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.