Which Camera Should I buy? Part 1.

What camera should I buy?

This is possible the most asked question in the history of photography. I see it at least twice a week in the photog forums I’m on. The thing is, there isn’t just one answer. It is a complicated question, determined by your budget, education and needs. Since I’m now offering a photography course (click here for more information), I thought I would offer some recommendations.

This is going to be a multi-part series.

This entry is recommendations based on your desire to actually become a photographer, but only with a modest budget. To be clear, this only applies if you have actually tried photography and know you want to pursue it. If you’ve never really tried it, there will be another entry at some point to recommend cheap cameras that won’t be much of an investment.

So at some point, I will also do a series on what lens you should buy, but for the purposes of someone starting out in photography, I am going to recommend a cheap 35mm f/1.8. If the camera you get comes with a kit lens, that is fine. But in general I would prefer the 35 as it is arguably the most versatile lens focal length there is. That’s a debate for another article though.

OKAY. So here it is.

My first recommendation is the Sony a6100 mirrorless APS-C camera.

This is actually the a6400, which is also a good camera.

First of all, I am recommending mirrorless over DSLR to new, serious photographers. The technology is state of the art and it is unquestionably easier to learn with.

The successor to Sony’s recently discontinued, revolutionary a6000 camera is a relatively inexpensive, easy-to-learn camera.

Full disclosure. I am a Sony guy. I’m not paid by Sony (but if Sony wants to change that, I am down). There are other great camera companies. Canon and Fujifilm, for example are putting out some great cameras. These are options as well. I recommend the a6100 as the best bang-for-your-buck entry level camera. Its roughly $800 new, body-only, unless there is a sale. If you get it with an inexpensive 35mm lens, you’re spending around a grand.

The reason I recommend Sony is that there are a lot of inexpensive options for Sony mirrorless lenses. The other companies out there- particularly Canon, don’t have the same options.

That said, the a6100 is a crop censor camera.

If you’ve done your research and you insist on a full frame camera, I have a different recommendation entirely.

The Canon EOS RP.

It is the most inexpensive Full Frame camera on the market, sitting at $1000 new. Now, as I mentioned, Canon’s lens options are limited. They don’t have aftermarket support, so your options are to get an older Canon DSLR lens and an adapter or shell out some serious cash for their incredible mirrorless lenses. One nice thing is that their infamous Nifty 50mm f/1.8 is only $200.

All of that said, I don’t recommend full frame cameras for newbies. And like I said, if you want to expand your lens roster, Canon is going to cost you for that quality.

Stay tuned for the next recommendations post. Not sure when it will come out. And I will probably focus on lenses first.