7 Best Cameras for Beginners in 2024

Finding the best camera for beginners is difficult, even with many available. The best option is to buy a camera that’s easy to use and produces good results to fuel enthusiasm. The camera should be affordable, and you might also want additional features like time-lapse and video.

The Canon EOS R100 is our choice as the best camera for beginners. It hits all of those objectives. Young and inexperienced photographers can pick it up and take great pictures immediately. It has an excellent collection of features. And it’s one of the most affordable mirrorless cameras on the market.

But if that’s not the one for you, keep reading to see all the best cameras for beginners.

What Is the Best Camera for Beginners?

The best camera for beginners should be easy to use, affordable, and full of features to help you get started. That’s why our top choice is the Canon EOS R100. But the Nikon Z50 and the Sony ZV-1 Mark II are other solid options if you prefer a different camera brand.

As technology advances, digital cameras become more complicated. That can seem like bad news for beginners and the less tech-savvy among us. But thankfully, some fantastic entry-level cameras are just right for beginners.

When looking for a camera, ease of use is always important. Young and old novices should be able to pick up the camera and start shooting within a few minutes. A good manual read is always advised, but you shouldn’t have to trawl through it for hours before taking your first picture.

The best beginner cameras also produce good results. You might be tempted to get a second-rate camera online because it’s cheap, but that kind of camera won’t satisfy beginners for long. But a good mirrorless camera from a proper photography brand produces encouraging and exciting results.

It’s also best to consider the price. We just advised against buying a bargain bucket camera because of its poor quality, so you must increase your budget slightly. But as you’ll see from our list, there are excellent beginner cameras at very reasonable prices.

Check out our selection of the best cameras for beginners in the table below. The section after has a more detailed description of each camera. If you need more information before you buy, we have a beginner camera buyer’s guide at the end of our article.

8 Best Cameras for Beginners

Now, we look closer at each camera to help you find the best camera for beginners. We’ve included compact and affordable mirrorless cameras. We even have one of the last entry-level DSLRs being produced.

We have cameras for photographers, vloggers, and video makers. And these cameras can do almost anything.

If you’re an absolute beginner hungry to pick up a camera, the Canon EOS R100 is the camera for you. It’s a true entry-level camera that is super easy to use and produces impressive results.

First, the R100’s main camera body size is compact, even for an APS-C camera. It’s Canon’s smallest mirrorless camera to date. It’s lightweight, which is a bonus for everyone. But this also makes the camera more usable for smaller hands, letting younger photographers get started.

Despite its small size, it still delivers beautiful 24.1 MP images. That’s better image quality than most smartphones, with clear details and lovely rich colors.

Canon’s patented Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus system provides excellent AF support. It works well with moving subjects and even tracks them when they move. It also has eye-detection technology, helping you shoot portraits.

While you can start shooting in auto mode, this beginner Canon camera has other modes to help you develop. You have Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Program modes. And when you’re ready, you can go fully manual.

With its 6.5 frames per second (fps) burst mode, you can try shooting action photography. It isn’t a record-breaking continuous shooting speed. But it’s good enough to try shooting wildlife, sport, or action photography.

A mirrorless camera isn’t complete without video features, and the R100 lets you record impressive 4K videos. When shooting in full resolution, the videos are cropped. But you can switch to Full HD for uncropped footage with a 60 fps frame rate.

You can also increase the video frame rate to 120 fps. This gives you stunning slow-motion videos, which are great for recording sports or fast action.

It’s easy to see why we’ve picked the Canon EOS R100 as the best camera for beginners. We haven’t even mentioned the price. With a kit lens included, it’s a bargain for beginner photographers! Plus, you have tons of budget Canon lenses to choose from.

Read our article on the best beginner Canon cameras if you want more options from this brand.

The Nikon Z50 is a small yet feature-packed mirrorless camera. It’s simple enough to learn to use and has tons of features that beginners can get excited about.

It’s an APS-C mirrorless camera with Nikon’s Z lens mount. That means it’s compatible with all the best Nikon Z lenses. There are plenty of options to choose from. But you can also buy the Z50 with a handy kit lens.

With a 20.9 MP image resolution, you get sharp, true-to-life photographs. The low-light performance is excellent for an entry-level camera. And you have a mix of auto, semi-auto, and manual controls for experimentation and development.

Its vibrant 4K video recording makes this a great option for young moviemakers. You can also shoot slow-motion footage at 120 fps with a Full HD resolution. And the Z50 has a built-in 4K time-lapse photography mode.

The flip-down LCD screen is a bonus for shooting selfies or vlogs. You can see yourself while filming, which can help you create the content you want.

You can also edit your photos in-camera. This beginner Nikon camera has a wide selection of filters and effects built-in. So you can edit your picture without using photo editing software.

Thanks to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, sharing your edited images is easy. You can transfer images and videos wirelessly to other devices. And you can take a picture and share it on social media in seconds.

The Nikon Z50 is the perfect camera for a young, enthusiastic content creator. Whether they want to make a splash on social media or pursue a career in digital marketing, the Z50 is a fantastic camera for beginners.

Compact cameras are a great place for beginners to start. And if this beginner loves creating video content, the ZV-1 Mark II is the best beginner camera for them.

As a compact camera, the ZV-1 II has a fixed lens. It’s a zoom lens with an 18-50mm zoom range, which gives you good flexibility when framing shots. And it’s a Zeiss lens, so there’s no doubt over the quality.

While only having a one-inch sensor, you still get lovely still images. The max resolution is 20 MP, which outperforms most smartphones by some distance.

But most people will opt for this beginner Sony camera for the video features. It gives you smooth and sharp 4K video footage. You can shoot with a vertical orientation, which is perfect for social media.

The camera also has built-in cinematic settings. It’s proving popular with live streamers and YouTubers as a high-resolution webcam.

The flip-out touchscreen makes video production easier, especially if you’re shooting vlogs or streaming. And it also has a built-in three-capsule mic. So you can record high-quality audio without an external microphone. It also comes with a wind muffler for recording outside.

The Sony ZV-1 II is the perfect starter camera for video makers. Whether streaming, vlogging, or making movies, this compact camera has everything you need.

While lightweight and compact, the Olympus OM System OM-5 is bursting with high-tech features. That might sound daunting for new photographers but fear not. The OM-5 is beginner-friendly for most adults.

A Micro Four Thirds (MFT) sensor makes the camera body more compact than most ASP-C mirrorless cameras. It fits in any of the best camera bags without issue.

The MFT sensor might be small but still packs a 20 MP punch. The images are rich in color and detail. And if that isn’t enough for you, there’s a high-resolution shot mode. It gives you incredible 50 MP images by compositing several exposures together.

OM Systems AF features have come on leaps and bounds. The 1,053-point focus system in the OM-5 is outstanding. It’s accurate when identifying and locking subjects. And the tracking is reliable even with rapid movements.

4K video at 30 fps makes this a mean video camera. This Olympus OM System camera has a vertical video mode for optimized social media content. You can also use it as a webcam for conference calls or live streaming.

Additional creative features include time-lapse and long exposure modes. You get specialist modes for astrophotography, which is usually a complicated field. And you can create composite images in the camera. You don’t need any photo editing software.

The OM System OM-5 is one of the pricier beginner cameras on this list. And it’s one of the more advanced. But it’s still a great option for beginners. It’s easy to use. And the features will fuel a beginner’s creativity in photography and videography.

With a stylish retro design, the Nikon Z fc is a great camera for getting started in photography. But this camera isn’t just stylish; it has excellent features too.

First, the APS-C sensor gives you a 20.9 MP image resolution, so your photos look fantastic. And you have on-camera exposure control, similar to old film cameras. It’s a great way to learn the basic camera controls and develop your skills.

Taking selfies and shooting vlogs is made easier with the rotating touchscreen. And the electronic viewfinder is bright and accurate.

4K video recording means the Z fc is a great option for movie enthusiasts and vloggers. The camera has a built-in stereo mic to record audio and video without extra gear. But there is a port for external devices if you want to use an external microphone.

It also has webcam functionality. So you can use it for live streaming or conference calls. Wi-Fi connectivity also makes transferring media to other devices wirelessly easy.

The retro design with tactile controls makes the Nikon Z fc a brilliant gateway camera. It looks great, has a full set of features, and helps you learn the basics.

The Canon EOS Rebel T8i would have been much higher on this list a little while ago. But DSLR cameras are a dying breed. The Rebel T8i (850D) remains one of the few in production. Even so, it’s still one of the best cameras for beginners.

A 24 MP sensor delivers beautiful images with well-rendered colors and accurate details. The camera has a healthy 100 to 12,800 ISO range, giving it plenty of wiggle room for varying light conditions.

The fully automatic controls are perfect if you’ve never used a digital camera. But you also have a good range of semi-auto modes to help you improve your skills. It won’t be long until you go fully manual.

With a 45-point cross-type autofocus system, you get excellent focus support. It gives you near-full frame coverage. It has eye-detection abilities. And it can track moving subjects as they move within the frame.

A 7 fps burst mode isn’t groundbreaking. But it does let you try your hand at action, sports, and wildlife photography.

This beginner Canon DSLR also records 4 K video. It is cropped and has a limited frame rate of 24 fps. But you can shoot in vertical video mode for social media content. It also works as a webcam for high-resolution streaming.

This DSLR also has an excellent ergonomic design. It is slightly more chunky than most mirrorless APS-C cameras. But it fits nicely in your hand without being heavy or cumbersome.

The EOS Rebel T8i remains one of the best cameras for beginners. DSLRs may be on the way out. But this camera is perfect for photographers still learning the ropes. Again, you also have tons of Canon lenses to choose from.

Cameras aren’t tougher or more rugged than the OM System Tough TG-7. It’s a pocket-sized point-and-shoot camera with excellent photography features. And it’s also one of the most durable cameras.

It’s completely waterproof down to 50 ft (15 m). And it’s not just waterproof. Five underwater shooting modes let the camera capture incredible images when fully submerged.

The Tough TG-7 is also dustproof, shockproof, and crushproof. It can also be used in freezing temperatures down to -10 C. So it’s perfect for your next snowboarding, skiing, or arctic adventure.

The one-inch sensor gives you a 12 MP resolution. That is limited compared to other modern compact cameras. But it still gives you gorgeous images that match or are better than many smartphone cameras.

With specialist macro modes, you can also try close-up macro photography. And you don’t need to buy any pro-level macro lenses. The all-in-one camera has everything you need inside.

It’s a great option for recording action videos. It has 4K recording with a 30 fps frame rate. And you can shoot slow-motion footage in Full HD. That’s perfect for recording yourself mountain biking or kayaking.

The Olympus OM System Tough TG-7 is ideal for the adventurous beginner. It’s as durable as a brick but has fun features that new photographers will enjoy.

Buyer’s Guide for Cameras for Beginners

Finding the best camera for beginners isn’t easy. Photography can be a complex and confusing topic, and a lot of jargon is associated with it. But once you master the basics, a new world of creativity opens up. 

We guide you through some camera basics. After a quick read of the information below, you’ll better understand photography. This will help you make a more informed decision when buying a beginner camera.

What Do I Look for in a Beginner Camera?

There are three general features for beginners to look for in a camera—usability, performance, and price. You also want decent sensor resolution, a wide ISO range, reliable autofocus, and good video resolution. Let’s look at each one for buying a beginner camera.

Ease of Use

A camera for beginners must be easy to use. With advanced technology, cameras have become increasingly complicated. And for beginners, a high-tech, complex camera with many functions isn’t very inviting.

A new user should be able to pick up an entry-level camera and start shooting within minutes. They might start on an automatic mode. But the main thing is that they can take pictures and create something immediately. Without that, enthusiasm quickly fades away.

That means a good Auto mode is important. But you also want other modes to help you develop your skills. Beginner cameras often have Shutter Priority and Aperture Priority modes. These semi-automatic modes help you take more control without throwing you in at the deep end.

Guide modes are also helpful. They are less common now. But true beginners’ cameras still have them. They are a great way to learn if you’re an absolute beginner. For instance, the R100 has a Mode guide and Feature guide that displays helpful information about the chosen mode or function.

Good Performance

A camera that produces bad results is another way to kill a beginner’s enthusiasm. If they don’t like any of the pictures they take, it won’t be long before they put the camera down for good. Getting a camera that delivers excellent photos and videos is worth it.

A few specifications indicate how the camera will perform before you use it. Some of these are image resolution, ISO range, and video resolution. We look at these specs in more detail below.

Decent Price

Everybody loves a bargain. But in photography, there are limits on how low you can go. You might be tempted by a cheap, unbranded camera online. But we advise against these cameras of dubious quality.

First, they always overpromise and underdeliver. Second, they never last long. So even though you save in the short term, it costs you more in the long run.

We are not saying you must spend thousands of dollars on a new camera. But spending a bit more on a camera from a trusted photography brand is better.

And there are still bargains to be found. Many of the cameras on our list are affordable, have a brand warranty, and produce results that will fuel your photography fire.

Buying a camera is a long-term investment in the joy of taking pictures or creating videos. For some, it could even be the start of a new career.

Beginner Camera Specifications to Look For

Now, we look at some of the main specifications for buying a new beginner camera. These specs indicate how the camera performs, set your expectations, and help you evaluate whether it’s worth the price.

High Sensor Resolution

The resolution of a camera’s sensor is measured in megapixels. This is usually denoted as MP. As a general rule of thumb, the more megapixels the sensor has, the better the image quality.

This isn’t always true, as other factors affect picture quality. But the megapixel number does give a good indication of the image quality a camera can produce.

An entry-level camera should have around 20 MP. Considering the latest iPhone has a default 12 MP camera, you can expect a noticeable jump in image quality.

Anything higher than 20 MP is excellent. And as we’ve seen, most of the best cameras for beginners meet this requirement. 

Wide ISO Range

ISO is one of the three key exposure controls in photography. Along with aperture and shutter speed, ISO makes up the exposure triangle.

ISO refers to how sensitive the sensor is to light. The higher the number, the more sensitive it is. But that higher sensitivity comes at a cost to picture quality. The higher you go, the more digital noise you see in the image. This is a grainy quality that detracts from the photo.

A wide ISO range gives you plenty of freedom to shoot in different environments. The higher settings let you shoot in dark situations or at night. The low settings help you maximize photo quality when shooting in bright sunlight.

A 100 ISO option is a good minimum setting on a beginner camera. It gives optimal quality for amateur photography. And at the other end, beginners won’t need much more than a top setting of 12,800. But the Nikon Z50 and Nikon Z fc have the highest native ISO of 51,200.

Reliable Autofocus (AF)

A reliable autofocus system is a vital part of any camera. And it’s not something you should overlook when buying an entry-level model.

Generally, the more focus points an AF system has, the better. More focus points give you more accuracy when finding the subject and more reliable subject tracking.

Other AF features can also help beginners. One of the main ones is eye-detection capabilities. This is where the camera targets your subject’s eyes, making sure it’s the point of focus. You never have faces with this feature.

The Canon EOS R100 and Canon EOS Rebel T8i have excellent AF systems.

Good Video Resolution

Modern digital cameras are used for video just as much as for photography. That means you should always check the video specs before you buy a new camera.

The maximum video resolution is the best indicator of a camera’s video recording quality. Full HD gives you excellent video quality that’s good enough for casual social media users. But these days, you should expect 4K even from an entry-level camera.

The frame rate also affects video quality. Faster frame rates, like 30 fps, give smoother video footage. And frame rates as fast as 120 or 240 give slow-motion videos. 

Best Cameras for Kids

If your beginner is too young for the cameras on this list, you can try a specialist kid’s camera. The best cameras for kids are simple cameras that let young children enjoy picture-taking.

Many have fun designs that get kids engaged straight away. There are designs for boys and girls. And there are plenty of unisex options any child can have fun with.

The Seckton Kids Selfie Camera is our choice as the best kid’s camera. It’s simple and fun to use, with different color options. And it produces quality images that keep children engaged and motivated.

If you want more options, check out our full article on the best cameras for kids.

Conclusion: The Best Cameras For Beginners

The best camera for beginners lets you take fabulous photos even if you’ve never used a camera before. They should also be affordable. Plus, an entry-level camera should help you progress and develop your skills.

The Canon EOS R100 is the best camera for beginners. It has everything a beginner needs to get started and go further. And the affordability means you don’t need a big budget, even if you buy it with one of Canon’s excellent kit lenses. It’s a bargain for beginners!