Best Mirrorless Camera and DSLR Camera
What is the best camera for beginners who are just getting started?
That's a great question, and lucky for you, finding the best entry-level DSLR won't be that difficult. We have made it even easier for you in this article about Nikon D3500 which is the best entry level DSLR camera.
After all, camera manufacturers have been stuffing more and more features into their cameras regardless of price point.
The same is true of mirrorless cameras as well.
In fact, the best mirrorless camera for beginners offers perhaps even more features and functionalities than their DSLR counterparts.
Best Entry-Level DSLR: Canon EOS Rebel SL2
The Canon EOS Rebel SL2 has a ton of features for its price point, which makes it the best DSLR camera for beginners.
Canon EOS Rebel SL2 at a glance:
- Type: DSLR
- 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS Sensor
- 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen LCD with 1.040 million dots
- 1080p Full HD video
- 5 fps burst shooting speed
- Canon EF-S lens mount
Pros: Built-in guide helps you learn, good sensor, highly resolute articulating LCD
Cons: Autofocus system has just 9 autofocus points
One of the best features of this camera is its articulated LCD.
Not only is the LCD bright and resolute, but with touchscreen capability and a flip-out and tilting design, you can take photos and videos from awkward angles with much greater ease.
And since this is a review of the best camera for beginners, the fact that the Rebel SL2 has a guided user interface to help you figure out how to best use the camera is a nice touch.
Canon has outfitted this beginner camera with tons of other features as well, including NFC and Wi-Fi. The DIGIC 7 image processor means excellent performance, even when maxing out the burst shooting speed of 5 fps.
Beginner photographers will also appreciate the Dual Pixel autofocus system which aids in tracking moving subjects, that way you get sharp, focused still photos. It works great in live view and helps you shoot improved video as well.
The SL2 is also one of the smallest DSLRs available right now, so if you're making the jump from a compact camera or a smartphone, this little guy won't feel like a bulky, heavy camera in your hand.
Get an in-depth look at this camera in the video above by AdoramaTV.
Current Price: $599.00 with 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens
Editor's Tip: Saving money when you're starting out in photography is paramount. Now that the SL3 has been announced, the SL2 is an even more affordable entry-level camera. With that extra money in your pocket, consider buying an upgraded lens for your SL2. A good first choice is the Canon EF 50MM F/1.8 STM. A 50mm lens is incredibly versatile for stills and video, is small and lightweight, and with its big f/1.8 aperture, it's great for low-light shooting as well.
Top DSLR Camera for Beginners: Nikon D3500
If the Nikon environment better suits your needs and wants than Canon, a top choice for a best camera for photography beginners should be the Nikon D3500.
Nikon D3500 at a glance:
- Type: DSLR
- 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS Sensor
- 3-inch fixed LCD with 921k dots
- 1080p Full HD video
- 5 fps burst shooting speed
- Nikon F-Mount
Pros: Simple to use, excellent sensor, superb image quality
Cons: Lacks touchscreen, LCD doesn't articulate, no Wi-Fi
Looking at the specs above, the Nikon D3500 looks like the Canon EOS Rebel SL2 under different badging.
And while there are many similarities between these cameras - the sensor resolution, burst shooting speed, and 1080p video among them - there is one important difference that makes the Nikon not quite as good as the Canon.
The Nikon's LCD does not articulate or even tilt. It also does not have touchscreen capabilities like the SL2.
Though this might not seem like a big deal, having touchscreen capabilities is extremely helpful for beginners, as most likely you're coming from a smartphone camera that has touchscreen controls.
Having a tilting LCD is also advantageous for low-angle and high-angle shots, and an articulating screen is even better for taking selfies, group photos, and vlogging.
Aside from the lack of LCD features, the D3500 offers superb performance for beginners.
Its sensor is widely regarded as one of the best of the entry-level bunch. It has a guide shooting mode that is basically a built-in camera assistant to help you capture the best shots by explaining different camera settings.
This camera also has simple, easy-to-use controls that are easy to learn, which makes it one of the best DSLR cameras for beginners. See what I mean in the video above by Jared Polin.
Current Price: $446.95 with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens
Good Camera for Beginners: Nikon D5600
Though not as simplified as the Nikon D3500, the Nikon D5600 is a more capable camera that can grow with you as you develop more skills as a photographer.
Nikon D5600 at a glance:
- Type: DSLR
- 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS Sensor
- 3.2-inch vari-angle touchscreen LCD with 1.037 million dots
- 1080p Full HD video
- 5 fps burst shooting speed
- Nikon F-Mount
Pros: Large touchscreen LCD, excellent sensor, advanced autofocus system
Cons: No guided learning mode, expensive
If you're a brand-new photographer, the Nikon D5600 might be a bit much for you, both in terms of usability and price.
Unlike the D3500, there is no guided interface to help you learn the ropes, so you're left to your own devices to figure things out. This isn't a terribly difficult task, but certainly more so than if you have a built-in guide to help you.
Perhaps this D5600's best feature (aside from its sensor) is its 39-point autofocus system.
With so many more AF points, you get much-improved coverage over the D3500 and EOS Rebel SL2, which means you get more precise control over focusing.
Another feature to appreciate on this camera is the 3.2-inch articulating touchscreen LCD, which is bigger and more resolute than the D3500's LCD.
As noted above, the D5600 is perhaps the best option if you want to future-proof your kit for a few years.
With the D3500 and the Rebel SL2, you might find that in a couple of years your skills are beyond what those cameras can handle. The D5600, though, can grow with you and provide you all the photo-taking power you need for years to come.
Learn more about this camera in the video above by RealWorld.
Current Price: $596.95 (body only)
Editor's Tip: When looking for the best entry-level DSLR, price should be one of the primary factors you use to determine which camera to buy. The more you spend on your camera, the less you have to buy lenses, and lenses are the more important of the two. In fact, after you get a good camera for beginners, start thinking about adding a good prime lens to your bag. If you shoot landscapes, a 24MM F/2.8 is a great option. If you shoot portraits, think about an 85MM F/1.8.
Other DSLR Cameras for Beginners
Other options for the best DSLR camera for beginners include the models listed below.
Nikon D3400
- Type: DSLR
- 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS Sensor
- 3-inch LCD with 921k dots
- 1080p Full HD video
- 5 fps burst shooting speed
- Nikon F-Mount
Pros: Cheap ($417.00 with 18/55mm AF-P DX Nikkor f/3.5-5.6G VR lens), excellent battery life, same great sensor as the D3500
Cons: No articulating LCD, no touchscreen capabilities
Canon EOS Rebel T7i
- Type: DSLR
- 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS Sensor
- 3-inch articulating touchscreen LCD with 1.040 million dots
- 1080p Full HD video
- 6 fps burst shooting speed
- Canon EF-S mount
Pros: Superb imaging sensor, great touchscreen LCD, features for enthusiast-level photography
Cons: Expensive ($699.00 for the body only), no 4K video, plasticy materials feel cheap
Obviously, mirrorless cameras are much different from DSLRs since they lack a mirror inside, and because of that, offer much smaller form factors outside.
Mirrorless cameras otherwise offer similar features and benefits for new photographers as their DSLR counterparts, including many options with excellent sensors, autofocus systems, and big LCD panels.
Here's a few suggestions for beginner mirrorless cameras if DSLRs aren't quite your style.
BEST ENTRY-LEVEL MIRRORLESS CAMERA: FUJIFILM X-T100
This little camera packs a punch, and is the best mirrorless camera for beginners who want a capable, yet small camera.
Fujifilm X-T100 at a glance:
- Type: Mirrorless
- 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS Sensor
- 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 1.04 million dots
- 4K video
- 6 fps burst shooting speed
- Fujifilm X-mount
Pros: Gorgeous electronic viewfinder, small and lightweight, 4K video
Cons: CMOS sensor isn't as advanced as Fuji's X-Trans sensor found in higher-end cameras, 4K video limited to 15 fps
Not all mirrorless cameras at this price point have an electronic viewfinder, so the fact that the X-T100 has a stellar viewfinder is a big deal.
What's more, it has a gorgeous tilting touchscreen LCD to help you get those low-angle and high-angle shots that a fixed LCD just can't accommodate.
The design of this camera is worth mentioning as well. It's small and lightweight, and it looks great with a vintage vibe.
Don't let its little body fool you, though. This camera is on the edge of a beginner and intermediate body, so it has the chops to work hard for you as your skills grow. That's why I've listed it as one of the best mirrorless cameras for beginners!
Get a detailed review of the X-T100 in the video above by The Art of Photography.
Current Price: $499.95 (body only)
Editor's Tip: One thing to bear in mind with mirrorless cameras is that they have much smaller bodies than DSLRs. Though that's great for saving weight and room in your camera bag, if you have large hands, you might find the smaller grips on mirrorless cameras to be less comfortable than those on DSLRs. Not sure what else to consider when shopping for a good mirrorless camera for beginners? Consult this DSLR vs mirrorless guide.
Best Mirrorless Camera for Beginners: Sony a6400
A more advanced camera than others on this list, the Sony a6400 isn't just a great camera for still photography, but is also one of the best vlogging cameras around.
Sony a6400 at a glance:
- Type: Mirrorless
- 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS Sensor
- 3-inch 180-degree tilting touchscreen LCD with 921k dots
- 4K video
- 11 fps burst shooting speed
- Sony E-Mount
Pros: Excellent sensor with superb image quality, 180-degree tilting LCD, outstanding autofocus system
Cons: Expensive, more difficult to learn how to use than other cameras on this list
If shooting video is at all an interest of yours, the Sony a6400 is an excellent choice because of its screen that flips around so you can see yourself as you film. It also helps that the camera shoots 4K UHD video, too.
Aside from that, the newest member of the Sony Alpha lineup boasts a beautifully resolute 24.2-megapixel sensor and a fantastic autofocus system that has a whopping 425 autofocus points.
Of course, those fancy features means that this is more of mid-range camera for enthusiasts, but a beginner with some gusto and time to learn how to use this camera will find it to be well-equipped and ready to tackle all kinds of tasks.
It has a moisture-resistant body and is rated to 200,000 shutter clicks, so it's a camera that should last you a good, long while as well.
See the Sony a6400 in action in the video above by Dan Watson.
Current Price: $1,158.35 (with a 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS lens)
Good Mirrorless Camera for Beginners: Olympus OM-D E-M10 III
Don't let the retro look of Olympus OM-D E-M10 III fool you - under the hood is a high-powered, high-tech camera.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 III at a glance:
- Type: Mirrorless
- 16.1-megapixel micro four thirds sensor
- 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 1.04 million dots
- 4K video
- 8.6 fps burst shooting speed
- Micro Four Thirds lens mount
Pros: Beautiful high-resolution viewfinder, touchscreen LCD, easy to use
Cons: Only 16.1-megapixel sensor, expensive compared to other options
Though this is one of the smaller mirrorless cameras currently available, Olympus has managed to pack it full of features that make it one of the best digital cameras for beginners.
The electronic viewfinder is bright and crisp, and displays important image information that can help you improve the quality of your photos.
Paired with that is a beautiful tilting touchscreen LCD for making easy adjustments to the camera settings and for reviewing your images.
This camera also has built-in 5-axis image stabilization.
Add to that 4K UHD video shooting and 8.6 fps burst shooting, and you have the makings of a great little camera.
See how the Olympus OM-D E-M10 III works in the real world in the video above by AdoramaTV.
Current Price: $649.00 (body only)
Other Mirrorless Cameras for Beginners
If the above mirrorless cameras aren't quite what you're looking for, consider the following as good mirrorless cameras for beginners.
Sony a6000
- Type: Mirrorless
- 24.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS Sensor
- 3-inch tilting LCD with 921k dots
- 1080p Full HD video
- 11 fps burst shooting speed
- Sony E-Mount
Pros: Cheap ($398.00 body only ), electronic viewfinder, blazing-fast 11 fps burst shooting speed
Cons: Old model that's a little long in the tooth, electronic viewfinder lacks resolution by today's standards
Canon EOS M100
- Type: Mirrorless
- 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS Sensor
- 3-inch 180-degree tilting LCD with 1.04 million dots
- 1080p Full HD video
- 6.1 fps burst shooting speed
- Canon EF-M Mount
Pros: Cheap ($449.00 with EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM Lens), easy to use
Cons: Limited features, no viewfinder
With that, you have a solid list of choices for the best entry-level DSLR and the best entry-level mirrorless cameras.
Any of these options would be great for a beginner, but keep in mind that if you have some experience, one of the more advanced cameras on this list will be the better bet for you.