Are you looking for a camera to start capturing your life? Do you want a beginner camera that will allow you to be more creative than the general cellphone camera? I have complied 5 questions that are commonly asked while looking for your first camera to help you get started!
1) What is the average price range of beginner cameras?
Prices can vary based on how beginner you want to go and the type of subjects you would like to photograph. Currently the market offers a lot of different products and based on what you plan on photographing, it can range from $100 to $1000’s. But most starting cameras will range at around $300-$600. This price also depends on if you are interested in different lens or a single lens. You can just buy a body for a lower amount but it can be beneficial to have multiple lens to be able to be as creative and have a wider range of photos you can take.
2) Why Should you want to buy a camera?
To buy or not to buy? What is the benefit of buying a camera over using your phone camera? Let’s face it phone cameras in 2025 have made amazing steps to replace many of the digital cameras on the market. So is it still necessary to buy a digital camera to take photos or has the phone taken over. My answer to this is that phones will never fully take over the camera space, here’s why…
While phone cameras are great for every day use they don’t do it all. There is also an aspect to using a handheld camera that can never be replaced. Imagine a wedding photographer showing up with just their phone, but the couple wants large prints to hang in their house of their special day. The photos they will get won’t print well no matter how much they are edited it might work okay for a 5×7 but no more than that. In addition a camera allows for so much more variation in the depth of a photo, the after editing of a photo with RAW images and even creativity.
A handheld camera might not be for everyone, but it defiantly has a space. The phone will never replace a camera and cameras will always have a place in society. While cameras get smaller and processors get faster cameras are important. Specific life events cannot be just simply captured, creative ventures cannot be done on a phone. You should want a camera to capture images to be able to have for a life time with the best image quality possible.
Lastly, there is a beneficial part with a camera where you can just live in the moment. Once you take the photo you can move into enjoying time with friends and family, look at them later, edit later and even send them out later. If you have your phone in your hand there is a higher possibility of being distracted by the phone. A camera also allows you to be more creative and see things that the normal eye might not. They have the ability to show the large and small things in life, as well as show people their beauty if used correctly.
3) What is the difference Between a point & shoot, DLSR and mirrorless?
The main three types of cameras that exist past your cellphone camera are point and shoot, DSLR and Mirrorless. All of these cameras are great, but there can be a considerable price difference and they all have there different uses. They also have a considerable lay out and size difference, on top of control of creativeness and speed of shooting.
First, let’s talk about Point and Shoots. These cameras are going to be the smallest and the least expensive. Point and shoots are great cameras if you want to travel and just take quick photos but not fill up your camera space on your phone. They are built to fit in your hand easily and not be too big or heavy. Almost all of these cameras have a fixed lens that usually has a specific zoom distances, that depending on the cameras may not be there quickest. If you plan on photographing sports events this type of camera will not be for you. In addition to being on the slower side the file size and light range are much smaller than the other cameras. This camera can be a great starting camera to figure out if you like taking photos but don’t want to commit to something more expensive and aren’t sure if you want to start to learn how to use a camera with manual mode.
Second is the DSLR, these cameras are what I consider to be the true starter camera in the photography world. DSLR cameras are on the lower price range of “fancy” cameras but still range between $300- $700. They allow you to be more creative than a point and shoot as they have more modification options. These cameras have the ability to switch out lens, which allows you to try out different types of photography from macro to portraits and even sports or landscapes. In addition to be able to be modified, these cameras let you be more creative with a manual mode. But they are also great for beginners as they have multiple modes that can allow you to learn the different aspects of a manual camera without having to do to much. This is the type of camera I started with, mine was a Cannon Rebel T5. This camera was able to teach me the basics and truly allow me to fall in love with photography. It does still take plenty of effort still to learn and you must be willing to try new things, but it is a great starter camera for those who want to take advanced photos.
Lastly, there is Mirrorless. This camera I consider more on your the high end of cameras. Just like a DSLR, it has manual mode and multiple lens options. Now the huge difference is that this camera shoots clearer and quicker than a DSLR. It is great for photographing things like sports and kids, but also does amazing at all other photos. The difference between mirrorless and DSLR is that is that through the sensor system there is no mirror, so everything you see in the view finder or on screen is straight from the sensor electrically. This allows for quicker auto focus, faster shutter speeds and even better video capabilities if you feel like dabbling into that. In addition, mirrorless have a smaller body footprint as it does not require space for a mirror to flip up and move out of the sensors way to take a photo. My newest Camera is a Canon EOS RP and is a mirrorless camera and has most definitely leveled up my photography. This type of camera is most definitely for the next level of photographer once they have learned the basics of how a camera works. These cameras also have a tendency to be pricier even for lower level cameras.
4) When buying should you get a Kit or just the body of the camera?
This question is fairly simple, especially as you are just starting out. If you have no other cameras I highly suggest a kit purchase. Most kits come with the body and one or two lens, usually a standard lens and a zoom lens. While these lenses might be starter lenses and might not be the top of the line they are usually greats lenses that will get you started into photography. Personally I used my kit lenses for years before I made the venture to buying additional lenses.
By getting the kit lenses you are able to start learning what type of photos you want to take and what focal length you might need. It is also a great way to learn your camera with multiple lenses before you go and buy a super expensive lens. To this day my first kit lenses are still in my bag as they are some of my favorite lenses and I know I can fall back on them when I need to.
Now if you already had a camera In the past and have lenses that will work with the camera you are looking at then it is a different story. Unless the new camera you are buying comes with upgrades lenses then there is no point save your money. When my camera got upgraded I did buy the kit as the lens that was coming with it was most definitely an upgrade from what I had in all aspects, so it made sense. You just need to find what’s right for your set up if you already have one.
5) How do I know what camera Is right for me?
While I would love to tell you my favorite brand and what cameras I would look at and buy, it’s not that easy. You need to evaluate why you want the camera, what you want it for and what capabilities you may desire. Make a list of things you know you want to photograph and go from there, you might only need point and shoot for what you want to do and that is a personal choice.
My best suggestions is to find a friend that has one of the types of camera and ask to learn a little about it. Go to a store and put your hands on a camera and find out it you like the way it feels in your hand, look at the screen and buttons while you are there and make sure you like the look of it. Press the shutter button and see how it feels.
Lastly, do plenty of research, read articles, read forums and watch video reviews. This is your investment and your the one that knows you best, ask plenty of question and inform yourself. Then when you feel you found the right one make the jump and start enjoying your new camera!