One of the most common questions asked by those who want to start learning photography is what photographic best camera to buy? Therefore, in this article, we will explain how the photographic market works, what you must take into account to decide which camera to buy and also, we will recommend some cameras that can be purchased. We will explain all this in the simplest way possible.
How are the best camera classified?
Cameras can be classified in different ways. Let’s see:
According to the support:
They can be analog (if they use a roll of photographic film) or digital (if they use digital technology, instead of a roll). The best camera that is currently sold in photography stores is, in their vast majority, digital. The digital camera has several advantages over the analog camera that can be summarized in the following: greater immediacy or speed, since you can have your pictures instantly, either to print them or upload them to social networks or a website; greater cleaning, since you will not have to go to a chemical laboratory to process your images; and finally, you will not have to change the support (which in the digital case is an electronic sensor) since this is not “spent” as it happens with analog cameras and this will imply a significant saving over time.
Depending on the type of viewer:
Currently, digital cameras can be of the mirrorless or reflex type (DSLR). The viewer allows the photographer to preview the image before taking it, to make a correct picture of it.
The mirrorless cameras have a screen on the back where you can see the image live as it will be in the final photo. This type of viewfinder is of electronic type and therefore depends on the sensor of the best camera to operate.
On the other hand, DSLR DSLR cameras have an optical viewfinder that, through a mirror placed at 45 degrees in the light input of the camera and a pentaprism, it is possible to bring light to the eye of the photographer.
Which of the above systems is better?
It depends on the use you think of your best camera. There are many reasons to choose one or another camera, but we will explain it in a simple way. If you are someone who prefers a small device because you travel and take your camera with you, you may prefer a mirrorless camera.
These cameras, not having a system of mirrors and pentaprism, are smaller and lighter than their reflex sisters. Now, if you work in a studio, you make motion photography (sports, nature, documentary, etc.). The most likely thing is that you prefer an SLR camera since its viewer is more appropriate for this type of photography. The SLR camera allows you to see better in your viewfinder even in low light. In addition, its focusing system is usually faster than in its mirrorless pairs. Another important detail is that currently, SLR cameras have a greater variety of lenses (lenses) to choose from.
Digital SLR camera (left) and mirrorless camera (right)
Depending on the size of the sensor:
They can be medium format, full-frame (35 mm) or APS-C type. The larger the sensor, the better the image quality it will provide. The medium format sensors are larger than the full-frame sensors and these, in turn, are larger than the APS-C. The problem is that having a larger sensor camera involves investing a larger amount of money. So here the choice will also depend on the interests and needs of the photographer.
If you are just beginning to learn photography and your photos are for your personal enjoyment, as a hobby, probably a camera is the APS-C sensor is sufficient. Now, if you want to get high quality in your photos, be it because you want to dedicate yourself professionally to photography or simply because you enjoy the technical quality of your images, a full-frame camera will be your inseparable companion. The cameras of medium format, on the other hand, are indicated for professional use and in environments of great demand in terms of image quality, since they are cameras with very high costs. They are used, especially in the studio for fashion photography and advertising in general.
According to the market segment to which they are addressed: Manufacturers divide their cameras into (at least) 3 segments according to the end user of the same.
1. Entry level cameras, initiation or basic range:
These cameras are designed for the amateur who intends to take their first steps in photography. As features, we have a plastic body that is not sealed against dust and moisture, automatic modes, flash built into the camera, a single control wheel for diaphragm and shutter settings, among other external or internal features that define the maker. Probably the most important feature of these cameras is that they have an APS-C type sensor. This means that the image quality is not the best, although the truth is that for many users, the quality provided by these cameras is more than enough.
2. Advanced level cameras or mid-range cameras :
The cameras in this segment are generally designed for advanced amateurs. They can have a more robust body, usually made of metal covered with polycarbonate and sealed against dust and moisture. They have fewer automatic modes since they are designed for a user who knows how to use the camera in manual modes. It brings integrated flash and two control wheels to facilitate the use of the camera in manual mode (M). In this case, the sensor is still an APS-C type, so the image quality is similar to the basic range. However, the mid-range has several internal characteristics that make it more advanced. For example, the shooting burst speed is higher than the basic range, so if you’re interested in action photography, the mid-range is better for those types of photographs.
3. Professional or high-end cameras:
As the name implies, these are cameras designed for professionals. The main feature is that they have a full-frame or medium format sensor (for medium format cameras). This makes the image quality higher than the rest of the ranges. They also have a metal body, in many cases of magnesium or aluminum alloy, covered with polycarbonate and sealed against moisture and dust. Usually, they do not bring integrated flash since a professional uses flashes of better quality in their work. And obviously, its internal characteristics make it better in terms of sensitivity, resolution, shooting speed, etc.
Next, we leave some tables of the road map of Canon and Nikon, probably the most popular brands at the moment, so that you identify the ranges by models. In the case of Canon, the table is updated until 2013 and in the case of Nikon until 2017.
So what best camera do we recommend to study photography in 2018?
It is risky to recommend the best camera in particular because, as we have seen, the characteristics of this depend on the use that will give the end user. Still, we will recommend three options, taking into account that they will be for you to start learning photography with a moderate budget. But with the most recent cameras that are currently sold in USA. By the most popular brands, specifically Canon, Nikon, and Sony.
Canon EOS t7i:
An introductory DSLR camera with very interesting features such as 45 point cross-type AF, optical viewfinder and 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor to capture details and bright colors. It also has a maximum ISO of 25600, so you can capture photographs in low light. The camera also has Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth ® connectivity to share images instantly.
Nikon D5600:
Like Canon’s EOS t7i, the Nikon D5600 is an excellent DSLR camera with the 39-point autofocus system. Optical viewfinder and 24.2 MP APS-C sensor that offers high-quality photos in almost any condition. It also has ISO sensitivity 100-25600. The camera also has Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth ® connectivity to share images instantly.
Sony a68:
This camera has 79 focus points, the highest number among the three recommended cameras. With the APS-C 24.2 MP Exmor ™ sensor you can capture an excellent level of detail. As in the previous recommendations, the ISO sensitivity goes up to 25600. An additional detail is that this camera uses a translucent reflex mirror system exclusive to Sony. This mirror does not move, unlike the traditional reflex mirror, which allows a faster shot.
So far the three recommendations to start learning photography. If you have a looser budget, you can think about buying a mid-range or high-end camera. Remember that the high range has full-frame sensors, which guarantees higher image quality.
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