cst1 likes cameras
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I like cameras, and I like helping people pick one. Most buying advice starts from the spec sheet. This guide starts from what you want to photograph, because that decides almost everything else: the size of the camera, the lenses, and how much you need to spend.
How to choose, in three questions
- What do you want to photograph? People, places, wildlife, sport, video, or a bit of everything on holiday. Pick your use case below and start there.
- How much will you carry? The best camera is the one you take with you. A big kit that stays at home takes worse pictures than a pocket camera that comes along.
- Which lenses will you want in two years? You buy a camera body for a few years, but you buy into a lens mount for much longer. Check that the lenses you'll want exist for that mount, at prices you can live with.
Start from what you shoot
Your first camerawhen a phone stops being enough, and what to buy first.
Travelsmall, light, and good at everything.
Streetsmall, quiet, and quick to shoot.
Portraitsfast lenses and good eye autofocus.
Landscapewide lenses, a tripod, and weather sealing.
Wildlife and sportlong lenses and fast autofocus.
Videothe features that matter when it moves.
The background
Sensor sizesfull frame, APS-C, Micro Four Thirds and 1-inch, and what the difference really buys you.
Lensesfocal length, aperture, primes against zooms, and a sensible first lens kit.
Buying usedhow to save a lot of money without buying someone else's problem.
Focal length converterwhat a lens frames like on any sensor size.
Gearevery camera body and lens this guide knows, with specs and what fits what.
My short answer
If you want one camera for most things and don't know where to start: buy a recent mirrorless camera with an APS-C sensor from a brand whose lenses you like, with a standard zoom, and add one fast prime lens. Spend more on lenses than on the body. Then go and take a lot of pictures.