If you are in the photography industry and looking to take photos more differently and uniquely in 2021, worry not because this guide will be a must-read for you. Choosing a brand-new camera is a relatively fun and easy process. You only need to worry about the price range of the camera.
Currently, there are hundreds of brands that you can choose from. Moreover, to make things even more confusing, our smartphones can take some awesome photos. With the technicalities surrounding photography vocabulary and parts of a camera, you will find it hard to choose a camera that fits your desire and budget. This is where this guide we put together will prove to be useful to you.
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Factors to consider when buying the best camera
Mirrorless cameras
Mirrorless cameras offer the best image quality, advanced creative options, and faster performance without DSLR bulk challenges. They are known as mirrorless cameras as they don’t have a mirror in a DSLR. Moreover, they don’t have any optical viewfinder.
Therefore, these mirrorless cameras come in live-view mode. It doesn’t matter if you are looking through an electronic viewfinder or LCD screen.
DSLR cameras
These cameras have the same price range as the mirrorless cameras and operate the same gamut from clients to professionals. Entry-level consumer DSLR provides better image quality in comparison to a compact camera due to its large sensor.
However, it won’t offer the extras and speed that the professional DSLR provides.
Finding your price
There’s no need to spend a lot of money in finding the best camera. However, you get what your money is worth. You must take into consideration what you need.
Models that are expensive come with more advanced features that you may have never heard of. However, these expensive models with advanced features can be the perfect chance for you to venture into the field of photography as a profession or passion.
Dust-proofing, weatherproofing and shock-proofing
A camera that is rainproof, splash-proof or weatherproof is not waterproof. Weatherproof cameras means that the buttons and seams are sealed to prevent rain, light splashes and mist from getting in. however, if the camera gets submerged, it won’t survive.
On the other hand, waterproof cameras are made to work underwater. If you wish to take landscape shots in the rain or even yacht photoshoots, then you will need to get a weatherproofing camera. Waterproof cameras will be ideal for taking pictures while snorkeling.
Recommended cameras to choose from in 2021:
1. Sony ZV-1
With the Sony ZV-1 camera, Sony really put a lot of its focus on video. This makes this camera the best for vlogging. The lens and autofocus quality is great and its tracking ability is quite unique, when it comes to video recording, it is able to keep certain subjects and people in-focus.
It also comes with a protector and microphone too which adds a nice touch to the camera.
2. Canon Powershot GX X Mark III
With its 4K video shooting, this camera is popular among vloggers and youtubers. It has a layout that is simple to use as well as its ergonomics. This is familiar to users that have used traditional compact cameras and can users as well. With a built-in rotating wheel, it makes it easy to select different modes.
It also comes with a neutral-density filter that is built in which helps in providing the best image quality in different range conditions. Its vertical tilting rear screen helps in selfies and vlogging activities.
3. Leica Q2
The Leica Q2 features IP protective sealing against dust and spray water. It has a fast maximum aperture of f/1.7 which is ideal for capturing photos even in the most difficult lighting situations. The OLED viewfinder of Leica Q2 has a high-resolution of 3.68 megapixels with an autofocus system that focuses sharply on your subject in 0.15 seconds. It also offers a 4K video mode with 3840 x 2160 pixels and frame rates of 30 or 24 frames per second.
The Leica Q2 can be known to be one of the best cameras to ever exist. Leica has always invested in quality and it has great full-frame offering. Moreover, it also comes with a 47.3 MP full-frame sensor and it’s worth noting that it’s weather-resistant.
4. Fujifilm X100V
This product is highly attractive as its looks are unique. Its retro design is stylish with a fixed 23mm lens.it is the perfect camera for street photography. Its lens has improved close focus performance, lower distortion and has been enhanced for better resolution. This camera still maintains the same overall size and compatibility with legacy WCL/TCL lens attachments, which gives an equivalent to 28mm and 50mm on 35mm Format additional angle of views.
Weather resistance appears for the first time in the X100 Series when the optional AR-X100 adapter ring and the PRF-49 protection filter are used in conjunction with the X100V’s brand new lens. It continues to make images in challenging weather conditions. X100V has a quad-core X-Processor 4, a powerful CPU that ensures images are quickly and smoothly processed.
Through a newly developed focusing algorithm, its AF performance is magnified. The X100V can operate to as low as -5EV, which allows for focus to be easily and quickly achieved in low-light conditions.
5. Sony A7C
This camera offers powerful performance in small and mirrorless packages. Its size is a bit larger compared to other cameras. It is a full-frame camera that comes with interchangeable lenses. Its fast autofocus and swap out lenses are something you can desire from this camera.
It also has advanced AF performance and functions, high-resolution 4K movies, a wealth of expression-expanding movie functions and powerful BIONZ X image processing for spectacular image quality.
6. Fujifilm XF10
The FUJIFILM XF10 has superior image quality and wide dynamic range equipped with an APS-C sized sensor that produces sharp, high resolution images that certainly fulfills the demands of any photographer. Its 18.5mmF2.8 FUJINON lens covers a wide range of subjects from landscapes to snapshots.
It also includes combining simple manual operation with superior image quality and versatile picture-taking options which are all the hallmarks of the X Series system. The FUJIFILM XF10 is the first X Series camera to have an updated way to automatically transfer images to a smartphone and the “SNAPSHOT” function presets the focus and aperture to 2m/F8 or 5m/F5.6.
This camera is great for taking striking images full of color and depth. This is a high recommendation for people who are interested in getting to know the basics of a camera and photography.
7. Sony cyber-shot RX100 V
This camera makes it an ideal option for travelling purposes. It inherits the RX100 series’ renowned 1.0-type image sensor, with 0.05-second autofocus, 315 focal plane phase-detection AF points, continuous shooting up to 24fps with AF/AE tracking and 4K movie capabilities. Thanks to its enhanced image processing capacity and response, it can capture high-resolution images of over 20 MP as quickly as 24fps.
The RX100V captures 4K movies using a full sensor readout, without the pixel binning by condensing around 1.7x the image data into each 4K frame. Ity can also record movies for super slow motion at up to 960fps (40x the normal frame rate). The RX100 V inherits the brilliant retractable OLED electronic viewfinder, anti-reflective ZEISS Coating, and 180-degree tiltable LCD screen.
8. Ricoh GR III street edition
This camera is famous for its luxurious purpose. It’s great for street photography as it has a detachable viewfinder for taking good pictures. All through touch screen controls, the Full Press Snap feature allows you to focus on a specified distance and shoot.
You can set up your shot precisely With this fast-shooting function and capture the photo at the perfect moment.
9. Panasonic ZS 100
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 (known as the TZ100 in most regions outside of North America) is a compact travel zoom featuring a 20 megapixel, 1″-type sensor paired with a 25-250mm equivalent F2.8-5.9 Leica DC lens.
It has a 3″ touchscreen LCD, a 1.04M-dot that is extremely fast and comes with a high max ISO which is necessary for point and shoot. It also has a ‘low light AF’ enabled autofocus in the dark. Besides that, there is also a ‘post focus’ feature that enables correction of small errors.
Other important features we have to mention: electronic viewfinder, raw support, 10 fps continuous shooting (5 fps with AF) and Wi-Fi. This camera can also record 4K/UHD video at 30p and 24p as well as 1080/60p clips. The camera’s unique 4K photo mode lets you capture high quality 8MP stills from 4K videos with ease.
10. Sony RX100 VI
This is the best all-around point and shoot and it’s great for covering most subject matters. It has all the features you need such as a wide 24–200mm zoom range, rapid continuous shooting, lightning-fast autofocus, pro-level operability and improved video capabilities. It also allows for 8.29MP stills to be taken from 4K footage. It’s best for sports and wildlife as it’s fast enough.
Bottom line
If you are looking to purchase a camera, always be on the lookout for their features as they play a huge role in getting a quality camera. If you are interested in pursuing photography as a hobby or profession, you can look to go for a DSLR or a mirrorless camera.
