Once you start diving into photography and your surroundings begin to take notice, it doesn’t take long before people start seeing you as a reliable go-to expert. One of the most common questions I get is: What’s the best camera to buy? Whether someone is preparing for an amazing trip, wants to take a new profile picture for their neighbour (maybe for her latest social media update?), or simply feels ready to upgrade: there are countless reasons to start camera shopping.

But let’s be honest: choosing the right camera can get complicated fast. Even the slightest doubt can make it feel like an impossible mission. Need a bit more clarity about photography? In this blog post, I’ll break things down to give you a solid starting point for your camera search. And if you have questions, feel free to reach out, I’m happy to help!

I’m not claiming to know which camera is the best for you, because the truth is: it depends. The key is to try different options and figure out what matters most to you. But hopefully, this post will guide you one step further into the world of photography.

The overwhelming number of camera options and accessories quickly becomes clear once you start searching for your perfect setup — especially if you’re not willing to settle for just any random advice. You start your quest full of enthusiasm, diving into mountains of review sites and over a million (!) unboxing videos on YouTube. You’ll read things like: “It’s all about megapixels!” or “Pay attention to size and weight, those are essential camera features!”

But after all that research, when you finally step into a store for hands-on advice, you’re likely to hear a generic sales pitch along the lines of: “The more you spend, the better the results.” Clear language, sure, but not exactly helpful. And sadly, it doesn’t always bring you any closer to making the right choice.

Even with all the overwhelming options, one clear advantage is that there’s a wealth of information online about the features of nearly every camera. In this post, I’ll try to offer a clear perspective to support your search — sharing my thoughts on current photography trends and what to look for if you’re ready to take your photography to the next level.

This is part one of a two-part series. Here, I’ll start with three practical tips to help you move forward. In part two, I’ll dive deeper into specific camera features and specs that can really make a difference in your decision.

But let me start with this: I truly believe that an eye for detail and strong composition will always have more impact on a photo than any technical feature a camera can offer. To illustrate, check out the video below and decide for yourself what you think of the shots that were taken.

As you saw in the video, it’s absolutely possible to achieve impressive results with minimal gear. With that in mind, it’s up to you: keep reading, or go out and start shooting with whatever you already have, whether that’s your phone or that old compact camera collecting dust in your bottom drawer.

Zack Arias has a real talent for capturing people and personality. The video shows what he can create using an ultra-cheap camera, and in my view, it proves an important point: your photos only start to stand out when you truly immerse yourself in photography as a whole — not just the technical side of it.

Now that you know what really matters in taking a good photo, let’s look at some practical tips to help you choose the right camera. There are countless options out there, but the tips below are a solid starting point, and from there, you can figure out what works best for you.

Tip 1: think about which type of camera best fits your needs

Think about which type of camera best fits your needs. To keep things simple, you can roughly divide cameras into four main categories:

• The camera on your smartphone

Most smartphones today come equipped with surprisingly capable cameras. This type of camera has two major advantages. First, it’s always with you, and as the saying goes: the best camera is the one you have with you. Second, you can immediately edit and share your photos. There are countless (often free!) apps that let you apply filters and post your shots directly to Instagram or share them with friends. The downside? Of all four types, smartphone cameras typically offer the lowest image quality. That’s mainly due to their small sensor and lens, and the fact that many phones lack true optical zoom.

• The Compact Camera

Compact cameras, often called “point-and-shoots,” are small enough to fit in your pocket and are designed specifically for taking photos and videos, unlike your phone, which does a hundred other things. One striking feature of this category is the wide price range: you can find a basic model for around €99, while high-end versions can cost up to €999 and offer near-professional quality. A compact camera is a great option if you’re looking for slightly better image quality than your phone can offer but don’t want the hassle of changing lenses or adjusting lots of settings. If you invest in a more advanced model, you’ll likely get a larger sensor and a bright lens; both of which make a big difference when shooting in low light.

• The System Camera (Mirrorless)

Over the past few years, system cameras, also known as mirrorless cameras, have proven themselves on many fronts. Entry-level models have improved significantly, and high-end versions now deliver true professional image quality. They’re called “mirrorless” because, unlike DSLRs, they don’t use a flipping mirror mechanism. This makes them generally smaller and lighter than traditional DSLR cameras.

However, once you start adding lenses and accessories, your kit may no longer feel so compact, especially if you’re heading out on a photo adventure. Still, system cameras are a solid option for both beginners and professional photographers alike. For me, the combination of excellent image quality and lower weight makes this type a compelling choice.

• The Digital Single-Lens Reflex Camera (DSLR)

For many years, the DSLR has been the gold standard for outstanding image quality. If you wanted the best value for your money, a budget DSLR was often the go-to choice, allowing you to shoot like a semi-professional right away. And that still holds true today! One major advantage of DSLRs over system (mirrorless) cameras is their better price-to-performance ratio. The trade-off? You’ll be carrying a bit more weight. If that’s not an issue for you, compare the specs between similarly priced DSLRs and mirrorless cameras to decide which suits you best. The wide range of interchangeable lenses and accessories, along with the large sensor size, remain key reasons to invest in a DSLR.

Tip 2: budget wisely for camera and accessories

As the shop assistant mentioned earlier, your budget really matters. Of course, everyone wants the best camera for the lowest price, but often paying a bit more means getting better quality. That said, beware of overspending on expensive gear that doesn’t fit your needs!

My advice is to first set a maximum budget and then choose a camera priced slightly below that limit. This leaves room for essential accessories you’ll likely need, which can add up quickly. Think spare batteries, memory cards, a protective camera bag, and for system or DSLR cameras, lenses and possibly a flash. Planning with two budgets in mind, one for the camera and one for accessories, helps avoid surprises when the total cost hits your bank account.

Tip 3: consider new features like…

Finally, keep in mind that several (newer) features are definitely worth considering when choosing your camera. Options such as WiFi connectivity, GPS tagging, NFC, and 4K video can greatly enhance your photography experience and make sharing your work easier and more fun. If you want to learn more about these features now, just give them a quick Google/ ChatGPT search! I’ll dive deeper into these in part two, so if you want detailed advice, stay tuned.

Bonus Tip: try creative cameras…

If you want to get creative with a camera specialized in a specific type of photography, consider a Polaroid camera. It offers a fun way to shoot with instant physical prints, your photo literally comes out of the camera, making each shot truly unique.

If you like pushing your limits and capturing action-packed moments, check out an Action Cam. GoPro made them famous, but brands like Sony and TomTom also offer great alternatives. Whether you’re surfing, diving, or snowboarding, you can capture stunning action shots without worrying about damaging your camera.

Want to share your thoughts? 
Feel free to leave a comment or send me a message telling me what your favorite camera is! :-) 

Read more here about the 5 key features to compare when choosing a camera.