Cameras

There really is no single best camera for beginners. Instead, there are cameras offering different characteristics, a few of which will fit your particular needs.
You have many great options: DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, point and shoot cameras, film cameras, and more. But you can narrow down your choices by identifying the types of images you want to shoot.
If you’re looking to capture casual family portraits, for instance, you might want a point and shoot camera, which will do a good job while not requiring you to do much at all.
But if you’re looking to get a camera capable of pro-level images, then we recommend a mirrorless camera or a DSLR, both of which are relatively simple to learn, but will allow you to take control when you’re ready.

To choose a camera, first determine the type of subject you want to shoot. Do you want to photograph landscapes? People in the city? Portraits? Birds? Mammals?
Then take a look at the different camera characteristics and figure out what you need for the subject you’re after.
Finally, once you’ve identified the characteristics you’re after, pick a camera! You can always read individual reviews to get a sense of how any particular model performs in the field.

DSLRs are less popular than they once were, thanks to the rise of smartphone and mirrorless cameras. But DSLRs are still powerful pieces of kit, and are perfectly capable of capturing stunning images. In fact, many professionals still use their DSLRs because:
a) the quality is satisfying and
b) they don’t want to shell out lots of cash for an upgrade.
Plus, DSLRs are sometimes better than the alternatives, thanks to their optical viewfinders and their expansive lens lineups.

Mirrorless cameras are great, but they do tend to be pricey, so you’ll want to keep an eye on your budget. Mirrorless cameras also have a steep learning curve (if you’ve never used an interchangeable lens camera before).
On the other hand, a mirrorless camera will generally offer superb image quality, as well as tons of useful technology–such as electronic viewfinders that feature exposure simulations, as well as in-body image stabilization and fully-articulating touchscreens. So while mirrorless cameras aren’t the best option for everyone, they’re pretty darn great!

Medium format cameras offer superb image quality, but they’re ridiculously expensive. They’re also limited by their size and weight, plus they produce giant file sizes that are difficult to manage.
I would recommend avoiding a medium format camera unless you’re absolutely certain it’s what you need. Many professionals don’t even use medium format cameras, due to the limitations I’ve described above; they stick to full-frame DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.

Smartphone cameras can get the job done, but they don’t fare well when up against other, larger-sensor alternatives, such as DSLRs and mirrorless models. The fact is that smartphones pack tiny sensors, which limit high-ISO performance substantially.
It’s also difficult to shoot smartphone images in a RAW file format (you generally need a non-native camera app to do this), so you’re going to be stuck with the post-processing effects applied just after the moment of capture; this will limit you compared to RAW shooting, where you can adjust pretty much everything during post-processing.