Selecting your first camera is a daunting decision. The market offers a wide array of options, from compact point-and-shoot cameras to advanced DSLRs and mirrorless models. Your heart and your brain may give conflicting views on what type of camera is best for you, but all I can do here is give your brain points to consider. The rest will be up to you.
How I selected My Camera Type
The first step for me to consider was how I planned to use the camera. I was looking for a travel camera a few years ago. My intention was that, for most of my travelling, I could leave my bulky DSLR behind and use this new camera with minimal loss of features and photo quality. My requirements were…
- My budget was modest, so I could not simply select a top-of-the-range model that was sure to give everything I could ever need.
- It had to give first-class photo quality
- I wanted to have video capability too, even though I rarely take videos
- It had to be small enough that I could put it in my pocket and that I could always carry it
- I wanted a wireless trigger so I could take selfies etc.
- I did not need or want interchangeable lenses
- It’s built-in lens had to be able to zoom from wide angle to extreme telephoto
- It had to have manual modes so I could do creative photography
- It had to have a tripod mount
- It had to save images as RAW files
- I wanted to be able to use external flashes with the camera – for more creative photography
- I wanted to take underwater photography, so it had to have a waterproof housing
After a lot of searching, I found that I could not get my entire wish list within my budget, so I had to trim my list according to what was available on the market at the time. I couldn’t have the RAW capability or the wireless trigger, or the external flash control. Everything else was available, so I bought the camera (Lumix TZ-40) and have been very happy with it for years now.
But here’s the trick… I know what the camera can do and what it cannot do. I don’t expect it to do anything it was never designed to do, and sometimes I have to be a bit creative to get the photo I want.
What Do You Want From Your Camera
You need to make your list like I did above. I’ve included a comprehensive list of questions here that should get your brain working. Jot down the items that matter to you, and also any other thoughts that this list triggers. Try to whittle your list down as much as possible.
From your list you should be able to decide whether you would want a compact camera, a DSLR, a mirrorless camera, or maybe your existing smartphone/iPhone enough for you.
- What is my primary goal with this camera (e.g., casual photography, travel photography, blogging, vlogging, professional work)?
- Will I use it mainly for still photos, videos, or both?
- Do I want a small camera for portability, or am I willing to carry a larger camera for enhanced features?
- How important is the camera’s weight and size for my intended use?
- Am I interested in learning and growing my photography skills, or do I prefer a straightforward, point-and-shoot experience?
- What photography genres do I want to explore (e.g., landscapes, portraits, sports, wildlife, macro)?
- Do I have specific low-light or night photography needs?
- Will I be shooting indoors, outdoors, or in remote locations?
- Do I intend to capture fast-moving subjects (sports, wildlife)?
- Am I interested in macro photography?
- What is my budget for the camera and necessary accessories? Include essential accessories here, like essential extra lenses, spare batteries and SD cards.
- Am I open to buying used or refurbished cameras to save money while still getting a higher spec camera?
- Do I prefer a point-and-shoot camera for its simplicity and portability?
- Am I interested in a DSLR or mirrorless camera for more advanced features and interchangeable lenses?
- Is there a specific brand or system I’m already invested in or prefer?
- How comfortable am I with manual camera settings and controls?
- Do I prefer a camera with automatic modes and scene recognition for ease of use?
- Is a touchscreen interface important to me?
- Do I need a camera with a viewfinder, or am I comfortable using just the LCD screen?
- How important is image quality to me (e.g., sharpness, low noise)?
- Am I willing to trade some portability for a larger sensor in a mirrorless or DSLR camera?
- Do I have preferences regarding sensor types (e.g., APS-C, Full-frame, Micro Four Thirds)?
- Do I want the option to change lenses for different photography styles?
- How many lenses am I willing to invest in and carry with me?
- Is lens compatibility with future camera upgrades a concern?
- Will I be using the camera for video recording, and if so, what are my video quality requirements (e.g., 4K, Full HD)?
- Do I need features like microphone inputs, headphone jacks, or image stabilization for video?
- How important is the camera’s autofocus performance during video recording?
- Do I want built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for easy image transfer to my smartphone or tablet?
- Is remote control via a mobile app something I desire?
- Will I need a camera with GPS for geotagging photos?
- How important is a camera with a USB-C or HDMI output for connecting to other devices?
- What is my expected usage duration, and does the camera’s battery life meet these needs?
- Am I willing to carry spare batteries, and are they readily available for purchase?
- Will I have access to charging options while on the go?
- Will I be using the camera in challenging environments or adverse weather conditions?
- Do I need a camera with weather sealing for protection against dust and moisture?
- Is a durable, metal body a priority for me?
- What accessories do I plan to use with the camera (e.g., external flash, tripod, filters)?
- Are there specific third-party accessories or lenses I want compatibility with?
- Do I need a camera with a hot shoe for attaching accessories like external flashes?
- Is a camera with in-camera creative filters or presets important for my style?
How to Set Your Budget
You can try setting a budget blind – where you don’t know what camera you will need but have just chosen a dollar amount out of thin air. You may find it difficult to get a suitable camera at that amount. Of course, if your budget is fixed, you can always look at the secondhand market for something with a high specification but that’s a few years old. Most of my camera purchases have been on the secondhand market, and I’ve never bought a lemon. Worst-case, I’ve maybe bought a camera with a few cosmetic blemishes, like you would expect of an item that has had normal use. I’ve always got a bargain, though.
When setting your budget, remember that your plan is probably to use this camera for a number of years. “Going cheap” now could mean you may find yourself upgrading sooner than you expected. Equally, aiming too high could mean you have a camera you have difficulty in using, or that does lots of irrelevant (to you) things.
What Types Of Camera Are Available
I have split the camera types in the four areas in this table. Once you decide the type of camera you need, you can start looking at specific camera models.
| Camera Type | Uses |
| Compact Camera | Travel, Blogging, Vlogging, Landscape, Portraits, Street Photography, Product Photography, Sunset |
| DSLR | Blogging, Vlogging, Landscape, Portraits, Studio Photography, Product Photography, Macro, Sunset, Wildlife, Astro Photography |
| Mirrorless | Blogging, Vlogging, Landscape, Portraits, Studio Photography, Product Photography, Macro, Sunset, Wildlife, Astro Photography |
| SmartPhone | Blogging, Vlogging, Landscape, Portraits, Product Photography |
There is no one-camera-for-one-function, so that the table above shows the typical uses for the camera types. Can a DSLR be used for travel photography? Of course it can. Can a compact camera be used for Astro photography? Possibly, but it will require more effort on the photographers part to get the desired results.
Ok, I know what camera type I want, what do I do now?
Now that you know that you want to buy a Compact Camera, or a DSLR, or a Mirrorless Camera, etc. It’s time to start looking at the options available in that type. This is where you would start to do your research to find the best camera in your selected area, and compare the features, etc.
A general rule of thumb is that more features generally mean a higher price. Remember that in trying to satisfy your features checklist, some points are deal-breakers, while there can be flexibility in others. Super-high ISO capabilities may be essential for you, while, though you want 4K video capability, you would settle for 1080p video.
You’re not looking for the best camera, you’re looking for the best camera for you.