Camera Recommendations for Moms and Beginning Photographers
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I’ve always loved photography. In high school, you’d often find me in the darkroom, making my own negatives and developing with shadow and light. I fought against the digital age for awhile but re-discovered my love for photography when I had my kids. And like many other parents, I got a new camera and I started shooting. A lot. My first digital camera was an Olympus C-720
It wasn’t long before my old passion for photography flared up and I looked for something beyond the point and shoot camera and the world outside of Auto mode. I took more classes, attended workshops and grew my photography business. If your story is similar to mine and you’re a mom (or beginning photographer) looking for a new camera, here are some of my recommendations. I own and use both Canon and Sony products both for ease of use and image quality.
Point and Shoot Cameras
The great thing about point and shoot cameras is that they’re compact and easy to use. The convenience is a winner for many looking for something beyond their smartphone. Here are a couple of suggestions for point and shoot cameras. Since most smart phones take wonderful photos, I recommend going for a higher quality camera that provides features beyond your phone. It’s actually been awhile since I’ve used a point and shoot but here are some recommendations from other users that have been suggested to me.
Canon G9x Mark II Digital Camera
Entry Level DSLR Cameras
After playing with my Olympus for a couple of years, I knew I wanted more. I missed the creativity that came with my old film camera so moved onto my entry level DSLR camera. My husband gifted me with the Canon Rebel T1i which served me well for many years. I invested in quality prime and zoom lenses to help expand my photography skills. There have been several models of the Canon Rebel that have been released but the latest version is the Canon Rebel T6. Most come with a kit lens which is versatile for a beginning photographer. I recommend adding a 35mm prime lens or the “nifty 50” to use for portraits.
I’ve saved my Canon T1i for my kids and here are some photos my daughter took during our last vacation.
Nikon and Sony have similar entry level DSLR cameras. I’ve always preferred Canon cameras for it’s ease of use and size. Simply put, it fit in my hand very well and I saw no reason to change.
Mirrorless Cameras
I recently added a mirrorless camera to my line-up of cameras. After researching the different brands, I chose the Sony a7 full frame camera. Since these cameras don’t have the mirror box inside, they’re compact like the point and shoot cameras but provide the versatility of the DSLR with the interchangeable lenses. It’s a great option for every day use and travel. I use this almost exclusively on a daily basis. It fits perfectly into one of the many compartments of my purses. With the recent release of the Sony A7 Mark III, you can find older models at a great value. Here are some other options for Mirrorless cameras.
Here are some recent photos taken with my Sony A7. I love the swivel LCD screen as it provides me the ability to take images at odd angles, such as the overhead shot of the kids.
Which Camera is Best for you?
Every camera option has it’s pros and cons. Choosing the best camera for you depends on your intended use for the camera. For my daily use, my mirrorless is my go to camera. For special projects, I turn to my DSLR. Other times, I simply use my smart phone. Choose a camera that will be convenient and easy for you to use. For me, it’s more important that you actually use it. Capturing your images will tell your story whether you have a smart phone or a DSLR.
Which one is my favorite?
If I had to choose, I am falling madly in love with my Sony a7. It’s the best of both worlds. It has the compact, lightweight benefits of a point and shoot but provides a range of versatility with the interchangeable lenses. I have been very pleased with the quality of the images. After lugging around my DSLR for years, my shoulder is very happy for the change.
Do you have a favorite camera? What camera do you use most often?
Great article! I also recommend a newer Sony 6400 for parents who want the ability to swap lenses and don’t mind a camera that won’t slip into a pocket.
I would appreciate it if you share what camera do you prefer for videos?