The best cameras for beginners
Photography is perhaps the most beautiful hobby, but certainly not the cheapest. In this guide, we want to give you an overview of which cameras are particularly suitable for starting out in this multifaceted hobby. The market for modern cameras offers a very large selection of different cameras, some of which differ considerably in price. We try to offer you a large selection of different cameras here: From SLR and system cameras to compact cameras for beginners or newcomers.
What are your requirements?
First of all, think about the area in which you would work most with your camera, because you can then decide what you need for yourself and your requirements in the next steps.
Our checklist for the perfect camera
We have created an initial checklist that you can use to get an overview. You can simply tick the checkboxes and write a few lines.
Many of the points should give you an idea of how to deal with the camera's data sheets more specifically. We would therefore like to give you some more tips on the checklist below. Because each point in itself contributes to making the camera cheaper or more expensive.
Areas of use and their requirements
We asked you what you mainly want to use the camera for. So here's a quick overview of what the criteria for the different areas of photography demand of the camera and where it shows its strengths:
- Travel photography, everything from wide-angle to telephoto lenses can be required here. However, interchangeable lenses usually weigh a lot and add up to a lot of luggage. You can fall back on universal zoom lenses, but these are usually a compromise with a low light intensity and lower sharpness.
- Family photos, it should ideally be a camera that covers the possibility of a wide angle with a slight telephoto range. It should be as light and compact as possible so that you always want to have it with you.
- Landscape photography, your camera should have at least 24MP and preferably offer weather protection with splash +amp; dust protection. A good feature is also the integration of a spirit level to be able to align the image straight, which is particularly important with water.
- Macro photography, here it helps if the camera supports bracketing or has an MFT sensor, because the connection offers a large variety of macro lenses and a high depth of field due to the sensor size.
- Sport +amp; Action, megapixels are not everything here, but above all the number of continuous shots, because the object to be photographed is often in motion.
- Portrait photography, for portrait photography it certainly makes sense to buy a camera that is easy to use. One of the first lenses you will probably buy is a 50mm fixed focal length lens. This is because fixed focal length lenses offer better sharpness and a great aperture for portraits, which enables a nice bokeh/relief.
- Vlogging / videography, the camera should offer good autofocus and perhaps also AI support for recognizing faces to make filming easier for you.
- Animal photography, bird photography - more megapixels can't hurt here, but a smaller sensor also has its advantages here, because the crop factor allows the focal length to be extended and MFT cameras in particular can offer light combinations with a very long focal length and thus bring animals close up at long distances.
Are you unsure and want to talk to an expert again? We offer online and offline advice at our branch in Düsseldorf:
Lens change, yes or no?
This is by far the most difficult question in the questionnaire, as it determines the direction in which it goes the most. A fixed Lens, like on a bridge camera, can cover a wide range of focal lengths and is particularly suitable for people who want to travel and capture the moment in better quality than with most smartphones. But it can also enhance creativity, as with the Ricoh GRIII and co. where the Lens encourages the photographer to move around to find new perspectives.
Demanding image quality
You might think: more megapixels = better pictures, but that's not always the case. In most cases, you can get by with your 24-33 megapixels. Anything above that involves compromises that you need to consider whether you want to make:
- more image noise, in dark environments
- higher risk of camera shake
- etc.
You can find out more about this in detail in our article on megapixels:
Modern system cameras for the perfect start
Sooner or later, SLR cameras will be replaced by system cameras. This is because modern system cameras offer many functions that make everyday life with your camera and photography much easier and allow you to focus on the essentials: The light and the image composition. Modern system cameras offer a very well-rounded package of focus performance, ISO noise behavior and image quality. We therefore present many cameras below that are particularly suitable for beginners due to various factors.
Canon EOS R100 + RF-S 18-45mm IS STM
The Canon EOS R100 offers a modern dual pixel sensor, which enables a lot of playful features and very good autofocus performance. If you are looking for a new lens after the kit lens, the Canon RF lenses or a Canon adapter lens provide a strong all-round package. Many EF lenses in particular are now also available very cheaply on the used market and offer very good performance for the sensor.
Sony Alpha 6400 (ILCE-6400) + SEL 16-50mm PZ OSS
The Sony Alpha 6400 is now a good and inexpensive entry-level camera with which you can enter the world of Sony and get a 24.2 MP sensor in addition to good autofocus performance. The camera also offers a solid continuous shooting performance of 11 frames per second, which offers potential for continuous shooting and is sufficient for the occasional visit to sports activities or similar. The video functions of the 6400 are also strong, offering 4K for the demanding amateur filmmakers among us.
Fujifilm X-S20 + XC 15-45mm
Similar to the Sony system, the Fujifilm offers a wide range of Lens, also from third-party manufacturers. The X-S20 is characterized above all by a very strong autofocus performance and the film simulations (19 pieces), with which you can recreate the analog films from Fujifilm on your camera. The Fujifilm is particularly characterized by its rotary controls and its compactness, which makes it perfect for travel, among other things. It has a very good image stabilizer, which helps you to take sharp photos in the dark, but also to record stable / calm videos.
Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II + AF 12-60mm G Vario Asph. OIS
The sensor size is not always decisive, because an MFT sensor can also be exciting for many photographers. Especially in macro photography and for social media, the G9II can be an exciting candidate. This is because Panasonic offers the advantage for social media with the sensor format and the ability to read it out in full that your video material works and can be used in both portrait and landscape format. Macro photographers benefit from the fact that the sensor size offers a greater depth of field and therefore a greater sharpness per individual image. One disadvantage is certainly that the sensor size does not perform particularly well in dark situations. The G9II has a lot to offer, especially in terms of image stabilization, and impresses with its particularly good feel.
Fujifilm X-T5 + XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4.0 R LM OIS silver
The X-T5 not only offers a good price and a great vintage look, but also a lot of megapixels, which can also be used very well for wildlife photography. At this point, the APS-C sensor has another advantage, because you can get closer to the animals. Fujifilm not only offers a pretty camera, the Lens are also quite light and compact, which makes Fujifilm cameras perfect for street, family and travel photography.
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5II + Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6
The first full-frame camera to be presented, which offers very good value for money. It is one of the cheapest entry-level full-frame cameras released in 2023 and offers fast autofocus performance and a very good noise ratio in dark environments. The lens supply is also guaranteed by the L Mount from Lumix. Thanks to the L Alliance, there are many brands that produce their own Lens for the system.
Sony Alpha 7 III
This legendary camera has consolidated Sony at the top of the system camera league. It is still a very good camera thanks to its modern autofocus and offers everything you could want. A stabilized sensor, fast and AI-supported autofocus, only the menu is a bit confusing for many users, but the Internet offers very good help for the menu of the A7III.
Sony Alpha 7C II (ILCE-7CM2) Housing + SEL 28-60mm black
Strong AI autofocus performance and many features of the larger cameras. With a few compromises in the display and viewfinder, Sony offers a compact full-frame camera that can accompany every photographer for a long time, because the overall package offers a great price-performance ratio with few compromises.
Sony Alpha 6700 (ILCE-6700) + 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ OSS
The Alpha 6700, offers a very powerful sensor in a compact body. It offers particularly strong video functions (it is very similar to the Sony FX30) paired with a strong autofocus. It is a dream for wildlife photography, as the crop factor and AI detection make it a very well-rounded combination. With the right Lens, the Sony Alpha 6700 is an APS-C camera that leaves the one or other full-frame camera in the dust.
Canon EOS R8
The Canon R8 is the mid-range full-frame camera with many of the functions of the R6II, except that the sensor is not equipped with mechanical image stabilization. The sensor, with its 24 megapixels, offers enough scope for larger prints and sharp details. Also on board is the strong autofocus performance of the Canon R6II. We think this camera is a well-rounded and modern package for photographers looking to get started with full format.
Ourtest report
Further recommendations
We offer a few recommendations without in-depth explanations or descriptions in the following carousel:
Prefer second hand? Getting started with little risk!
If you're not sure whether photography or videography is for you at the end of the day, a second-hand camera is a great place to start. Of course, you may have to make a few compromises in terms of the range of features on offer, but you will get to know photography better and may be better able to deal with different situations, as you will have done without some of the camera's luxuries. Used cameras +amp; Lens are checked by us for functionality and integrity before sale, so we also offer a one-year warranty on these products.
