Choosing your very first camera can be overwhelming. The market offers so many options that can easily confuse the buyers. No matter whether you need a camera for vlogging, photography, content creation or simply to capture your own memories, selecting the right one is extremely crucial. As cameras can be very expensive and not less than any investment, so it’s important to know the details for informed decision making. So here we are to help you. In this guide we’ll break down some important considerations so by the end of it you know what to choose.  

✓ Understand Your Needs

There are different types of cameras that come with certain features that are ideal for specific types of photography. So if you want to do casual photography then a point-and-shoot or smartphone camera may be ideal.

Moving further if you choose travel photography then you need a camera that is portable, water proof, offers long battery life and captures crystal clear visuals in every condition. So in this scenario a mirrorless or compact camera might work best.

Next if you choose vlogging or YouTube then you need a camera with good autofocus, good video quality with sound quality as well. Additionally the camera should be able to work properly in every type of lighting situation. 

Finally if you want to pursue professional photography then DSLR and mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses are worth considering. 

✓ Understand Camera Types

Now as you know your exact needs, it’s time to learn about different types of cameras and what they offer. Each camera has its own pros and cons so it’s important to choose one correctly. 

• Point-and-shoot Cameras 

As the name itself suggests with point-and-shoot cameras you just need to point towards the subject and capture the image immediately. These cameras are very lightweight and compact as well as easy to use. As they do not possess any technical settings. These cameras are perfect for photographers who are into casual photography. 

• DSLR Cameras

DSLR cameras are well known for their perfect image quality. The DSLR camera uses a mirror mechanism to reflect the light from the lens to an optical viewfinder. Therefore every time you click a picture it makes a shutter sound. With the availability of a wide range of lenses you can easily do professional photoshoots and carve out raw images as well. The only con of DSLR cameras is that they are little on the bulkier side and can be a little expensive.

• Mirrorless Cameras 

Next comes mirrorless cameras. Mirrorless cameras are almost identical to DSLRs. The only difference is that they operate without the mirror mechanism. Next they are more compact, lightweight, and faster than DSLRs. With mirrorless cameras you get an electronic viewfinder or an LCD screen. They offer better autofocus, image stabilization and video clarity. The mirrorless cameras are perfect for vloggers and YouTube content creators. The con of mirrorless cameras is that they do not offer wide lens selection as the market is still growing. 

• Bridge Cameras

The next category is Bridge cameras. The bridge cameras fall between point-and-shoot cameras and DSLR cameras. Bridge cameras come with fixed lenses just like point and shoot cameras. But on the other hand you get access to manual control, zoom function and electronic viewfinder. So if you are looking forward to upgrading from a simple point-and-shoot camera but aren’t sure about DSLRs then bridge camera is a perfect option. 

• Action Cameras

Moving forward if you want to shoot action scenes then definitely a DSLR or any other regular camera won’t serve the purpose. For this you need action cameras that are compact and offer various mounting options. So during action you can attach it to your helmet, bicycle or even to a drone. 

• Polaroid Cameras or Instant Cameras 

The next category is Polaroid or you can say instant cameras. These cameras can be used for taking instant pictures and print it right then and there. It is a popular camera among the younger generation. The instant cameras are compact and lightweight so you can take it everywhere you need. It doesn’t allow you to capture videos and it is solely suitable for personal use. 

✓ Crucial Features To Consider For Beginners 

Once you understand the camera type, it’s time to focus on features that are essential for beginners.

• First is the Megapixels of the camera. The higher the resolution the higher and detailed the image quality will be. 
• Next is sensor size as it directly affects the image quality in low light conditions. For beginners, an APS-C sensor offers a good balance of image quality and affordability.
• Thereafter comes the autofocus system. With good autofocus you get to capture the moving object clearly and easily. This feature is extremely important if you want a camera for vlogging. Therefore look for cameras with continuous autofocus (CAF) or phase detection for faster focusing.
• Image stabilization is yet another feature that you should consider. So Optical Image Stabilization in lenses or in-camera stabilization is a valuable feature for beginners. Especially when you shoot without a tripod. 
• Next comes battery life. Battery life is extremely important if you are looking forward to starting travel vlogging or want to shoot for long hours. Consider a camera that offers fast charging and has long battery backup. 
• Ease of use is yet another feature that is worth consideration for the beginners. So look for cameras with intuitive menu systems, a responsive touchscreen, and automatic modes for simple and easy photography. 

✓ Additional Requirements 

Apart from the camera a beginner would also need few basic things like:

• Memory Cards: For memory cards go for high-quality SD cards with fast write speeds.
• Tripod: Next the Tripod is extremely important for sit and shoot videos like podcasts, content creation as well as for time lapse. Because with  it you can capture steady shots.
• Camera Bag: A good camera bag will keep your camera protected from dust and also it will be easier to carry.

So now you have a breakdown of some crucial factors that can help you with the purchase.