Digital Camera World:
Anyone who makes their living writing about cameras will frequently be asked for buying advice, and, more often than not, the first question that’s put to them is: “shall I buy brand x or brand y?”
It’s a basic question that comes with the expectation of a basic answer, and because of that it can only be so useful. Without any indication of what skill level the photographer is current at or what they intend to photograph, and whether they want a lens that’s permanently embedded within the camera body or the option to change it for another, a straightforward vote for brand x or y will do little more than uncover any brand bias in the person whose opinion is being asked.
Any manufacturer currently producing cameras is making a camera that suits somebody out there.
I get this question all the time from beginners. My answer is, “It doesn’t matter. Buy a camera that fits your budget”. Every manufacturer has really good beginner cameras. Just buy one and learn how to shoot and what kind of photographer you are. Make your next camera more specific as to brand, lenses, features, etc.
The only time I specify a brand is when I ask, “Do you have a friend who is a pro and has lenses you can borrow? Then buy the brand she has.”
I ask them what they want to do with their camera. How serious are they, and how much do they want to spend. And I point them in the direction that has the greatest longevity for them. If they want to be a wildlife photographer, then I don’t tell them to buy cameras that can’t lead to that. But most people don’t really know.
Seriously. “What do you plan to do with it?” covers a good number of product categories that one can get asked to recommend.
“Do you have a friend who is a pro and has lenses you can borrow? Then buy the brand she has.”
Few serious pros would lend their good lenses to someone who can’t even pick a camera for themselves. 🙂
Does brand matter? Only when the camera is also a phone… 😉
Of course brand matters. You do want to be in the IOS ecosystem, don’t you?
Budget, budget, budget. Get the best camera you can afford for the budget. Really, as far as brand goes, you can’t go wrong with a camera from Canon, Nikon, or Sony. They make fantastic cameras at all budget ranges, and you can easily move up if you catch the bug. Apologies to your wallet if you do.
Ha, so true. Pro photographers are more likely to lend you their wives than their good lenses.
A Pentax, obviously.
(I’m mostly joking. But not entirely.)