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There is this popular saying “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Yes, you can take down lots of notes and information using a pen and a sheet of paper, but still, written text may not provide all the details you’d find in a single photograph. Different people can look at a photograph and see different things. You can’t overemphasize the importance of pictures in our daily lives and activities.
Digital cameras give us the opportunity to capture important moments in life in still photos and videos and then we can share those wonderful moments caught on camera with our loved ones and family.
The kind of camera you own will, to a large extent, tell people how serious and passionate you are about photography. There are some cameras you’ll own, and people will see you as a no-nonsense professional, and there are some that make you appear as an amateur or newbie.
If you are a photo hobbyist, camper, or adventurer and you looking for some of the coolest cameras to own or acquire for your daily hustle, you may want to get a camera that ticks all the right boxes in terms of quality, pricing, and flexibility.
If you own a budget camera, you can upgrade its performance by getting some high-quality lenses. These lenses give you the ability to handle professional gigs without having to invest in expensive hardware. That said, these are the 5 best cameras for photo hobbyists, campers, hikers, and gadget lovers.
1. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
This camera is perfect for photo hobbyists looking for affordable cameras or entry-level products that wouldn’t cost an arm or a leg to acquire. This mirrorless camera comes loaded with a 20.3-megapixel Micro Four Third Sensor. It’s quite portable, lightweight, and easy to operate. Its noise handling capability is quite decent as well as the excellent dynamic range capability combines excellently well to deliver high-quality images.
The Olympus OM-D E-10 Mark IV also comes with a tilting screen that’s quite helpful if you are holding your camera in a selfie position, as it allows you to tilt the screen towards yourself and get that perfect shot you deserve.
It also features In-body image stabilization, which is an important feature to consider when shooting high-quality videos or taking photos without tripods because it helps to reduce camera shake. It’s also capable of delivering satisfactory FHD videos as well as 4K videos without much fuss. The notable drawback of this camera is that can’t seem to track moving objects properly. It also cant track faces efficiently during camera operation.
Pros
- In-body Image Stabilization
- Decent image and video quality
- Easy to use and operate
- Lightweight and Potable build
Con
- No waterproof and weather seal
- Autofocus can’t track moving faces effectively
2. Nikon D3500
Nikon is one of the main stalwarts in the camera-making industry. This newbie-friendly camera was released in 2018 and has been widely accepted as one of the Goto cameras for entry-level photography enthusiasts. It comes with a guide mode that makes it easy for you to master the basics of its operation and photography in general. It also features a 24.2-mega pixel APS-C sensor which is quite high for a beginner-level camera.
The Nikon 3500 also comes with an 18-55 mm AF-P kit lens that’s retractable. This helps to make the camera unit more portable and compact enough to easily carry around. The body alone weighs just 415g, making it one of the lightest DSLR cameras. Battery life is quite impressive and helps you take great photos and video shoots for several hours. You can also use a variety of lenses from its manufacturer as well as a few from third parties.
Pros
- Beginner friendly
- 5fps continuous shooting capability
- Impressive image quality
- Autofocus is quite responsive
- The price is quite affordable
Cons
- Absence of 4K video capability
- Fixed rear screen
- Unresponsive live view AF
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3. Nikon Z 50
The Nikon Z 50 is much more advanced than the D3500. This Camera packs a couple of bells and whistles seen on big brands such as weather sealing, a high-resolution viewfinder that provides a clear view of subjects, and a tilting screen, which is perfect for people that love selfies. Combining a robust EXSPEED 6 engine, a 20.9MP DX CMOS sensor, and its wider Z mounts, photos and video shoots done in low light conditions appear crisp and professional.
It comes with an effective quick burst rate as well as a solid autofocus system, which makes it perfect for action and sports photography. Despite the fact that It doesn’t have the best sensor compared to its competitors, it still delivers high-quality photoshoots even in low-light conditions. The noticeable drawback of the Nikon Z50 is that it doesn’t have amazing lens support thanks to its mirrorless Z-mounts. This lens support restriction will be noticeable if you are looking for APC-C options.
Pros
- Sharp 4K video
- Weather sealed
- 11 FPS continuous shooting
- Easy-to-use Wi-Fi video and image transfer
- Slim 16-5mm pancake kit lens
- Great image quality with excellent dynamic range
Cons
- Average battery life
- Limited lens compatibility
- No In-body image Stabilizatiion
- Single UHS-1 SD card slot
4. Panasonic LUMIX FZ80
The Panasonic Lumix FZ80 is that pocket-bridge camera that gives you that all-in-one, SLR-like shooting capability most entry-level photo hobbyists and camera users crave. It’s quite affordable and packs a punch in terms of features when compared to other cameras in its price range.
Just like most SLR cameras, the Panasonic Lumix FZ80 comes with a deep handgrip. The shutter release is well placed at the top, with the zoom control level buttons around it. The bridge camera sensors on the Lumix F280 provide an advantage when it comes to zooming objects, especially when compared to modern smartphones, providing a more polished, high-quality image that is difficult to replicate using smartphone cameras.
It also comes with a ‘4k PHOTO’ mode, which is perfect for fast-moving objects and sports, as well as a macro mode that provides excellent closeup shots.
Pros
- Fast autofocus
- Sharp EVF
- 30fps 4k Photo capture
- Wi-Fi connection capability
- 10fps Raw capture
- Touch LCD
Cons
- Limited Raw Buffer
- No EVF eye sensor
- Omits 24fps video capture
- Fixed rear LCD
5. Fujifilm X-S10
If you are looking for a premium camera that comes with features that make it easy for professionals and advanced users to execute projects, then the Fujifilm X-S10 is your Goto camera. It comes with a 26MP camera, with interchangeable lens capability, and it’s capable of shooting high-quality 4K videos.
This amazing camera mirrors the specifications of the X-T30 and X-T4, especially in areas like processor, sensor, and performance. Some of its amazing features include On-sensor phase detection, USB power delivery support, 5-axis In-body image stabilization, WIFI + Bluetooth, external headphone and mic jack, 30fps burst shooting with crops, and many more.
Pros
- Effective in-body stabilization
- USB-C port for headphones
- USB Charging
- Amazing build quality and compact size
- Comfortable handling and excellent grip
- Enhanced input in auto modes/ Control
Cons
- Small viewfinder
- Average battery life
- Below-par Autofocus tracking
- Separate charger not included
Final thoughts
Taking amazing pictures and video shoots is the dream of every photo hobbyist and enthusiast, but choosing the right hardware can pose a major challenge for many. Most of the cameras listed above are great for beginners as well as professionals, with the more expensive options recommended for professionals. Your choice of camera will really depend on your aim, budget, and passion for photography. Depending on what you intend to do, you can use this guide as your resource to make informed decisions. Let us know your thoughts.
