lenses, you can connect an external flash to it. Many models come with an optional battery-powered grip that provides longer battery life and makes it easier to shoot in portrait mode. As HD video recording has become a standard feature, external microphones can be invested in for stereo recording, and the shallow depth of field offered by a larger sensor can come in handy for creative and low-light photography.
Pros recommend using SLR cameras to get the best quality shots, capture moving objects andvideo recordings. However, they are expensive and large.
Which camera is best for a photographer: weight and portability
The user must be realistic about how seriously they plan to take photography.
Carrying a large and bulky camera is heavy and inconvenient, and owners who don't take photography very seriously are likely to leave it at home and want to purchase something more appropriate. This is a really important factor, so before buying, you need to go to the store, take the camera and feel it in your hands, just to make sure that its weight and design will really satisfy the potential buyer.
The size and weight of the camera is not quite proportional to the quality of the pictures that can be obtained with it, so you should not think that more is better. In general, compact cameras tend to be better suited for carrying in your pocket, while SLRs require much more effort. Mirrorless models tend to fall in the middle, but there are notable exceptions that are larger than some DSLRs.
Sensor size and pixels
In digital cameras, image capture occurs on the so-called. sensor, which looks like a piece of electronic film. Tiny elements called pixels on this sensor capture the details of the subject being photographed.
You might think that the more pixels a sensor uses, the more detail it can capture, andtheoretically this is true. But in real life, this is only part of the truth. More pixels don't always mean better shots, as camera designers have to balance between sensor resolution and how small pixels need to be to fit on the sensor.
Small pixels are like small speakers - they rattle a little. What are camera matrices? In general, compact cameras use very small image sensors with very small pixels. DSLRs have larger sensors, so they have larger pixels.
When buying a SLR or mirrorless camera, professionals advise choosing a model with a resolution of 12 to 50 megapixels. Compact or superzoom cameras should have 10 to 14 megapixel sensors to produce good quality images.
Zoom and focal range
No matter which digital camera is selected, it will have a certain set of lenses or zoom settings. If it's a compact camera, you'll have to live with what it offers, so make sure it covers all the ranges you plan to use.
The numbers on the packaging mean nothing. "10x zoom" only says that the longest setting is 10 times longer than the widest. Therefore, you need to look through the viewfinder to see for yourself what exactly these settings and numbers mean in real life.
Users who are thinking about buying a camera should take the time to seewhat lenses are available for DSLRs and mirrorless models and see how much they cost. It's not very good when, after buying a body, the owner finds that he cannot afford exactly the telephoto optics he wanted to purchase.
Reviews and testimonials: should they be trusted?
Information about cameras can be found in special reviews, since there is no shortage of them at the moment, they can be found everywhere, so it's better to spend a little time and get acquainted with the basic information before buying.
Purchase reviews on merchant websites and chats may reflect issues that may be encountered in the future. However, be aware that most of these people are not experts and may not be using the product correctly or in the same way and may not see all of its shortcomings. It is worth reading the reviews written by professional reviewers in journals with a regular technical team.
The point of this is to read many reviews and evaluate the range of opinions. Often the best reviewers notice what is hidden from the eyes of others.
Should I buy the latest model?
It's always tempting to buy the latest products, but often what they have to offer compared to last year is less than the difference in price.
It can be very upsetting to find out that a newer camera has appeared, and the one you purchased is already outdated, but this rarely affects the quality of photos that can be taken with an already “old” camera.
Notvery recent models are generally still very good and sell for bargain prices. It is even possible to purchase a used camera.
Where to buy a camera?
There are plenty of great deals on the internet, but the websites don't give advice and, last but not least, you can't bring a camera to try it out. Therefore, there is no alternative to going to a photo store where you can talk to an assistant and hold the camera in your hands. If, for example, a question arises about what tripods are for a particular brand of camera, you can ask it and get an answer immediately, and if a new question arises after a while, you can return to the store and ask the same person.
The same is true for the purchase of a compact camera, if such an acquisition represents the beginning of a serious hobby. And building a relationship with a good photo shop is invaluable.
