Best beginner camera - Nikon D5200, Canon 650D or Sony A68?

If you look at the design, the comparison wins the device from Olympus. The fact is that it is made in a retro style. At first it seems that you are holding an old film camera in your hands. However, the presence of modern governing bodies quickly casts doubt on this. The buttons are even found above the rubber thumb rest, and one of them can be customized to your liking. And on the top panel are different wheels. And that is not all! Another advantage of this model is the presence of moisture and dust protection! This means that the camera can easily withstand even a downpour.

Unfortunately, the Olympus mirrorless camera is not exactly inexpensive. That is why novice photographers usually choose between Canon and Nikon. Devices from these two companies are made in a similar style. The Nikon product differs only in that it exists not only in black, but also in red and brown colors.

It also has a slightly larger number of buttons, so the owner will have to go to the menu less often. As for the Sony, this is the only camera in this article that boasts an additional display that shows the current composition settings.However, one cannot but admit that this camera turned out to be too large and heavy, and therefore an unprepared user can quickly get tired of it.

Sony's SLR camera uses a translucent fixed mirror in its design. It is because of this that its creators had to equip their creation with an electronic viewfinder. However, it consists of 1.44 million pixels, so there are no special complaints about the quality of the picture. He is also able to display a histogram and other information, which is only a plus for him. It is impossible not to note the display used by this camera. The image on it is clearly visible under any conditions, and the tilt mechanism makes it easy to shoot from awkward angles. But you can also find fault with it: it cannot be turned sideways, and the resolution at a 2.7-inch diagonal turned out to be not very large. It seems that it was precisely such savings that allowed the Japanese to provide the device with a second screen. By the way, it has a backlight, so you can get acquainted with the parameters even in the dark.

A similar quality viewfinder is built into the Olympus. The display here has the same tilting mechanism.However, OLED technology was used to create the display, the diagonal was increased to three inches, as was the resolution. In a word, you don’t want to look through the viewfinder at all. And this screen is touch! The display of the Canon EOS 650D is also capable of boasting, which greatly simplifies navigation through its menu. It is noteworthy that the resolution in this case is increased even more - already up to a million pixels. And this screen is able to rotate sideways, which helps when shooting yourself from a tripod. The Nikon display is also able to boast of this. However, do not forget that SLR cameras have one unpleasant property. If you frequently use Live View mode, then the battery will drain faster. That is why photographers who own them regularly use the viewfinder.

I am glad that the days when the camera forced you to regularly take out a memory card to throw off the finished material on a computer have long gone. Now it is easier to use completely different methods for this. In particular, many modern cameras receive a Wi-Fi module, thanks to which it connects to a smartphone. However, there is one problem. Canon and Nikon have recently released new cameras for novice users very rarely. And even if this happens, the devices are very expensive. That is why cameras of not the first freshness were included in our selection. They assume only wired transfer of images.And remote control in them is implemented only by means of a remote control, for which the corresponding connector is also intended here (however, an infrared remote control is also supported by the Nikon device). By the way, only Canon has a microphone jack in this pair. This is important for those who are going to shoot video.

Our comparison consists of very inexpensive cameras. Alas, even devices with a slightly higher cost are not endowed with wireless modules. Sony stands out only by the presence of a microphone jack. As for Olympus, only the continuation of the model we have chosen received it. It really can be called the best choice for a beginner, but too expensive.

Even a novice makes high demands on the camera they buy. To satisfy him, a decent matrix must be installed inside. Perhaps the best of them is the Nikon D5200. Its 24MP CMOS sensor measures 23.6x15.6mm. However, the Sony matrix has similar characteristics. However, it wins in terms of the number of focus points. And this structural element received an image stabilization system.

Matrix shift is also implemented at Olympus. But it is impossible not to note the fact that this sensor turned out to be very small - it has a size of 4/3 inches. However, nothing else was expected, because this camera is mirrorless, in connection with which its creators tried in every possible way to reduce the dimensions of the device.

All four cameras received a mechanical shutter with approximately the same long service life. It is not surprising that the devices we are considering are in demand even on free ad services. As for shutter speed, the maximum you can expect from such cameras is 1/4000 of a second. Faster shutter speeds are only required when using extremely fast optics. And it is very expensive, and it is usually not bought in pair with such cameras. Many are generally limited to "whale" optics.

There is another important parameter that you should pay attention to when choosing a camera for a beginner - this is continuous shooting. The corresponding mode is much better implemented in mirrorless cameras, since in them its speed depends solely on the shutter.However, the mirror does not have to be raised and the device from Sony, so it is also ready to create every second a large number of frames, only slightly inferior to its less bulky competitor. As for Canon and Nikon, they lose a lot in this regard. Yes, and tracking autofocus in them works worse.

No novice photographer wants to spend money on an expensive memory card. Fortunately, the days when Sony only required a MemoryStick drive are long gone. It is also supported by her camera, but it is also possible to install the SD card we are used to. And since the continuous shooting mode cannot be called record-breaking fast, and such a camera is not capable of 4K video shooting with a very high bitrate, then the speed requirements for the drive turn out to be very low.

The above words apply to the other three cameras as well. You can easily buy an SD card in the store for 1000 rubles - the camera will not have any objections. And since these are representatives of the budget segment, they found a place for only one slot. Olympus gets a slightly higher score from us just because of the ability to quickly replace a full drive.

Unfortunately, in terms of video shooting, a modern inexpensive camera will be inferior even to a similarly priced smartphone. At least when it comes to the resolution and frequency of the final recording. But the photographer is looking at something else.He will definitely appreciate the bokeh, which is easy to achieve, especially with a good lens. Alas, if smartphones are capable of this, then only in photography mode.

Perhaps the worst device for shooting video is from Canon. This is because it has the fewest AF points. Of course, you can constantly focus manually, but not every buyer wants to do this. Also, this model shoots at a lower frame rate, and this is a more serious drawback. And we have already talked about the lack of a connector for an external microphone.

Olympus doesn't deserve high marks either. Yes, this camera records Full HD video at 60 fps. However, this mode uses interlaced scanning. On the final video, this is not too striking, but still ...

No photographer wants to have a mountain of batteries. But sometimes you still have to purchase at least one or two additional batteries. In particular, this makes almost any mirrorless camera do it. The model we chose from Olympus is no exception to the rule. This is due to the fact that such a device uses an electronic viewfinder and an LCD monitor.Not surprisingly, the creators of this camera even abandoned the built-in flash. A SLR camera from Nikon or Canon allows you to turn off the screen, and the viewfinder in it produces an image directly from the lens, for which a pentaprism is used. If you take advantage of this opportunity, then from a full charge you can take at least five hundred shots.

And how does the Sony A68 show itself? Unfortunately, not in the best way. As you remember, this camera received a fixed mirror. In this regard, the pentaprism had to be abandoned, and the picture is displayed here using an electronic viewfinder that consumes energy. Or with the help of a gluttonous screen. Therefore, even a new camera takes only 300 frames or a little more from a full charge. And its battery is also known for the fact that it quickly loses its working capacity, which is why after a few years the result can deteriorate to an even lower value.

If we talk about the price tag, then the confrontation "Canon vs Nikon" is planned. The fact is that Sony technology has always been overpriced. This is felt even on those cameras that are designed for beginners. And you have to understand that the Japanese have completely switched to mirrorless cameras. This means that in the future you will not see new lenses designed for the Sony / Minolta A mount on sale. Optics for Nikon and Canon will be produced for a very long time, and available on the shelves right now has a relatively low price tag. She is also often able to boast of built-in stabilization, which is also important.

Mirrorless cameras are rarely cheap. So Olympus, designed for beginners, is no exception to the rule. And after all, you will have to spend some more money on an external flash, since this camera simply does not have a built-in one. But on the other hand, you will get at your disposal a more modern camera that has many shooting modes. For example, it does a pretty good job of taking pictures in HDR. And it is this device that is the most reliable - we remember that it is ready to work even in the rain.

So, what is the best choice for a beginner photographer? This question is difficult to answer. If we focus on the average rating, then Nikon seems to have no sensible competitors. Despite the mirror design, this camera turned out to be quite light. It also outperforms Canon in terms of AF points and video quality.

Remember that when you buy a cheap DSLR, you are getting your hands on a slightly outdated product. In particular, you will not be able to wirelessly transfer photos to your smartphone. And the number of shooting modes in such devices is small. That is why we still will not dissuade you from purchasing a mirrorless camera released by Olympus. Even despite the fact that she took the last place in our ranking.