How to Choose Your First Camera in 2026 – 2027: A Beginner's Guide
Thinking about buying your first “proper” camera?
Perhaps you've been using your phone for years and want to take your photography a bit further. Maybe you're planning a holiday, getting interested in wildlife or landscapes, or you've simply decided you'd like to learn how to use a camera properly.
Whatever the reason, choosing your first camera can feel surprisingly complicated.
There are hundreds of models to choose from, a bewildering number of specifications and plenty of people online who will happily tell you that you absolutely need the latest £2,000 camera.
You don't.
The good news is that choosing a camera doesn't need to be complicated. You just need to work out what matters to you.
Choosing your first camera?
Here's what to think about first:
Step 1: Think about what you want to photograph
This is the best place to start. Rather than asking “What's the best camera?”, ask:
“What am I going to use it for?”
If you're mainly interested in family photos, holidays, everyday photography and taking pictures of friends and pets, you probably don't need a specialist camera.
If you're interested in wildlife or sports, things like autofocus and the choice of lenses become more important.
And if you're going to take your camera travelling or walking, size and weight might matter more to you than having the very latest features.
There isn't one perfect beginner camera because the right camera depends on what you want to photograph.
Step 2: Decide how much you want to spend
Set your budget before you start looking.
It's very easy to start with a £500 budget and end up looking at £1,000 cameras because you've read that they're “better”.
But you don't need to spend a fortune to take great photographs.
There are some excellent cameras at the more affordable end of the market, and buying used can also be a great way to get more for your money.
And don't forget to factor in the lens.
If you're buying an interchangeable-lens camera, you'll usually be able to buy it with a basic kit lens. That's absolutely fine when you're starting out, you don't need a bag full of lenses on day one.
Step 3: Think about size and weight
This is something that is surprisingly easy to overlook when you're comparing cameras online.
A camera might look fantastic in a review, but if it's big and heavy, are you really going to take it with you?
If you're buying a camera for holidays, days out, walking or everyday photography, a smaller camera may be a much better choice.
The best camera isn't necessarily the one with the most impressive specifications.
It's the one you're actually going to use.
Step 4: Don't get too caught up in the technical stuff
This is where choosing a camera can start to feel like hard work. You'll come across terms such as:
APS-C
Micro Four Thirds
Full Frame
megapixels
autofocus points
ISO
image stabilisation
And if you're new to photography, you might reasonably wonder whether you need to understand all of this before you can choose a camera.
You don't.
These things do matter, but they don't all matter equally and what matters most depends on how you plan to use your camera.
I've explained the important specifications in much more detail in my free 2026–27 Beginner Camera Buyers Guide, including what they actually mean and whether they're something you need to worry about.
Step 5: Mirrorless or DSLR?
If you're buying a new camera today, you'll probably find that most of the cameras you're looking at are mirrorless.
DSLRs are still available, particularly if you're looking at used cameras, and there are some excellent ones around. But camera manufacturers are now concentrating most of their development on mirrorless cameras.
For most beginners, I wouldn't get too hung up on the difference.
Both types can take excellent photographs.
If you're buying new, mirrorless is generally the direction I'd suggest looking. But if you find a good-quality used DSLR at a great price, don't automatically dismiss it because it's not the newest technology.
Step 6: New or used?
You don't have to buy a brand-new camera.
In fact, buying used can be a really good option for a beginner. You may be able to afford a better-quality camera that's a few years old for the same money as a basic new model.
The important thing is where you buy it from.
I'd recommend buying from an established camera retailer that checks its used equipment and offers a warranty, rather than taking a gamble on a private sale if you're not confident about what you're looking for.
I've included some of my recommended retailers in my free Buyers Guide.
Step 7: Try before you buy
If you can, go and hold the cameras you're considering.
You can learn a lot from a specification sheet, but it won't tell you whether a camera feels comfortable in your hands.
Can you reach the buttons easily?
Does the grip feel comfortable?
Is it too big or too small?
Can you see clearly through the viewfinder?
Do you actually like using it?
That last one matters.
A camera should make you want to pick it up and take photographs. If it feels complicated and uncomfortable before you've even bought it, it may not be the right camera for you.
A good camera shop should be happy to let you handle different models and talk through the options.
So, which beginner camera should you buy?
If you're still not sure, don't worry. You don't need to understand every camera specification or compare every model on the market.
I've done that for you!
Get my free 2026–27 Beginner Camera Buyers Guide
I've done the research and put together a straightforward guide to the cameras I think are worth considering if you're looking for your first camera.
It explains what to look for, which features actually matter, the different types of cameras available and the models I'd recommend for different budgets and types of photography.
I've also included advice on buying used and a list of camera retailers I'd recommend.
No jargon. No endless list of specifications. Just practical advice to help you choose a camera with confidence.
Ready to Choose With Confidence?
And remember, you don't need the perfect camera. You need the right camera for you.
That's a much easier thing to find.
I'm Sarah, The Photo Coach. I've been a professional photographer for more than 20 years and have been teaching beginners how to use their cameras since 2008.
I care about making photography feel simple and enjoyable for beginners. I have taught thousands of aspiring photographers how to learn how to take great pictures in an easy-to understand way. No fluff, no info overload. Just clear steps to build your confidence and make photography fun.
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