As a photography gear reviewer, these are the budget-friendly cameras I recommend for beginners

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Choosing the right camera to hone your beginner photography skills is a vital first step for any aspiring photographer. Although skill and talent will eventually trump camera gear when taking great photos, it’s the beginner camera that can help teach you the basics and help you grow those skills. It’s why I’ve seen talented photographers take the most compelling compositions with nothing but a vintage Diana toy camera, an instant camera, or even a homemade pinhole camera.

But the best beginner camera doesn’t have to be the priciest and most advanced full-frame model that your favorite ‘Gram photographer is using. In fact, as a novice photographer, you should start with an affordable entry-level option, just in case you decide photography is not for you or end up using it as a travel camera. If you decide you are serious about the craft, you can always upgrade to a higher model with better specs and features later on.

To help you find the best value camera for beginners, I spent several weeks testing models highly coveted by newbies and recommended by experts, ranging from compact point-and-shoots to entry-level mirrorless cameras with mid-range price tags. These three blew out the rest.

Best camera for beginners: Canon EOS Rebel T7 With EF-S 18-55mm IS II Lens

Despite manufacturers phasing out Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras and mirrorless cameras taking over the market, opting for a DSLR as your first camera is a wise move. They’re highly capable and powerful, and typically more cost-effective than mirrorless models. One of the biggest downsides to DSLRs, though, is their bulk. While mirrorless cameras are more compact and lightweight, DSLRs are larger, bulkier and heavier. At least, generally speaking.

There are a few exceptions, such as the Canon EOS Rebel T7. Often name-dropped as one of the best cameras for beginners and hobbyists, it’s lighter and slightly more compact than other DSLRs and, as a result, is easier to handle. I hated lugging around my first Canon DSLR, but I loved going out on photo walks with this one. In fact, it’s lighter than my current full-frame mirrorless camera, the Sony a7R III.

Learning to shoot manually with the Canon EOS Rebel T7 is effortless and immersive. The ergonomic front grip is deep and provides a solid grip, even for small hands, while the thumb grip at the back rounds out a secure, stable hold. The placement of the dials and buttons also massively improves a beginner’s experience. All essential physical controls for quickly adjusting aperture and shutter speed without moving away from the viewfinder are not only easily accessible but also intuitively positioned.

While your first camera doesn’t have to be an interchangeable-lens system, I highly recommend this one if you decide to go that route. First, the Canon EF mount offers a robust selection of affordable lenses, not just from Canon but from third-party manufacturers. Second, this Rebel T7 camera body comes with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS II lens and is priced under $600, which is a massive value.

That’s especially true considering that the Canon Rebel T7 has an APS-C sensor, which is just a step below the highly coveted full-frame sensor. Canon published a helpful explainer on the difference between the two sensors, but to avoid feeling overwhelmed, I’d come back to it once you’re more familiar with the basics of photography. Just trust that the APS-C sensor inside will let you take images that are sharp, clean, and beautiful, whether you’re shooting in manual or using one of the many modes available via the Mode dial on top of the camera. While you should practice manual focusing, you’ll be happy to know that its autofocus performance is very reliable in good lighting.

Since the EOS Rebel T7 is an older camera, the large LCD lacks touchscreen capabilities, but I would consider that a pro rather than a con for beginner photographers, as it lets you focus more on the craft rather than relying heavily on technology. The only downside here is its three frames-per-second (fps) continuous shooting; that’s pretty slow in this day and age.

Overall, though, you cannot find a better-value camera for beginners than the Canon Rebel T7 with the EF-S 18-55mm IS II lens.

Best budget camera for beginners: Camp Snap Pro

I learned photography with stripped-down, back-to-basics 35mm and 120 film cameras, so it’s not a surprise that I’m also a fan of their digital counterparts. The best thing about the Camp Snap Pro is that it eliminates the noise that comes with a high-end, feature-rich model, keeping your focus on setting up and creating your shots.

Now, when I say this digital model is stripped-down, I really mean it. The Camp Snap Pro, an upgraded version of the viral Camp Snap, doesn’t offer much in terms of exposure control. There are no aperture or shutter speed controls to speak of, and there’s no way to set the lens focus either. Instead, it uses a fixed-focus lens for subjects about 3 feet away or farther, which is similar to older point-and-shoot cameras. There’s also no menu, just a shutter button, a filter dial and a flash toggle.

You’re probably thinking that the info above already contradicts many of my criteria for the best camera for beginners, but hear me out. This $99 camera is brilliant in its own way for two reasons. First, it offers that slowing-down analog experience to a digital body, which means you don’t have to spend all that money on film development.

Second, since its only display is a shutter count that tracks the number of photos you’ve taken, it gets you off the screen for some digital detox, a trend that is becoming more and more popular. Both these things should help you create more thoughtful images, even if you don’t have much creative control over exposure settings. There are also four filters to play around with, letting you have some fun when taking photos.

You might think that this budget point-and-shoot camera takes sub-par photos, but I beg to differ. It delivers good-quality images that are sharp, clean and well-focused (that is, for subjects 3 feet or farther away). Meanwhile, its 22.5mm-equivalent lens offers you the versatility of shooting different subjects: landscapes, architecture and even portraits. To set your expectations, though, this camera won’t let you take supersharp, super-detailed, high-resolution images. Because it doesn’t have a wide dynamic range, blown-out highlights and very dark shadows are common. Additionally, its low-light performance, while not bad, isn’t anything to write home about, even with the flash on.

All that said, if you prefer a nostalgic, grainy look, you’ll absolutely adore the Camp Snap Pro. The photos you’ll receive will have the appeal of retro images taken with a film camera from the ’80s or ’90s, which many old-school photographers prefer. That was what it was designed for, and I’d say, mission accomplished. Plus, the simplicity of its minimal user interface, its compact, lightweight design, and the fact that you can connect it to your computer via USB-C to grab your photos make it ideal for beginners with zero camera experience.

If you’re looking for a budget camera that simplifies everything, takes the pressure off the craft and lets you simply revel in the joy of photography, this is a good beginner camera to get you started.

Best compact camera for beginners: Fujifilm X-M5 Mirrorless Digital Camera with XC 15-45mm Lens

If you’d rather join the mirrorless movement, the Fujifilm X-M5 and its interchangeable lens system are a strong entry point, especially if you’re looking for a compact option that’s more affordable than other models. This camera is also my pick for the best travel camera and a near-perfect entry-level option for many reasons.

One of the best things about it is that, although it is a mirrorless camera, it’s more affordable than many of its APS-C DSLR counterparts and mirrorless rivals, making it a sensible choice for budding photographers. It is still a few hundred dollars more than my top pick, the Canon Rebel T7, but if you want a mirrorless system, it’s very affordable for what you’re getting, especially since you are getting strong video specs you’ll only find in pricier models.

I don’t want to get into its solid vlogging capabilities (4K at 60 fps video and a highly articulating LCD screen) since we’re here to find you a camera for beginners, but know that when you’re eventually ready to expand your camera skills or get into video, there’s plenty of room to grow with the Fujifilm X-M5.

As for the essentials, this mirrorless camera ticks many boxes. It’s compact and lightweight for easy handling, so you’ll likely never get tired of taking photos with it, even on an all-day photo walk. Even so, its physical buttons aren’t too small to compromise your shooting comfort. What’s more, while its front grip isn’t as deep as that of the Rebel T7, it’s substantial enough even for larger hands to get a secure hold. In fact, I asked my 6-foot-2 videographer friend to take photos with it, and he loved the feel of it in his hands, preferring it to the other mirrorless bodies I asked him to test.

Of course, I found it to be very beginner-friendly as well. This camera is so easy and intuitive to use, even for folks who’ve only used their phones to take photos and don’t know their way around an actual camera. All the physical dials and buttons to manually set your exposure settings (aperture, shutter speed, etc.) are within easy reach, and if you’d like to focus more on your framing, there are various shooting modes on hand to help as well.

What’s more, the Fujifilm X-M5 delivers excellent image quality. It excels at capturing well-lit scenes, whether you’re shooting portraits or cityscapes, and it’s capable enough to produce beautiful photos in low-light conditions. I would mount it on a tripod for the latter, however, as it doesn’t have in-body image stabilization. I wouldn’t expect pro-level performance, of course, but its autofocus and tracking capabilities are more than adequate for most scenarios outside sports and wildlife photography.

You aren’t required to get an interchangeable lens system as your first camera, but if you’d like to (and have the budget for it), that versatility will come in handy if you decide to pursue photography long-term. The Fujifilm X-M5 has a wide range of compatible X-mount lenses when you’re ready. To start, though, the affordable XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 comes with this kit and is what I used to test the camera. It’s a strong starting point, offering both wide-angle and telephoto shooting capabilities.

The Fujifilm X-M5 body retails at $899, and you’ll find it with the aforementioned lens kit at just under $1,000, which makes it a very affordable proposition for an entry-level mirrorless camera with a sprinkling of advanced trimmings.

Editor’s note: Currently, this particular camera and lens kit is hard to find, with some retailers selling it for more than $1,000 due to some supply chain disruptions. However, at the time of writing, it is on backorder at Amazon and B&H, and a representative from Fujifilm has assured CNN Underscored that “backorders are being resolved, and the camera orders are being steadily fulfilled.”

How we tested

As an experienced film and digital photographer, I have more advanced camera needs than a beginner, so to test these cameras fairly for beginners, I put myself in a newbie’s shoes for months while strolling the streets of Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, California, and London. I tested each beginner camera’s ease of use, image quality, features and versatility.

I factored in the following specs during product selection and evaluation; however, not all specs are very important when choosing your first camera. You can, after all, learn the basics of photography without things like a big sensor, a wider ISO range and in-body image stabilization.

Once I selected my test pool and noted each camera’s specs, I began testing. I focused on the following primary criteria when evaluating each camera:

Performance

Design

Value

How to choose the best camera for beginners

I started my photography journey with a Diana camera and a Holga camera, and those two cheap toy models taught me a lot about framing, focusing (as surprising as that sounds), getting the right exposures and making creative compositions. When choosing the best camera for beginners, I know from experience that having the most advanced, feature-rich gear isn’t essential.

Instead, focus on getting a camera that delivers good-quality images, lets you learn all the photography basics and feels good in your hands. Bonus points if it’s affordable.

Don’t get bogged down by the technical gear

If you’ve only taken photos with a compact point-and-shoot or your iPhone, you’ve probably only ever taken photos with settings that were set for you by the camera. If you’re serious about learning photography, you’ll quickly find out that there’s more to it than pointing at your subject and pressing the shutter button.

There’s a lot to learn, but first, you have to master the basics. And it takes a lot of time and practice to do that and develop an intuition for framing, choosing the right exposure settings and knowing the difference between a compelling photo and a boring one. As you progress in your skills, you’ll definitely start to get into all the technical gear, and you can start nerding out on specs then. For now, give yourself time and let yourself enjoy the basics of photography first, and don’t get bogged down by all that gear talk.

Remember that you can always upgrade later

Upgrading your gear has always been an inevitable part of photography. It doesn’t matter if you get a cheap camera to get you started, eventually take the analog route and focus on film photography, or go all out and buy the most kitted-out gear you can afford. You’ll likely upgrade your camera and lenses along the way.

As a beginner, it’s better to get a good-value entry-level camera that delivers high image quality, offers reliable controls and includes all the essential features. This way, if you decide that photography is not for you, you haven’t spent thousands of dollars on your gear.

Of course, if you do have the funds, a full-frame camera isn’t out of the question, according to Flores. “It’s super important to learn the basics of photography (aperture, shutter speed, and iso) and how they work together,” she said. “I would recommend a full-frame camera. Although they are a bit bulkier and cost more than the others, it’s worth it and will start you off with a strong foundation.”

Other cameras for beginners we tested

Not that the original Camp Snap was a perfect product, but as an unassuming and budget-friendly digital camera that offers a way for folks to take a break from their screen-centered day-to-day lives, it was pretty close to being one. That didn’t stop the brand from rolling out its second iteration of the Camp Snap, though, and it came with a whole slew of new features.

Don’t worry. Those new fancy frills keep the whole point of the camera — to stop you from doomscrolling — intact. In fact, at least a couple of them encourage a phone-free experience. For example, the new dedicated filter button and the 30.5-millimeter lens filter thread, which allows you to attach third-party lens filters to the camera, can mean less time staring at the screen for post-production editing.

The shutter button is more responsive than ever too, and there are now kid-friendly lock settings that can help minimize accidental photo-taking. Plus, you’re getting all this for the same price as the original, which makes it about $30 cheaper than the Camp Snap Pro, our best budget camera winner.

The Camp Snap 2’s image quality still isn’t as good as the Camp Snap Pro, however, and you’re better off paying that difference for higher-quality results. But if you want an under-$100 model for snapshots or you’re just into that lo-fi effect, you’ll love this camera.

Compact and lightweight, the Sony ZV-1 Mark II is a solid entry into photography if you also have content-creation aspirations and want a capable point-and-shoot camera with strong vlogging features.

Compact and lightweight, it has a decent front grip and a small thumb grip, providing adequate grip. For convenience and ease of use, the camera automatically powers on when you pull out the large, articulating touch display, and its buttons and dials are positioned intuitively for beginners. Lastly, although the lens is fixed, it’s an ultrawide 18-50mm zoom lens, which gives you some versatility.

Two things make this camera a disadvantage for novice photographers, though. For one, there’s no viewfinder, which detracts from the immersive shooting experience and can be limiting when creating creative exposures. It’ll set you back a little over $1,000. For nearly half that price, you can get a more versatile camera, such as our top pick, the Canon EOS Rebel T7.

Most compact cameras have a 1-inch or Micro Four Thirds sensor, but the Sony ZV-E10 II is unique in offering an APS-C sensor and an interchangeable lens system in a compact body. I know some newbie photographers who prefer the form factor of a compact point-and-shoot, probably because it’s closer to a camera phone in feel and shooting experience, and this camera gives them exactly that but with a bit more versatility.

There is much to love about this model, including excellent image quality, strong subject tracking and autofocus performance, and a fast burst mode for action shots. What’s more, despite its compact form, the front grip is surprisingly deep, allowing for excellent grip even in bigger hands, and the responsive touch display is massive. Meanwhile, the operation is intuitive, thanks to the placement of its buttons.

However, the lack of a viewfinder doesn’t make it future-proof. As you advance your photography skills and crave an immersive experience in your compositions, you’ll find yourself needing one. With the included 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS II lens, the Sony ZV-E10 II will cost around $1,300. Unless you have a lot of money to spend, this isn’t the best value camera for beginners.

As a full-frame camera user, I can confirm that images from a full-frame camera are superior to those from APS-C or Micro Four Thirds sensors, especially when using the right lenses. The biggest disadvantage to getting a full-frame camera, though, is the steep price, and that’s exactly one of the downsides to the Sony ZV-E1 … next to the lack of a viewfinder and the smooth exterior, which can negatively affect your grip.

Of course, if you’re willing to spend over $2,700 on your very first camera and you have the budget for it, then it’s a great full-frame to start with. If you’re used to taking photos on a camera phone, the transition is easy, thanks to its touch display and on-screen settings. Plus, because it’s an interchangeable lens system, it’s a great camera for advancing your skills. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, however, this isn’t the most sensible choice.

Despite its steep price, the Fujifilm X100VI is a perfect foray into photography, thanks to its incredibly “approachable” form factor and controls. Its first iteration was my very first mirrorless camera, and I have loved this line since.

The thin and compact form of the X100VI, combined with its fixed pancake lens, makes it very easy to handle and convenient to carry, while the simplicity of its dials and buttons allows for quick, on-the-fly adjustments. If you’re used to taking snapshots with your phone, you’ll need a quick lesson to learn the controls, especially when you’re shooting in manual mode. But trust me, once you know where everything is on this camera, you won’t need to look away from the viewfinder to set your exposure settings, which in turn lets you home in on your compositions.

There’s another reason why even professional photographers love the Fujifilm X100VI: Its image quality is practically flawless and that versatile 23mm (35mm equivalent on a full frame) lens is a classic. The only reason this isn’t at the top of this list is its price over $2,500. If you have the funds, though, you won’t regret splurging.

Nikon’s entry-level APS-C camera is yet another excellent choice. As the successor to the already great Nikon Z50, the Nikon Z50 Mark II comes with many vital updates, including faster burst shooting, more extensive on-the-fly in-body editing features and upgraded video capabilities.

I also appreciate the surprisingly deep hand grip, which is rare for cameras of this size, and the large, highly articulated display that supports touchscreen operation, which comes in handy when transitioning from your camera phone. Meanwhile, the fact that its controls are within easy reach means that you can immerse yourself in your compositions.

I just wish its autofocus and tracking were better, especially given it’ll cost upwards of $1,100 for just the body. If you do decide to get this one, the 16-55mm lens is a great kit to start with.

Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of things to love about the Nikon Zfc. It’s an incredible travel camera and one of the best on the market. It’s compact and impossibly lightweight. It takes excellent photos. It’s a stunner, looks-wise. And all its accessible physical dials and buttons not only offer photographers the nostalgic experience of an analog 35mm camera but also give them the creative freedom manual shooting affords.

For those reasons, it’s one of my personal favorites. Slap on a versatile lens such as the 16-50mm Z, and you’ve got a good camera for beginners. The fact that the camera and lens kit will cost about the same as a Nikon Z50 Mark II body only makes it a better choice.

However, the lack of a proper handgrip and the sheer number of physical controls also make it somewhat more intimidating for phone shooters. This is a fantastic camera for beginners, but only for beginners who are just starting their digital journey and already know their way around a film camera.

There are several reasons why the Camp Snap camera went viral. Not only does it come in several fun colors, but its minimalist point-and-shoot user interface is very accessible to novice photographers. On top of that, its lo-fi flair offers a touch of nostalgia, something that the Gen Z and Gen Alpha sets are apparently leaning into right now. Because it lacks a display and feels more like a 35mm film camera, it offers a screen-free analog experience.

It’s also a great camera in its own right, with a long battery life, internal storage, a lightweight design, and several film simulation presets for fun. It doesn’t let you set the aperture, shutter speed or ISO, but it can still teach you a lot about composition and is a good entry into photography.

Just a heads-up, though: The image quality is also on the lo-fi side, and if you want sharper results, its slightly higher-end sibling, the Camp Snap Pro, is only $30 more.

As a film photographer, I’m not new to the concept of a half-frame camera — a camera that splits one standard 35mm frame in half for two separate exposures — as there are several half-frame film cameras on the market, such as the Kodak Ektar H35N and the Diana Mini Half-Frame Camera.

In the digital photography world, however, the new Fujifilm X Half is the first of its kind, making it a curious novelty that several people I know, including CNN Underscored’s own Rikka Altland and Dan Toy, have enjoyed using. The half-frame format also feels like an easy transition from smartphone to camera, since it essentially lets you take those 16:9 IG-friendly portrait shots with your phone. And while it feels a bit like a toy, it actually captures sharp, clean images and delivers an analog experience.

However, it’s also an $850 camera with a display that’s too small, a menu that takes a bit of getting used to and a non-electronic viewfinder. This is the type of mirrorless camera you should get once you’re deep in the rabbit hole, not before.

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CNN Underscored editors and writers ensure every product included in an article is thoroughly vetted and something we ourselves would feel comfortable buying and using. Our team has many decades of collective experience researching, testing and recommending products across every category — from fashion and food, to home goods and health, to electronics and everything in between — and we’re committed to using that expertise to help you make the most of your money and live a better life.

For this article, CNN Underscored testing and updates writer Michelle Rae Uy tested 12 cameras to find out which is best for beginners. Uyboasts years of experience covering photography gear. A passionate photo hobbyist, she previously reviewed cameras and lenses for The Phoblographer and the now-defunct Steve’s Digicams. She has written several of CNN Underscored’s camera buying guides.