66 buying guides · updated 5 November 2026

What camera is best for you?

Pick the kind of photography you do and your budget. Every guide recommends a complete setup, body plus the right lens, with real UK new and used prices.

Best camera for beginners

A first camera should be easy to learn, light enough to take everywhere, and part of a system you can grow into.

Under £500 Under £1,000 Under £1,500 Under £2,000 Under £3,000 Under £5,000

Best camera for travel

For travel and everyday shooting, size and weight decide how often the camera leaves the house.

Under £500 Under £1,000 Under £1,500 Under £2,000 Under £3,000 Under £5,000

Best camera for portraits

Portraits reward a larger sensor, reliable eye autofocus and a fast short-telephoto prime around 85mm equivalent.

Under £500 Under £1,000 Under £1,500 Under £2,000 Under £3,000 Under £5,000 Under £10,000

Best camera for landscapes

Landscapes need resolution and dynamic range for big prints, weather sealing for bad days, and a wide zoom that takes filters.

Under £500 Under £1,000 Under £1,500 Under £2,000 Under £3,000 Under £5,000 Under £10,000

Best camera for wildlife

Wildlife is about reach, autofocus tracking and burst speed.

Under £500 Under £1,000 Under £1,500 Under £2,000 Under £3,000 Under £5,000

Best camera for sports

Sports needs fast tracking autofocus, a high burst rate and a sensor that reads out quickly so the silent shutter doesn't distort motion.

Under £500 Under £1,000 Under £1,500 Under £2,000 Under £3,000 Under £5,000

Best camera for astrophotography

Night-sky photography needs a sensor that stays clean at ISO 3200–6400, plus a wide, fast lens around 14–24mm equivalent at f/2.8 or brighter.

Under £500 Under £1,000 Under £1,500 Under £2,000 Under £3,000 Under £5,000

Best camera for vlogging

For vlogging, prioritise in-body stabilisation, a screen that faces you, good autofocus on faces, a microphone input and a wide lens you can hold at arm's length..

Under £500 Under £1,000 Under £1,500 Under £2,000 Under £3,000 Under £5,000

Best camera for a film look

For a film-like look straight out of the camera, choose a body with physical dials and strong built-in colour profiles, such as Fujifilm's film simulations or Nikon and OM System's retro bodies..

Under £500 Under £1,000 Under £1,500 Under £2,000 Under £3,000 Under £5,000 Under £10,000

Two lenses that do it all

One body with a 24-70mm-style standard zoom and a 70-200mm-style telephoto, in f/2.8, f/4 and value versions.

Under £1,500 Under £2,000 Under £3,000 Under £5,000 Under £10,000

Comparing two cameras? See 242 head-to-head camera comparisons.