Most Cameras Are Good Enough, So Buy Based On Your Shooting Style

When you go shopping for a new camera, how can you know which ones are good enough? Here’s an easy guideline: they all are. If the camera was made within the last eight years or so, it does its job well enough. You can focus on the extras that fit your specific needs.

Photo by Dylan Cantwell.

That’s the conclusion that product review site the Wirecutter came to. While many camera models have different approaches to taking pictures, picture quality is the one area that has more or less stabilised. Most modern cameras use high-quality, high-resolution sensors that are so small and so cheap, nearly every camera can use them:

Seeking out a “better” camera to improve your photos is a fool’s errand. To be clear, I’m not saying that all cameras produce identical images, or that any single camera is an equally good option for every type of photographer. Buying a new camera can make a significant difference in your photography, but only after you’ve given considerable thought to how you’re going to use it.

So, if nearly every camera can take a “good enough” picture, how should you decide what camera to get? According to the Wirecutter, you should pay attention to your shooting style. If you take a lot of pictures in dark rooms where you can’t use a flash, focus on low-light performance. If you shoot in a variety of situations and need a high degree of control over your shots, get a DSLR and a few lenses. Getting the DSLR won’t magically make you a better photographer, though.

You can also buy simply based on what works for you. If you’re faced with the choice between a Nikon or Canon camera with equal prices and similar specs, but one feels nicer to you, go ahead and get that one. Most cameras are more than good enough for nearly every need, so you can feel safe getting the one that’s good for your needs.

All Cameras Are Good Cameras [The Wirecutter]