What camera should I buy?
This is the most frequently asked question we get from our photography students. This post is meant as a guide to the ever changing market of digital photography cameras. We put this guide together to help first time buyers and upgraders make informed decisions and help them along their photography journey.
Everyone’s needs and budgets are different, so use this as a guide to help YOU.
LAST UPDATED: 2021
Feel free to jump down to our breakdown of cameras, but first we felt it necessary to define the different camera levels:
- Beginner / Entry Level: These cameras are low budget and targeted towards first timers, beginners, and are often physically small cameras that will not break the bank.
- Hobbyist / Amateur Level: These cameras are a great next step if you are serious about photography as a hobby or have a decent budget at entry level point.
- Professional / Advanced Hobbyist Level: These cameras will come in at a fairly large budget but are an industry standard for most advanced amateur photography as well as a lot of professionals.
- Big budget Professional Level: These are the most expensive cameras on the market, and are usually the largest and have the most advanced features.
Below, we’ve broken down each level of camera by camera type: point & shoot, mirrorless, DSLR. A point & shoot is your all-in-one camera without interchangeable lenses. Most have a built-in lens that zooms. Mirrorless and DSLR cameras have interchangeable lenses and are often built to be more robust with more settings and features. If you’re not sure what a DSLR or mirrorless camera is, check out our guide here.
Note: we have not included every single model of every single brand. If you notice that we are missing a camera, please let us know at [email protected]
Beginner / Entry Level Cameras
These cameras are low budget and targeted towards first timers, beginners, and are often physically small cameras that will not break the bank.
Point and Shoot Cameras
Price range: $0-$500
Nikon (Cool pix)
Canon (Power shot)
Fujifilm
Sony
Olympus
Panasonic
Mirrorless Cameras
Canon
Panasonic
DSLR Cameras
Nikon
Canon
Hobbyist / Amateur Cameras
Next steps: These cameras are a great next step if you are serious about photography as a hobby or have a decent budget at entry level point. Often these are cropped sensor cameras.
Price range: $500-$1,200
Point and Shoot Cameras
Nikon, CoolPix
Canon Powershot
Fujifilm
Sony
Panasonic
Mirrorless Cameras
Nikon
Canon
Fujifilm
Sony
Olympus
Panasonic
DSLR Cameras
Nikon (dx-cropped)
Canon
Professional / Advanced Hobbyist Cameras
Pro level/ advanced: These cameras will come in at a fairly large budget but are an industry standard for most advanced amateur photography as well as a lot of professionals.
Price range: $1,200 – $2,000
Point and Shoot Cameras
Fujifilm
Sony
Leica
Mirrorless Cameras
Nikon
Canon
Fujifilm
Sony
Olympus
Panasonic
Leica
DSLR Cameras
Nikon
Canon
Big Budget Professional Cameras
Big budget pro-level: These are the most expensive cameras on the market, and are usually the largest and have the most advanced features.
Price range: $2,000+
Point and Shoot Cameras
Sony
Leica
Mirrorless Cameras
Nikon
Canon
Fujifilm
Sony
Panasonic
Leica
DSLR Cameras
Nikon
Canon
Disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you I will earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase. I recommend you only purchase these products if you believe they will help you achieve your specific goals.