Trying to decide which camera to buy? This is the guide you need. From action cameras and travel compacts to mirrorless models and full-frame flagships, our expert guide covers just about every type of camera you can buy in 2021.
Choosing the right type of camera can be tricky. With so many formats on offer, spanning such a wide range of budgets and features, it's easy to get overwhelmed with choice. To help you narrow down your options, we've shared our top tips for selecting the right camera type for your needs.
Because we regularly review and rate the latest releases in all camera categories, we are very familiar with what each type of camera can offer different photographers. As photography enthusiasts, we also know the most important considerations when deciding which format is right for you, including budget constraints and lens availability.
In the following step-by-step guide, we will discuss the strengths and limitations of each type of camera to give you a complete picture in just a few short paragraphs. We will also recommend our favorite camera model in this genre. So once you've landed on the correct camera type, you'll have a shortcut to the top option.
We will start with the basics and work with more advanced cameras, ending with equipment suitable for professionals. So whether you're wondering which format is best for your photography style or trying to choose between two specific categories of cameras, this guide should help you make the right choice.
Another factor to keep in mind when reading this guide is that Black Friday 2021 is right around the corner, which means that we will start seeing deals on a lot of cameras on this page very soon. We expect Black Friday camera deals to pick up rapidly throughout November, now is a great time to shop around for the best cameras for you. Fortunately, our guide is here to help you do just that...
1. Should I keep my smartphone?
It's no secret that smartphone photography has come by leaps and bounds over the past decade. The best smartphones in 2021 can capture images, as well as any type of point-and-shoot, and their connectivity means it's easy to share your snapshots directly on social media.
The best mobile options now come with multiple lenses to suit all types of shooting scenarios. The iPhone 13 Pro, for example, has three lenses, each dedicated to a different scene: in addition to the main sensor, there is an ultra-wide lens and a telephoto lens. This means you get great versatility from a device that can still easily slip into your pocket.
Plus, today's best smartphones implement artificial intelligence to help you automatically enhance your images, whether it's portrait modes for taking sharp profiles or night settings that allow you to capture crisp, bright photos after dark. Some flagship smartphones also offer some degree of manual control, such as Samsung's Pro mode.
Smartphones also make image editing and sharing easy, thanks to their comprehensive connectivity options and application compatibility. With higher resolutions than ever (the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a 108 MP main sensor, for example), you shouldn't run out of time when taking pictures for social media.
Therefore, smartphone cameras are more efficient than ever. But there are still some tradeoffs to consider. Smartphone sensors are smaller than what you'll find in high-end compact cameras (and larger formats), which can limit low-light noise performance and maximum image quality.
And while some flagship smartphones now offer optical zoom (the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a 10x zoom on one of its lenses), the range of more affordable smartphones is quite limited compared to the kind of flexibility they offer. telephoto lenses. for DSLR and mirrorless models.
If you're primarily looking to take photos for social media, it probably makes sense to stick with your smartphone or upgrade to one with a better range (rather than buying a dedicated camera). You are more likely to rely on your smartphone to capture life as it happens, as it is the tool you will almost always have with you.
Pros: This is the camera you always have on hand, the results can match those of a standard compact camera, you can instantly share to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, you can get apps with amazing effects and additional tools, and they can be easy to use.
Cons: In many cases, you get a main lens (although flagship models now often have more than one lens), smartphones are not that easy to hold; limited control over shooting settings.
Our Pick…Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
A really impressive camera phone
THE BEST DEALS OF THE DAY
Reasons to buy+ Versatile 10x zoom range + Four cameras for gaming
Reasons to avoid- Expensive for a smartphone - No microSD card slot
As the name suggests, everything about the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is impressive, including the camera settings. Despite its clean and striking design, the S21 Ultra has a quartet of rear lenses. Along with the suitably powerful 108MP f / 1.8 main sensor, there's a 12MP f / 2.2 ultra-wide angle and, in a daring twist, two telephoto lenses. Both are 10 MP, but one has an f / 2.4 aperture and 3x zoom, while the other has an f / 4.9 aperture and a massive 10x optical zoom to get you up close to the action with astonishing clarity.
The results are just as impressive as the specs: stills are sharp with good dynamic range. Non-zoomed shots aren't always as good as the best competitors, but there are a host of modes, including Director's View (which lets you shoot with the front and rear cameras simultaneously) and an improved night mode for finely tuned photos. adjusted. dark. - with a powerful 40MP front camera, makes the S21 Ultra a powerhouse for smartphone photographers.
2. Should I buy an action camera?
If your goal is to capture life's adventures on video, you may want to look at an action camera rather than a standard or compact smartphone.
Built tough enough to withstand drops, dust, and rollovers, the best action cameras are tough yet easy to use. Most come with mounts that allow you to attach them to all kinds of things, from handlebars and helmets to car dashboards and even your pets. Regardless of what you choose to use, a good action camera should help you capture images in conditions that would destroy normal cameras.
Most action cameras can shoot good quality 4K video with a fixed focal wide angle lens. Many are completely waterproof, but some still come with a separate waterproof case to go deep under the waves. The best action cameras are small and light enough to be out of the way, easy to use, and sturdy.
GoPro is the biggest name in action cameras and its regularly updated Hero line of models incorporates all that is amazing about the format. They're built to withstand some pretty extreme conditions, but their touchscreen and button interfaces mean they're easy to control. GoPro cameras can also capture high-resolution video, with advanced image stabilization to keep fast-paced images smooth and stable. Plus, they have a variety of presets and modes for cinematic creativity, along with great connectivity options for easy editing and downloading.
Although GoPro is the most popular brand of action cameras, it is not the only one on the market. From affordable cameras that you won't be afraid to sound like, to flagship recorders from companies like Sony and DJI, there are plenty of action camera options. Some are bullet-shaped for a better helmet fit, while others are modular, meaning you can switch to different sensor or accessory settings depending on the situation.
Extreme sports enthusiasts naturally look for action cameras to capture their adventures, but they have many other uses. Vloggers often prefer action cameras, for example, because of their portability, flexibility, and ease of use. They can also be used to record in-car footage like a dash cam, or attach to just about anything. The best ? Unlike a compact camera or smartphone, wherever you place an action camera, you shouldn't have to worry about bumps, bumps, or rain.
Pros: Cheap, robust, and simple, with surprisingly good 4K movie quality in most cases, you can mount them on just about anything.
Cons: Fixed wide-angle lenses mean there's no zoom capability, while there's little control over exposure. Still photos are instant quality only.
Our pick... GoPro Hero 10 Black
The most advanced action camera you can buy
THE BEST DEALS OF THE DAY
Reasons to buy+ 4K at 120 fps + Powerful GP2 processor
Reasons to avoid- Same small sensor as before - Not a winner in low light
GoPro has long been the brand to beat in the action camera arena and the Hero 10 Black only solidifies its position. Equipped with the same small sensor, displays, and housing as the previous GoPro Hero 9 Black, the Hero 10 Black offers a more refined experience than its predecessor. It has a touch screen interface and a quick menu system, accompanied by this convenient front screen for framing. Beneath its rugged exterior, a GP2 processor ensures flawless performance - it can shoot 5K at frame rates up to 60p, as well as 4K slow motion at 120fps.
Stabilization is also excellent, with HyperSmooth 4.0 supporting horizon levelling, which can keep footage steady even when tilted at 45-degree angles. There are still some limitations to live streaming 1080p video (YouTube users need at least 1,000 subscribers), but the ability to stream with HyperSmooth 4.0 enabled means viewers should get a more stable stream. Add a couvre-objectif hydrophobe to its compétences d'endurance établies and the GoPro Hero 10 Black becomes the grand gagnant if you have a first-class video under difficult conditions, even if your economic competitors offer a better quality rapport. Prize.
3. Should I buy a compact travel zoom?
Looking to get closer to the action...