One of the most asked questions asked by beginner photographers is which camera should they start with? There is a short and a long answer to this. The short answer is, whatever camera is suitable for you. The long answer we’ll get to below.
There are three types of cameras that beginner photographers use for product photography. The three categories are:
- Smartphone
- Point-and-shoot digital camera
- DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera
Smartphones and point-and-shoot cameras have their limitations. Smartphone cameras have very limited options and the quality is really dependent on using the lighting appropriately. Lighting is one of the most important aspects when it comes to product photography. Point-and-shoot cameras are the cameras you would most commonly buy, like the Nikon CoolPix or the Canon PowerShot. They have more flexibility than the smartphone (different modes, optical zoom), but still limit your ability to take awesome product photos. That leaves us with the DSLR.
A DSLR camera gives you all the freedom to be creative, take great photos, change the look and feel of your images, and is not even that expensive for start. Entry level DSLR cameras start with pricetag around $500. DSLRs have the option to shoot manual, which gives more flexibility than on smartphone cameras and point-and-shoot cameras. DSLRs will also allow you to use different lenses, which will open up a lot of versatility you can do with these cameras, and will allow you to create better product photography. Here are some of the best picks for DSLRs:
Nikon D3300
The Nikon D3300 is sold for about $550 USD. It has a 24 megapixel sensor and it is great for shooting objects also in lower light. It’s really user-friendly with it’s built-in guide that will help beginners learn the camera’s settings.
If you need a wi-fi, there is an additional device you can buy for the camera. A wireless adapter for about $80, pair the camera with your compatible smartphone or tablet, and the photos from your camera will pop up on your device.
The Nikon D3300 comes with an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. Those numbers may not mean a lot for you, but they basically mean that it has a little bit of zoom and is suitable for normal lighting situations (but not so great for low light areas, like darker rooms, without the use of flash). This is the standard kit lens for entry level DSLRs and is really versatile and great for getting to know your camera.
Canon EOS Rebel T6i (750D)
source: amytakespictures.com
The biggest competitors in the DSLR market are Nikon and Canon. There are other decent DSLR cameras, but these two really lead in the market.
The Canon Rebel T6i is comes with a built-in Wi-fi and movable touchscreen. It also costs more – 900$. Like the one before, the Canon Rebel T6i has fantastic image quality, low image noise at high ISOs (great for low light), and comes with an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens.
Nikon D5500
source: amytakespictures.com
We can say that this Nikon D5500 is very similar to the Canon in terms of gadgets like built-in wi-fi and movable touchscreen. Also, 24.2MP sensor on board and low noise at high ISO sensitivities. The Nikon D5500 costs about $850, including the camera body and the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens.
So, these are the best three picks for entry level DSLRs for beginners’ product photography. Of course, there are better cameras out there, but they also cost more. But for beginner photographers there’s no need to invest thousands in photography equipment yet. These picks will do just fine.
