The 5 best cameras for beginners in 2022

When you make your selection, you should consider its value for money as well as whether or not the camera has more advanced features — such as setting an ISO — that you can learn to use over time. If you want these types of features, it may be worth skipping entry-level compacts and choosing a mid-tier camera, instead. 

Our top picks include cameras with simple and advanced features, different price points, and various sizes. When you choose your camera, you should also consider its portability and whether or not you can switch lenses. 

When you are just starting out, you don't need to invest in a kit full of lenses, bodies, lighting accessories, flash guns, or otherwise. 

My first camera was a basic Olympus point-and-shoot, and while it was very limited, I was able to take it backpacking and it was the best hands-on education I could have wanted in learning the basics of photography. 

I've since moved on to a Canon and professional-grade kit, but at the start, all you need is a camera with enough functionality to make you explore features including depth of field, ISO, lighting, and framing. When we chose these products, functionality and affordability were first in our minds. 

There are a few terms you should become familiar with when you are starting out in the world of photography. 

• Aperture: A camera's aperture lets light in and its size is recorded with f-stops or f-numbers. 
• Shutter speed: The shutter speed determines how long a camera's sensor is exposed to light (exposure time). Generally, you want higher shutter speeds for motion/action photography. 
• ISO: ISOs can be set to change how sensitive your camera is to light. A higher ISO is for higher sensitivity, and a low ISO setting reduces sensitivity. 
• Exposure: Exposure is how much light reaches a camera sensor.
• Bokeh: Bokeh is the blurry background effect you often see in professional photos. This can be achieved with lenses or during the editing process. 
• Depth of field: Depth of field is the distance between the closest and furthest objects that are still sharp. You can change this by tweaking your aperture settings or by switching lenses. 
• Burst: Burst modes are used to simultaneously capture images in quick succession. You could use this mode to capture a bride walking down the aisle, for example, but there may be a subsequent delay in shooting as they are processed. 
• RAW: RAW is a file format — like JPG or PNG — which photographers often prefer. Images are not compressed and so these source images save a lot of information. During editing, the more information, the better. 
• Noise: Noise is the term used to describe distortion in images that can appear as specks or grain.

Once you've acquired a camera and your basic necessities, you can start learning what a camera can really do. To get started, you can either simply go out and learn as you go, or read up on foundational concepts first. Below are some excellent resources to get started:

Arguably, lenses can be more important than a camera body. If you have a camera able to support interchangeable lenses, you can experiment with different ways to frame an image — whether by using a telephoto, a fixed lens, a fisheye, or macros — and this can also further your own development as a photographer. It's absolutely worth exploring both fixed and zoom lenses, too, as the former can give you better still quality — but the latter has more versatility. 

There is a massive range of beginner and intermediate-level cameras, kits, and bundles on the market which are suitable for different skill levels. Your choice also depends on your budget, and whether or not you want to learn with a basic point-and-shoot, casually, or go straight for a DSLR/mirrorless device. 

Other alternatives worth considering are below.