Looking to get into photography this year? We’ve picked out the twelve best cameras for beginners so that you can find one that’s right for you
Best beginner cameras: what to look for
If you're new to photography, you'll want a camera that's affordably priced, straightforward to use, produces great image quality and offers guidance and support, as well as more advanced options for you to experiment with.
So what is the best camera for beginners? We've made a list of the twelve best starter cameras, based on factors like price, usability, quality and features. They are:
In this blog, we’ll look at each camera in more detail so you can find the perfect fit.
What are the best cameras for beginners?
Designed for beginners, the Nikon D3500 is one of the most popular entry level DSLRs. With manual controls essential for fledgling photographers, great picture quality and affordable price, it represents fantastic value for money. The D3500 is lightweight and fast, making it great for travelling and days out, while the helpful Guide Mode offers support for those new to photography. It's compatible with a variety of Nikon lenses, exhibits an impressive 5fps continuous shooting speed and has a great battery life.
View our full collection of Nikon cameras.
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The Canon EOS M50 features a simple interface that offers helpful guides and explanations - ideal for beginners. It can accurately and consistently focus in on moving subjects and is compatible with a variety of lenses to match different perspectives and styles. Its vari-angle touchscreen display offers a diversity of shooting options, while its clean HDMI output allows for direct live streaming from YouTube. Portable and compact, the camera is a great device for capturing images, selfies, videos and vlogs when on the go.
View our full collection of Canon cameras.
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Portable, compact and comfortable, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is another good camera for beginners who are on the go. Capture every moment in lucid detail with 4K video - just one feature of this entry-level camera that covers all bases. The powerful device comes with modern imaging technologies, and with 15 fps high-speed sequential shooting, you can be confident that your images will look stunning. Enjoy features like silent mode, continuous focusing, auto mode and more with this fantastic camera for photography beginners.
View our full collection of Olympus cameras.
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If you’re looking for a camera that’s good for vlogs, videos and photography, the Sony ZV-E10 is for you. Enjoy dynamic footage with the wide-angle lens, capture the attention of your viewers with the fixed focal length lens and capture small details with a macro lens. The camera has a quality mic, and supports an add-on mic and headphone monitoring. Overall, the Sony ZV-E10 is great for beginner vloggers and those more interested in videos than image photography.
View our full range of Sony cameras.
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The Panasonic Lumix G100 is another great camera for vlogging, and is a good alternative to the Sony ZV-E10. The camera comes with an electronic viewfinder - an advantage over the Sony ZV-E10 - although its Micro Four Thirds sensor is smaller. Whether you're capturing videos or images, you can be confident of the quality. It incorporates OVO audio technology and features impressive facial recognition software. The triple microphone feature guarantees high sound quality, while its compatibility with a variety of affordable lenses makes it a versatile choice.
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The Nikon Z FC is beautifully designed, with a retro inspired aesthetic inspired by the iconic Nikon FM2 film camera. What's more, it's a fantastic camera for beginner photographers. Its vari-angle LCD touchscreen, unique Creative Picture Controls and range of physical controls allow for a controlled and inventive process, while its affordable price makes it fantastic value for money. And with a Power Charge feature that allows you to charge your battery while you’re on the go, you’ll never have to cut a day out short.
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Perfect for content creation, the Canon EOS M6 MARK II is compact but powerful. Wherever you are and whatever time of day it is, you can rely on the device delivering incredible image quality. Its RAW burst shooting features reach 30 fps, while full autofocus will ensure sharp images. Enjoy full HD footage and compose from all angles with its helpful flip-up touchscreen.
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With impressive eye-detection AF, the Z50 is fantastic for capturing portraits, while its 11 fps continuous shooting means it's great for photographing things in motion. It focuses quietly and features a silent mode, while it also allows users to record 4K videos at 30 fps. Its deep grip makes for easy handling, and its well-placed buttons and touchscreen controls make for a pleasant user experience. And with reliable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, breathtaking image quality and creative effects, it's got about everything you'd want from a beginner camera.
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With an impressive 24.3MP APS-C sensor, photographers using the Sony A6000 will enjoy capturing images at up to 11 fps. It features a quick autofocus system - quicker than a DSLR - while its Full HD movie recording and wide frame coverage make it a great camera to use when capturing wildlife. The A6000 is compact - about half the size and weight of a typical DSLR, without any impact on its APS-C sensor. Sharp, reliable and portable, the camera is incredibly popular with beginners.
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The Fujifilm X-T30 guarantees fantastic image quality and high-speed autofocus performance. Compact and lightweight, it's fantastic for photography holidays, excursions and days out, while its stunning vintage design adds an aesthetic charm that will make it hard to put the camera down. The X-T30 is a great all-rounder with 4K video capabilities, traditional exposure controls and a variety of other features that make it fantastic value for money.
View our full range of Fujifilm cameras.
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Capture moments with stunning imaging performance with the Panasonic Lumix TZ200. The camera boasts impressive video and 4K photo technology, while the lens ensures that you'll capture your subject regardless of how far away it is or how fast it's moving. Helpful control dials on the device allow users to easily adjust settings when out and about, while its user-friendly touchscreen makes it ideal as a beginner camera.
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Another camera that's perfect for vlogging, the Sony ZV-1 comes with 4K video and quick autofocus for sharp images. Whether you're capturing portraits or wide-angle shots, the camera's image stabilisation is sure to deliver quality results. Its internal microphone delivers decent sound quality, and it's easy to add an external microphone for improved performance.
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How to choose a beginner camera
Before you choose a camera, it’s important to consider what your priorities are. If you like capturing videos or vlogging, look for a camera with 4K video; if you’re looking to capture stunning wildlife images, look for a camera with good autofocus and shutter speed; and so on. All twelve of the cameras we’ve listed above are high-performing and competitively priced for beginners. If you’d like more information on any of our cameras, or would just like a chat about what beginner camera is best for you, don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our Sheffield store - a member of our team will be happy to help.