Best Cameras For Beginners
Photography is a fantastic hobby to have, as it’s such an accessible pastime for people of all types. You can take photos of anything that interests you and getting started is easy, as you just need a proper smartphone to get going. But if your passion for photography is growing and you want to move away from point & shoot cameras and smartphones, there are a number of affordable options available. Below are five cameras that will improve the quality and tweaking available to you without costing a fortune or being too complicated to master as a beginner.
Nikon D3300
Nikon D3300 is a great starter camera for beginner photographers because of its price and easy usability. The camera currently costs £299 at Jessops and John Lewis, but you might be able to find voucher codes to push down the price even lower.
The camera offers 24.2 megapixels and it comes with the Nikon DX lens mount. The camera has an anti-aliasing filter built into it, ensuring your images turn out sharp. The 18-55mm kit lens collapses, so it’s a small, compact camera to carry around during the day.
If you’d like to find some downside to the camera, it would be its lack of built-in Wi-Fi. The manufacturer does offer a plug-in Wi-Fi option, so you aren’t completely left without. Nonetheless, an in-built version would probably make this an even better purchase.
Pentax K-50
If you are a photographer with a passion for wildlife and murky situations, then Pentax K-50 is definitely a solid choice. The camera is water proof, ensuring you aren’t in trouble even if the wind blows and the rain falls.
The Shake Reduction System removes camera shakes, with the ability to fix a slightly skewed horizon from your photos. You’ll also enjoy a shooting speed of 6fps and a maximum video resolution of 1080p.
The downside to Pentax K-50 is the lens range, which might not be as drastic if you are just looking to snap a few photos for your own enjoyment. The camera offers 16.3 megapixels, with Pentax K lens mount. The positive news is that you can upgrade to higher lens types, as you develop your skill set.
The camera can be bought from a range of retailers. It costs £399 at Jessops and £365 at Photospecialist.
Canon EOS Rebel T6i/Canon EOS 750D
The Canon EOS 750D is among the newest models on the list, which means two things: it’s a bit pricier, but also has more functions.
The camera offers the same megapixels as Nikon, with a Canon EF-S lens mount. But the version also comes with an autofocus option and an exposure metering system, making it easier to ensure your pictures are stable and balanced. Furthermore, the in-built Wi-Fi means you are always connected to sharing your photos, with the touchscreen making sharing and tweaking images a breeze.
On the other hand, the camera suffers from slight battery issues and it’s definitely pricier to the above two options. Canon EOS 750D is currently available for £579 at Currys and slightly cheaper at £519 at Argos.
Canon EOS 100D/Canon EOS Rebel SL1
Size can sometimes matter and with this particular Canon model, you don’t need to worry about whether it fits inside your bags. The Canon EOS 100D is among the smallest DSLR cameras on the market and it makes taking photos extremely easy.
It’s much cheaper to the above Canon model as well, costing just £279 at Currys and £319 at Tesco Direct. While you have to expect certain compromises to the other model, it still manages to pack a punch. For a beginner, it’s a good camera to get.
It’s megapixels stand at 18, with a 4fps shooting speed. The touchscreen makes the functions easy to use and understand, with plenty of versatility in terms of editing your photos. You can zoom, focus, change colours and add filters.
Nikon D3200
Finally, you could opt for the older version of the Nikon D3300 and shop for the budget-friendly version instead. It doesn’t have a retracting lens or an anti-alias sensor, but the 24 megapixels it offers are only slightly less than in the newer version.
Beginners will find the Guide Mode especially helpful, as it provides step-by-step tips on how to take better focus and make use of the different elements in the camera. You’ll also get a decent video with the system with 1080 pixels.
Since it’s an older version, you also can purchase it with a lower price tag. You can currently find the camera from TobyDeals for around £270.
If you are searching for a good camera, but you aren’t quite yet a professional, the above five are definitely worth checking out. They provide enough tweaks to help you edit your images and take higher resolution photos, but won’t break the bank in terms of the price.