10 Best Cameras for Beginners in the Philippines 2023 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Photographer and Graphic Artist

The easiest camera to use is a point-and-shoot camera because it's similar to a smartphone camera. If you're not ready to splurge on expensive gear that you will inevitably buy in your photography journey, this is a great and compact choice. It's considered a basic camera, so these usually come at an affordable price. 

It has automatic settings and usually has preset modes that give different effects, so you won't need to configure anything before taking pictures. However, something to keep in mind is that it has a fixed lens that cannot be interchanged with other types of lenses. 

You can't go wrong with buying a mirrorless camera as your first. When it comes to weight, it's light and easy to carry. This makes it an excellent option for on-the-go travelers. Whether you place it in a camera bag or neck strap, it won't be too heavy for comfort.

Mirrorless cameras also have easy manual controls, perfect for those just starting out. They're a good way to start familiarizing yourself with holding and operating higher-end cameras because they're reminiscent of a DSLR. The difference between the two is that mirrorless cameras have an electronic viewfinder, while DSLRs have an optical one.

DSLRs are extremely popular cameras for both beginners and professional photographers. An exclusive feature to them is the optical viewfinder, which shows you more authentic previews of photos in different conditions—whether it be a low-light or fast-paced environment. 

It works well in broad daylight, too, because you can preview your photos without the glare of LCD monitors. Aside from that, it also has additional features that you will surely enjoy, such as interchangeable lenses, LCD screens, and many more.

For those who love adventure, action cameras are the right one for you. They're small and portable, yet durable, so you can take them with you anywhere. To maximize them, look for a waterproof one so that you can take it with you to the beach. 

However, instead of photos, the priority in action cameras is the video resolution. Some cameras take resolutions up to as high as 5K! These are great options if you want clear footage of the action-packed moments that you want to relive.

The pioneers of the Micro Four Thirds sensor are Olympus and Panasonic. Their main advantage is that these types of cameras and their lenses are typically more portable in terms of size and weight than cameras with APS-C sensors. If you love roaming around with your camera, then you should get a Micro Four Thirds camera.

This type of sensor has a 4:3 aspect ratio and usually measures 17.3mm wide by 13mm high. This allows your camera to still capture good quality pictures that are comparable to the ones that larger cameras produce. However, full-frame cameras are still superior when it comes to low-light settings.

When you let an APS-C camera and Micro Four Thirds camera battle it out in low-light environments, the APS-C will easily beat its competitor. Why? It's primarily because of its larger sensor. The larger sensor allows more light to pass through, so you can capture the finer details in dim environments.

Of course, this comes with a drawback in terms of its portability compared to a camera with a Micro Four Thirds lens. Still, APS-C cameras are considered light, especially when compared to full-frame DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. They're still suitable cameras for travel. 

Full-frame cameras usually have a measurement of 24 mm by 36 mm. It captures a great deal of light and detail, letting you get a dynamic range of colors in your photos. This results in sharper images with higher contrasts, which is perfect for shooting in low-light conditions.

Out of all the sensors mentioned, full-frame types will also give you the widest field of view, so you can capture beautiful subjects without worrying about any cropping. This is ideal for capturing scenic landscapes or architecture and real estate.