How to choose a camera: The ultimate guide to buying the right gear
From point-and-shoot to DSLR and mirrorless, here's how to choose a camera
When Eastman Kodak unveiled the Brownie camera in 1900, it was little more than a cardboard box with a lens and a roll of film (a concept that made a bit of a comeback in 2019). As basic as it was, it was revolutionary in democratizing photography.
In those days, buying a camera was simple. Fast-forward more than a century later, and modern cameras are so diverse and advanced that buying one is definitely not a one-model-fits-all kind of decision.
Most of us already own a pretty decent camera in the form of a smartphone and knowing when a dedicated camera provides an actual benefit over our phones can be difficult to determine. Prices for new cameras range from a couple hundred to a few thousand dollars, with numerous brands and models at each tier along the way.
This guide is designed to get first-time camera buyers pointed in the right direction. As we'll be referencing different sensor sizes, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with those first, or scroll to the megapixel myth section for an explainer on why bigger sensors take better pictures.
Point-and-shoot cameras
These run a wide gamut. They can be compact, affordable, and easy to use, or advanced models with long zooms, large sensors, and full manual controls. The one constant is a lens that can't be removed from the camera.
