Top 9 Best Camera for Photography: Beginner & Professional 2021 Reviews

Top 9 Best Camera for Photography: Beginner & Professional 2021 Reviews

Do you want to approach the world of photography? Are you thinking of a gracious gift for your amateur photographer friend? You are on the right page. Here, we report our review, updated in February 2021, of the best camera for photography.

With the compact, bridge, mirrorless, and reflex cameras, the market is full of choices for all needs and budgets. So. Let’s see which are the best cameras to shoot and make videos.

Top 9 Best Camera for Photography 2021 Reviews

#1 Best Camera for Beginner Photography: Panasonic LUMIX G7KS 4K Mirrorless Camera

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Launched at the beginning of 2017, the Panasonic LUMIX G7KS is one of the best compact cameras in terms of value for money. It is the best camera for any beginner if you are directing your purchase towards a solution for video making.

Onboard, you will find a nice 1-inch BSI 20 megapixel CMOS sensor, coupled to a stabilized 24-360 mm f/3.3-6.4 (15x) equivalent zoom. It can take excellent quality photos, especially in RAW format, and shooting videos in 4K. The ISO range is 125-12,800 that can be expanded to ISO 80-25,600.

The features are many, such as the electronic viewfinder, an excellent touch interface, and the fast autofocus system. All the maintenance processes are available in the manual controls. All amazing features are in a compact format, even if not pocket-sized in an absolute sense.

Pros

  • Compact and lightweight
  • Easy to use
  • High resolution
  • Excellent quality photos

Cons

  • Expensive

Panasonic LUMIX G7KS is a product aimed at enthusiasts who find DSLRs too bulky and do not want to spend on a compact APS-C.

#2 Best Camera for Professional Photography: Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II Vlogging Camera

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Also on our list of premium compacts is this compact with a 20 megapixel 1-inch BSI CMOS sensor. With the DIGIC 7 processor, it offers sensitivity between ISO 125 and 12800, expandable to ISO 25600.

Although well implemented in terms of autofocus and quality, it stops at 1080p at 60 fps and the autonomy undertone. However, it proves to be an excellent alternative for those looking for a valid travel companion and people who prefer the RAW format. To save money, you can focus on the new G6X Mark II. It is similar in the feature but without a flip-up display and with a slightly lower zoom.

Pros

  • Compact design
  • DIGIC 7 processor
  • High autofocus and quality
  • High brightness

Cons

  • Low sensor

The strengths of this compact camera are different, starting with the bright 24-100mm F1.8-2.8 equivalent zoom.

#3 Best Camera for Landscape Photography: Nikon Coolpix W150 Camera

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In this range, we have a Nikon Coolpix W150 Camera, designed to withstand weather hazards. This unit is a perfect travel companion that is an alternative to action cameras. The camera offers more flexibility in shooting. We cannot expect professional results, but everything you need for memories.

The W150 falls into this category and offers a 13.2 MP sensor coupled with a handy 3x zoom. You can immerse it up to 10 meters underwater. It is not afraid of drops from 1.8 meters, temperatures as low as 10 degrees, or dust cover.

Pros

  • Weather resistance
  • High durability
  • Small and compact
  • High flexibility

Cons

  • Low shooting speed

The possibility of shooting videos in full HD (30 fps) and compatibility with the convenient SnapBridge standard to manage photos even from smartphones is excellent.

#4 Best Camera for Street Photography: Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV Camera

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The fourth sport is the luxurious and modern Sony RX10 IV. Its zoom is 25x with a 24-600 mm F2.4-4. The camera comes with a 1-inch BSI CMOS sensor that shoots between 100 and 12,800 (between ISO 64 and 25,600 in expansion mode). Everything is ideal by the Bionz X image processor. It is the same used for the powerful mirrorless A9.

The bursts reach 24 fps and the autofocus that promises locking times of only 0.03 seconds with a High-Density tracking system. The SteadyShot stabilization system locks up to 4.5 stops of gain that are also useful for shooting in 4K.

Speaking of videos, the gamma curves S-Log2/S-Gamut 2 and S-Log3/S-Gamut3 and Gamma Display Assist is worthy. Alternatively, you can point to the previous model, the Nikon Coolpix W150 that still proves to be an excellent all-in-one photographic tool.

Pros

  • BSI CMOS sensor
  • Bionz X image processor
  • Autofocus
  • SteadyShot stabilization system

Cons

  • Bulky

 If the weight does not scare you, know that this camera is the best camera for street photography on the market

#5 Best Camera for Food Photography: Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G80 Camera

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Among the popular Panasonic cameras, the DSLR-style mirrorless type is still the best-seller. Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G80 camera is an older model, but it contains the ultimate benefits of Panasonic technology, including the weather, sealed body. It resists splash and dust with large video capabilities.

Onboard, we have a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor and a 4/3 without an AA filter. The unit shoots between ISO 100 and 25,600 and shoots up to 4K at 30 fps. The display is hinged-flip and there is also a 2.36 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder.

Pros

  • High stabilization
  • Wi-Fi connection
  • Defocus system
  • Weather sealed body

Cons

  • Low durability

Stabilization on the body, the lens on 5 axes, Wi-Fi connection and Defocus autofocus system make this mirrorless become the best camera for food photography on the market, especially concerning the price.

#6 Best Camera for Wedding Photography: Sony Alpha A7 II Mirrorless Digital Camera

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Sony Alpha A7 III is a 24.2-megapixel mirrorless that integrates the top of Sony technology. The generous size of the BSI CMOS sensor allows the cameras to shoot between ISO 50 and 204,800 in expansion mode.

The on-camera stabilizer is certified for gains in the order of five stops. The focusing system offers 693 points and does not fear even the most lively or dimly lit situations. It shoots videos in 4K, up to 30 fps, in the XAVC S format and with the S-Log2, S-Log3, and HLG gamuts. For people who want higher resolution, we recommend the even better and more expensive Alpha 7R III.

Pros

  • High megapixels
  • BSI CMOS sensor
  • Expansion mode
  • On-camera stabilizer

Cons

  • Low resolution

There is no shortage of Wi-Fi and NFC. In the A7 version, there is also the GPS. But except for special needs, we recommend the already excellent smooth version.

#7 Best Camera for Product Photography: Fujifilm X-T20 Mirrorless Digital Camera

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We come with Fujifilm’s latest mid-range, the X-T20. It is a miniature X-T2 with 24 megapixel APS-C X-Trans III sensor and X-Processor Pro processor. The feature allows you to shoot up to 4K at 30 fps. The above functions are ideal for shooting commercial products at the studio and outdoors.

There would also be the alternative model, the X-T30. It is an excellent machine, but to be evaluated only if you have good financial availability. Otherwise, the X-T20 is still an excellent model with a reasonable price. We can invest the money saved in another goal.

Pros

  • 24 megapixel APS-C X-Trans III sensor
  • X-Processor Pro processor
  • High speed
  • Reasonable price

Cons

  • Lens control errors

This camera presents all the supply that makes the Fujifilm appreciate, such as electronic viewfinder, style, and refined materials and many physical controls.

#8 Best Camera for Sports Photography: Canon EOS 7D Mark II Digital SLR Camera

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If you are looking for an excellent quality DSLR with an APS-C sensor, we suggest the Canon EOS 7D Mark II with a 20.2 MP sensor, designed for sports photos. For the focus, we have 65 points to be selected manually. And for the burst, you can reach 10 photos in a single second in RAW format with 31 in compressed JPG format. Do not miss the GPS, the integrated processor is the owner Digic 6.

It comes with the 18-55mm lens that we find on non-professional Canon and adopts a 3-inch display. It has compatibility with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and can perform fast pairing even via NFC.

Pros

  • 20.2 MP sensor
  • 45-point AF autofocus system
  • The sensitivity of ISO 25,600
  • High shooting speed

Cons

  • Low processor

The Canon EOS 7D Mark II is an SLR with a 20.2 Megapixel sensor, 45-point AF autofocus system, and a maximum sensitivity of ISO 25,600, extendable up to ISO 51,200. All features offer excellent sports photos for even novices.

#9 Best Camera for Wildlife Photography: Nikon Z50 DX Mirrorless Camera

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In the mirrorless field, the Nikon Z50 certainly deserves chief consideration. It comes with a 20.9 MP APS-C DX sensor, allowing you to have the optical advantages of Nikon’s mirrorless system in a compact DX-format body. The maneuverability of the machine is also guaranteed by the deep handle.

Photos captured by the Z50 are always sharp and full of detail, with a continuous shooting speed of 11 fps. Videos can be available in 4K format with flawless focus. The Nikon Z50 can also count on a 2360k-dot electronic viewfinder and a 1,040k-dot tilting touch display. It also has a large Z-mount bayonet mount and support for the new NIKKOR Z lenses in DX format.

For a professional-grade camera, it is simple thanks to simplified DSLR-style menus and 20 built-in effects. It also supports communication with other devices via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. You can buy the product on it is easy-to-use thanks to simplified DSLR-style menus and 20 built-in effects.

Pros

  • 20.9 MP APS-C DX sensor
  • DX-format body
  • High maneuverability
  • DSLR-style menus

Cons

  • Expensive

 In this Z50, we love the 209-point hybrid autofocus system inherited from Nikon Z7 and Z6, and the Eye-Detection AF system to focus on the subject’s eyes.

#10 Best Cheap Camera for Photography: Sony Alpha A6500 Mirrorless Digital Camera

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Going up in price, we have the Sony Alpha 6500 with a 24.2 MP APS-C sensor and Bionz X processor developed by the Japanese company. The image stabilizer in the body is 5-axis. The sensor supports up to 51,200 ISO, 425 points for phase detection focus, 169 contrast, and the viewfinder is OLED.

This camera has an adjustable touch-screen, supports Wi-Fi and NFC, records in Full HD at 120 fps, and in 4K Ultra HD. Finally, it can take up to 11 photos per second.

Pros

  • High shooting speed
  • Image stabilizer
  • OLED viewfinder
  • Wi-Fi connection

Cons

  • Low sensor

Sony Alpha 6500 is one of the best SLRs you can buy right now that comes with a good lens (16-70mm).

Features to Consider When Choosing a Camera for Photography

Manual Mode

The automatic mode is certainly the easiest option to get a shot without having to think about photographing. Using this setting, as you can easily guess from the name, the internal intelligence of the camera will choose each parameter of your shot.

ISO

The ISO value shows how sensitive the sensor is to light. The higher the maximum value of this parameter, the more you will take clear pictures in low light conditions. But be careful! Increasing the ISO value of a camera generates image noise.

Megapixels

Megapixels show the number of pixels that make up the images made by a camera, expressed in millions. It is an important value, but not as fundamental as the advertisements. It is equivalent to multiplying the pixels of the horizontal side of the image by those of the vertical side.

The last quality of the shots depends on the optics used and the sensitivity level of the sensor to light (ISO value). So, do not let yourself be dazzled by a camera just because it has more MP than another.

Portability: Size & Weight

Test how much weight and space you will be willing to carry around continuously throughout the journey. Consider not only the weight and volume of the camera body but also that of all the accessories (lenses, batteries, and filters). There is nothing worse than having a magnificent reflex with professional optics that stays in the hotel because it weighs too much.

Image Format: Raw vs JPEG

Many camera owners are initially confused when in their camera menu they find the image format, aspect ratio, image proportion, or even simply format points. Especially with many compact cameras, the user is often spoiled for choice regarding the relationship between the long side and the short side of an image.

When we shoot in JPEG, the camera shoots a RAW. Before storing the shot on the card, deletes some information and writes an 8-Bit per channel file. It saves us a lot of space but also makes us say goodbye to a good chunk of information.

Autofocus

Camera lenses have different focal lengths and zoom degrees. Not all lenses also zoom. The focal length is the distance from the sensor surface to the center of the aim lens when it is set to focus at infinity. It can be normal (by 50mm), wide-angle (with a lower focal length than the normal lens), or telephoto. Zooms are combinations of lenses with different focal lengths and allow you to frame distant objects without moving.

Connectivity

Cameras with integrated Wi-Fi and NFC allow you to share photos with other devices. The products with GPS can show the location where a photo was taken in the EXIF ​​data as smartphones do.

Final Words

If you are buying a camera but are unsure which model to take, then you have come to the best place. In our guide, you will find a lot of useful information that will help you better understand the technical details of a camera.

If you do not have time to learn more about the subject, you can still look at the review of the best camera for photography, starting with the Panasonic LUMIX G7KS, a mirrorless camera with superlative performance. Otherwise, the Canon PowerShot G7X is a compact and inexpensive underwater camera that is ideal for snorkelers.

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