How To Choose A Camera - A Practical Buying Guide for Every Budget

So you’re ready for your first camera! You’ve probably watched over 10 YouTube reviews that contradict each other, and learned fancy terms like mirrorless, megapixels, and “bokeh.”

You might be thinking “The camera with the most megapixels, must be the best camera for the best quality results.” But here’s the truth- there’s no such thing as “the best camera.” You need to find the best camera FOR YOU, the one that fits what you shoot, how much you’re willing to carry, and what you can spend on the whole kit.

Owning an expensive DSLR or mirrorless camera doesn’t make a good photographer. A good photographer is someone who knows how to use his/her camera whether it's a $4,000 mirrorless camera or a $500 point and shoot.

So first, gather some information about yourself, what kind of pictures you like, what spec you’ll need to create those pictures, do you like to have full manual control or do you prefer to shoot in auto mode? 

Step 1: What Do You Want To Photograph? 

Forget specs for a minute. Close your eyes and picture the photos you want to be taking. Toddler birthday chaos? Sunsets? Your dog? Wedding portraits? That picture narrows the field faster than any comparison chart or YouTube review. 

Step 2. Get Technical

Once you’ve figured out what kind of pictures you’ll be taking with your camera, then it’s time to learn what makes a good photo, technically.

Think about your experience when you were taking pictures or videos  with your phone. Was there anything you felt was missing?  Think about what is a good photo to you before learning about a camera.

Then, when you are confident about what you need to create decent photos, see which cameras fit your needs the best. There is a pool of great cameras to choose from. All you have to do is choose what fits you, like picking out the perfect pair of jeans. 

Types of Camera

1. Your phone: Great for everyday photos. If you’re looking for true zoom, naturally blurry backgrounds, sharp shots in low lighting, or crisp snaps of fast action, you need a “real” camera. 

2. Point-and-shoot: Small, lightweight, easy to use and carry and has a built in lens. A higher end model would be an upgrade from your phone while a cheaper one often is not. 

3. Mirrorless camera: This is the most popular choice today and the top pick for beginners. You can easily swap lenses, the focusing is fast, and what you see in the viewfinder is what your photo will look like. 

4. DSLR: were the standard for professional photographers for years before mirrorless cameras came into the play. A mirrorless camera pretty much packs the features of a DSLR in a smaller body. So it's like a DSLR that started doing pilates.

5. Superzoom camera: One camera with a giant built-in zoom. These are great for birds or sports, but the photos can get grainy in dark settings. 

6. Action camera: Tiny, strong, and waterproof. These are made for adventures. 

7. Instant cameras: Prints your photos on the spot. These are all about fun over image quality. 

Step 3.  Choose What Specs Matter To YOU

1. Sensor Size: This is the MVP of image quality. A big sensor would give you cleaner low-light shots and a creamier background blur. The 4 most common sensors sizes are: 

• 1 Inc - 13.2 x 8.8 mm

• Micro Four Thirds - 17.3 x 13 mm

• APS-C - 23.5 x 15.6 mm

• Full Frame - 36 x 24 mm

APS-C is the sweet spot for most people while a full-frame is a luxury upgrade. 

2. Autofocus: This is the magic that turns “ugh, blurry again!” into “lets frame this one!” Look for subject detection (eyes, faces, animals, even cars and birds) and tracking. 

3. In body image stabilization (IBIS): This is the built-in shake insurance. This spec gives sharper handheld shots in dim light and smoother video without a tripod. 

4. The Lens lineup: When you’re buying a camera, you’re joining a family. So, make sure the brand has lenses within your budget for whatever you’ll be shooting. 

5. How the camera feels in your hands: Hold and feel different cameras and look for things like the grip, buttons, viewfinders, menus. If it feels awkward, you probably won’t use it. 

6. If you’re shooting video: A flip-out screen, a mic input, and the ability to record without overheating - these are things that would be nice to have. And, unless you’re a working videographer/cinematographer, 4K is all you need. 

7. Megapixels: 20-26 is plenty for Instagram, websites, and prints big enough for a living room wall. 

8. Low-light performance: If you know you’ll be shooting in dark settings, this is important. 

9. Digital zoom: This just crops your photo, which lowers the quality. An Optical zoom is what counts. 

Step 4: Choose A Camera That Fits Your Budget

Determine your non-negotiable budget. There are great cameras in every price range. So, instead of chasing the “best” and most expensive camera, look at options that you can comfortably afford. 

Under $800

Your first “Real” camera that is perfect for learning:  

Good to know: Cameras at this price usually skip specs like built-in image stabilization which is something not everyone needs. 

$800 to $1500

This range can be a good sweet spot for a camera with a nice grip, better viewfinder, faster focusing, and better video specs: 

 

$1,500 to $2,500

This is a “ready to get serious” budget  and it’s your first step into the full-frame camera family (the biggest sensor size). Cameras in this budget are likely to have built-in stabilization and great autofocus: 

$2500 and Up

For people who know exactly what they want and shoot a lot of photo and video: 

 

Step 5: Save Some of Your Budget For Lenses and Accessories

The Camera is what gets you started, but lets not forget the lenses. A good rule is to keep 20-20% of your total budget for your lenses. 

Let's talk about the different lenses: 

• The kit lens: This is a zoom lens that most cameras come with. It can handle every day photos and is a good place to get started. 

• The “nifty fifty”: A 50mm prime lens that is the easiest way to get dreamy blurry backgrounds. This is most people’s favorite first upgrade. This lens is also the closest to mimic how the human eye naturally sees the world. 

• A long zoom lens: This lens gives you the ability to isolate distant subjects with a smooth blurry background without having to physically move closer. 

• A Wide lens: This lens allows you to fit more into the frame. Its great for landscapes and small rooms.
  
  

Now, let's talk accessories: 

• Memory card (having two is ideal)

• A spare battery

• Camera bag

• Lens cloth

• Nice extras: tripod, microphones for video, and a protective lens filter

Step 6: New, Used, or Refurbished

The good news is cameras don’t go out of style fast. A two or three year old camera still takes great photos. 

New

Buying a new camera would mean you have the latest features, full warranty, and the fun of unboxing. 

Used

Buying a used gear could be a smart way to stretch your budget, especially lenses. Used lenses hold up for years. Shop with a trusted camera store that inspects every item. 

Refurbished

This is the best of both worlds. You’re getting gear that has been inspected and restored to “like new” condition and, in most cases, has a warranty. 

Tips

• If you choose to buy a used camera, ask for the “shutter count.” It is like the mileage on a car, so lower is better. 

• Ask about trading in your old camera, even the one that’s been gathering dust in a drawer. 

• Look for bundles that include accessories like a memory card, extra battery or camera bag

• Try before you buy. Holding a camera tells you more than any review. 

Your Cheat Sheet

1. What will I shoot the most? 

2. Which specs matter the most for my photographs/videos?

3. How much will I carry? 

4. What is my total budget (for the camera body+lens+accessories, not just the body)? 

5. Does it feel good in my hands? 

6. New or used? 

Still Stuck?

Researching about cameras can be fun and overwhelming at the same time. Holding and feeling them is better. Swing by at Pixel Connection to try different options side by side, ask all the questions you can think of, and walk out with a camera you will actually love using!