Top 5 Cameras on Amazon for Beginners (2023)
Top 5 Cameras on Amazon for Beginners (2023)
This is surprisingly a hot debate in the entertainment industry. Depending on who you ask, some swear by canon, sony, or whatever was typically their first camera. Mine is Canon, and my argument is their color space. Some will tell you mirrorless is better and some will tell you to not even bother and just use your Iphone (not something I recommend). It can be pretty daunting to try and pick the right camera for you, especially if you’ve never owned one before. I’m going give you my top 5 cameras based on affordability, ease of use and quality.
The Rebel is a staple of amateur photography and videography. It’s enough camera to make you look professional and won’t break the bank. The Rebel is a medium size light weight camera that is surprisingly durable. This camera is a workhorse that is going to give you consistent and reliable output. Let’s discuss the Pro’s and Con’s of this one:
Pro’s:
-It features a 24.1 MP APS-C CMOS sensor that is capable of shooting 1920p and 1080p. What does that mean? It means that you’re going to get a good sharp image with Canon’s beautiful color space at the same quality that most people stream movies.
-It has a very straight forward interface that will allow you to adjust basic settings like white balance, ISO, shutter speed, auto-focus points and much more.
-Light weight and durability makes it great for run and gun shooting or all day shooting.
-It comes in at around $400 on amazon making it one of the more affordable cameras on the market.
Con’s:
-Does not shoot slow motion or higher resolution than 1920p
-Limited settings and adjustments
-This camera is considered a lower end DSLR (don’t expect to shoot a feature movie)
-Short Battery life
The a6000 is a mirrorless SLR with a 24.3 MP sensor. It is smaller than the Rebel and a bit higher end. The Sony Alpha series is known for their insanely sensitive sensors that can utilize extremely high ISO without affecting color noise. If you’ve ever tried to take a picture in the dark and notice that your camera gets super grainy, that is because your camera's sensor is being pushed beyond its ISO limits. Let’s discuss the Pro’s and Con’s of this one:
Pro’s:
- Mirrorless full frame sensor allows you to capture a larger image so you can digitally zoom in the image after it has been taken
-High functional ISO range allows for photos in darker environments without loss to picture quality
-Auto Focus with 179 detection points
-HDMI port allows you to connect a monitor for more versatile shooting
Con’s:
-Higher price point, typically around $600
-Smaller more fragile body that is less ergonomic
-Shorter Battery life
-Sony color space is not the best (images may not be as vibrant)
The D3500 is a step up from the Rebel and very similar in respect to the body size, ergonomics and durability. This camera has a 24.2 MP sensor which is capable of shooting 1080p at 60 fps. Nikon is known more for photography than video and it shows with this camera. If you’re interested in photography then this is the ideal beginner camera. Pro’s and Con’s time:
Pro’s:
-Great image quality with Nikon’s spectacular color space
-Straightforward plug and play interface is great for beginners
-Long battery life, up to 1,500 photos
-Supports dynamic auto focusing
Con’s:
-No external microphone port (limited to poor quality built in mic)
-Slow transfer times
-Does not support Wi-Fi or NFC like the a6000 and Rebel do
-Higher price point around $600
I may be a little biased because this camera was my first so it had to make the list. Full frame sensor with 20.2 MP and a higher native ISO range. This camera is an all around great camera for any situation (and it’s weather sealed). I still own this camera and mainly use it for photography now. It has lasted 6 years of continuous work and never failed me. Pro’s and Con’s:
Pro’s
-Excellent image quality with canon color space plus full frame sensor
-Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS allows you to connect to your phone and use it as a viewfinder as well as geotag images and videos
-Great battery life, allows connection of a dual battery attachment
-Articulating LCD touchscreen and full blown control of settings with multiple preset shooting profiles
Con’s:
-Only shoots 1080p in 30 fps for video
-No built in flash
-Slower burst for action photography
-Only 11 autofocus detection points
-Very high price point for beginner camera, usually around $1,200
Last but absolutely not least, this camera is wild. Disclaimer: You can use this camera as a beginner but you will need to educate yourself on how to use it and how to edit the footage you get. Now that’s out of the way, this camera is in a different league. The Black Magic records video in raw which is what the highest end cameras do. That means that when you edit your footage you will have the most control over the post process as possible. It is also capable of shooting 4K which is the professional industry standard. Pro’s and Con’s:
Pro’s:
-4K recording up to 60 fps
-Raw image recording with Black Magic gamut
-13 stops of dynamic range making color correction extremely powerful
-Lightweight camera for its capabilities
-Large LCD screen
Con’s:
-Advanced features that will take education to utilize
-Very limited still photography capabilities
-No autofocus capabilities
-Micro four thirds lens mount (not universally friendly with most lenses)
-Very high price point, usually around $1,500
This is not an exhaustive list. There are many great cameras in the market and most of them will come in kits with attachments, lenses and tripods. You will do well with any of the cameras listed above. Also, the quality of images and videos depends on the one taking them as much as the camera. Always have personal projects to sharpen your skills and don’t be afraid to experiment with your new camera.
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