A DSLR (or digital single lens reflect) camera is a great tool for those looking to get started in either photography or videography. They are exceptional equipment that can help you create beautiful photos or stunning videos.
The only downside is that many DSLR cameras are out there, and they all have varying price points and specifications.
If you are a beginner in photography or videography, you’ll first need to determine the following;
Is A DSLR For Me?
This may be a stupid-sounding question, but it is a valid one. Are you going to use it once or twice and then have it sit on the shelf for years? Or will you get enough use out of it to justify buying one?
Another thing that beginners may not think about is the different lenses you’ll have available for different jobs.
Some niche lenses can cost more than the camera body by itself. It can be quite a large investment to buy not only the DSLR but the lens and accessories you’ll need to ensure you can capture the footage or photo you want.
If you know what lenses you need and can justify the amount of use you’ll get out of it for its price tag, continue reading!
The Nikon D3300
The Nikon D3300 is a great option for beginner photographers and videographers due to how easy it is to use and its very decent price tag.
The Nikon D3300 will usually come with a stock 18-55mm lens; however, as the D3300 is an older model, you’ll need to double-check the bundle you buy. Most places you’ll buy a D3300 from will be selling it second-hand.
This camera has the following specifications:
- 24.2 MP effective still resolution
- 1080p 60fps video capture
- Light sensitivity range of up to 12,800, with a minimum ISO of 100
- SD / SDHC / SDXC storage media types compatible
- CMOS sensor type
- 1/4000 maximum shutter speed
- F 3.5 – 22 aperture
What makes this camera an attractive option is the fact that it has 1080p video recording features with 60 frames per second, making it great for videography.
For the Nikon, you can expect to pay around £140 – £250, depending on where you buy from, what’s included with the package, and if it is new or used.
The Canon EOS 4000D
Of course, both Nikon and Canon needed to appear on a list like this.
The Canon EOS 4000D is another solid option for buying a DSLR.
As standard, the EOS 4000D comes with an 18-55mm lens like the Nikon D3300 and has a similar price tag.
Much like the Nikon, when shopping for this Canon camera model, you’ll need to pay close attention to what is sold in your bundle. Most bundles will come with the camera body and lens, but always make sure of what you are getting before you buy it.
The Canon EOS 4000D has the following specifications:
- 18 MP effective still resolution
- 3x optical zoom
- 1080p video capture
- WIFI, Mini HDMI, and USB 2.0 compatible
- DIGIC 4+ image processor
- 100 – 12800 ISO range
- 1/4000 shutter speed
- F 3.5-5.6 aperture
This camera is favourable to the Nikon for those who want to capture photographs and want a WiFi-enabled camera.
For the Canon 4000D, you can expect to pay around £300 – £400 depending on the vendor and the bundle.
The Panasonic Lumix
Panasonic has been a reputable camera manufacturer for decades and is known for creating some of the most advanced camcorders of the past three decades.
For entry-level photographers and videographers, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ82 camera is another amazing option to choose from. Unlike the other two entries on this list, Panasonic has marketed this camera as a ‘point and click’ style camera with the lens built into the body as one unit.
This is great for those who don’t need to change lenses but not so great if you want a multi-purpose camera.
The DMC-FZ83 has the following specifications:
- 18.1 MP effective still resolution, MOS sensor
- 20mm wide angle lens
- 60x optical zoom
- 4K video recording
- WiFi-enabled
- 1/2000 shutter speed
- 80 – 6400 ISO range
- F2.8 – 5.9 aperture
This camera is designed to be an easy solution for those wanting to get into taking photos or capturing videos but wanting to step it up from a mobile phone. For the DMC-FZ83, you can expect to spend around £280 to £330. As with all cameras, it depends on the vendor and what is included in the bundle.
To Conclude
We all need to start somewhere, and if you are serious about getting into photography, these three DSLRs are a great way to explore a new hobby.
Just be sure you can justify the cost!
