The Best Cameras For Beginner Photographers In 2020

Just starting out in your photography journey and unsure of what camera to start with? Well, buying your first camera as a beginner is one of the hardest things to do. Not only are there tons of brands out there, but each brand has so many cameras to choose from.

To help with the feeling of overwhelm that you are surely feeling at this point, I have put together a roundup list of the best cameras for beginner photographers in 2020.

***also perfect for the aspiring photographer on your list for this 2020 holiday season!

What brand is best?

When it comes to cameras for beginner photographers, the first thing to think about is brand.

Each brand has different strengths and weaknesses. Unless you are looking for a very specific use, I find that the camera brand comes down to personal preference.

A great way to figure this out is by visiting a local camera store and trying them out. If you have friends with cameras, you can always go on a fun shoot adventure and play with different kinds of cameras. A camera should be an extension of your hand and your imagination. You want something that feels natural, comfortable, and fun!

What makes camera brands different?

Other than personal preference in ergonomics, menu displays, and a few shooting options, what you are going to find is the best and most important difference to pay attention to amongst different camera brands are these 4 things:

• Color rendering
• Sensor capability
• Lens variety
• Accessories

For example, in the world of color, Sony and Nikon use a similar sensor, so their images render color quite similar. 

Fuji, for example, has a very well developed color theme as they have experience in the analog world, and spend a lot of their energy in developing color rendering to match that of their film stocks.

Canon has its own look in terms of color and contrast, it’s not good or bad, just personal preference.

In terms of lenses, one can argue that Sony has a bigger offering of affordable lenses, while canon has a better offering of high-end pro lenses.

However, as a Nikon shooter, I appreciate the fact that Nikon has ensured a mounting system that pretty much guarantees you can use ANY NIKON LENS EVER MADE. For me, that’s a huge win (I even own a lens from the 80s that cost me $100 at an equipment sale, and it is the sharpest most affordable macro lens I ever found). I never found I couldn’t get a lens that I needed for Nikon.

With my old Fuji mirrorless, I felt very limited on lens options and I was never able to use it for pro shoots (although that has changed a bit in recent years).

So to sum it up, when looking for cameras for beginner photographers, it is better to choose a system based on how it feels and what you love, paying attention to photographers you like, the way the colors look, ease of use, and comfort. You won’t need to worry about sensor, lens options, and others for a little while…

Why are camera prices all so different?

This is a tough one, as there are many factors that come into play. From reading my explanation on Crop vs full-frame sensors, you now know that the sensor size is going to be the biggest differentiator in price point. The 4k video capabilities and other useful functions like microphone jacks, headphone jacks, flash control, and continuous shutter speed, are also things that come into play.

In terms of pricing, I would suggest coming up with a budget that suits you and find a camera that you are comfortable with. If you are a beginner, virtually any camera you buy is going to be an upgrade to what you have (phone, point, and shoot, etc) and the learning curve is quite steep. You are going to get better FAST as soon as you get your hands in a camera you can control the settings to.

Options, options! What do I pick?

The good news: there is no one right answer, The bad news: there are too many options!

So, to summarize, and before I finally reveal the long list of my recommendations, you should know by now that no choice you make is the wrong choice, as long as it feels good for you! No choice you make is ever definitive either, I know quite a few photographers that decided to switch systems down the line, and although its a bit of a money loss, if you think about equipment as a car, as long as you got use out of it, the money you “lose” when selling, is just money spent on using your equipment.

Don’t stress so much about the camera body, as most newer models of all major camera brands are really up to date with the technologies, and if you are just starting out, chances are you won’t really notice much of a difference. Focus your choice on personal preference. This can be how a camera feels, looks, how the images output from that particular brand, or even if you have a friend who shoots a particular brand and would let you borrow some lenses or even want to go out and shoot with you.

Remember, there is no one right answer.

Now, like I said there are SO MANY OPTIONS even within each brand, so below I narrowed down to what I think are the best cameras for beginner photographers for each brand. I decided to keep the price point of the body below $1500 (with the exception of the z6, because I am totally biased to that camera as I own it and love it), as I consider most beginners would want to keep the investment moderate.

Of course, you can find cheaper options, and even more expensive ones if you are a gear head and have money to spend, but for the common folk, an investment between $500 and $1500 on a body should be plenty… and as I always suggest, better spend a little less on the body and more on better lenses… so decide your budget, and see what’s available!

Ok, without further ado, here are my best cameras for beginner photographers picks for 2020.

The Best Cameras for Beginner Photographers: THE BIG 4

1. SONY

I don’t particularly love shooting Sony because I don’t like how they feel, and the way their menu is laid out. I find it quite hard to figure out.

However, they are superior in their video capabilities and are a great value for what they offer. If you have never shot an SLR before, and feel pretty tech savvy, getting into a Sony might be a great place to start. For Sony I only recommend the mirrorless because the lens selection is better. I would encourage a full-frame if going with mirrorless but I’m giving you options regardless.

Sony’s strong suit is the alpha series. The new models of the a7, a7r, and a7s are all quite pricey, so if you want a full-frame Sony, I would recommend going one model before the mark 3. 

I dont recomend investing in the original models (not that you can even find them around) as they are a bit outdated by now, but the Sony a7 was considered the most affordable and best investment on a full frame camera, when it came out. But with technology, it is almost always best to stick to the newest available. Things like focus tracking, auto focus systems, and other techs make huge advances every year, so keep this in mind when you are tempted to buy a much cheaper model of a camera that is from a few years ago. This applies to every manufacturer, but I find it specially true for Sony. The mark II seem to hold up pretty well for what they offer, and I just found the latest upgrades (the mark III) prices compete with some of the pro level nikon, and canon. 

TOP SONY PICKS: CAMERAS FOR BEGINNER PHOTOGRAPHERS

CROP SENSOR: SONY A6100

The best option for price in this category at $749 you can’t beat the features, portability, and focusing system, but a compact crop sensor camera. It has Fast autofocus comparable to some of the high-end Canons and unlike the pricier a6600, this one has a built-in flash. The only drawback is its battery life is quite shorter than other Sony’s. I would suggest purchasing a second battery with this guy.

FULL FRAME: SONY A7II

Unbeatable price for a full-frame sensor ($899) and much better focusing system than the original a7. Comes with a pretty impressive optical stabilization (for sharper images), and even has a continuous 5fps shutter. THIS CAMERA IS YOUR BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY OPTION WITHOUT COMPROMISING QUALITY. Battery life is also a bit short, but other than that, this camera is probably the best price you are going to get for a full-frame sensor. If you are wanting to get into video, keep in mind the camera is limited to HD and not 4k, but strictly photography speaking, I would say it’s the best value. Otherwise, you are looking at $1400 and up for the a7rII, a7III, and the others.

2. FUJI

Fuji’s greatest strength in my opinion is how they play along with their traditional, almost vintage, camera look and feel. I know the look of a camera is not the most important aspect, but if you romanticize photography like I do, having a camera that makes you feel creative and empowered is the best. 

Fuji cameras often look like old film cameras, and they come loaded straight into the camera with color profiles that imitate old film stock. So if you love the look of old film, even some of those VSCO cam filters, you will fall in love with fuji and what they offer. I would consider Fuji quite limited in the lens capacity, but they are slowly catching up. They are also not the strongest for video features, but if you are wanting to focus strictly on photography, this shouldn’t be an issue. Fuji, like Sony, I would recommend only their mirrorless cameras (I think they only offer compact cameras other than these). 

Unfortunately, if you chose to go with fuji, you will most likely want to stick to their crop sensor cameras, as their full Frame bodies all go beyond the $5000 for the body alone (they aren’t actually full-frame, they are medium format cameras, which is a step beyond full-frame! Yes they are PRICEY!). And I find even their crop sensor bodies are quite expensive for what you get. Fuji is an acquired taste, and a pretty big investment. If they were to come up with a Nikon z6 competitor, I would be the first one to consider the switch… I just LOVE how their cameras feel!

TOP FUJI PICKS: CAMERAS FOR BEGINNER PHOTOGRAPHERS

FUJI XT200

Out of the three Fuji cameras that I find are the best options for beginners, the XT200 is the most affordable at $699 and the newest model in its category. It comes at a slightly lower pixel count than the other two, but I don’t think anyone will notice this difference. You know how I feel about pixel count (it’s not about the quantity, but the size of the sensor!). You will find the XT200 is more compact, has less LCD resolution, and doesn’t have in-camera stabilization. I find it quite similar in specs to the XT30, and it is a great compact beginner camera at a great price.

FUJI XT30

This is the newer version of the XT3 ($1499) and model before x-t4 ($1699). Its more compact and better-priced (at $899) version of is preceder very similar to the XT3, but as it’s geared towards beginners, its a little smaller, comes with some auto settings, and is loaded with great features like 4k video, burst shooting, face recognition, and everything you can expect on a pro-level camera (except for the sensor size). The only drawback I would say is the EVF (electronic viewfinder) is not as high definition. This is the newest model and although I don’t particularly find the almost double price tag worth it, if you want the latest Fuji model, with a sturdy body and a “pro” look, the XT4 might be for you.

FUJI XT4

At $1699, the Fuji XT4 is an upgrade from the XT30 in the following ways:

• Better video: 4K/60p as well as the 4K/30p on the XT30
• Better viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (3690k vs 2360k dots).
• Better and more flexible LCD screen (almost full tilt, and higher resolution)
• Better battery performance
• Sturdier body: better sealing, and bigger body second card slot for cards

3. CANON

It’s no secret that canon is widely known for its camera equipment. Not only have they develop SLRs and mirrorless, but the reason why they were ahead in video technology for so long is because they had broadcast equipment for years. I personally find Canon a bit bulky and heavy, but a lot of photographers that chose this brand, specifically like the durability, sturdiness, and presence of Canon cameras.

I would argue that Canon is the leader in camera equipment mostly due to its popularity and a very good marketing effort, but I personally don’t consider their cameras superior anymore. Canon images are characterized by extra contrast and sharpness (compared to my usual Nikon). So if you are a photographer who likes that “digital” look and definition, canon might be the brand for you.

I’m going to leave the canon mirrorless cameras out of the picture as they are quite new to the game, and I feel like if you want a mirrorless you are better off with Sony (similar to Canon in color and tech). 

However, entry level SLRS is where I think canon really shines (sorry to my pro canon shooters). Their Rebel series are some of the most popular entry level cameras out there. Other than their great qualifications, a great benefit to owning one of these is the abundance of resources online, used lenses and parts, and the sheer commonality of this camera will make it easier to find tutorials and learning material. If you truly want a proper beginner camera, that will help you learn the basics of photography and understand how to shoot in manual, this is a pretty clean start.

TOP CANON PICKS: CAMERAS FOR BEGINNER PHOTOGRAPHERS

ENTRY LEVEL: CANON 850D (REBEL T8i)

This is the ultimate rebel camera. Being the newest release in that category, at a very small price upgrade, you get all the great features the rebels have to offer and a bit more.24 megapixels4k video (pretty impressive it has this!)Swivel touch screen 7.5 image burst, and a longer battery life. Newer model = better technology!

CROP SENSOR: 7D MARK II

Considered a premium crop sensor camera, rather than a semi-pro, this is a great value for the Money. With 20.2 Megapixels, built-in GPS / WiFi, High-Speed continuous shooting at up to 10 fps, and an autofocus system comparable to the full-frame counterparts, this is one of the best investments in the Canon world. The 7d was an incredibly popular camera, and the biggest upgrade with the Mark II is the focus point jump from 19 to 65. It’s pretty much a perfect little system for the price.

FULL FRAME: 6D MARK II

The most affordable of Canon’s full-frame pro SLRs retails at $1599 or on sale at $1399. It is the less expensive version of the popular amongst professionals 5D, and at a difference in price of about $1000, you get everything you could need from a pro-level camera (minus 4k video). I could spend a whole article (like this one) just drawing onto the difference between the two, but at the end of the day, as a beginner, if you want to invest In a full-frame pro body, I would save the extra 40% in price and invest that in lenses! Ask yourself this: is it better to buy a more expensive camera with slightly better features that you might not even notice the difference (especially not as a Beginner) than spending the same money and getting a comparable camera AND a lens? Yeah, there you go.

4. NIKON

Nikon is the brand I am most familiar and comfortable with. That doesn’t mean that other brands don’t have a lot to offer, I just find myself better versed in the Nikon world and probably accidentally more excited about it. Although, as I mentioned above, I do consider Canon a better option for entry-level crop sensor cameras.

One thing that I have said and will repeat here, is that Nikon has put a lot of emphasis in maintaining lens compatibility throughout the years, which to me is a huge feature. Even with their mirrorless cameras, you can use an adapter and almost seamlessly use your other lenses. Nikon entry-level, medium, and semi-pro cameras are smaller and lighter than their Canon counterparts. I favor this as I hate carrying heavy equipment.

Nikon also has the D lens series that are quite compact and sharp, and due to the aperture ring being on the lens itself, I can use these lenses on my film camera as well.

One last note is a reminder that I own the Nikon Z6, and that’s why it’s included here, and the Canon mirrorless versions arent. I wouldn’t feel confident recommending a mirrorless camera outside of Sony and Fuji (which I have also shot both) without knowing it inside out.

TOP NIKON PICKS: CAMERAS FOR BEGINNER PHOTOGRAPHERS

ENTRY LEVEL: NIKON D3500

This entry-level camera is more compact, lighter, more affordable, and offers a slightly longer-lasting battery than the other options.

CROP SENSOR: NIKON D7500

If you want 4k video plus a headphone and microphone jack I would recommend this camera because it’s the only option that offers 4k video at this level BUT at almost double the price. It also has a tilting touch screen, which I have on my z6 and love, and is weather sealed and Wifi capable. I’d say this most closely resembles a pro-level Nikon at a lower pricepoint of $999.

FULL FRAME: NIKON D750

I recommend this one because I own it still, and although I upgraded to mirrorless, I think it’s an amazing camera so I kept it as a second body. Some people prefer the d850, but at double the price, the benefits are not worth it (unless you want super heavy files, which as a beginner, you will likely not need to worry about this). Take it from me, a d750 is plenty camera to produce professional work.

MIRRORLESS: NIKON Z6

This is the camera I own and love and would highly recommend as a mirrorless option outside of Sony. It comes in at about $1800 which is a pretty great price point for this level of quality.

Well that just about sums it up for my picks of the best cameras for beginner photographers in 2020. I just have one last note, and thats about lenses.

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