Where To Buy A Nice Camera High Quality
While advanced video features are all the rage on cameras these days, photography is still the bread and butter of most consumer cameras. Whether you're looking for the perfect camera to document your travel adventures, a model that can capture beautiful landscapes, or a fast camera to keep up with sports and wildlife, there's no shortage of options out there, including many that are well-rounded enough to suit all manner and styles of photography. What's most important is choosing a camera that fits your needs, budget, and ergonomic preferences.
where to buy a nice camera
It's worth noting that a camera's overall performance can vary drastically depending on the lens you use. As a general rule, it's better to invest in a less expensive camera body and higher-quality lenses than to invest in an expensive camera body and cheap lenses.
We've bought and tested over 80 cameras in our lab, and below you'll find our recommendations for the best digital cameras for photography. If you're looking for something more specific, you can also check out our recommendations for the best cameras for wildlife photography, the best cameras for landscape photography, or the best cameras for low-light photography.
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is the best enthusiast camera we've tested for photography. This well-rounded full-frame camera excels at all kinds of photography and even offers improvements over its predecessor, the Canon EOS R6, our previous favorite. Its new higher-resolution sensor gives you a little more leeway to crop your photos. The camera now has a faster readout speed and a whopping 40 fps burst rate when using the electronic shutter. Add a remarkable autofocus system with reliable tracking, and you've got a fantastic camera for sports and action photography.
Beyond that, it's well-built, weather-sealed, and feels good in the hand. Plus, it has in-body image stabilization to help you shoot at slower shutter speeds in low light. That said, lens selection for the RF-mount still falls short of competitors like Sony. If you do want more native and third-party lenses to choose from, the Sony α7 IV is another fantastic hybrid camera aimed at enthusiasts. It has a more clinical design with worse ergonomics than the Canon, but the two cameras are very evenly matched for performance. Of course, the original R6 is still an amazing camera for photography if you don't mind a lower-resolution sensor.
If the Canon EOS R6 Mark II is beyond your budget, the Sony α7 III is an older model that's still well worth considering today. Though it's been superseded by the more video-capable Sony α7 IV, the a7 III is a mainstay for a reason and remains one of the best cameras for photographers for its price. It has plenty to offer, including a still-competitive autofocus system, 10 fps burst shooting, and one of the longest-lasting batteries you'll find on a mirrorless camera. You lose out on weather sealing, touch navigation, and Sony's new-and-improved menu system. However, these are small sacrifices for a camera that still holds up remarkably well to newer competition for image quality.
The best mid-range camera we've tested for photography is the Nikon Z 50. Unlike most of our higher-end picks, this camera uses an APS-C sensor, which makes it a bit less capable in low light than full-frame alternatives. Unless you're a pro or enthusiast, a crop sensor will still be enough to get you high-quality images, and you get the upside of generally cheaper lenses and more portability.
It's also one of the most well-built and comfortable entry-level cameras we've tested, with a weather-sealed body and generous handgrip. It has a large viewfinder, giving you a clear view of your subject, and a highly intuitive user interface. Battery life isn't amazing, however, so if you'd prefer a longer-lasting battery, the Sony α6400 is better in that respect. The Sony also has slightly better autofocus, but its ergonomics and user interface leave much to be desired.
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is the best budget model we've tested for photography. It's the only option on this list that's part of the Micro Four Thirds system, and while the smaller sensor does mean a bit of a trade-off in low-light capability, it's still an excellent little camera that offers a ton of value for its price. There's also a wide selection of affordable lenses available for the Micro Four Thirds system, making it a versatile option to grow your skills with if you're just starting in photography.
The camera is also super portable, with a compact design making it easy to take on the go. Plus, it's one of the few cameras in this price range to feature in-body image stabilization, which can help you shoot at slower shutter speeds handheld. Though it doesn't have the most reliable autofocus, it has a quick burst rate for action photos, along with very solid overall image quality. The Canon EOS M50 Mark II is a good alternative if you want a larger sensor and better autofocus, but lens options are a lot more limited.
If you thought high-quality photography was reserved only for large interchangeable lens cameras, think again. The Fujifilm X100V proves that point-and-shoots still have something to offer in the age of smartphone photography. This premium compact camera has the same 26-megapixel APS-C sensor as flagship models like the Fujifilm X-T4. Its design also hearkens back to vintage rangefinder cameras, with a hybrid electronic/optical viewfinder offset from the center of the body. As if that wasn't enough, the package is tied together by an excellent 35mm full-frame equivalent prime lens, which is versatile enough for different photography styles.
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best digital cameras for photography for most people to buy, according to their needs. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability (no cameras that are difficult to find or almost out of stock in the U.S.).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our camera reviews. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There is no single perfect camera. Personal taste, preference, and shooting habits will matter more in your selection.
Unless you're a full-blown professional, you should always buy used DSLR camera bodies. This is especially the case if you're a newbie shopping for your first entry-level DSLR or a hobbyist replacing your first DSLR.
When it comes to electronic devices, the usual stigma is that "used" means "diminished in quality, reliability, or lifespan." This may be true in general, as many electronic items tend to fail quickly, but this isn't the case for modern cameras.
In fact, most cameras are so robust that their lifespans aren't measured in time. Instead, their life expectancy is measured by something called shutter count. Left alone and undisturbed, a modern DSLR's lifespan would likely be indefinite, limited only by the availability of a working battery.
Let's say you take ten photos every day for the rest of your life; that comes out to 3,650 shots every year. So even if you are using an average, entry-level camera, you can expect the device to last over 13 years. For a professional camera, the expected lifetime would be somewhere in the ballpark of 55 years.
There are plenty of tools available to check the shutter count of a used camera for sale, which would give you a rough estimate of its remaining life. Of course, these tools aren't always super accurate, but they're still nice as a gauge.
Despite the fact that DSLRs have long lifespans, the value of a used camera tends to depreciate quickly. As you know, mainstream camera brands, like Canon and Nikon, put out new camera models at least once every year. As a result, the value of older models goes down quickly.
Buying this camera new on Amazon would cost around $6,500, which may seem outrageous for just a camera. However, you can find the same camera used for approximately $5,600. Still steep, but this camera is top-of-the-line and reasonably new.
Is there a downside to buying used cameras? If we're just talking about one or two generations in the past, then there are very few downsides, if any. In fact, newbies and hobbyists shouldn't even bother with the newest models of any camera line.
The price between these two used Canon cameras differs by an average of $800. But the newer model offers little more than an expanded ISO range, improved burst speed of six photos, and one additional megapixel of resolution.
You should only get a newer model if it has a specific feature that you absolutely cannot live without, like a full-sized sensor. Otherwise, something older will work just as well. Both of these cameras include a full-frame sensor, so the natural choice will generally be the Mark II.
One thing that hangs people up when talking about used cameras is cosmetic defects. When you buy a new camera, you're guaranteed that it's fresh, clean, and unmarked. But, on the other hand, when buying used cameras, all bets are off.
We definitely recommend getting up-close and personal with a used camera before buying it, if at all possible. Here's the thing, though: scratches and marks have no impact on the function of the camera body, nor do they affect the outcome of your photos. The discomfort of a cosmetic defect is merely psychological.
For example, scratches on the body are fine, but scratches on the sensor may impact your photos significantly. Avoid cameras with fungus and mold anywhere on or inside their body for the same reason. Sticky buttons may indicate residue beneath the surface, preventing them from working correctly. Corroded connection ports are bad for the same reason; so are dented lens mounts.
Hopefully, it's now clear that buying used DSLRs is the smarter way to go most of the time. However, as much as we believe that buying a used camera is usually the best answer, there are a few scenarios where you may be inclined to think twice:
Arriana Vasquez is an updates writer for Wirecutter and a photographer. Her photography ranges from studio portraits to influencer, product, and street photography. For Wirecutter she has worked on several camera related guides including the best instant printer, best tripod (and monopod), and best cell phone tripod. 041b061a72