Photo by Belinda Zeman
Starting your adventure in photography is awesome. But, a big hurdle of getting going is knowing exactly what gear you should buy. I’ve been using cameras for over two decades, and I understand what specs translate to in real-world situations. To help you get going on your photographic path, I’m sharing the best camera for beginners in 2026.
It’s no industry secret that all of today’s cameras can help you create great images. The best part of that is you don’t need to necessarily spend a small fortune when you’re new to photography.
The type of camera you go for largely depends on the style you want to shoot and the experience you want to have. With that, my selection of the best beginner cameras caters to a range of genres and budgets. Whichever you go for, you’ll certainly be able to start learning the fundamentals of photography and growing your skill set.
TL;DR: Fujifilm X-E5 is the Best Camera for Beginners
The Fujifilm X-E5 comes with a beautiful compact design, and its simple ergonomics make it ideal for beginners learning their way around a camera. The 40 megapixel sensor creates stunning, vibrant images and gives you plenty of room to crop in post. The range of film simulations are also ideal for those looking to do most of their work in camera.
Best Camera for Beginners Comparison
I have five core options to share with you, and I’ll share some honourable mentions further down as well. For my top five picks, here’s a quick side by side of features, target user and cost.
| Camera | Best Features | Size & Weight | What’s it best for? | Cost |
| Fujifilm X-E5 | 40 megapixel sensor, 5-axis in-built image stabilization, 20fps continuous shooting. | W: 124.9mmH: 72.9mmD: 39.1mm Weight: 445g | Street, travel, portrait photography | $1,699. |
| Canon EOS R100 | Face and eye detection, built-in filters, 24 megapixel sensor | W: 116.3mmH: 85.5mmD: 68.8mm Weight: 356g | Travel, portrait photography | $539. |
| Nikon ZF | 24 megapixel full-frame sensor, ISO range 100-64000, retro design with exterior dial controls. | W: 144mmH: 103mmD: 49mm Weight: 630g | Nature, wildlife, adventure, street, travel, portrait photography | $1,896.95. |
| Ricoh GR IV | 18.3mm F2.8 fixed lens, 5-axis Shake Reduction, premium, compact design and build quality | W: 109.4mmH: 61.1mmD: 32.7mm Weight: 262g | Street, travel photography. | $1,499.95. |
| OM-D E-M10 Mark IV | 20 megapixel 4/3” sensor, 5-axis in-built image stabilization, eye-detection auto focus | W: 121.7mmH: 84.6mmD: 49mm Weight: 383g | Wildlife, street, travel photography | $699.99. |
| Nikon D3500 | 24 megapixel sensor, ISO range 100-25,600, built in flash. | W: 124mmH: 97mmD: 69.5mm Weight: 365g | Travel, portrait, street, landscape photography. | $518.98 (renewed). |
Fujifilm X-E5: The Best Camera for Beginners in 2026
Released in August, 2025, the Fujifilm X-E5 is ideal for those looking for a stylish camera with impeccable image quality. It has in-built image stabilization, allowing you to shoot at slower shutter speeds and with telephoto lenses, while still achieving sharp photos.
The 40 megapixel APS-C sensor is one of the best on the market. It produces stunning images, and even lowlight images can be smooth and free of too much noise. Those 40 megapixels also give you room to crop your image in post, without losing too much detail on your subject.
When paired with an aperture-ring lens, the X-E5 offers a very hands on experience. The shutter speed dial gives tactical control over your exposure, making it much easier to learn the fundamentals of the exposure triangle.
It’s not the perfect camera. It uses the older NP-W126S battery which gets you around 310 shots per charge. Other options like Fujifilm X-T5 have a battery that produces over double that amount. There’s no weather sealing either on the X-E5 body, so you’ll need to be careful in rain, snow and dusty environments.
If you’re unfamiliar with photo editing as well, the Fujifilm X-E5 can remove the need to spend hours in post production. The dedicated film simulation dial allows you to switch between different image styles, all of which bring a unique look to your frames.
If you do prefer to edit, check out my selection of the best photo editing software for beginners.
With a maximum mechanical shutter speed 1/4000 it’s not the ideal choice for extremely fast moving subjects. But with 20fps burst mode you can catch a lot of detailed action shots if you wish.
Overall it’s the ideal choice for street, travel and portrait photography especially due to its compact size and the fact it’s an interchangeable lens body.
Canon EOS R100: Affordable Camera for Beginners
The Canon EOS R100 is an affordable entry-level camera, ideal for fans of the Canon ecosystem. The 24 megapixel APS-C CMOS produces sharp, detailed images, with excellent color production.
For a budget camera, the Canon EOS R100 has reliable autofocus with good accuracy. This makes it ideal for those shooting street and travel photography where scenes and focus can change quickly.
The battery life is slightly better than X-E5 producing up to 340 frames per single charge. This is fine for methodical day to day use, but if you’re shooting events or in burst mode, you’ll need an extra battery or two.
Speaking of burst mode, the Canon EOS R100 only offers 6.5fps, much less than my overall choice for the best camera for beginners. Still, that output can still be enough for things like skateboarding and portrait photography where there’s movement.
One of the main perks of the Canon EOS R100 are the lens options. For what you save on the body, you can reinvest in quality glass, of which Canon has plenty. Personally, I’d pair it with the Canon RF 50mm f1.8, which is super affordable as well.
Nikon ZF: Best Full Frame Camera for Beginners
The Nikon ZF is a dream camera of mine. The beautiful retro design is of course easy on the eye. Having held it numerous times, I can also so the built quality is excellent, and it felt much more premium than my current daily driver, the Fujifilm X-T3.
It’s packed with a 24 megapixel full frame sensor, meaning you’ll get excellent depth of field, plus clean images even in lowlight situations. You can really push the ISO (which has a max range of 64000) and still get relatively clean results.
I really like the colors that come out of the Nikon ZF, plus Nikon has some very good built-in filters as well. Recent updates saw the introduction of film-like grain which you can apply in camera, really giving you that retro look to your frames.
Despite being a bigger body, it still comes with a small battery, which takes up to 350 shots per charge. It also comes in at 630g, making it considerably heavier than other options.
The ZF’s autofocus is some of the best in class. It’s fast and extremely accurate, in low light and with a wide range of subjects. Pair it with 1/8000 max shutter speed and it’s excellent for really fast moving subjects. The mechanical shutter provides 14fps of continuous shooting.
This is the ideal camera for those interested in a wide range of genres. Despite being full frame it’s not much more expensive than other options in this selection.
Ricoh GR IV: Best Compact Camera for Beginners
The Ricoh GR IV’s biggest strengths are its image quality and ultra-compact design. This combination makes it a joy for beginners who want a camera they’ll actually carry most days. Released in September 2025, the latest in Ricoh’s iconic GR line continues to punch well above its weight, delivering crisp frames.
Despite its tiny footprint, the Ricoh GR IV houses a surprisingly capable 25 megapixel CMOS sensor. Though it has fewer megapixels, the sensor is roughly the same size as you’d find on the Fujifilm X-E5, letting you achieve rich detail and low-noise performance that feels far beyond its compact form.
The fixed 18mm f2.8 lens (28mm full-frame equivalent) is superb. It’s wide enough to capture context without distortion and fast enough to handle scenes in a variety of light. It’s also perfect for shooting from the hip and encourages those candid, creative frames the GR line is known for.
Battery life is solid for such a compact camera , giving you around 250 shots per charge, which is about 50 more than the previous model. For casual shooting, daily carry, and beginner experimentation, that is more than enough to get through a typical day. It of course won’t be enough for heavy users.
There are a couple of limitations to keep in mind. The fixed lens means you are locked into that 28mm field of view, so you do not get the flexibility of swapping lenses. If you prefer versatility or want to shoot wildlife, sports, or distant subjects, this might feel restrictive.
There is also no built-in viewfinder, so you will be composing entirely through the rear LCD, which will not suit everyone.
Still, for beginners who want a straightforward, premium-feeling compact camera that delivers excellent results without overwhelming them, the Ricoh GR VI remains one of the best pocket cameras you can buy.
OM-D E-M10 Mark IV: Micro Four Thirds Camera For Beginners
The OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a micro four thirds camera, which means an even smaller sensor than an APS-C sensor. This has its advantages. For example, a 300mm lens gives you a 600mm full frame equivalent making it the perfect camera for wildlife photographers.
Despite the small, 16 megapixel sensor, the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV has surprisingly good image quality, and you’ll notice a huge difference if it’s your first dedicated camera after using a smartphone. There’s also 3-axis in-built image stabilization making it the ideal choice for those using telephoto lenses and requiring extra reach.
It lacks weather sealing, which often comes in handy when shooting in environments where wildlife exists. But, this is also a great little camera for street and travel photography, and it has interchangeable lens options.There’s a built in flash and battery is around 320 shots per charge.
Nikon D3500: Best Budget DSLR for Beginners
The Nikon D3500 is an APS-C DSLR that delivers excellent image quality for its price, making it an ideal first “proper” camera for beginners. Its 24 megapixel sensor produces clean, sharp images with great color.
You also get the benefit of an optical viewfinder, which many photographers prefer for its clarity and zero lag (compared to some mirrorless cameras). Because it uses Nikon’s F-mount, there’s also a huge selection of interchangeable lenses to grow into as your photography develops.
It does lack in-built image stabilization and weather protection is fairly limited, but I used it in the rain and had zero issues; just use your best judgement. There’s also a built-in flash, and battery life is exceptional at around 1,500 shots per charge (a major perk of using a DSLR), making it incredibly reliable for learning and everyday shooting.
Because the Nikon D3500 has a release date of 2018, you won’t find it new. Thankfully you can get it at a super affordable price on the used market, and often in excellent condition.
Honorable Mentions
Below are three extra options for those potentially unsatisfied with my main selection.
Leica Q3
Leica Q3 is a luxury fixed lens camera. There are two options: a Summilux 28mm f1.7 or a Summicron 43mm f2. Both are two of the best lenses on the market and provide sharp images, with wonderful contrast and color tones. There’s a full frame sensor packed into the body and the overall build quality makes it a camera that can last a lifetime.
Fujifilm X-T5
Spec-wise, the X-T5 is a better camera than the X-E5. It has a bigger battery (675 shots), two SD card slots and weather sealing. There’s also a dedicated ISO dial on the exterior, along with a shutter dial, giving you a truly retro experience. It’s bigger and the added features may not be required for total beginners, but they’ll be there for you as your experience grows.
Nikon Z fc
The Nikon Z fc is a compact alternative to the Zf, offering a 20.9MP APS-C sensor, retro-inspired manual controls, and surprisingly strong low-light performance for its class. Despite its smaller sensor, it delivers impressive image quality with sharp, vibrant results, and its film-like design makes it a favorite for retro fans.
Singing Off
Starting photography is exciting, especially as there’s so much to learn and create. I hope my selection of the best cameras for beginners has helped you get a better idea of the right camera for you.
Consider what type of photography you’re interested in, your long term goals and your current budget. Once you have that figured out, use this guide as your roadmap to your camera.
Remember, the camera is only part of the mission. They’re all good nowadays and it’s putting in the time and practice that will help you get the most out of your creative flair.
Welcome to photography, you’re about to embark on a wonderful journey.
More reading: Best Camera for Street Photography You Actually Buy
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Editors note: This article contains a small handful of affiliate links. If you invest in a camera using any of the links, Them Frames gets a little kick back which helps run the site.
Some images are screenshots.
Updated 30th December 2025: I have rewritten this article to reflect new camera releases for 2026 and current editorial formats.
