Cost
Choose a camera that fits your full budget, including the lens and accessories.
Photography guides
Buying cameras and gear
How to choose a camera and lens that fit your needs and budget.
Buy for the photos you take
Set a budget, choose a lens system, and buy only what you need.
There is no perfect camera. Start with your budget, what you photograph, the lenses you may need later, and the limits you can accept.
This page does not list every good camera. A model is worth considering if it fits your budget, feels comfortable, and works with lenses you can afford.
Before choosing a model
Answer these four questions
Your priorities depend on your budget and the photos you take. Sports, street, and travel photographers need different things.
Budget
How much can you spend?
Include the lens, batteries, memory cards, and a bag. A cheaper body with a good lens is often the better buy.
Subject
What do you shoot?
Sports and wildlife need fast autofocus. Street and travel work well with small kits. Portraits and events often need better lenses and low-light performance.
Size
Will you carry it often?
A small camera you carry is more useful than a better camera left at home.
Mount
Which lenses fit?
The lens mount controls which lenses you can use. Check lens prices before choosing a body, especially for a full-frame system.
Used gear
A used camera can save money
Many older cameras still work well. Compare used prices on sites such as eBay, MPB, and KEH. Check the condition, shutter count if listed, return policy, included battery and charger, lens mount, and sensor.
Check the listing
Confirm the model, included accessories, visible wear, and any listed damage.
Check the system
Check lens prices before buying the body. A cheap body is not a bargain if its lenses cost too much.
Check the return policy
Buy from a seller with a good rating and a clear return policy.
Camera features
What to check first
Mount
The mount controls which lenses fit. Most brands use their own mount, and third-party support differs.
DSLR or mirrorless
DSLRs use mirrors and an optical viewfinder. Mirrorless cameras use an electronic viewfinder and often cost more.
Autofocus
Basic autofocus works for still subjects. Sports, events, wildlife, and fast action need better tracking.
Sensor size
Smaller sensors often use smaller, cheaper lenses. Larger sensors can help in low light and give more depth-of-field control, but the system costs more.
IBIS
In-body image stabilization lets you use slower shutter speeds by hand. It reduces camera shake, not subject motion.
Size and weight
Smaller, lighter gear is easier to carry and may help you take more photos.
Nice to have
Useful, but not essential
Screen type
A fully articulating screen helps with video and unusual angles. A tilting screen is quicker to move.
Battery life
Long battery life helps, but you can carry a spare battery.
Weather sealing
It helps in rain and dust, but the lens also needs sealing. Most cameras are not waterproof.
Viewfinder
A good viewfinder helps with fast action and bright daylight. Some people prefer the rear screen.
Grip and controls
Try the camera in your hands. Comfortable controls make it easier to use.
Megapixels
Most cameras have enough. More pixels help when you crop heavily or make large prints.
Dynamic range
More range helps recover bright and dark detail from Raw files, especially in harsh light.
Specialized
Features for specific work
Pixel-shift modes
Combine several shifted frames for more detail. They work best with still scenes.
Buffer
Holds burst photos before writing them to the card. This matters for sports and wildlife.
Rolling shutter
Can distort fast movement, especially in video and action photos.
Burst rate
A high frame rate helps with sports, wildlife, and other fast sequences. Most beginners do not need it.
Dual card slots
Save a second copy for professional work. Most beginners need only one slot.
Recommendations
Mirrorless cameras to compare
These are examples, not a full list. Prices change often, especially for used gear. Check current listings before buying.
Used options
Olympus OM-D E-M1 I or II
M43$400 or $700 used
Older bodies with many features for the price.
Lumix GX80/85
M43$500 used
Small and well suited to street photography.
Nikon Z6
Full-frame$700 used
A low-cost entry into full-frame mirrorless.
All-purpose cameras
OM SYSTEM OM-1
M43$2200 new, often much less used
Strong features, especially for wildlife.
Sony A7III
Full-frame$1000 used
Still capable, but older than the A7 IV in autofocus, resolution, and body design.
Canon EOS R10
APS-C$1000
An entry-level Canon APS-C body with strong autofocus.
Canon EOS R8
Full-frame$1450
Modern full-frame autofocus at a lower cost, but with shorter battery life and no IBIS.
Higher-budget cameras
Nikon Z5 II
Full-frame$1600
An entry full-frame body with strong image quality, autofocus, viewfinder, and lens support.
Sony a6700
APS-C$1600
A small APS-C body for both photos and video.
Sony A7IV
Full-frame$2000
A Sony all-purpose body with strong autofocus.
Most current cameras above these prices are capable. Choose the lens mount and system before comparing small differences between bodies.
DSLRs
Older DSLRs can still be a good buy
These charts compare Canon and Nikon DSLRs using new prices from the original guide. Many now cost much less used. Check current used prices, then use the charts to compare the cameras. Thanks to Yang for the charts.
Set a budget. Choose a system with affordable lenses. Buy used when it saves money, and leave enough for the lens you need.