Gear Guide
Best Camera for Beginners
Brain dump from Daniel, July 2026. Founder of the DJB Photography School.
My number one recommendation is to get yourself a full-frame camera, either brand new or second hand. One of the best value buys on the second-hand market is the Nikon Z6, the original one. Or honestly any full-frame camera of that era, like the Sony a7 III, Canon EOS R, or Canon 5D Mark IV. I shoot the Z6 myself. Nikon doesn't pay me to say this, I just like their cameras.
Why full frame? Mainly so you can use the pro lenses at the focal length they're designed for, plus you get the 35mm sensor. A full-frame sensor is the same size as a 35mm piece of film, so you get to experience the glory of 35mm. If your budget is smaller, just get the biggest sensor you can, so your photos step away from what a phone already does well. There's a point where you may as well use your phone, which is why I suggest full frame first. When I started out there wasn't much of a used full-frame market. These days there are plenty of great-value options.
Part of Daniel's own kit.
Daniel's Philosophy on Choosing Your First Camera
Your perfect first camera is unique to you. Tune in to what you're drawn to, that's it. It doesn't matter what's “sensible”. Sometimes the perfect camera is the one that doesn't make sense.
Features Worth Looking For
- ■Manual mode. This is the one that really matters. You want full manual control (an M on the mode dial) so you can take the camera off auto when you're ready. The good news is almost every interchangeable-lens camera has it, so it's more of a quick thing to check than a dealbreaker.
- ■Interchangeable lenses. The kit lens is a great place to start. What's nice is that later on you can add something like a 50mm f/1.8 for a whole new look, all without buying a new camera.
- ■RAW shooting. JPEG quietly throws away a lot of what your sensor captured. RAW keeps it all, which gives you far more room to play when you come to learn Lightroom or any editing software.
- ■Comfortable in your hands. You'll be holding this for a few hours at a time, so how it feels really matters. If a camera feels awkward in the shop, it'll feel worse on a walk, so pick the one that feels right to you.
What to Ignore (For Now)
- ■Megapixels. Anything above about 20 megapixels is already plenty for prints, screens, and everything in between. A bigger number sounds impressive, but it won't make your photos better.
- ■Video specs. Unless you're buying mainly to shoot video, 4K at 30fps is plenty to start with.
- ■Burst rate. This is how many photos per second the camera can rattle off. Unless you're chasing fast sport or wildlife, it's really not something you need to think about yet.
Camera Sensor Sizes, Explained Simply
Sensor size is the bit of jargon that trips up most beginners, so here's the whole story in plain English. Back in the film days, the standard film was 35mm wide. That was simply what most cameras used, and every photo was that size.
When digital cameras came along, a big sensor was expensive to make, so most cameras used a smaller, cheaper one, known as a crop sensor. Later, when the technology caught up and cameras could fit a sensor the same size as that old 35mm film, the name stuck: full frame. The rest are just steps up and down from there, sorted below from smallest to biggest.
- Phone sensorThe smallest
Amazing for how small it is, but that tiny sensor is why phones struggle in low light and can't blur a background like a bigger camera can.
- Micro Four ThirdsA step up from a phone
Bigger than a phone sensor, and small enough to keep the camera and lenses really compact. The step between your phone and APS-C.
Examples: OM System OM-5, Panasonic Lumix G9, Olympus OM-D E-M10
- APS-CThe popular crop sensor
Bigger again, and where most beginner cameras land. Smaller, lighter, and cheaper than full frame, but genuinely capable.
Examples: Sony a6400, Fujifilm X-T30 II, Nikon Z50
- Full frameThe old 35mm film sizeWhere Daniel points beginners
The size Daniel shoots himself. Great in low light and works beautifully with pro lenses.
Examples: Nikon Z6, Sony a7 III, Canon EOS R
- Medium formatBigger than full frame
A sensor bigger than full frame, with beautiful detail and tonality. Big, expensive, and the largest sensor most photographers ever handle.
Examples: Fujifilm GFX 50S, Hasselblad X1D, Pentax 645Z
The short version: a bigger sensor gathers more light, which is why it handles dim conditions better and gives you that soft, blurry background. Bigger also means heavier and pricier. For most beginners the real choice is full frame vs APS-C, and either one is a big step up from a phone. Beyond that, the best size is simply the one that suits how you like to shoot.
DSLR vs Mirrorless for Beginners
Mirrorless is where the industry is now. Every major manufacturer has moved to mirrorless. New lens development, firmware updates, and innovation are all happening on mirrorless platforms. DSLRs still take great photos, but if you're buying new in 2026, go mirrorless.
Used DSLRs are great value. A second-hand Nikon D7200 or Canon 80D for A$400-600 is a lot of camera. The image quality is excellent, they're built like tanks, and there are decades of cheap lenses available.
For a beginner deciding between the two, image quality is line-ball. Mirrorless wins on size, live preview, and where the lenses are heading; a used DSLR wins on price. Buying new in 2026, mirrorless is the call. On a tight budget, a used DSLR is the smart buy.
The First Lens to Buy After the Kit Lens for a 35mm Full Frame Camera
A 50mm f/1.8 (or the equivalent for your sensor size). Every brand makes one, they cost A$100-250, and they completely change how your photos look.
The wide f/1.8 aperture gives you that creamy, blurred background (bokeh) that makes portraits pop. It also lets in far more light than your kit lens, which means better performance in dim conditions and night photography. It's sharp, fast, cheap, and teaches you more about photography than any other single purchase.
Used Cameras Worth Considering
Here's the used market laid out simply. There are two generations to choose from, each grouped by sensor size. Generation 1 is the value sweet spot; Generation 2 is a step newer for a bit more money. If you'd rather buy brand new, the current generation of each line is listed at the bottom. Tap any camera to see the detail and an approximate Australian used price.
Prices last checked July 2026
Rough guides for used bodies (no lens); they shift with condition and stock.
Generation 1
2016 - 2019The value sweet spot. First-wave used full frame and the crop bodies of the same era, now at their friendliest prices.
Full frame
Nikon Z6Daniel's pick2018A$1,000 - A$1,300
Daniel's own camera, and his top pick here. A 24-megapixel full-frame body with in-body stabilisation that shines in low light and feels lovely with good lenses. It uses pricier XQD/CFexpress cards and the autofocus is a generation behind the newest bodies, but for the money used, it's hard to beat.
Sony a7 III2018A$1,150 - A$1,400
The camera that made full frame mainstream. Fast, reliable autofocus, great battery life, and a huge choice of lenses. Still one of the most capable cameras at this price, and easy to find used.
Canon EOS R2018A$750 - A$1,050
Canon's first full-frame mirrorless, and often the cheapest way into full frame. Gorgeous colour straight out of camera and comfortable to hold. A single card slot and older autofocus, but a lot of camera for the money.
Canon 5D Mark IVDSLR2016A$1,100 - A$1,600
A workhorse DSLR that professionals shot for years. Superb image quality, tank-like build, and decades of affordable Canon lenses to draw on. Bigger and heavier than mirrorless, but wonderful value if you don't mind an optical viewfinder.
APS-C
Sony a64002019A$750 - A$950
A compact crop-sensor camera with excellent autofocus and a flip-up screen. Light to carry all day and a great first 'proper' camera when full frame is out of budget.
Fujifilm X-T30 II2021A$900 - A$1,000
Beautiful film-simulation colours and proper physical dials that make learning manual mode feel natural. Small, stylish, and a joy to carry. Used stock moves around, so treat the price as a ballpark.
Nikon Z502019A$650 - A$850
Nikon's friendly little crop-sensor mirrorless. Comfortable grip, simple menus, and great image quality for the price. A gentle, capable place to start, though used and clearance prices overlap, so it's worth shopping around.
Medium format
Fujifilm GFX 50S2017A$2,500 - A$3,800
Your cheapest realistic way into medium format. A 51-megapixel sensor bigger than full frame, with breathtaking detail and tonality. Slow and deliberate to shoot, and a beautiful thing to explore whenever you feel drawn to it. Body-only stock is scarce in Australia, so treat the price as a rough guide.
Generation 2
2020 - 2023A step newer. Better autofocus and video, and still strong used value, for a bit more money.
Full frame
Nikon Z6 II2020A$1,400 - A$1,900
The Z6 with two card slots, faster processing, and improved autofocus. All the little things people wanted from the original, for a bit more.
Sony a7 IV2021A$1,950 - A$2,700
A big step up: 33 megapixels, superb autofocus, and excellent video. It holds its value, so it's the priciest here, but it's a camera you could happily shoot for a decade.
Canon EOS R62020A$1,500 - A$1,950
Canon's do-everything full-frame body, with fantastic autofocus and low-light performance and a great feel in the hand. Prices are softening used now the R6 II is out, which is good news for you.
APS-C
Sony a67002023A$1,500 - A$1,700
Sony's most capable crop-sensor camera: brilliant autofocus, in-body stabilisation, and great video in a small body. A serious little all-rounder.
Fujifilm X-T52022A$1,800 - A$2,200
40 megapixels of detail, gorgeous colours, and the classic Fuji dials. Beloved by photographers who want a camera that's a pleasure to use. It holds its value, so used bargains are rare.
Canon EOS R72022A$1,400 - A$1,550
Canon's enthusiast crop body, with fast burst shooting and excellent autofocus. A strong pick if you like the Canon feel and want a little extra reach from your lenses.
Medium format
Fujifilm GFX 100S2021A$4,800 - A$6,000
102 megapixels of medium-format detail with in-body stabilisation, in a body barely bigger than a full-frame camera. Extraordinary image quality and, used, a fraction of its launch price. Pure indulgence, and good to know it exists.
Current Generation
Buy newIf you'd rather buy brand new, this is the latest version of each line. You pay more than used, but you get the newest autofocus, video, and full warranty.
Full frame
Nikon Z6 III2024A$4,300
The newest Z6, and the current version of Daniel's own camera. Faster processing, a brighter viewfinder, and much-improved autofocus over the original.
Sony a7 IV2021A$3,000
Still Sony's current mainstream full-frame body: 33 megapixels, superb autofocus, and excellent video. The safe, do-everything choice.
Canon EOS R6 Mark II2022A$3,300
Canon's current do-everything full-frame body. Fantastic autofocus and low-light performance with a lovely feel in the hand.
APS-C
Sony a67002023A$1,800
Sony's current top crop-sensor camera: brilliant autofocus, in-body stabilisation, and great video in a small, light body.
Fujifilm X-T52022A$2,600
40 megapixels, gorgeous colours, and the classic Fuji dials. A camera that's a genuine pleasure to use, and Fuji's current X-T flagship.
Nikon Z50 II2024A$1,450
The newest version of Nikon's friendly little crop-sensor mirrorless. Faster, smarter autofocus and a great first proper camera bought new.
Medium format
Fujifilm GFX 100S II2024A$7,900
The current entry into medium format: 102 megapixels of extraordinary detail in a body barely bigger than a full-frame camera. Pure indulgence, and good to know it exists.
Medium Format: Fuji vs Hasselblad
Medium format is the one place in this guide where I quote a lens price on top of the body, because here the lens is a big slice of the entry cost and it swings a lot between systems, so the body price on its own would mislead you.
Medium format digital these days means a 44 by 33mm sensor (both the Fujifilm GFX and Hasselblad X bodies use the same one), about 1.3 times bigger than full frame, a real but modest step up. Because of that sensor size the focal lengths shift a little: the classic fifty-millimetre “nifty fifty” look comes from a 63mm lens on Fuji and a 65mm on Hasselblad, both f/2.8, which works out to roughly a 50mm f/2.2 in full-frame terms.
To keep it fair, here is each system three ways: the latest model bought brand new, and two earlier generations bought secondhand with a used lens.
Brand new
Latest modelSecondhand
Second generationSecondhand
First generationBuying new
Bodies. The Fujifilm GFX 100S II is A$7,999, with modern autofocus, video, and Fuji's wide lens range. The Hasselblad X2D II 100C is A$13,150 for the body alone, where the extra money goes to its colour rendering and leaf shutter. Both are around 100 megapixels.
Lenses. The Fujifilm GF 63mm f/2.8 is A$2,199. The Hasselblad XCD 65mm f/2.8 is around A$2,900. Hasselblad also sells newer standard primes, the 55mm f/2.5 V and the 75mm f/3.4 P (its modern nifty-fifty), for a good deal more.
Buying secondhand
Bodies. This is how most people get into medium format. A used Fujifilm GFX 50S is about A$3,000 and a used Hasselblad X1D II 50C about A$4,500. Both drop to 50 megapixels with slower autofocus and older screens, but the files still hold enormous detail. Step up to a second-generation used body, a Fujifilm GFX 100S or Hasselblad X2D 100C, and you get the full 100 megapixels for more.
Lenses. The same two lenses turn up used, roughly A$1,500 for the Fujifilm GF 63mm f/2.8 and A$2,500 for the Hasselblad XCD 65mm f/2.8. Which system is for you is entirely your call.
All prices here are in Australian dollars, and secondhand prices move with what's in stock, so treat them as a guide.
Once You've Got Your Camera
Daniel Bilsborough's photography course in Melbourne teaches you to shoot in full manual mode in a single 3-hour session. Bring whatever camera you own.