The most important tool in a photographer’s toolkit is of course a camera and with the vast range of modern cameras and brands available it can be a big puzzle to find a camera that suits your needs.
I wrote this article as a guideline to help you find a suitable first camera to start your photography adventure with. Keep in mind that this article won’t tell you the best camera there is to buy today but it will give you three steps and a general direction to help you find your first camera.
Step one: What is your photography goal
The first step to choosing a camera is to define your photography goal. What are you looking to photograph? What type or category of photography appeals to you the most? Are you interested in portraits, landscapes, wildlife, street, sports, or something else? Perhaps you only need a small camera for your family vacations, or do you have professional ambitions as a photographer?
Think about what you want to do with your camera, and that will help you pick the right one for you. For example, if you like taking pictures of things that move fast, like sports or wildlife, you might want a camera that can take a lot of shots quickly and has a good autofocus. If you like taking pictures in dark places, you might want a camera that can handle low light and has a big sensor. Different cameras are good at different things, so think about what you want to capture before you buy one.
Step two: Set a budget
Another key factor to consider when choosing a camera is how much money you can and are willing to spend. Cameras come in a wide range of prices, depending on the features, quality, and brand. You don't want to spend more than you can afford, but you also don't want to buy a cheap camera that won't meet your needs or expectations. Setting a budget will help you narrow down your options and find the best value for your money.
You should also keep in mind that spending a lot of money on a camera system doesn't improve your photography skills.
Step three: Do your research
It's important to do research and compare the different types and brands of cameras available. Doing your research will help you find a camera that suits your style, preferences, and photography goals. You can also learn about the pros and cons of each camera, the features and functions they offer, and the reviews and ratings from other users.
There are many sources of information you can use for your research, such as online articles, blogs, videos, magazines, and forums. You can also visit local stores and try out some cameras in person.
For instance, if you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your photography a.k.a. your photography goal, and how much you can spend, you could use a google or Youtube search like: “what is a good camera for wildlife photography under €800”.
Remember to check out lenses too, since they matter as much as the camera itself!
Things to consider for your first camera
This article shows you three things to consider helping you find a good first camera to begin your photography adventure with. But besides these steps, there are also other factors to think about when choosing a camera system.
1. There is no perfect camera and brand
Different cameras and brands are good at different things and none of them are flawless. There's no such thing as the best camera or brand ever. So don't listen to the hype or the stuff people say about brands online. Choose a camera that suits your needs, regardless of the brand. All the major brands deliver good cameras at various price ranges.
2. You don’t need a Fullframe camera, it’s a choice
There is a myth circulating the internet that you need a Fullframe camera, otherwise you are not a serious photographer. Fullframe cameras have larger sensors than crop-sensor cameras, which means they can capture more light and detail, and produce a shallower depth of field.
However, this does not mean that you need a full frame camera to take great photos. Fullframe cameras are also more expensive, heavier, and require larger and more expensive lenses than crop-sensor cameras.
Many professional photographers use crop-sensor cameras for various reasons, such as portability, compatibility, reach, or to create a specific look. The choice of a full frame or crop-sensor camera depends on your budget, style, and photography goal, not on some arbitrary standard of quality on the internet.
3. Lenses are more important than camera body’s
One of the most important factors that affect the quality of your photos are the lenses you use. A good lens can make a huge difference in the clarity, brightness, and depth of field of your photos, while a bad lens can ruin them with chromatic aberration, vignetting, or softness.
Usually, the quality of the lens matters more than the quality of the body when choosing a camera. A good lens on a bad body can produce better results than a bad lens on a good body.
4. Don’t forget the essential accessories
Essential accessories, such as an SD card, are particularly important. A low-quality SD card can cause photo loss or camera errors, so you should avoid buying a cheap one. Trust me, it's not worth the trouble. If you are unsure about which SD card to get for your camera, you can consult an expert at your local camera store, and they can help you pick a suitable one. Other useful accessories include a bag or backpack, a basic lens cleaning kit with a rocket blower, and one or two extra batteries for your camera.
Some photographers think they need a tripod or monopod, but those are more for specific kinds of photography. But, if you have some extra money to spend, a basic tripod can be nice to have, even if you just use it to practice. But you don't really need one if you are just starting with photography.
Conclusion
Every photographer needs a camera and finding one can be a tricky process as there are so many options to consider. Feel free to use the steps I provided in this article to help you make smarter decisions when looking for your first camera.
I hope this article helped you pick your first camera, and if you have any questions just drop them in the comments below or hit me up on social media!
Thank you for reading and have a wonderful day
-Robert van Sterkenburg
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