Beginners’ cameras
These models are for those new to photography or who want a camera that’s capable of taking good- quality images without breaking the bank
Canon EOS 200D ● £509 ● www.canon.co.uk Positioned between the entrylevel EOS 1300D and mid-range EOS 760D/800D models, the 24.2MP EOS 200D comes with some features not found on the 1300D. These include Canon’s Dual Pixel AF technology that speeds up focus performance when the camera is in live view, plus a vari-angle touchscreen LCD display. If you’re considering the 1300D but have a little more to spend, the 200D is worth a look. Canon EOS 1300D ● £289 ● www.canon.co.uk Released in 2016, the EOS 1300D serves as the entry-point to Canon’s DSLR range. Built around an 18MP APS- C sensor, the EOS 1300D is a relatively basic DSLR that lacks the advanced features found on models higher up the range. Despite this it’s still capable of great image quality and grants access to Canon’s extensive lens collection. This makes a great camera for DSLR newcomers. Fujifilm X-A3 ● £479 (with XC 16-50mm kit zoom) ● www.fujifilm.co.uk The X-A3 is a style- driven mid-range compact-system camera that is presently exclusive to Jessops. Built around a 24.2MP APS- C sensor, the X-A3 is equipped with a tiltable rear display that can be raised by 180° so the screen faces the same way as the lens – making it ideal for taking selfies. This display also provides touchscreen control for a smartphone-like operating experience. The X-A3 also has an ISO sensitivity expandable to ISO 25,600. Nikon D5600 ● £649 ● www.nikon.co.uk Positioned above the D3400 but below the D7200, the 24.2MP D5600 is an upper- entry-level DSLR. As such, it comes with some additional and enhanced features over the D3400, including a larger and sharper 3.2in, 1.04-million- dot vari-angle LCD display (compared with the D3400’s fixed 3in, 921,000- dot display) that also provides touchscreen control. In addition, the D5600 gets 39 AF points compared to the D3400’s 11 AF points. The D5600 also features SnapBridge and time-lapse movie mode. Nikon D3400 ● £449 (with 18-55mm AF-P VR kit zoom) ● www.nikon.co.uk Released in 2016, the 24.2MP D3400 is an entry-level DSLR designed to appeal to first-time DSLR buyers. As such, it benefits from stripped-back controls and Nikon’s innovative guide mode, which aims to help educate new users on how to use the various exposure modes and camera features. In addition, the D3400 features Nikon’s SnapBridge technology that uses Bluetooth for more battery-friendly image transfer to connected smartphones. Olympus Pen E-PL8 ● £429 ● www.olympus.co.uk The E- PL8 is the entry point to Olympus’s stylish Pen range of mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras. Equipped with a 16.1MP Micro Four Thirds sensor, the E- PL8 also benefits from in- camera image stabilisation for up to 3.5 stops of shutter-speed compensation. While there’s no electronic viewfinder, the rear display can be tilted down for selfies and doubles up as a touchscreen. Video capabilities, meanwhile, extend to 1080p full HD capture.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX800 ● £379 (with 12-32mm kit zoom) ● www.panasonic.com/uk The GX800 is an entry-level mirrorless camera built around a 16MP Micro Four Thirds sensor. Designed to be easy to use, the GX800 is nonetheless equipped with a good range of features, including 4K video capture and Panasonic’s 4K Photo mode. While it lacks an electronic viewfinder, the tiltable 3in, 1.04-million- dot rear LCD display provides touchscreen control over the camera, and can be flipped upwards by 180° for easy selfies. Pentax K-70 ● £599 ● www.ricoh-imaging.co.uk Pentax has gained a deserved reputation for producing cameras that provide exceptional value for money, and the entry-level K-70 DSLR is no exception. Built around a 24.2MP APS- C CMOS sensor, notable highlights are a pentaprism viewfinder with 100% coverage, full weather sealing and in-body imagestabilisation system – all of which you won’t find on the K-70’s direct rivals from Nikon and Canon. Other features include ISO sensitivity of ISO 100-102,400 and 6fps continuous shooting. Sony Alpha 5100 ● £449 (with 16-50mm lens) ● www.sony.co.uk Compared with the slightly older Alpha 5000 it was introduced to replace, the Alpha 5100 benefits from a higher-resolution 24.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor plus a more advanced hybrid autofocus system that employs 179 phase-detection AF points alongside 25 contrast-detect points. In addition, the Alpha 5100 provides a slightly higher maximum sensitivity (ISO 25,600 vs ISO 16,000), can shoot continuously at 6fps compared with the Alpha 5000’s 3.5fps and comes with a Bionz X processor. Sony Alpha 6000 ● £449 ● www.sony.co.uk Released in 2014, the 24.3MP Alpha 6000 is best thought of as a slightly older and less advanced, yet significantly cheaper, alternative to the more recent Alpha 6300 and Alpha 6500 models. While it lacks 4K video, the Alpha 6000 still has some solid features, such as its hybrid autofocus system that combines 179 phase- detection AF points and 25 contrast- detect ones for almost instant focus lock, plus ISO sensitivity of ISO 100-25,600, up to 11fps continuous shooting and Wi- Fi/ NFC functionality.