Here we will help you simplify the process of buying a camera. Below are the key elements which will be deciding factors for your buying decisions.
Budget – How much money will you spend on the camera ?
Output Requirement
What kind of output is required, for instance you are making a large life size prints then you will need a higher resolution camera. But if your purpose is mainly for web content generation higher resolution isn’t required. Below is the resolution to largest size print list :
| Number of Megapixels | Image Dimensions | Acceptable Photo Print Size (Inches) |
| 2.0 | 1740 x 1160 | 4 x 6 [standard] |
| 3.0 | 2160 x 1440 | 5 x 7 |
| 4.0 | 2450 x 1633 | 8 x 10 |
| 6.0 | 3000 x 2000 | 9 x 12 |
| 8.0 | 3504 x 2336 | 9 x 12 |
| 10.0 | 3872 x 2592 | 10 x 15 |
| 12.0 | 4256 x 2832 | 11 x 17 |
| 14.0 | 4608 x 3072 | 12 x 18 |
| 16.0 | 4928 x 3264 | 16 x 20 |
| 18.0 | 5184 x 3456 | 16 x 20 |
| 24.0 | 6016 x 4000 | 20 x 24 |
How much storage are you expecting for your photos? Higher the resolution more the storage space requirement. A JPEG file of 24 Megapixel (6016 x 4000 ) will be having 4.91 MB of size. A lossless JPEG file will be of size 36.1 MB. This adds on as the Megapixels increases. Also if you are shooting in RAW format the file size can go up to 40 to 50 MB of size. All this adds upon to a storage requirement.
In the this link you can measure the file size of a camera: Image size checker
Technical hurdles – How much technical know how do you want to acquire for using the camera.
Depending on the technical know how and the purpose of shooting you can choose the type of camera you would like to buy:
DSLR/Mirrorless
These are suitable for people who want to study technical side of photography and are keen on improvising photography to the next level. These camera gives you full control on the picture you create with the Manual mode. Also, these cameras have the Auto modes and semi auto modes (Program, Av, Tv) in which the camera decide the technical things and shoots the picture when you press the button!! Some of the entry level DSLRs have additional few built in preset modes like Landscape, Sports, Night mode, Portrait, Macro etc.
- You are interested in exploring the advantage/perspective of different kinds of lenses for photography. These are usually a professional requirement or for serious amateur photographers. But most importantly you will be spending more money!! The Lenses will be a long-term investment as it will be costly as you go higher up the rank. Also, you need to take good care and have storage facility for them. Lenses are prone to fungi growth and hence a Dry box / Dehumidifier storage is recommended.
- You are very keen in buying one but there is budget constraint too, then you can choose for the entry level DSLRs or Mirrorless.
Below are few recommended DSLRs/ Mirrorless cameras you can look for
Hybrid or Bridge Camera
If your need is to shoot good pictures but don’t want to carry bulky lenses, hybrids are a good choice. Modern day hybrids are competent to DSLRs and produce competitive quality pictures. Also, they come with Manual and handful of Auto modes.
Hybrids generally come with fixed lenses with a wide to tele focal length (It will help you shoot landscape as well as far away subjects).
It is lighter and can be easily carried in a handbag.
Less hassle of storage and technical knowledge. Hybrid camera will be light weight and compact to carry. Most vlogging camera belong to this category
Below is a list of Hybrid Cameras you can look for:
Point and shoot
If you do not want to get in any technical things in photography and shoots for records/documentation and want a pocket camera you can go for a point and shoot. Point and shoot is apt for shooting your personal photos and a good carry in pocket cameras.
The current scenario in camera technology has made point and shoot cameras go insignificant by the Mobile cameras, which offer advanced level of imaging by software improvisation. Thus, point and shoot category of camera is more or less replaced by the mobile cameras.
One major advantage of point and shoot camera over mobile camera is that some of them offer optical zoom to some extend which is still not available in mobile phone camera.
Instant Camera
Instant camera is fun to shoot cameras which gives an instant print. These are great memory capturing device to capture your special moments in life. In early stages of photography instant camera was very popular and had professional versions. Currently commercially available models of instant camera is very limited. Fuji has some great instant cameras available Insatx
Film Camera
Yes, film is not dead yet. If you are really passionate and have good amount of time to spend in photography as leisure or experiment can look for old film camera in the local markets and go crazy shooting films
Special Cameras
There are special types of camera built for a particular purpose such as the action camera GoPro ,SJcam, 360 degree camera Ricoh etc. These cameras are designed to serve for the particular purpose and have the features to do the job. Below are some popular special purpose cameras:
| Action Camera Brand | Model Name |
| DJI | DJI OSMO Action Camera |
| DJI OSMO Pocket | |
| GoPro | GoPro HERO9 |
| GoPro HERO8 | |
| GoPro HERO7 | |
| Gopro Max | |
| SJCAM | SJCAM SJ4000 |
| SJCAM SJ9 Max | |
| Sony | Sony DSC-RX0 |
| Insta360 | Insta360 ONE |
| Insta360 EVO 360 | |
| Panasonic | Panasonic HX-A1MK |
- Popular 360 Cameras
| Brand | Model |
| insta360 | insta360 GO |
| RICOH | RICOH Theta V 360° |
| RICOH Theta Z1 360° | |
| Ricoh Theta SC2 |