Camera Buying Guide

Buying Advice

What is the best camera for a beginner? The best beginner camera depends on how seriously you want to take photography. For most people starting out, a mirrorless camera with a kit lens — such as the Canon EOS R50 or Sony A6700 — offers an excellent balance of image quality, ease of use, and room to grow. If budget is a priority, an entry-level DSLR like the Canon EOS 2000D is a proven, affordable starting point. We'd always recommend reaching out to us with your budget and main use case — holiday photography, portraits, wildlife — so we can suggest the best fit.

What is the difference between a mirrorless camera and a DSLR? The main difference is the mirror mechanism. DSLRs use a physical mirror to reflect light into an optical viewfinder; mirrorless cameras remove this mirror entirely, making them lighter and more compact. Mirrorless cameras also tend to autofocus faster and offer electronic viewfinders that preview your exposure in real time. DSLRs have the advantage of longer battery life and a vast range of compatible lenses built up over decades. For most new buyers in 2026, mirrorless is the recommended direction — but DSLRs remain excellent cameras and often represent better value second-hand.

How much should I spend on my first camera? A good entry-level camera with a kit lens typically costs between £300 and £600. At this price you'll get a capable camera that will serve you well for years. Spending more — in the £600 to £1,200 range — gets you better autofocus, improved low-light performance, and more advanced features. We'd caution against spending too little: very cheap cameras often produce disappointing results and can put beginners off photography. If budget is tight, consider a well-maintained used camera — you can get excellent value without compromising on quality.

Which camera brands do you sell? We stock cameras and accessories from leading brands including Canon and Sony, covering the full range from beginner compact cameras through to professional mirrorless and DSLR systems. Our range also includes lenses, camcorders, action cameras, binoculars, and photographic accessories from a wide selection of manufacturers.

What is the difference between a zoom lens and a prime lens? A zoom lens covers a range of focal lengths — for example 18–55mm — giving you flexibility to frame shots without moving. A prime lens has a fixed focal length, such as 50mm, but typically offers a wider maximum aperture, meaning better low-light performance and more pleasing background blur. Prime lenses are often sharper and lighter than zooms. Most beginners start with a zoom kit lens and add a prime lens later when they want to improve their portrait or low-light photography.

What camera is best for wildlife photography? Wildlife photography benefits from fast autofocus, a long telephoto lens, and good continuous shooting speed. A mirrorless camera with an advanced autofocus system — such as the Canon EOS R7 or Sony A6700 — paired with a 100–400mm or longer telephoto lens is an excellent starting point. DSLRs with telephoto lenses also perform very well. The lens is often more important than the camera body for wildlife — a longer, faster lens will make a bigger difference than upgrading the body alone.

What camera is best for travel photography? For travel, weight and size matter as much as image quality. A compact mirrorless camera with a versatile kit lens is ideal — it delivers excellent results without weighing down your bag. The Canon EOS R50, Sony A6700, and similar APS-C mirrorless cameras are popular travel choices. If you want something even more compact, an advanced fixed-lens camera offers great quality in a truly pocketable form. We'd recommend prioritising a camera you'll actually carry every day over one with slightly better specs that stays in the bag.

What camera is best for video? Most modern mirrorless cameras shoot excellent video, but some are better suited to it than others. Look for 4K recording, good in-body image stabilisation, a flip-out or articulating screen, and a clean HDMI output if you plan to use an external recorder. The Sony A7 IV and Canon EOS R series are popular choices among videographers. If video is your primary use, also consider a dedicated camcorder — they offer longer recording times, better battery life for video, and more ergonomic designs for handheld shooting.

Do I need to buy extra memory cards? Yes — most cameras either come with no memory card or only a very small capacity card. We recommend buying at least one high-quality memory card alongside your camera. For video or burst photography, choose a fast card rated V30 or higher. SD cards are the most common format, but some cameras use CFexpress or XQD cards — check your camera's specification before buying.

What accessories do I need when buying my first camera? The essentials are a memory card, a spare battery, and a camera bag or case. A UV filter to protect your lens is also worth considering. Beyond that, a tripod is useful for landscapes, portraits, and video work. As you develop your photography, you may want to add additional lenses, a flash, or filters — but for a beginner, keeping it simple and learning the camera well is more valuable than buying lots of accessories immediately.

What does megapixels mean, and how many do I need? Megapixels measure the resolution of a camera's sensor — how much detail it can capture. A 24-megapixel camera produces images with 24 million pixels. For most uses including large prints, social media, and family photography, anything from 20 megapixels upward is more than sufficient. Professional photographers working on large billboard prints or heavy cropping may benefit from 40+ megapixels, but for most buyers, sensor quality, autofocus, and lens choice matter far more than megapixel count.

What is image stabilisation and do I need it? Image stabilisation (IS) reduces blur caused by camera shake — particularly useful in low light or when using a long telephoto lens. It can be built into the lens (optical IS), the camera body (in-body image stabilisation, or IBIS), or both. For handheld photography, especially in low light or with a telephoto lens, stabilisation makes a meaningful difference. If you plan to shoot mostly on a tripod, it matters less. Many modern mirrorless cameras offer excellent in-body stabilisation, which works with any lens.

Can you help me choose the right camera for my needs? Absolutely. Choosing the right camera can feel overwhelming with so many options available, and we're happy to help. Contact us at team@norwich-cameras.co.uk or call 01603 340727, Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm, with your budget, what you plan to photograph, and any cameras you're already considering — and we'll give you our honest recommendation.

Do you sell camera equipment suitable for professional photographers? Yes. Alongside our beginner and enthusiast range, we stock professional-grade camera bodies, lenses, and accessories. If you're looking for a specific professional model or a piece of equipment not currently listed on the site, contact us and we'll do our best to source it for you.

What is RAW format and should I shoot in it? RAW is an uncompressed image file format that captures all the data recorded by the camera's sensor, giving you maximum flexibility when editing. JPEG files are processed in-camera and compressed, making them smaller and ready to share immediately. Most enthusiast and professional cameras can shoot in RAW or JPEG, or both simultaneously. If you're new to photography, JPEG is perfectly fine to start with. As your editing skills develop, shooting RAW gives you much greater control over the final image — particularly for exposure correction, colour grading, and recovering highlight and shadow detail.