How to Choose the Best Camera for you? | Camera Buying Guide

If you are interested in buying a camera but don’t know much about it! Don’t worry we’ve got you all covered. What camera you should buy? Which camera brand you should opt for? What lenses you should choose? What things you should keep in mind? We have answered all such questions in our blog!

When I first bought a camera I didn’t really knew what to prioritize and what to loose according to my need. And many people seem to be in similar situation. So here I am now to take you out of this situation.

Can you afford a New Camera?

I would simply tell you to buy a good used camera instead of buying a low-key new camera. When I was a beginner I always got attracted to new cameras that I could even afford. And the option that I got in my budget was pretty average.

So I would always advise you to get a used camera(if in a good condition) with good specs. You can simply get 2-3 years old higher-level models at least 40-50% of their original price.

You can buy a used camera from eBay or any local store near you. But yeah I’ll caution you to check the condition of the camera thoroughly or take it to an official store and get it diagnosed before buying it. If possible visit photo studios near you, if a photographer is upgrading then you might find a great deal.

If a used camera is in good condition then nobody could tell you if the picture taken is from a old used camera. Not just for cameras but the used lenses are also a good choice. Since our dream lenses are out of our budget you can get a used one, if in a good condition. Be sure that there are no internal damages, scratches on the outer body could be avoided.

Photography gears are so expensive and buying used would help you to learn the tech and get grip over it, and then you could finally invest in new gears once you are comfortable.

My Camera Suggestions!

Here I have bifurcated some of the best cameras out there according to their price range.

Canon 1500D (DSLR beginner)

Features:

• 24.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS
• 9 Point AF
• Standard ISO 100-6400 (expandable to 12800)
• Wi-Fi / NFC supported
• DIGIC 4+ image processor
• 7.62cm LCD display

Observations:

Good for both Photography and Videography, No port for External mic, Manual flash won’t work (TTL flash will work)

Check the Recent Price Here

Nikon D3500 (DSLR beginner)

Features:

• 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS
• 11 Point AF
• 5 FPS shooting
• Standard ISO 100-25000
• Wi-Fi / NFC , Bluetooth supported
• Expeed 4 image processor
• 3inchLCD display

Observations:

Good for Photography, Continuous focus hunting while video shooting

Check the Recent Price Here 

Nikon D5600 (DSLR Above beginner)

Features:

• 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS
• Standard ISO 100-25600
• Wi-Fi / NFC, Bluetooth supported
• Expeed 4 image processor
• 9cm LCD display

Observations:

Focus shifting is not smooth while recording video

Check the Recent Price Here

Canon M50 Mark ii (Mirrorless Above beginner)

Features:

• 24.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS
• 10 FPS
• Standard ISO 100-12800 (expandable to 51200)
• Wi-Fi / NFC supported
• DIGIC 8 image processor
• 7.62cm LCD display
• 4k supported

Observations:

Both photos and videos are amazing

Check the Recent Price Here

Sony Alpha ILCE-6400L (Mirrorless Intermediate)

Features:

• 24.2 megapixel EXMOR CMOS
• 425 phase-detection AF points
• Standard ISO 100-32000 (expandable upto 102400)
• Wi-Fi / NFC, Bluetooth supported
• 11 fps
• 4k supported

Observations:

11fps is an Advantage, average battery life

Check the Recent Price Here

Canon EOS 80D (DSLR Intermediate)

Features:

• 24.2 megapixel enhanced Dual pixel CMOS
• 45 Point All Cross-Type AF
• 7 fps
• Standard ISO 100-25600
• Wi-Fi / NFC supported
• DIGIC 6 image processor

Observations:

Amazing Autofocus, Average Dynamic range

Check the Recent Price Here

Sony a7 III (Mirrorless Expert)

Features:

• 24.2 megapixel EXMOR
• 10 fps
• Standard ISO 100-51200 (expandable to 204800)
• Wi-Fi / NFC supported
• 7.5 cm type TFT
• 4k HDR supported

Observations:

Eye autofocus is just mind blowing, Not that great battery life

Check the Recent Price Here

DSLR or Mirrorless?

It totally depends on you. The best reason to choose a mirrorless camera over DSLR is it has a EVF i.e. electronic view finder which shows you the exact image that you are going to capture. The actual settings reflect in EVF so you’ll always be able to capture perfect moment.

Also the Mirrorless cameras are light in weight as they don’t have a mirror inside body where as DSLR packs a mirror. If you shoot for longer period of time than of course Mirrorless camera should be your pick.

Both types of cameras are capable of capturing best images. High-end Mirrorless cameras have 5-axis image stabilization which is just the cherry on cake. Image and Video quality wise both are same but it depends on the camera model and the user.

Don’t settle for less!

Think you are buying a new camera and the combo of camera and a kit lens that you are getting seems pretty cheap in compare to buying just the Camera body. But trust me don’t get the kit lens.

The bundle is kind of tempting to buy but see if you could get a better lens on adding some capital to your budget. The reason is simple that the kit lens that you get with the camera won’t have a wide aperture also the focal length won’t be of your choice.

And I damn sure if you buy a kit lens and took some pictures you would really miss that cinematic touch in your photos, that blurry background cause it’s done with the lens and not the camera itself.

I would really force you to buy a separate camera body and find a lens that suits best for your requirement. Also you could get some high end used lenses at cheap cost if you got lucky. And the results would be far better then the pictures taken on the kit lens.

Are you with a tight budget?

Go get shamed of it, we all are on a tight budget. If you ask me, I would tell you to go for a cheap camera and a good lens. If you don’t have any special requirement out of your camera then yeah lens is what you could pay more for. If you don’t want to shoot in low light (photos/videos) or 4k/slow-motion videos then you can get a basic camera body.

I know, we all love photos with great shallow depth of field (background blur) and this is what you can achieve with a fancy lens. Many of you won’t have an idea that the shallow depth of field depends on how wide an aperture your lens has. Aperture is the opening of the lens. The numbers like f1.4, f2.8, f4,….f11, f16, etc. are indicating aperture. The lower the number, the blurrier the background you’ll get in your photos.

What after few years?

You are investing in a lens eco-system. Yeah for sure after few years you’ll find your camera a bit outdated and would upgrade. But the lenses that you bought won’t be feel that old. As the innovations in the lenses are pretty slow as compared to camera tech getting upgrades now-a-days.

Around years you’ll make a set of lenses of the brand of which you own a camera. So yeah you’ll keep upgrading the camera body and keep the lenses. Even if you shift to another brand cameras, lens mount converters are easily available in the market.

Take a look a lens eco-system because that would occupy a good percentage of investment that you would make in your gear.

Not sure about buying?

Many people out right now don’t know the camera basics. They don’t want to put a lot of money without using or experiencing the cameras. There’s a simple solution to it. You could simply rent a gear and learn it or you could do an internship at a photo studio or could learn from any one in your circle if they know.

Lot of local camera stores give their gear for rent. So renting different cameras would give you better understanding of what camera brand suits you more. Once you feel confident you can make your investment in the gear you like.

Best Camera Buying Guide FAQs

What is the best camera to buy for a beginner photographer?

For buying the camera for the first time and don’t want to spend too much then I’ll recommend Canon EOS 1500D, or Nikon D3500. If you want to spend more then Canon M50 mark ii would be best.

What camera should I buy in 2021?

The best vlogging camera for 2021 in the market is Sony ZV-1. The only set back is you can’t change Lens. But the Auto focus is best in class you can get at this price. Flip screen comes in handy.

Is Canon or Nikon better?

It’s just personal preference. Most of the photographers choose Canon for its color science. Nikon is mostly used by Wildlife Photographers. But you can choose which suits you best.

Which is the best camera in the World?

There is no perfect answer to it. But the latest Sony a1 justifies its price and provides you all the top-notch specs that are available in the market. According to me if a camera provides the most value at affordable price then it is the best camera.    

Best camera under 50000?

i. Canon M50   ii. Nikon D3500  iii. Canon 200D mark ii  iv. Canon 1500D

Also Read:

Ultimate TV Buying Guide 2021- Points to keep in Mind!

boAt Airdopes 441 vs Realme buds Air vs Noise Shots Neo: Comparison