The vast majority of photographs around the world are taken with a smartphone, but sometimes the phone is not enough. A dedicated camera, which is born only and exclusively for that, can offer not only superior image quality, but also and above all a versatility that a smartphone simply can not have. While it is true that lately, many models of "optical zoom" phones are available on the market, a camera, which is a compact or SLR camera, gives you much more.
First of all, it allows you not to consume your phone's battery, which can also be used for emergencies or for many other reasons, and allows you to make quality "zoom" and without loss of detail. In addition, a camera often offers superior ergonomics, different settings that you can choose for each photograph, has a dedicated memory only for photos taken and videos recorded with the same. In short, a camera was born only and exclusively for a single purpose, and is undoubtedly the best device for taking photographs. The choice, however, is not simple and you have to untangle between compact point and shoot, SLR, bridge, mirrorless, but do not worry, even if you have doubts about which camera to buy I will be happy to help. In this page I will explain the differences between the various categories of cameras that are currently available on the market and some technical notions that never hurt. All this allows you to orientate yourself in the choice of your new model of camera, be it a compact, a bridge, a mirrorless or a SLR, without having the slightest doubt.
Index Types of cameras
Without letting go of too many technicalities, we try to clarify the main types of cameras currently on the market and their reference users.Point and shoot compact cameras - cameras for "every day", designed for those looking for comfort first and foremost. They do not have complicated settings to adjust and do not put the user in the embarrassment of having to choose between various objectives. As their name suggests, to use them just take them, point them towards the subject to be captured and shoot: the rest think of themselves thanks to the filters that adjust the shooting settings according to the situation. They do not offer the quality of the most advanced machines, not even their flexibility in adjusting the shooting parameters, but on the other hand they are much cheaper and easier to handle. To learn more, take a look at my post dedicated to compact cameras. Bridge - they are compact that feel Reflex. They have far-reaching zoom, allow you to adjust more settings than the point and shoot but the quality of the shots is not at the level of professional machines. Mirrorless - are cameras halfway between the compact and the Reflex on which you can mount various lenses. The higher-end models ensure a flexibility similar to that of professional machines, and also the quality of the shots is now comparable. In recent years, mirrorless have evolved to such an extent that they succeed in reaching, and in some cases even exceeding, the most advanced SLRs. In addition, they are more manageable and lighter than the latter because they do not have a mirror system for the lens. Superzoom - compact cameras that have optical zoom of over 20x are defined in this way. They are a bit 'more cumbersome point and shoot but weigh less than the bridge. Reflex - the most advanced and complete cameras ever. They can be equipped with a wide range of lenses and allow you to precisely adjust all the shooting parameters. They are suitable for both professionals and inexperienced enthusiasts, who can take advantage of the automatic optimization of shots. If you want to know more read my article with advice on which Reflex buy. Technical featuresOnce you have chosen a type of camera to buy, to identify the model that best suits your needs you have to take some technical aspects into consideration. One of these is definitely the number of Megapixels, but it is not as fundamental as some producers want us to believe. The Megapixels (MP) indicate the number of pixels (in millions) that make up the photos taken by digital cameras, to be precise is the multiplication of pixels of the horizontal side of the image for those of the vertical side: they have their importance but from only do not determine the quality of the shots. Good quality photos are obtained when a large number of pixels are associated with large sensors (that are able to capture a lot of light). Anyway,Another value that you have to take into consideration is that of the ISO sensitivity, ie the level of "brightness" of the sensor: when it is high, the camera can take clear pictures even in low light conditions. Be careful, however, when you take a picture by raising too much the ISO value (which is adjustable) you may get an image full of noise.Always talking about the sensor of a camera, it is good to point out that the latter can be of various types: in the SLR there are those Full Frame that measure 24 × 36 mm and therefore equivalent to the 35mm film format, those APS-C measuring 23 x 15 mm and have a conversion ratio of 1.5: 1 or 1.6: 1 and those Four Thirds that instead measure 17 x 13 mm and have a conversion ratio of 2: 1. In general the sensor is larger and the quality of the generated shots is higher. Usually in the compact, in the bridge and in some mirrorless the sensor is smaller than the ones I just mentioned.The objective used contributes significantly to the quality of a shot. To evaluate an objective, consider the maximum aperture of the diaphragm that regulates the amount of light passing through the lens (measured in F-stop, eg f / 1.4 of / 5.6), the focal length and the zoom level supported (although not all lenses are also zoomed). The focal length is the distance from the sensor surface to the center of the lens when it is set to infinity focus. It can be 50 mm (standard), wide-angle (to capture very large areas) or telephoto (ie with a focal length greater than the standard lens and therefore capable of enlarging objects with respect to the human eye).Also take into consideration the resolution and framerate of the videos that a camera is able to realize, support for Wi-Fi (in order to share the shots "on the fly" with other devices) and the presence of GPS to save the geographical position in which shots and videos were made.
Which camera to buy
With this - and with the insights I have invited you to read earlier - I would say that you are ready to choose which camera to buy. So here's a list of compact, SLR and other cameras at an attractive price: I'm sure you'll find some that are right for you! Best cheap camera (under € 200) Nikon Coolpix A10 (point and shoot) It costs very little, but has all the essentials to start with. The Nikon Coolpix A10 offers easy and intuitive operation, with a comfortable grip and clear command layout. The lens offers an optical zoom with a maximum magnification factor of 5X, and there is of course the automatic shooting mode that allows anyone to take good quality pictures under any circumstances. It uses a 16 MP CCD sensor, records at 720p and has a VR stabilizer. It is available in various colors. Nikon Coolpix A10 Compact Digital Camera, 16 Megapixel, Zoom 5X, ... Amazon.it: 89.00 € 79.49 € See offer on Amazon
Nikon Coolpix W100 (point and shoot) A step higher we find the excellent Nikon Coolpix W100 that can also be used underwater (it is water resistant to 10 meters), resists dust, shock (up to 1.5 meters in height) and cold (up to a temperature of -10). These are its main technical features: 13.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor, 3x optical zoom, 30-90mm focal excursion, f / 3.3-5.9 brightness and electronic stabilizer. It mounts a 3 "display and can also be used to record Full HD video (1080p) at 30FPS. Nikon Coolpix W100 Compact Digital Camera, 13.2 Megapixel, LCD 3 ... Amazon.co.uk: 147.99 € See offer on Amazon Canon IXUS 285 HS (point and shoot) Among the compact point and shoot is definitely worth taking a look at the Canon IXUS 285 HS which has a 20.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor, a 25mm wide-angle lens with a focal excursion of 25-300mm and a 12x optical zoom. It supports Wi-Fi, NFC and GPS and has a 3 "display. It also allows you to make Full HD videos in MP4 format. Canon Ixus 285 HS Digital Compact Camera, 20.2 Megapixels, Black
Sony DSC-W830 (point and shoot)
Those who love Sony can instead choose the Sony DSC-W830, a compact 20.1 MP sensor and Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens. It implements an 8x optical zoom and has various shooting modes that can be selected automatically by the software. The weight of this model is extremely low, equal to 104 grams. This is a feature that makes the Sony DSC-W830 an excellent travel companion, comfortable in all circumstances. Sony DSC-W830 Compact Digital Camera, 2 HAD Super HAD CCD Sensor ... Amazon.co.uk: 140.00 € 99.49 € See offer on Amazon Best mid-range camera (less than 600 €) Canon PowerShot SX410 IS ( bridge) The Canon PowerShot SX410 IS is one of the best-selling bridge of the moment. It has a 20 Megapixel CCD sensor and a 24mm lens with 40x optical zoom, 80x ZoomPlus function and a 24-960mm focal range. It offers 15 different shooting modes, records video in 720p HD at 25FPS and has a 3 "display. Sony DSC-RX100 M2 (point and shoot) The Sony DSC-RX100M2 is a top of the range in the world of compact, a small concentration of technology that can count on a 20MP Exmor R sensor CMOS with Carl Zeiss optics, a wide-angle lens F / 1.8 and support for Wi-Fi technologies and NFC to instantly share photos and videos with other devices or directly online. It has optical stabilizer and 3.6x optical zoom and records FullHD video. Sony DSC-RX100M2 Compact Cyber-shot Digital Camera, CMOS Sensor The Sony Alpha 5000L is among the cheaper mirrors, and is not particularly modern. However it can give great satisfaction in terms of photographic quality to those who are not very demanding. It uses the Bionz X processor and an APS-C sensor (the same format used by entry-level and mid-range SLRs) of 20.1 MP with a 16-50mm lens included. The LCD screen is tilted at 180 ° and you can record videos in Full HD at 60i or 24p. Sony Alpha 5000L Compact Digital Camera with Interchangeable Lens. Even this camera is not very recent, but it can still be considered an excellent purchase for the same considerations we have done on the mirrorless Sony. The Canon EOS M10 uses an 18-megapixel APS-C sensor and an interchangeable 15-45 mm IS STM EF-M lens. The display is touchscreen and can be tilted 180 °. Included in the equipment are the camera body, the lens with dust cover, the cap for the camera, a strap, the battery and an interface cable. Canon EOS M10 Mirrorless Camera Kit with EF-M Lens 15-45 mm, 1 Turning to the Reflex I point out the excellent Canon EOS 1200D that has an 18MP CMOS APS sensor and a DIGIC 4 image processor. Record video in full HD quality, mounts a rear display to view and edit shots quickly and offers an ISO sensitivity of 100-6,400 expandable up to 12,800. Nikon D3300 (reflex) Equally valid, remaining within the scope of reflex, is the Nikon D3300 which has a 24.2 Megapixel CMOS DX sensor, an ISO sensitivity of 100-12,800 (expandable to 25,600), allows you to shoot bursts at 5FPS and creates video at 1080p and 720p with framerates of 30 and 60 FPS. Includes a 3 "display and can be purchased with different lens kits, such as the 18-55mm VR II. Among the accessories available there is also a wireless adapter that allows you to share photos in Wi-Fi. Nikon D3300 Digital SLR Camera Kit, with Nikkor AF-P 18/55 VR The Canon EOS 700D is a mid-range SLR offering excellent value for money. Features a 18 Megapixel CMOS AF Hybrid sensor, 9-point AF autofocusing system and a 100-12.800 ISO sensitivity (expandable up to 25,600). Make videos in Full HD at 30FPS and continuous shots at 5 fps. It can be purchased with various lens kits, such as the EF-S 18-55mm IS STM and EF-S 18-135mm and 40mm. Canon EOS 700D Digital SLR Camera, 18 Megapixel, EF Lens. If you are looking for a mirrorless, consider also the Sony Alpha 6000L which has a 24.3 Megapixel CMOS Exaxor CMOS sensor with 3x optical zoom, an ISO sensitivity from 100 to 25.600 and, of course, allows you to use various lenses. It supports Wi-Fi, NFC and records video at 1080p with a framerate of 60FPS. It also features an auto focus function, an SVGA OLED Tru-finder viewfinder and a 3 "screen to view and edit photos" on the fly ". Sony Alpha 6000L Compact Digital Camera, Interchangeable Lens ... Amazon.co.uk: 900.00 € 549.00 € See offer on Amazon Sony DSC-RX100M4 (point and shoot) Point and shoot cameras are not all cheap, but there are also high quality models like the Sony DSC-RX100M4. This model is among the most recent of the Japanese manufacturer: it uses a 20.1 MP Exmor RS CMOS sensor and a Zeis Vario-Sonnar T lens with a 2.9x optical zoom. It can even record at 4K Ultra HD resolution with a 100 Mbps bitrate and has options of slow motion up to a maximum of 1000 fps. The viewfinder is OLED. Sony DSCRX100M4.CE3 Camera, 20.1 Megapixel, CMOS Exmor RS Sensor, ... Amazon.it: 1.050,00 € 729,00 € See offer on Amazon Canon EOS 200D (reflex)
The Canon EOS 200D uses a mid-range APS-C sensor, namely a 24.2 MP CMOS Dual Pixel model. It is aimed at users looking for a certain quality at an affordable price while taking advantage of the latest generation DIGIC 7 image processor. This camera supports a maximum of ISO 25,600, reaching an extension of ISO 51,200. The display is adjustable, while the recorded videos arrive at Full HD resolution at 60 fps. More information on this model can be found on the Canon website. Canon EOS 200D Body Digital Reflex Camera, Black It is one of Nikon's best DSLRs in terms of value for money: it implements a 24.1 MP APS-C sensor with an adjustable 3-inch display and an integrated 18-105 VR lens. The Nikon D5300 does not appeal to a professional audience, but can offer great satisfaction at a reduced cost. The sensor can go up to ISO 12,800 in steps of 1/3 EV and has an autofocus system of choice between 39 and 11 points, while on the body there are several commands to offer extremely high ergonomics. Nikon D5300 Digital Camera Reflex + Nikkor 18 / 105VR, 24.1 Mbps, L
The Pentax K-3 II is a reflex-type camera that uses a high-sensitivity 24.71MP CMOS sensor without AA filter in APS-C format. In this model we find a glass pentaprism sight with 100% coverage and a weatherproof body (in tropicalized jargon). It achieves a maximum ISO sensitivity of 51,200, and can take advantage of a 27-point focusing system. Video recording takes place at Full HD resolution. Pentax X16187 Digital Camera, CMOS Sensor Stabilized 24 Mp, The Nikon Coolpix P610 is a compact super-zoom, characterized by an optical zoom that can go to the factor of magnification of 60x. With this camera you can take photos and record videos to subjects that are at a great distance, thanks to the vibration reduction system. Integrate Wi-Fi, NFC and even a GPS module to geolocate the location where the shot occurred. On the technical front we find a 16 megapixel sensor, the ability to record in Full HD and go to ISO 6400 and a 3 "LCD display. Nikon Coolpix P610 Compact Digital Camera, 16 Megapixel, Zoom 60 ... Amazon.co.uk: € 599.00 See offer on Amazon Sony Alpha 6300L (mirrorless) If you want a quality camera in a small footprint, the Sony Alpha 6300L offers truly incredible image quality in a body with a very small volume. The sensor is a 24.2 MP CMOS Exmor with APS-C format, while the lens of the kit that I propose is an honest 16-50 mm, but it can naturally change. This camera can be pushed up to a maximum of ISO 51,200 and can also be used in prosumer fields (semi-professional). Sony ILCE6300LB Compact Camera, Black Amazon.it: € 1,500.00 € 957.00 See offer on Amazon Canon EOS 6D (reflex)
The last camera that I suggest is a SLR with 20 megapixel full frame sensor capable of extending the ISO support up to a maximum of 102.400. The Canon EOS 6D is more cumbersome than average, of course, but can be used in any environment and circumstance, even in professional environments. I propose you the model with the 24-105 mm lens, which is very versatile and offers good value for money. Record in Full HD and have a 3.2-inch display. Canon EOS 6D Digital SLR Camera Kit with EF Lens 24-105 mm ...
The Sony Alpha 7 II model is the embodiment of the fact that the mirrorless can equal quality in the most noble SLRs, and even exceed them for the same price. It uses a 24.3 Megapixel Full Frame sensor (like that of professional SLRs) and, in the kit that I propose below, an excellent 28-70mm handyman lens. In the body there is also a 5-axis image stabilizer, while the hybrid-type AF and the integrated Bionz X image processor allow a very high shutter speed. Sony ILCE7M2B + SEL2870 Compact Camera with Interchangeable Optics