Digital cameras
Digital cameras for beginners used to consist of point-and-shoot models that only ranked a step or two ahead of toy cameras. That’s no longer the case.
Cameras aimed at beginners have far more capabilities than they previously had. These newer cameras have plenty of easy-to-use features, along with the ability to create high-quality images, resulting in highly popular models that easily can outperform a smartphone camera.
To find just the right camera for a beginning photographer, consider your budget. Beginner-level cameras are available at nearly any price point, but you don’t want to overspend for features you may never use.
Understanding beginner camera models
Three primary types of beginner cameras are available.
Fixed lens
A fixed lens camera is a model with the lens built into the camera body. The photographer cannot swap it out for another lens.
Fixed lens cameras often have large zoom lenses to shoot far-off subjects successfully. But they typically cannot match the other types of cameras in terms of image quality.
DSLRs
A DSLR camera is the most popular type of camera for beginners and advanced photographers. Its image quality is outstanding, and it allows photographers to change out the lens to gain new features.
One advantage of picking a beginner DSLR camera is that the lenses will also fit advanced DSLR cameras from the same manufacturer, so the photographer doesn’t have to spend money on several new lenses when graduating to a more advanced DSLR.
Mirrorless
A mirrorless camera offers interchangeable lenses, too, and it has a smaller camera body and smaller lenses (in physical size) than DSLRs, which some beginners appreciate.
Mirrorless cameras have excellent image quality and video quality, but they don’t have quite as many lens options as DSLRs, especially for telephoto lenses.
Best cameras for beginners under $300
Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print Camera: available at Amazon
This Kodak camera offers features found in both digital and instant print cameras. This is a fun camera for beginners, is extremely easy to use, and it has a very low price point. Its image quality lags behind the others on the list by quite a bit, though.
Kodak PixPro Astro Zoom AZ401: available at Amazon
For those who want a huge telephoto lens in a low-priced camera, this Kodak model has an impressive 40x optical zoom lens. This camera may look like a DSLR, but it’s significantly cheaper and has a fixed lens that is not interchangeable.
Canon PowerShot ELPH 190: available at Amazon
The PowerShot ELPH is a slightly older fixed lens model, but it has an extremely thin design that’s perfect for sliding into a pocket. Its price point is low, making it a strong choice for beginning photographers and kids.
Canon PowerShot SX420: available at Amazon
The SX420 has a large 42x zoom lens, making it helpful for beginners looking to start with nature photography. This fixed lens model has a lower than average price point, which is beneficial for newcomers to photography.
Best cameras for beginners under $600
Olympus Tough TG-6: available at Amazon
For those who want a camera that’s easy to use but that also can survive a drop or some underwater use, this Olympus fixed lens model is one of the tougher units on the market. Its image quality could be a little better, though.
Panasonic LUMIX FZ300: available at Amazon
Videographers will appreciate the 4K movie resolution in this Panasonic fixed lens camera, and it delivers a handy 24x optical zoom lens, too. However, its image quality could be a bit better for photographs.
Olympus Mirrorless PEN E-PL10: available at Amazon
The PEN has a retro style, which makes it one of the sharper looking beginner level cameras. With its mirrorless design, photographers can swap out the lens to gain new features. It has a 4K video resolution capability.
Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR: available at Amazon
Of the beginner-level DSLR cameras, Canon Rebel cameras are among the most popular. The T7 delivers an easy-to-use format and strong image quality, all for a great price. Multiple lenses that fit all Canon DSLRs are available, which is handy.
Nikon D3500 DSLR: available at Amazon
The D3500 is one of Nikon’s most affordable DSLRs that also provides strong image quality. Nikon makes dozens of lenses that will fit the D3500 and other Nikon DSLRs, so it will have plenty of versatility for you as a beginner now, and as your skills expand later.
Panasonic LUMIX G7 4K: available at Amazon
The G7 is a little larger than a typical mirrorless camera design, which some people will appreciate, as it’s easier to hold steady when shooting. It can record 4K video, which is a nice feature for a mirrorless camera in this price range.
Best cameras for beginners under $1,000
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II: available at Amazon
Even though the G7 X has a higher than average price point versus a typical fixed lens camera, it remains easy to use. Its image quality is far better than the majority of fixed lens cameras, which will appeal to beginners who want to make high quality prints.
Canon Mirrorless EOS M50: available at Amazon
The M50 camera is a strong vlogging camera, offering built-in Bluetooth and WiFi capabilities, so the user can control the camera remotely. This mirrorless camera can also record in 4K video resolution, and its photographic image quality is strong, too.
Sony ZV-1: available at Amazon
For the beginning photographer who wants a strong, all-around camera, this Sony model works well for both photography and videography. It has a high price for a fixed lens camera, but it includes a high-quality Zeiss lens that’s rarely matched in other fixed lens models.
Canon Rebel SL3 DSLR: available at Amazon
The SL3 is one of the smallest DSLR cameras on the market, which will appeal to beginners who may dislike the large size of a typical DSLR. This camera is geared towards first-time DSLR buyers, and it’s extremely easy to use.
Kyle Schurman is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
