The best cameras for beginners: choose by functionality, quality, price

Photography is not just a useful invention that captures moments of history, it is also a work of art. Not everyone can become a photo artist, but even preschoolers can learn to capture their lives in pictures. Because there is a smartphone with a camera, it is always at hand, clicks automatic settings, manages to grab the main events of his personal life. A new direction of photography - mobilography - has firmly entered our lives. Does this mean that it's time to write off the more bulky cameras? Not! Of course, the film "Changes" and "Zeniths" have become museum exhibits. But digital and SLR cameras have come to replace them, which compete with mobile phones. We will talk about which camera for a beginner to choose below.

Arguments in favor of the camera

Even without delving into the essence of photography, you can explain on your fingers the advantages of a camera over a smartphone, including its latest versions.

Detailing

Image quality depends on the matrix: the larger it is, the more light it receives. With the same number of pixels per mm² a smartphone will have fewer of these millimeters, therefore, it will collect less light. A matrix of normal sizes (for example, 23.5 by 15.6 mm, as in an average mirrorless camera) cannot be installed on a phone. As a result, the picture will lose in color, contrast, which is imperceptible on a small smart screen, but already noticeable on a computer monitor.

Another minus of a small matrix is ​​the lens design. You can control this "physics" of the image only with a large matrix; on the phone, compensation at the software level gives a fake for the quality of the image.

Color reproduction

A qualitative indicator is when there is a transfer of shades, halftones. On a small matrix, dots-pixels are placed tightly, color rays are mixed, tonal transitions cease to display a real color image.It is high-quality color reproduction that is an important advantage of cameras over mobile phones with cameras. Example below: The left side was shot with a smartphone, the right side with a DSLR:

The feeling of space, colors, small details - they look flat on a smartphone, the reason is the matrix and the quality of the optics. On cameras, volume, drawing the foreground and background looks more interesting, due to the greater number of shades, the delicacy of the image, and the wide range of colors. Filters for color reproduction are more diverse.

Shooting in low light

Here, no mobile phone is able to compete with the camera. Indoors, in the evening, on a snowy slope - automatic adjustment will give a narrow range of white and gray colors. Neither a flash, nor two lenses, nor a CMOS sensor will solve the problem of high-quality light transmission in a smartphone. The camera, which has a high sensitivity of the matrix, calmly shoots in poor lighting, both in the dark side (night) and in the bright side (snow).

Settings

Smart shoots, as a rule, in automatic mode. The camera allows for creativity, manual adjustment of settings. Moreover, all of them are located conveniently, close, no need to rummage through the menu to set up each next series of shots.

Additional optics

Any photographer knows that a lot depends on the lens. The smartphone has limitations in terms of optics: it is not possible to install multiple lenses or an interchangeable lens, it is built-in. Cameras with interchangeable lenses with a wide aperture, using a zoom lens, filters are simply out of competition with mobile phones.

On the phone, you can also zoom in on the picture, but this will not be an increase, but an image stretching, which reduces the quality of the picture.The so-called interchangeable lenses for smartphones (macro, fish-eye, etc.) are overlays for creating optical effects.

Shooting on the move

The phone has stabilization for shooting sports, animals, moving objects, but it does not always work the way a photographer needs. In cameras with electronic shutters, shutter speeds are ultra-short, which do not allow a moving person to be “smeared” across the frame.

Cameras also have autofocus, which is adjusted to a specific photo shoot, tracking autofocus. Therefore, it will not work to enlarge, print and hang on the wall photos of running children taken on the phone, and the frame taken on the camera will easily become a picture.

Filters

They are present in both studied devices. But in digital, these effects work delicately with light, while maintaining high-quality tone and organic saturation.

Camera or smartphone

Of course, to say that a smartphone camera is generally not suitable for shooting is not worth it. This additional feature will help you take selfies from unusual angles. On the phone, you can shoot non-staged shots when a person is not preparing, not posing (seeing the lens, they usually begin to portray something, losing their naturalness).

On the phone, you can take a test photo of an object, a landscape, so that later you can return with a camera for a high-quality picture. Even the quality of a smartphone is enough if the photos are posted on Instagram. Until recently, the priority in the speed of posting photos was the phone, now there are Wi-fi modules on the cameras, the pictures are instantly in the mobile device.

As a result, experts and specialists in photography agreed that shooting with a smartphone corresponds to a note in a notebook so as not to forget an event, a story.The camera is creativity, inspiration, development of skill, the most important thing is to trust only it. Those in whom the artist is dozing, carefully read the further recommendations for acquiring a good device.

Camera Basics

To become a fashion designer, you need to understand the rules of cutting fabric, the principle of the sewing machine. To become a good photographer, you need to know how the picture "gets into the eye from which the bird flies." The word "photography" means "drawing with light". The camera does not capture objects, but the light reflected from them. The main thing in photography is to learn how to work with light.

The light reflected from the subject enters the lens, onto the matrix, which is a light-sensitive sensor. Millions of sensitive elements here receive light, process it and transmit it digitally to the processor. The processor saves the image, writes it to memory.

Matrix

The matrix has two characteristics - resolution and physical size:

1. Resolution is the number of pixels (light-sensitive dots 1-3 microns in size), the more of them, the higher the quality of the image. The average value of this indicator is 16-36 million pixels.
2. Size - the larger the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe matrix, the higher its light sensitivity. Smartphone and camera shots taken at the same resolution will have different quality. In cameras, the matrix is ​​larger, which makes them more expensive: the smaller the matrix, the more budgetary the purchase and the lower the quality.

The only advantage of a small matrix is ​​a powerful depth of field. Suitable for a home archive, but this is unacceptable for artists - there is no blurring of the background, it is impossible to make a high-quality portrait.

The larger the matrix, the larger the camera body.Optical laws will not allow to make a compact lens for a large matrix, a full-frame device with interchangeable lenses will weigh solidly and take up more space. Here it is appropriate to apply the rule of the "golden mean": the average matrix will give good quality and reduce weight with dimensions.

What are the cameras

The most unpretentious camera is a mobile one installed in the phone. Much has already been said about her.

Compact

In everyday life it is called a "soap dish". The devices are small, budget, without difficulties. The matrices are small or medium, the lens is non-removable, universal. As a rule, shooting takes place in auto mode (Point-and-shoot - point-and-shoot).

Among the compacts, a class with the “zoom” function (hyperzoom, ultrazoom) stands out. The essence of the characteristic of the lens is how much the camera can bring the object being shot closer. This is not the most important point when choosing a camera, but it is useful to consider.

There are also advanced compacts, where medium-sized matrices, manual control, and a fast aperture lens appeared. Focus fixed. An excellent option in terms of size and quality, but the price is very high, although the lens is not removable.

Compacts are useful for those who take pictures for memory, are not loaded with special settings and effects - a good option for travel. Even professionals sometimes use soap dishes as a second camera.

• miniature and light weight;
• in normal lighting, good pictures are obtained;
• suitable even for teaching a child, full automatic;
• depth of field for family history is a positive factor;
• battery operated, reasonable price.

• small matrix, weak flash;
• poor quality lenses, built-in, you can’t change;
• built-in lens with variable autofocus;
• color reproduction is poor, there are no manual settings;
• flash cannot be connected.

Interchangeable lens compacts

A relatively new type, rapidly gaining popularity, was called "mirrorless" cameras. They are good because they took the best from compacts and DSLRs: they are small-sized, but they have removable lenses, large matrices. Ergonomics suffered in this hybrid: the device is not as comfortable in the hand as any of the cameras of the first two types.

Somewhat annoying is the lack of a viewfinder and less battery life. But the appearance is very interesting, the owners and experts call mirrorless cameras stylish things. The main advantage of this type: high-quality photos in a compact form. Very good camera for long trips, but you need to take spare batteries.

• small digital camera, convenient for travel;
• excellent quality, the matrix is ​​​​above average;
• interchangeable optics expands the possibilities.

• no viewfinder;
• the park of optics is minimal;
• poor ergonomics, uncomfortable to hold.

SLR camera

The household name for this species is SLR (SLR). The essence of the name: a device made of a mirror and a reflector, without the participation of electronics, allows you to see the picture that you are going to capture. The mirror stands in front of the matrix, transmitting the image to the screen, rises at the moment the start button is pressed, the light hits the matrix, the photo is taken.

SLR cameras come in several types:

In DSLRs, large matrices are installed, up to full-frame ones. The quality of the pictures is at a high artistic level. They have removable lenses, you can choose what kind of shooting you prefer to do.With one lens you can shoot ants, with the other you can shoot sports, make gorgeous portraits and paintings of nature. Standard "whale" optics included - universal, but not for macro photography or fine arts. Lenses can be purchased, but the pleasure is expensive.

The device is very fast, the speed of work is the advantage of DSLRs: autofocus is fast, the response to the actions of the photographer is instantaneous. It is configured for creative projects with a couple of buttons, without searching the menu. All controls are on the case at hand. Battery operated very economically, one charge is enough for 700-1000 shots. The downside is the size and weight of the camera. Prices range from economy to premium.

• high-quality digital equipment, professional;
• very fast camera - high-speed shooting;
• ergonomics at height, energy consumption is minimal;
• there is autofocus and manual adjustment;
• a lot of additional removable optics for every taste and request.

• the price is high;
• takes up a lot of space, a lot of weight.

Other variations

There are other varieties of digital cameras, such as "rangefinder", medium format, full frame, but this is definitely not for beginners, especially for the price. Cameras with an increased focal length (“ultrasound”) are a publicity stunt, because only a removable long-focus lens solves the problem, the optics of the ultrazoom are non-removable.

A separate item when choosing a digital camera is the presence of a Wi-fi interface function. This is not the main thing in the camera, but it is easier to transfer data via the Internet, print it out.

Most cameras have a Full HD function - video recording. But it is impossible to get a good video from a budget figure. The quality of video recording also directly depends on the size of the matrix.A decent video can only be obtained on a SLR.

TOP 8: The best digital camera manufacturers

According to the rating of market experts for the first quarter of 2022, the list of the best manufacturers (by quality, demand, price) looks like this:

CANON is the ultimate guarantee of quality. The absolute leader in the production of photographic equipment. There are several lines for sale:

• Canon IXUS - budget ultra-compact;
• Canon PowerShot - compacts, ultrazooms;
• Canon EOS M - compact with interchangeable lenses;
• Canon EOS - DSLRs (compact, underwater, ultras). Photomirror devices of the company are divided into amateur, semi- and professional.

NIKON is an old company with rich experience and modern know-how. Takes 2nd place. Nikon digital camera lines:

• Nikon Coolpix - compact, ultrazoom;
• Nikon 1 - compact with interchangeable lenses;
• Nikon D - SLR cameras of three classes (amateur, semi-professional, professional).

SONY - reliability, quality factor.

• Sony Cyber-shot - premium compact, ultrazoom;
• Sony Alpha NEX - mirrorless compact with interchangeable lenses;
• Sony Alpha SLT - DSLRs with translucent glass.

PENTAX is a camera brand of the Ricoh Imaging Company.

They produce compact digital cameras, ultrazooms, underwater cameras, with interchangeable lenses, reflex cameras.

PANASONIC - the most sensitive.

• Panasonic Lumix - ultra-compact, superzoom, ultrazoom, waterproof, premium compacts;
• Panasonic Lumix G are compact mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses.

OLYMPUS - the latest technology.

• Olympus Stylus - compact;
• Olympus Pen, Olympus OM-D - compacts with interchangeable lenses (ultrasounds, waterproof, mirrorless).

SAMSUNG - budget compacts.

• Samsung NX - compacts with interchangeable lenses.

FUJIFILM - high-speed mirrorless. Rulers:

• Fujifilm FinePix - compact cameras, ultrazooms;
• Fujifilm X - premium compacts, models with interchangeable lenses.

If you have turned to photography for the first time, you can look at cameras from compact manufacturers from this list. It will be cheap and cheerful, but not at all artistic, without the right to creativity. Having mastered the camera of a smartphone and a soap dish, one cannot call oneself a photographer, because photography does not happen on fully automatic shooting parameters. Beginners need to take a closer look at digital SLR cameras.

TOP 7 Best SLR Cameras 2022

Experts divide amateurs into beginners and advanced. Beginning photo artists are offered a minimum of settings, many auto modes, the most economical option. It is not known whether there will be a persistent interest in photography, whether the desire will grow and develop in this direction, because the proposals are simple, but not up to compact soap dishes.

For those who are fond of photography, digital SLR cameras are more interesting, it becomes possible to work creatively on the frame. These devices have a higher resource, it is possible to install resident programs with the functionality of a semi-professional segment.

Category	Place	Name
For beginners	1	Nikon D3500 Kit
	2	Nikon D5300 Kit
	3	Canon EOS 2000D
	4	Canon EOS 1300D Kit
Amateur advanced level	1	Canon EOS 800D Kit
	2	Nikon D5600 Kit
	3	Canon EOS 200D Kit

Nikon D3500 Kit

31 490 - 46 490 rubles.

The camera won the TIPA Awards Best DSLR Camera in 2019. The main parameters remained from the previous version (D3400):

• matrix - 24 megapixels, allowing you to print pictures of A3 format;
• autofocus - 11-point;
• Full HD (resolution 1920×1080) with frame rate (frame rate) at 60 fps.

The new version has improved ergonomics, the handle has been changed, the weight of the device has been reduced, and the buttons have been more conveniently located. A pleasant surprise for creative natures - there are fewer auto modes. It will seem difficult for beginners, but it’s better to get used to independence right away if you want to get a high-quality exclusive at the end. If it's unclear or lazy, then auto "creative effects" will help you.

The camera turns on quickly, the shutter button is inside the switch, the first frame can be taken instantly. Progressive change - increased autonomy. With an identical battery, the camera lasts twice as long, making it useful for long-distance travel.

• excellent ergonomics;
• a wide selection of kit optics;
• a matrix without a low-pass filter provides high-quality image clarity;
• powerful dynamic range, increased ISO range (matrix sensitivity to light).

• no micron input;
• the screen is fixed, there is no sensor;
• autofocus cross one, stands in the center.

Nikon D5300 Kit 18-55

36,990 - 51,192 rubles.

Matrix - 24.2 megapixels gives excellent detail in the frame. ISO sensitivity from 1.5 to 3200. The camera response speed allows you to get high-quality pictures in 80%, making them “offhand from the hip”. The rear display (folding) changes the angle of rotation, this will facilitate shooting in difficult awkward positions. For beginner photographers, this is the best model, because it gives the basics of professional photography.

The entry level here starts with a JPEG in auto mode. Having mastered, you can switch to RAW, after carefully studying the instructions. What does it give:

• noise reduction (including ISO 3200);
• fast autofocus;
• new color options.

The camera has Wi-Fi, GPS (insert geotags). The rapid transfer of images via a smartphone is very relevant today.

• fast autofocus, almost professional;
• APS-C matrix is ​​not noisy;
• photography is easy to learn, step by step - from simple to complex.

• requires frequent cleaning from dust;
• autofocus sometimes does not work;
• Noise increases when recording video.

By the way, you can read about the best lenses for Nikon cameras here.

Canon EOS 2000D 18-55

24 990 - 27 990 rubles.

This digital camera raises a lot of questions from experts, but the consumer, buying a model, brings the "two-thousander" to the sales leaders. This is the lower segment of the DSLR, the most budgetary, little has changed in it for a whole decade. The DIGIC 4+ processor appeared in cameras five years ago, back in the 1300D. The screen has become wider - 3 inches, but the resolution is only 0.92 megapixels, ten years ago it was impressive, today it is an outdated version.

From the useful, a metal bayonet appeared, a diopter corrector was installed on the viewfinder. Well-forgotten old - the switch returned, which in several versions was thrust into the mode selector. Standard innovation - Wi-Fi was diluted with NFC to quickly connect to a smartphone.

Autonomy - within 500 shots, this is frankly not enough.

• decent ergonomics;
• the most convenient price for this level of DSLRs.

• there is no sync contact on the “hot shoe”;
• memory card and battery under one cover;
• there is no auto-cleaning of the matrix.

Canon EOS 1300D Kit

22 990 - 24 990 rubles.

A camera without pretensions to a professional SLR - a whale lens, a lot of auto modes.Outwardly, it repeats the previous model (1200 D), but pleasant changes have taken place inside. The screen has improved qualitatively, the processor has become more powerful (Digic 4+), Wi-Fi with NFC has been added.

A large matrix, the same one is in the expensive EOS 100D DSLR. The autofocus speed on the kit lens is pleasantly impressive. Distortions during close-up shooting are minimal, this allows you to take portrait shots, and the proportions of architectural structures will not be distorted. Quite decent built-in filters.

• great price for such functionality;
• convenient simple settings;
• good matrix.

• not enough focus points;
• in video mode, the speed of autofocus drops very much.

Canon EOS 800D Kit

44 990 - 55 990 rubles.

The camera is not new, released two years ago, but absolutely not outdated. The level is between amateur and semi-professional. Dual Pixel matrix, high-speed focusing, 45-point autofocus, processor - DIGIC 7. Added to this is video stabilization, a high-quality sensor that rotates - for an amateur with a claim to professionalism, such a digital camera is enough for the eyes.

For better perception and understanding, the menu switches to a graphical interface, it is more familiar, more convenient, easier for beginners. Good auto modes, excellent metering, automatic white balance is correct. Serial shooting is especially noted here. In JPEG auto mode, it will click as long as the button is pressed until the SD card is full. Frequency - 6 frames / sec. The buffer captures 27 RAW frames - a high level indicator. For lovers - this is what you need.

• fast, clear autofocus even in Live View;
• image quality pleases;
• understandable, simple, shows miracles of flexibility.

• autonomy is limited to 600 frames;
• Do not manually set the white balance, only automatically.

How to choose a lens for Canon cameras, see separate article.

Nikon D5600 Kit

35 440 - 57 990 rubles.

A worthy competitor to Canon's 800D DSLR. This camera, for example, has a sensor: the focus point will follow the finger moving across the right half of the screen. This speeds up the AF point selection process when shooting through the viewfinder. Cons: Only suitable for right-handers.

The battery lasts for 970 shots. Many good auto modes, starting with them, it will be difficult to spoil the picture. Autofocus is fast, but there are fewer focusing crosses. This camera loses to its rival due to the lack of a Dual Pixel matrix. In continuous shooting, it produces 5 frames / sec, the buffer fills up in 6-7 frames.

RAW quality goes at 3 fps, which is not a very good indicator. In JPEG, after 20 frames, high-speed shooting will slow down.

For a beginner, this mirror photo digit will be useful, convenient, even somewhat fancy. But it does not pull burst shooting, as it should.

• very clear metering and white balance;
• the quality of the matrix could be better at this price;
• autofocus points switch quickly, easily;
• excellent image quality in difficult light conditions.

• continuous shooting capabilities are weak;
• no video stabilization;
• the price seems too high.

Canon EOS 200D Kit

RUB 36,490

This camera is very good "for growth", a step towards professionalism. It will serve and delight with decent functionality for a long time. In 2018, this DSLR also received an award. The advantage of the camera is a matrix (Dual Pixel), which allows you to use an electronic end-to-end viewfinder (Live View).True, by reducing the price of the goods, the manufacturer cut the focus - 9 points remained, but all of them were crossed. There are questions about ergonomics: the mode selector is pressed into the case, the video switch button is combined with the power switch. For beginners, a simplified interface is provided (you can switch to the classic one), a photo can be taken in one motion by pointing your finger at the touchscreen. But the Russified version of the tips with a bunch of abbreviations can confuse a beginner. The ISO operating range is small (but the price is lower). But the sharpness, the dynamic range, are getting better with each model.

• dual pixel matrix;
• detail in the frame is excellent;
• good quality video recording
• tracking autofocus in Live View.

• the range of working ISO is frankly small;
• few autofocus points;
• battery under one cover with an SD card.

Expensive or high quality

At first glance, the price of cameras seems too big. But let's remember the age-old wisdom: a miser pays twice. If a child can be presented with an unpretentious compact, then with age, if there is an interest in photography, it is better not to crawl up the price ladder along each step. You can buy a good camera on credit, it will last for a long time, then you can buy more lenses.

When choosing a camera, remember that the image quality is ensured by the matrix: the larger the pixel, the more noise there will be in the frame. An option for beginners and advanced is Full-Frame matrices, the size of which exactly corresponds to ordinary 24 by 36 mm film. Technologies allow you to adjust the sensitivity of the matrix, it was impossible with film.

Enough for aspiring whale photographers for a long time.With the advent of experience, you can gradually collect your own fleet of lenses that are needed for specific interests, hone your skills, surprise and delight this beautiful world full of colors and amazing stories with pictures.