To take a photograph you need a camera:

• A camera – the device that records the image.
• A lens – the optical device to allow the image to be formed on the sensor of the camera.

How to choose your gear

This website is not a camera comparison site.

But here are a few basics:

• A smartphone can produce decent images, but is not a serious tool for a photographer.
• Avoid cheap unknown cameras and stick with cameras from major manufacturers (Fuji, Nikon, Canon, Sony, etc.).
• Unless you really want something compact, avoid compact cameras with fixed lenses.
• Choose a camera with interchangeable lenses (Mirrorless or DSLR or film if you feel so). It will last longer and if you decide to change your camera, you can reuse the lenses you already have.
• A camera from 2015 will still give you very decent results and won’t prevent you from expressing yourself.
• Kit lenses have often poor performance. Buy a better one.
• If you are a beginner, avoid zoom lenses, used fixed focal length.
• Avoid changing gear too often. Work on your skills instead.

Gear is easy

Do not overestimate the difficulty of using a camera. Cameras are made to be easy to use and they are. With automatic modes, all you need is to press a button, if you decide to use manual mode, a 30-minute lesson is enough to know what you need to know.

If you are stuck, just read the manual and you’ll get your answer (avoid asking AIs which are very incompetent in these matters).

Next Posts

In the next posts, we’ll see in more detail how to choose a lens and a camera.