Key Features to Consider When Buying a New Camera

With so many cameras available at different price points, choosing your first camera can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re just starting your photography journey and aren’t yet sure what you need. The good news is that as a beginner, you don’t need the most expensive or feature-packed model to get started. Instead, focusing on the right features can make learning easier and set you up for long-term success.

Buying a new camera is also about thinking ahead—choosing a system that allows you to grow as a photographer. While entry-level cameras are great for learning the basics, investing in a model that offers some room for advancement can save you money in the long run. If you’re unsure where to start or need help making the best choice, consider booking a private consultation with us. We can guide you through the process and help you pick a camera that suits your needs, so you can confidently begin your photography journey.

Which Camera Brand Should You Choose?

When buying a new camera, choosing the right brand is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Investing in a particular camera system means committing to its ecosystem of lenses, accessories, and features, which can make switching to another brand costly and complicated later on.

While there are endless comparisons debating which brand is superior, the truth is that modern cameras across all major brands offer excellent quality. You won’t go wrong with any of the top manufacturers, as they all produce high-performing models suited for various photography needs.

So, how do you decide which brand to go with? A great approach is to choose the same brand that your friends or peers use. This makes it easier to get advice, share tips, and even swap lenses or accessories, which can be incredibly useful as you grow in photography.

Currently, Canon and Sony are among the most popular brands among photographers, offering a wide range of cameras for beginners and professionals alike. If you opt for a camera from one of these brands, you’re making a solid choice backed by a strong community, extensive lens options, and cutting-edge technology.

Should You Choose a Full-Frame or Crop Sensor?

When buying a new camera, one key decision is whether to go for a full-frame or crop sensor model. Sensor size affects image quality, low-light performance, and lens compatibility, so your choice should align with your photography goals. Full-frame cameras have a sensor the size of traditional 35mm film, capturing more light for better low-light performance, dynamic range, and reduced noise at high ISO settings. Crop sensor cameras (APS-C) are smaller, resulting in a narrower field of view (a 50mm lens acts like a 75mm lens due to the crop factor). While they can still deliver high-quality images, they require higher ISO in low light, which can introduce noise.

Lens compatibility is another factor—crop sensor cameras can use both crop and full-frame lenses, but full-frame lenses will have a cropped field of view. If you plan to upgrade to full-frame later, you may need to replace some lenses. While full-frame is often preferred for professional work in portrait, landscape, and wedding photography, crop sensor cameras are lighter, more affordable, and great for travel. If you’re starting out, a crop sensor camera is a solid choice. But if photography is a long-term pursuit, investing in full-frame may be the better option.

Is Image Stabilisation Worth It?

one feature that often comes up is image stabilisation (IS), which helps reduce blur caused by camera shake. This can be particularly useful when shooting handheld, especially in low-light conditions or when filming video. Image stabilisation can be built into the camera body (in-body image stabilisation, or IBIS) or into the lens (optical stabilisation, or OIS), with each system offering its own advantages.

If you plan to shoot handheld—whether for general photography, travel, or videography—having image stabilisation can significantly improve the sharpness of your shots. It allows you to use slower shutter speeds without introducing motion blur, which is especially beneficial when shooting in low light or when zooming in on a subject. For videographers, stabilisation is even more crucial, as it helps create smoother, more professional-looking footage without the need for a gimbal.

However, if you are primarily a landscape photographer who shoots with a tripod, image stabilisation isn’t a necessity. In fact, stabilization should be turned off when using a tripod, as the system can sometimes introduce unintended motion when the camera is already stable. This means that if you’re focused on landscape or studio photography, you might be able to save money by choosing a camera or lens without built-in stabilisation and instead invest in higher-quality optics.

Why a Dual Card Slot Matters for Professionals

If you’re buying a new camera with the intention of using it for professional work, a dual card slot is a feature worth considering. SD cards are small, delicate, and unfortunately, prone to failure—whether due to corruption, physical damage, or unexpected errors. Losing your photos due to a faulty card can be devastating, especially if you’re shooting an important event or client project.

A dual card slot allows your camera to save images simultaneously to two memory cards, creating an instant backup. This ensures that even if one card fails, your work remains safely stored on the second. This feature is particularly essential for wedding photographers, event photographers, and anyone capturing once-in-a-lifetime moments that cannot be recreated.

While not every beginner needs this feature, if you’re serious about professional photography or plan to monetise your work, investing in a camera with dual card slots can provide peace of mind and protect your hard-earned images.

Understanding Frames Per Second and Slow-Motion Recording

If you’re a hybrid shooter looking to use your camera for both photography and videography, frames per second (FPS) and slow-motion recording are important factors to consider when buying a new camera. Most modern cameras allow you to shoot slow-motion video in HD (1080p) resolution, but not all offer this capability in 4K, which has become the industry standard for high-quality video production.

Higher frame rates, such as 50fps, 60fps, 120fps, or even 240fps, enable smooth slow-motion footage, making them essential for capturing dynamic scenes like action sports or cinematic sequences. However, some cameras that offer slow-motion recording in 4K resolution apply a crop factor, meaning your field of view becomes narrower. A well-known example is the Sony A7 IV, which applies a crop when recording in 4K at 50fps, limiting the wide-angle potential of certain lenses.

Buying a New Camera: Why 10-Bit Footage Matters

When buying a new camera for video, 10-bit colour depth and high bitrate recording offer major advantages in post-production. Most cameras record in 8-bit, capturing 16.7 million colours, while 10-bit records over 1 billion colours, resulting in smoother gradients, better colour accuracy, and more flexibility when colour grading.

This is especially useful when shooting in log profiles (S-Log, V-Log, C-Log) or HDR, as 8-bit footage often suffers from colour banding when heavily edited. 10-bit recording reduces this issue, allowing for more professional and cinematic results. High bitrate recording also preserves more detail and minimises compression artefacts. If you’re serious about colour grading or professional video work, investing in a 10-bit capable camera is a smart move.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right camera is a big decision, but understanding key features like sensor size, stabilisation, frame rates, and colour depth can help you make an informed choice. Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first camera or an experienced photographer upgrading your gear, the best camera is the one that fits your needs and creative vision. Take your time to research, consider how you plan to use your camera, and invest in a system that will support your growth. If you’re still unsure, we’re here to help—book a consultation with us, and we’ll guide you toward the perfect choice for your photography journey.