Checklist

Buying your first proper camera: a checklist

Ten questions to answer before you buy your first DSLR, mirrorless or vlogging camera — with links to the right filters and guides.

Canon EOS R10 with its RF-S 18-45mm kit lens and pop-up flash raised
A Canon EOS R10 with its kit lens · Photo: Aciarium, CC BY-SA 4.0

Use this before you spend anything. Answer honestly — the best camera is the one that suits how you'll really use it.

The checklist

  1. What will you shoot most? Family, travel, sport, wildlife, landscapes, yourself on video? Our camera selector turns your answers into a shortlist.
  2. Photos, video or both? Mostly photos → a viewfinder is worth having. Mostly video or vlogging → prioritise a screen that faces you and a mic input.
  3. Will you carry it? Decide on a weight you're happy with and use the weight filter on the camera list. Check whether the figure is body only or includes the battery.
  4. Is a phone already doing the job? If you mainly want wider shots for vlogging, a compact like the Sony ZV-1 II or a pocket gimbal may suit you better than an interchangeable-lens camera.
  5. Which sensor size? APS-C is a great balance for most first cameras. Read sensor sizes explained.
  6. Which lens system? You're buying into a mount. Read lenses and mounts and check the lenses you'll want next exist.
  7. Is in-body stabilisation important? It helps in low light and with handheld video. Many entry-level bodies don't have it — tick "In-body stabilisation" on the camera list to filter.
  8. Viewfinder or not? Bright sunlight makes rear screens hard to see. Tick "Has a viewfinder" if you'll shoot outdoors a lot.
  9. Budget for the extras. A second battery, a fast memory card, a bag, and possibly a mic — see vlogging accessories.
  10. Have you held it? Grip, button layout and menus matter more than a line on a spec sheet.

Good first cameras to look at

These are cameras we've tagged as sensible first cameras, based on their specs and where they sit in their makers' ranges — not a ranking:

Before you click buy

  • Check the maker's page for the exact kit (body only, or with a lens).
  • Check the returns policy of the shop.
  • Register the camera with the maker for warranty and firmware updates.

Still unsure? Compare two or three cameras side by side.

Last updated 3 October 2026. Some links on this page go to Amazon or other shops; we may earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

More guides