Although I'm not a pro photographer by any means, often times my friends ask me what camera they should buy. Usually, the person wants to get into photography or have a camera better than the iphone. So here are the (mainly nontechnical) criteria that I find are important in choosing a camera for a hobbyist - I won't get into the technicalities, but will provide links that can help.
The iPhone is a great camera
So before deciding on which camera, theres the question of "do you need a camera?"
The camera and lens on the iPhone is pretty good. Its something people usually carry, and its simple to use and share. What it does not provide so much, are detailed controls. If you want to control or play around with various photographic elements, you need to use high-end compacts with robust build and controls, or interchangeable lens cameras like DSLRs and Mirrorless cameras.
Shop for the lens, not the camera
The lens(and the lens system) is the single most important aspect of gear in making the image. The best XX megapixel camera may be outdated in a matter of few years, but you will keep a good lens to use with your next body. This should be a matter of quality over quantity. Take the time to understand how a lens affects the final image. You should look for lenses, within your budget, that are sharp across the field (low quality lenses may be sharp at the center but very soft in the corners), and low distortion (some lenses have distortion that cant be corrected with softwares and detract from the image). Thankfully there are many consumer reviews today that can tell you if the lens is high quality or not.
My Preference: Prime(non-zoom) lenses are usually better quality than zooms, and offer more opportunities to learn about the photographic controls.
Go for the camera body that feels right
Personally, I feel the most important aspect of a camera body is that you feel good holding it, and want to take it with you. Most of the available cameras already have great technology. The newest and greatest camera bodies offer tremendous advancements in technology and resolution - if you like it and can afford it, great- go for it. However, because digital cameras are outdated fast, previous models can be bought for cheap - and usually great. In the long run, whatever the newest technology will be outdated and the difference will be marginal. Its essential to go to an camera store and try out the camera and lens combination in hand before making the final decision.
My Preference: Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds such as the Olympus Pen series are compact, fun and great for carrying around, while offering great lenses. My preferred combination is Olympus OM-D with a Panasonic 20mm 1.7 Pancake Lens - I usually take it everywhere with me.
Anecdote: Technology vs. Sensibility When I was looking for a dslr in 2005, the hype was 8 megapixel consumer dslrs. At that time, I noticed that a outdated 5 megapixel pro-model dslr with much more robust controls was available on sale for around the same price. I liked the feel of the pro model, and I liked the photos it produced. The salesperson made a big deal about how illogical my choice was, since for the same price I was opting for an obsolete model over the latest. 8 years later, nobody cares about the difference between 8 and 5 megapixels in the age of 16-20 megapixel standards, and I was able to take a lot of photos and have fun because I liked taking the camera along with me.
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