The Best Mirrorless and SLR Cameras for Beginners in 2025
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The latest iPhone, Galaxy, and Pixel phones capture images that turn heads and rack up social media likes, but there's a limit to what they can do. If you're interested in trying advanced photo techniques, it's time to think about a camera with interchangeable lens support, like the Nikon Z50II, our top pick for anyone just starting out. Whether it's for capturing distant wildlife , trying your hand at long-exposure landscapes and night sky astrophotography , or delving into the tiny world of macro, a dedicated camera offers big benefits over your phone, and you don't need to spend a ton of money to get one. We've tested hundreds of cameras for photographers of all skill levels, and these are the best for beginners. Read on for our top picks, followed by important points to consider throughout your search.
Most Beginners Shouldn't Buy an SLR
There's a better-than-average chance that you're reading this after searching for recommendations on SLRs for beginners. And here's what we have to say about that: Most beginners shouldn't buy SLRs. That doesn't mean you shouldn't get a camera that supports swappable lenses; it means you're better off starting with a mirrorless model with an electronic viewfinder (EVF), not an SLR with an optical viewfinder.
Technology has moved beyond the scope of the optical viewfinder. A decade ago, the best cameras were all SLRs; today, they are mirrorless. The idea is the same—a large image sensor, interchangeable lenses, and a direct view through the lens—but now the image sensor creates the view and shows it on a rear screen or eye-level electronic viewfinder.
There are palpable advantages for beginners. For one, you get a preview of your exposure in the EVF, freeing you to experiment with manual exposure modes and see feedback in real time. Autofocus coverage typically extends much farther, so you get more freedom to position a subject in the frame. Focus is faster and more accurate with on-sensor tech, too, and the EVF design makes it possible to seamlessly swap between still and movie modes.
The creative side is there, too. If you're thinking about making photos in black and white, you can set a mirrorless camera to preview your scenes in monochrome. The same is true for any color looks you want to apply—almost every camera offers vivid and neutral modes, but others extend them to more artistic looks.
All that said, we've included an SLR in our recommendation list for folks who strictly prefer an optical viewfinder. They're worth thinking about if your eyes don't deal well with digital displays, but you're definitely missing out on the more modern trappings of a mirrorless camera.
Which Mirrorless Camera Is Best for Beginners?
When you buy an interchangeable lens camera, you're not just buying the camera. The system you choose dictates what lenses you can use.
That's not a big deal if you're just starting out—you most likely can get your camera of choice with a bundled zoom and expand your kit with any number of telephoto, wide-aperture prime, or macro lenses.
If you think you're going to move to higher-end equipment down the road, take a little more into consideration. The Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds, and Sony E platforms offer the widest range of lenses. Canon EOS R and Nikon Z don't have quite as many options but cover more than the basics. We don't recommend buying a Canon EOS M camera at this time as the system never took off, and Canon has moved on to its EOS R lineup.
For more details on what every camera system offers, check out our guide to choosing a system .
Is Full-Frame Good for Beginners?
Most cameras that brands market toward budding photographers use image sensors that are smaller than the 35mm film models of yesteryear. Those compact bodies tend to be more affordable, but there are some real reasons to consider a full-frame camera , even for beginners.
We recommend them to photographers who pursue more artistic disciplines (such as portraiture and landscapes), love the blurred-background bokeh look, or want to use old, manual-focus lenses to give images a more vintage feel.
Granted, there is a trade-off on price. Entry-grade full-frame cameras typically cost between $1,000 and $1,500, the same as a high-end APS-C sensor camera. Cheap full-frame cams like the Canon EOS RP and Nikon Z 5, respectively, sacrifice build quality and speed to meet their price points, while APS-C and Micro Four Thirds sensor cameras that cost about the same come with high-end build quality and features.
If you're still mulling over a camera and want to get the best shots out of your phone, check out our smartphone photography tips and our more general advice for beginning photographers .
