Best Cameras for Beginners in 2024: to get better at taking pictures

If you want to get better at taking pictures or making videos, the best camera for beginners is a good place to start. With larger sensors than smartphones, better ergonomics, and more advanced shooting features, a dedicated camera will give any user an advantage at the start of their imaging journey. Find the right model, and that’s all you have to do.

Smartphone cameras are getting better every year, but if you really want to take control of your images and learn the art of photography, a dedicated camera is still the best option. Thanks to large image sensors, high-quality lenses, fast autofocus, and dedicated photo and video features, even a beginner’s camera can far surpass the capabilities of a regular smartphone.

With this list of beginner cameras, we hope to find the best options to start your budding photographer’s visual journey off on the right foot. The ideal camera for a beginner, whether a child, teen or adult, is one that is fun to use without overwhelming your mental resources. Simple form and function are obviously paramount, but affordability and durability are equally important when placing a camera in the hands of a beginner.

Best Cameras for Beginners

Sony RX100 VII

The Sony RX100 VII is the company’s latest compact camera with a 1-inch sensor for the pocket. It uses the same 24-200mm lens (equivalent to F2.8-4.5) as its predecessor, but features a more powerful and easier-to-use autofocus system. This is in addition to the Mark VI’s already impressive capabilities, including very fast continuous shooting and high-quality 4K video recording.

And for the first time in the series, the Mark VII includes a microphone jack for enhanced audio recording. The Mark VII can shoot up to 20 frames per second without dimming the viewfinder. These are figures on par with the company’s flagship a9 sports camera. And it’s this capability, along with the improved autofocus, that leads Sony to talk about the performance of an “a9 in the pocket. To be clear: It does not share any hardware with this model.

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Canon EOS Rebel T7

The camera’s pop-up flash covers a distance of up to 30 feet, but is most effective when the subject is within 15 feet. If you need more light, you should get an external flash. Flash exposure compensation is available for both the in-camera flash and accessory flashes, and is handy when you need to adjust exposure.

The Canon EOS Rebel series has long been a favorite for those looking for an affordable but capable DSLR. The T7 continues to deliver good image quality for a camera in its class. Under well-lit conditions, the camera consistently delivered pleasing results that almost guarantee success from the start.

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Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

With a new 20MP sensor, incrementally improved in-body image stabilization, and a new folding and tilting monitor, the new Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV has a lot to offer. Retaining the 4K video and attractive design that made the Mark III so appealing to consumers, the Mark IV will be a new favorite for those looking for an entry-level camera that can do just about anything.

The Mark IV also features compact, in-camera image stabilization with compensation of up to 4.5 EV stops and high-speed continuous shooting at 15 frames per second. In addition, continuous autofocus precision has been improved for continuous focusing on moving subjects. Face/eye priority autofocus is now able to focus on faces in profile or looking down, helping users capture sharp portraits from unconventional angles.

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Nikon D3500

The Nikon D3500, which replaces the brand’s D3400, is the manufacturer’s latest entry-level DSLR. It is aimed at entry-level users who want to move up to more advanced devices without having to sacrifice the straightforward handling of many compact cameras or smartphone systems. we’ll take a closer look at the D3500.

Our only criticism is that the Nikon D3500 is so light that after a few outings we were worried it might get damaged – the lightness of the body itself borders on flimsy. Similar to Nikon’s D5xxx series cameras, the body is so small that it’s quite difficult to change settings when looking through the viewfinder. However, the size has many advantages, and the weight of the unit is comparable to many travel or mirrorless cameras on the market, making it easy to carry and fit into smaller padded camera bags and cases.

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Polaroid Now+

The body has Polaroid’s typical chunky, square design, with a large viewfinder and a few physical buttons. Other extras include a rechargeable battery, which is nice, though we are disappointed that the micro-USB port is still hanging on by its fingernails. The packaging includes a small zippered pouch with color lens filters to clip on, as well as a nifty ’70s-style quick-start brochure.

The Now+ has a companion app; the brand says it’s optional, but it’s basically required. Among many other features, there are two new Polaroid modes in the app – Tripod Mode, which uses the optional mount on the bottom of the camera body, and Aperture Priority, which lets you select an aperture stop to control background focus and achieve moderate bokeh. On paper, the smartphone apps looked fantastic. Unfortunately, in practice, it was an eyesore in our otherwise rosy viewfinder.

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Nikon D5600

Considering that the D5600 uses the same image processing pipeline as its predecessor, it’s not surprising that the image quality of the two compact Nikon DSLR cameras is virtually identical. That’s not a bad thing, however, as we’ve praised the D5500 for its excellent image quality. When comparing the D5600 to Canon’s DSLR competition-particularly the Rebel T7i-we find that the D5600 offers a sharper, clearer image, due in part to the lack of an optical low-pass filter and more aggressive sharpening.

The Canon may offer better color accuracy, but that’s splitting hairs, as both offer pleasing color reproduction. When you increase the ISO, the D5600 sets itself apart even more from its rival, largely thanks to better standard processing. As for high ISO, the D5600 impresses for an APS-C camera with a very good 13 x 19-inch print at ISO 1600 and a good 11 x 14 print at ISO 3200. Even at ISO 12,800, the D5600 can produce a good 5 x 7 print, which is admirable for a DSLR camera in this price range.

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Nikon Z fc

The Nikon Z fc is a retro-style camera with all the amenities you’d expect from a current mirrorless model. The aluminum dials are easy to use, and the body looks so nice that you’ll probably turn the camera off when it’s not in use. But the Z fc isn’t just about style and substance. T

hanks to the Z 50’s sharing of internal components, performance and image quality are excellent, so there’s little to compromise for the added style. Only the slippery body shape and relative lack of native DX-format Z-mount lenses argue against the Z fc. But even with those considerations, the Z fc is worth every penny if you’re into the retro aesthetic.

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SONY A6100

The Sony A6100 is the new entry-level model of Sony’s mirrorless APS-C sensor cameras and joins the extensive lineup of the A6000, A6300, A6400, A6500 and A6600. It features the same 24.2-megapixel sensor as the A6400 and A6600 cameras, as well as the latest Bionz X image processor, which allows the Alpha A6100 to record at ISO 51200, one step better than the A6000 model.

The A6100 can record 4K video at 3840 x 2160 pixels at up to 30 frames per second, as well as Full HD video at 1080p at up to 120 frames per second, with no limit on recording time. Autofocus performance has been significantly improved: the A6100 offers 425 AF phase detection and 425 AF contrast detection points covering 84% of the entire image field.

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Canon PowerShot SX620 HS

The Canon SX620 HS features a powerful 25- to 625-mm optical zoom lens with 25- to 450-mm zoom (equivalent to the SX610’s 18x zoom). (The actual focal length of the new lens ranges from 4.5 to 112.5 mm). This new optic means you still have access to the same, fairly generous wide angle as before, but you now get the benefit of a much more powerful telephoto lens – although you’ll need to increase sensitivity or shoot in good light to take advantage of that extra range.

That’s because the Canon SX620’s lens isn’t the fastest, though it’s admittedly a bit brighter than the previous model’s. The SX620 HS’s maximum aperture starts at f/3.2 at wide angle and drops to f/6.6 at telephoto, which compares favorably to the even slower f/3.8-6.9 optics of the previous model.

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Olympus Stylus Tough TG5

The Olympus Tough TG-5 is the latest in a line of popular waterproof cameras, and is probably the most versatile compact camera currently available at a competitive price. Olympus has reduced the resolution to a reasonable 12 megapixels, which is adequate for the 1/2.3-inch sensor, and the TG-5 has features that will appeal to both snapshooters and photo enthusiasts. Available in black or red, it fits comfortably in any pocket and is waterproof up to 15 meters.

The GPS sensor captures information from GPS, GLONASS/QZSS for highly accurate positioning. In addition to location information, which includes latitude and longitude, there are sensors to detect altitude (or depth), shot direction, and air or water temperature.

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FAQs

Is Canon or Nikon better for beginners?

The big hand grip on Nikon makes it easy for a beginner to hold the camera correctly. Canon vs. Nikon for beginners, Nikon’s D3500 is clearly better than Canon’s Rebel series. Nikon’s cameras are easier to use and produce high-quality images in their range.

Should beginners use SLR or DSLR?

DSLRs are easier for beginners to use because the photographer can see what the picture will look like before taking it or take multiple pictures without wasting film. They usually have some built-in settings for different situations, and the user can switch to the LCD viewfinder if they want to.