What camera should I buy? How to choose the right camera for photography or video – News Nation USA

Trying to decide which camera you should buy? This is the guide you need. From action cams and travel compacts to mirrorless models and full-frame flagships, our expert guide covers almost every kind of camera you can buy in 2021.

Choosing the right type of camera can be tricky. With so many formats on offer, spanning such a wide range of budgets and features, its easy to be overwhelmed by choice. To help you narrow down the options, weve shared our top tips for selecting the right kind of camera for your needs.

Because we regularly review and rank the latest releases across all camera categories, were very familiar with what each type of camera can offer for different photographers. As photography enthusiasts ourselves, we also know what the most important considerations are when deciding which format is right for you, including budget limitations and lens availability.

In the following step-by-step guide, well outline the highlights and limitations of each type of camera to give you the full picture in a few short paragraphs. Well also recommend our favorite camera model in that genre. So once youve landed on the right type of camera, youll have a shortcut to the top option.

Well start with the basics and work up through more advanced cameras, ending with gear thats fit for professionals. So whether youre wondering which format best suits your style of photography, or trying to decide between two specific camera categories, this guide should help you make the right choice.

One other factor to bear in mind when perusing this guide is that Black Friday 2021 is fast approaching, which means well start to see some offers on many of the cameras on this page very soon. Were expecting the Black Friday camera deals to quickly ramp up throughout November, its a great time to be researching the best cameras for you. Luckily, our guide is here to help you do just that

Its no secret that smartphone photography has come on leaps and bounds in the last decade. The best smartphones in 2021 can capture images as well as any regular point-and-shoot, plus their connectivity means its easy to share your snaps straight to social media.

The top mobile options now ship with multiple lenses to suit all sorts of shooting scenarios. The iPhone 13 Pro, for example, features three lenses, each dedicated to a different scene: besides the main sensor, theres an ultra-wide and a telephoto lens. This means you get a lot of versatility from a device that can still slip easily into your pocket.

Whats more, the best smartphones today deploy AI smarts to help enhance your images automatically, whether thats portrait modes for shooting sharp profiles or night settings that allow you to capture sharp, bright shots after dark. Certain flagship smartphones also offer a degree of manual control, such as Samsungs Pro Mode.

Smartphones also make it incredibly easy to edit and share images, thanks to their comprehensive connectivity options and app support. With higher resolutions than ever (the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra features a 108MP main sensor, for example) you shouldnt come up short when shooting images for social media.

So smartphone cameras are more capable than ever. But there are still a few compromises to consider. Smartphone sensors are smaller than what youll find on premium compact cameras (and larger formats), which can limit low-light noise performance and ultimate image quality.

And while a few flagship smartphones do now offer optical zoom (the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra features 10x zoom on one of its lenses), the range of more affordable smartphones is pretty limited compared to the kind of flexibility offered by travel compacts and dedicated telephoto lenses for DSLR and mirrorless models.

If youre mainly looking to shoot images for social media, it probably makes sense to stick with your smartphone, or upgrade to one with a better array (rather than buying a dedicated camera). Youre most likely to rely on your smartphone for capturing life as it happens, because its the tool youll almost always have with you.

Pros: Its the camera you always have to hand, the results can match those from a regular point-and-shoot compact camera, you can share instantly to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, you can get apps with amazing effects and additional tools and they can be easy to use.

Cons: In many cases you get a fixed focal length lens (though flagship models now often feature more than one lens), smartphones arent so easy to hold; limited control over shooting settings.

TODAYS BEST DEALS

+Versatile 10x zoom range+Four cameras to play with

Expensive for a smartphoneNo microSD card slot

As the name suggests, everything about the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is impressive, including the camera setup. Despite its stunning, streamlined design, the S21 Ultra features a quartet of rear lenses. Besides the properly powerful 108MP f/1.8 main sensor, theres a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide and in a bold twist two telephoto cameras. Both are 10MP, but one has an f/2.4 aperture and 3x zoom, while the other has an f/4.9 aperture and a massive 10x optical zoom to get you closer to the action with astounding clarity.

The results are as impressive as the specs: stills are sharp with good dynamic range. Non-zoomed shots arent always as good as the best rivals, but a wealth of modes including Directors View (which allows you to shoot footage with the front and rear cameras simultaneously) and an improved night mode for finely tuned photos after dark together with a capable 40MP front-facing camera, make the S21 Ultra a powerhouse for smartphone photographers.

If your aim is to capture lifes adventures on video, you might want to look at an action camera instead of a standard compact or smartphone.

Built tough enough to withstand drops, dust and dunkings, the best action cams are rugged but simple to use. Most come with mounts that allow you to attach them to all sorts of things, from handlebars and helmets to car dashboards and even your pets. Whatever you choose to use it for, a good action cam should help you capture footage in conditions that would destroy normal cameras.

Most action cams can shoot good-quality 4K video through a fixed focal length wide-angle lens. Many are completely waterproof, but some still ship with a separate waterproof housing for going deeper beneath the waves. The best action cams are small and light enough to not get in the way, straightforward to operate and sturdily built.

GoPro is the biggest name in action cameras and its regularly updated range of Hero models epitomizes everything thats great about the format. Theyre made to survive some pretty extreme conditions, yet their touchscreen and button interfaces mean theyre easy to control. GoPro cameras can also capture high-resolution video, with class-leading image stabilization to keep fast-paced footage smooth and steady. Plus they feature a range of presets and modes for cinematic creativity, as well as excellent connectivity options for easy editing and uploading.

While GoPro is the most popular action cam brand, its not alone in the market. From affordable cams that you wont be afraid to put through the ringer, to flagship recorders from companies like Sony and DJI, there are plenty of action cam options. Some are bullet-shaped for a better helmet fit, while others are modular, meaning you can switch to different sensor or accessory setups as the situation requires.

Extreme sports enthusiasts naturally gravitate towards action cams for capturing their adventurous pursuits, but they have plenty of other uses. Action cameras are often favored by vloggers, for example, because of their portability, flexibility and ease of use. They can also be used to shoot in-car footage like a dash cam, or attached to just about anything. The best bit? Unlike a compact camera or smartphone, wherever you stick an action cam, you shouldnt have to worry about knocks, shocks or rain showers.

Pros: Cheap, tough and simple, surprisingly good 4K movie quality in most cases, you can mount them on practically anything.

Cons: Fixed wide-angle lenses mean theres no zoom capability, while theres little control over exposure. Still photos are snapshot quality only.

TODAYS BEST DEALS

+4K at 120fps+Powerful GP2 processor

Same small sensor as beforeNot a winner in low light

GoPro has long been the brand to beat in the action cam arena and the Hero 10 Black only cements its position. Featuring the same small sensor, screens and shell as the GoPro Hero 9 Black before it, the Hero 10 Black offers a more refined experienced than its predecessor. It features a snappy touchscreen interface and menu system, accompanied by that handy front screen for framing. Beneath its rugged exterior, a GP2 processor ensures polished performance: it can shoot 5K at frame rates of up to 60p, as well as slick 4K slow-mo at 120fps.

Stabilization is stellar as well, with HyperSmooth 4.0 backed up by horizon leveling, which can keep footage steady even if you tilt to angles of 45 degrees. Live-streaming of 1080p video is still subject to some limitations (YouTubers need at least 1,000 subscribers), but the ability to stream with HyperSmooth 4.0 enabled means viewers should get a steadier show. Add a hydrophobic lens cover to its established endurance skills and the GoPro Hero 10 Black becomes the clear winner if you need top-notch video in tricky conditions even if budget rivals offer better value.

Looking to get closer to the action while you travel? Travel zoom compact cameras combine the portability and simplicity of a point-and-shoot with a much longer zoom range thats capable of capturing a wider range of subjects.

With the rise of smartphone photography, cheap point-and-shoot cameras have declined in popularity. But one area where smartphones still fall behind is optical zoom: even the best flagships are limited to 3-5x zoom, while most rely on electronic trickery to digitally crop in on faraway subjects. Long-zoom travel compacts seize this as they main advantage, offering a much, much longer optical zoom range typically up to 30x.

The idea is simple: you still get a pocketable camera thats straightforward to use, but the huge telescopic zoom range means you can photograph practically anything you encounter on your travels from beautiful landscapes to distant landmarks. And because the zoom is optical rather than digital, theres far less degradation in quality (especially as the quality of compact lenses has improved).

Because travel compacts prize portability, youll still encounter some of the same compromises found in a standard compact. Sensor size, for example, is relatively small, meaning low-light performance usually cant come close to matching a mirrorless or DSLR model. The flip side is that you get long-zoom versatility without needing to stick a bulky telephoto lens barrel in your backpack.

The best travel zoom compacts do now utilise larger 1-inch sensors, including the Panasonic Lumix Z100 (labelled the Lumix TZ100 outside the US) which is our top pick below. This means improved image quality and performance, without sacrificing that all-important portability. Some also offer more advanced manual control options (such as shutter speed and lens aperture control), while the top options (including the TZ100 / ZS100) also feature built-in electronic viewfinders.

While smartphones might have sounded the death-knell for affordable point-and-shoot compacts, travel zoom cameras continue to offer a useful combination of portability and versatility. If you want a camera thats small enough to go in a pocket, yet flexible enough to shoot a whole range of scenarios, they are well worth a look. After all, you dont want to miss any once-in-a-lifetime photo moments.

Pros: Massive zoom range that copes with almost any kind of subject; quality generally slightly higher than a point-and-shoot compact; may have more advanced controls.

Cons: More expensive; still uses a small sensor (with some exceptions) which limits the ultimate picture quality, especially in low-light conditions.

TODAYS BEST DEALS

+15x optical zoom range+Large 1.0-inch sensor

EVF still feels pretty crampedImage smoothing at high ISOs

It might not have the longest zoom range for a travel compact camera, but Panasonics Lumix ZS200 (known as the Lumix TZ200 outside the US) is our pick of the travel compacts. Panasonic has managed to squeeze a much larger sensor into the ZS200 / TZ200 enables the pixels to be about 2.4x bigger than they are in models like the Lumix ZS70 / TZ90 and helps the ZS200 produce much higher quality images. The 15x zoom ranging from 24-360mm might look limited compared to some rivals, but the optics are decent and for general photography, you shouldnt need anything more. You also get an electronic viewfinder that makes it easier to compose images in bright sunny conditions and 4K video recording. It all adds up to be a powerful, if pricey option.

Bridge cameras are the original hybrid camera format. As the name suggests, they bridge the gap between accessible compact cameras and more advanced DSLR models.

Bridge cameras generally offer the handling and control style of a classic DSLR camera, with a chunky hand grip and dedicated manual control dials. Yet they also tend to be slightly more portable than DSLR models, thanks to smaller sensors inside. And instead of interchangeable lenses, you get a single fixed lens with the kind of massive zoom range usually associated with a travel camera.

Despite the flexibility of their generous zoom ranges (such as the massive 125x zoom on the Nikon Coolpix P1000), bridge cameras are not without their limitations. In order to deliver these zoom capabilities without adding to the weight or the price tag, many manufacturers use the same 1/2.3-inch sensors found in compact cameras. So although you get the look and feel of a DSLR, you dont get the same image quality or performance.

There are some exceptions: both Sony and Panasonic have released bridge cameras with much larger 1-inch sensors. These sacrifice some zoom range for the sake of a big step up in image quality. Both the Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV and Panasonic Lumix FZ2500 (known as the Lumix FZ2000 outside the US) feature 1-inch sensors, while still delivering decent zoom ranges.

Although fewer new bridge cameras have hit shelves in recent years, the format remains relevant for photographers in a clear niche. Theyre not pocketable, but they represent an excellent alternative for travelers whod like the versatility of a wide zoom range, plus the handling of a larger camera, without having to carry around a bag of lenses.

Pros: Massive zoom range; DSLR-style controls and features; versatility and value for money.

Cons: Small sensor size limits the quality (with some key exceptions); detail often quite soft at full zoom; autofocus systems rarely match DSLRs or mirrorless cameras for responsiveness.

TODAYS BEST DEALS

+Excellent and fast 24-600mm lens+Superb stills and video quality

Pricey compared to rivalsTouchscreen control limited

Youll pay a premium for the RX10 IVs performance, but when you look at what else is out there for the same price, the RX10 IV is virtually in a league of its own.Featuring a huge 24-600mm f/2.4-4 zoom lens, the RX10 IV builds on the RX10 III with an overhauled AF system that now does justice to the rest of the camera, while the 1-inch, 20.1MP sensor is capable of achieving excellent levels of detail. Thats not forgetting the ability to capture video in 4K and shoot at up to 24fps. Impressive stuff.

Smartphone photography hasnt killed off the compact camera. Instead, its highlighted the value of high-end compacts: these pocketable premium models offer proper photographic performance and image quality to embarrass your mobile, in a physical form that can still slip comfortably into a coat pocket.

A premium compact offers a different route to better images. Youre not paying for a huge zoom range or DSLR-style handling. Instead, spending extra nets you a larger sensor, a better lens, enhanced connectivity and the kind of manual controls usually reserved for more expensive mirrorless models.

High-end compact models are designed for enthusiasts and experts who want a camera thats small enough to carry around when a regular DSLR or full-frame mirrorless camera would be impractical. Many photographers choose to own a premium compact alongside a larger interchangeable lens camera. By carrying one in their pocket at all times, they know theyll always have a capable tool to capture unexpected shots.

Zoom range is rarely special on a premium compact (its usually about the same as youd get from a regular point-and-shoot). Some even opt for a fixed focal length. The pay-off is a bigger sensor that leaves smartphones and standard compacts for dust when it comes to low-light photography and outright image quality (usually aided by a better, wide-aperture lens).

Many premium compacts today use large 1-inch sensors, such as the Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 and Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III. Some find space for a Micro Four Thirds sensor (like the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II) while the very best manage to squeeze in an APS-C sensor, which is the same size as youll find in many mirrorless and DSLR cameras. Which is one of the reasons why the Fujifilm X100V is our favorite premium compact for those who can afford it.

Pros: DSLR features and DSLR-approaching quality in a pocket-sized camera.

Cons: Even the cheapest arent cheap, and the most expensive really are expensive; you cant change lenses.

TODAYS BEST DEALS

+Useful tilting touchscreen+Strong sensor and autofocus

Not weather-sealedQuite expensive

A different kind of camera, the Fujifilm X100V combines the capabilities youd expect from a premium compact with the iconic retro styling of an analogue camera from the Fifties. Somehow it works. With a 26.1MP sensor and a powerful X-Processor 4 at its disposal, image quality was never in doubt. What the X100V doesnt have is the kind of zoom range that some might like.

Instead, you get a fast, fixed focal length 23mm f/2 lens thats perfect for street and portrait photographers. So too is the speedy autofocus and solid low-light noise control. You also get a high-resolution hybrid viewfinder, plus a useful tilting touchscreen for straightforward framing and 4K at 30fps for detailed footage. Yes, the cost will be prohibitive for some, while the absence of weather-proofing means it isnt a camera for all conditions. All the same, you wont find many other premium compacts with this set of skills and none with such a striking throwback shell.

DSLR cameras are no longer considered the cutting-edge choice for serious photographers: with the rapid advancement of mirrorless models, those are now the top option if you want a high-performance camera. But theres still plenty to be said for the DSLR format in 2021.

Besides big sensors for superior image quality and interchangeable lenses for unrivaled versatility, DSLR cameras also offer a fundamentally different user experience. DSLR cameras are famed for their bigger bodies, which feature chunky, ergonomic grips that are comfortable and forgiving to use. They also feature optical viewfinders which allow you to see through the cameras lens while framing, as well as superior battery life. Plus the best DSLR cameras have sensor resolutions to rival the top mirrorless options.

DSLR cameras remain an excellent choice for students, too. There are many entry-level options which offer an affordable route into DSLR photography. Learners often find the larger grip and accessible controls make it easier to explore the basic principles of photography, while manual settings and multiple preset modes mean you can affordably experiment with more creative shooting as your skills improve.

The option to change lenses also opens up a new world of opportunities. DSLR cameras will usually ship with a kit lens thats designed to cover a range of everyday focus lengths. From there, you can diversify based on your style of photography. That might mean a telephoto for safari shots, a super-wide-angle for huge landscapes, a macro lens for extreme close-ups or a fast prime lens for sharp low-light street shots with dramatic depth of field.

Although mirrorless models are pushing the boundaries of performance in 2021, DSLR cameras are still a great option for many photographers. For beginners, they represent an accessible entry route into more advanced photography. For enthusiasts, the larger sensors and interchangeable lenses wont limit extermination. And for more serious snappers, the best full-frame DSLR cameras can still compete when it comes to outright image quality.

Pros: Interchangeable lenses; full manual controls; raw files; APS-C sensor for a big step up in quality.

Cons: Big and bulky compared to most compact cameras; focusing in live view on the rear screen is comparatively sluggish on most models.

TODAYS BEST DEALS

+Excellent image quality+Handy Guide mode

No touchscreenNo 4K video

Nikons D3500 builds on the brilliant D3400, which was until recently our top entry-level DSLR pick. Nikons D3500 is our top pick when it comes to entry-level DSLRs. While it shares quite a few features with the D3400, upgrades for the D3500 include a new 24.2MP sensor, better battery life (to a staggering 1,550 shots) and refined exterior controls. Its clever Guide Mode is a useful learning tool that gives real-time explanations of important features. Theres no touchscreen, but otherwise this is our favorite entry-level DSLR right now.

Mirrorless cameras are fast becoming the format of choice for enthusiasts and experts alike. Like DSLR cameras, they feature large sensors and support for interchangeable lenses. But theyre also more compact and tend to deliver more advanced performance and connectivity options.

As the name suggests, theres no mirror inside a mirrorless camera. That means they can be made both smaller and lighter than their chunky DSLR cousins. It also means that, instead of optical viewfinders, mirrorless models often rely on electronic equivalents for framing. These are usually small, sharp and bright OLED panels which show you the image as youll capture it, rather than the real analogue scene in front of you. Whether this appeals will be a matter of personal preference.

Many cheaper models dont come with a viewfinder at all, meaning youll need to use the rear screen. This can be a disadvantage in certain scenarios, but improvements to touchscreen technology mean that many mirrorless models now feature seamless interfaces which will be familiar to smartphone photographers.

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What camera should I buy? How to choose the right camera for photography or video - News Nation USA