What are some good cameras for a beginner photographer?

Do you know how shutter speed and the f-stop affect your pictures? Any idea about levels, or contrast, and brightness when editing?

If you don’t you don’t need a better camera. You need a photography class at a community college.

@johnpowell I’m currently getting lessons but while using someone else’s camera. I’d like my own to really be able to experiment and learn.

Are you using a DSLR now? @johnpowell‘s questions about whether you understand shutter speed, aperture, ISO etc. are appropriate. You can have the most expensive camera on the planet, but if you don’t know how to use it, you’ll get average results. On the flipside, someone who understands how to use their camera settings to use light effectively and to frame shots can take brilliant photographs with a cheaper camera.

What’s your budget?

@Earthbound_Misfit As I said, I’m currently getting lessons on using a DSLR. I’d like to keep the budget below $600 for my first camera.

I have a technical photo background and I say don’t worry too much about your camera.

I had a home darkroom as a kid, mixing my own chemicals. In college I had a job running a lab that made museum-quality archival prints from historic originals. I did advertising work with 4×5 inch film. I worked in lighting sales, helping top commercial photographers outfit their studios.

And for the past 15 years, 99% of my photos are made with auto-exposure and auto-focus.

Whatever camera you get…

1) Carry your camera with you, ready to go, not in a case
2) Talk to strangers. Ask if you can take their picture. Most people love it.
3) Move in! Get the close shot!
4) Don’t share your work unless it makes you look great. Take thousands of pictures and throw out 99%.

You could look for an “advanced compact” camera. They are smaller, yet have good light sensitivity, reasonably fast focus. The days for full feature DSLRs for the general public are fading: http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2012-08/dont-buy-dslr

I have a Sony NEX-5N, which is half the weight and size of a DSLR, yet is able to take pictures in low light without using flash. I have actually taken a picture of the constellation Orion before. Try that with a pocket camera!

@ItalianPrincess1217, you said you’re getting lessons but not on a DSLR. You also didn’t explain if you understand the elements mentioned or whether you want to. You friend could have been giving you advice about composure etc. If you just want to take photos, and have good results, you can do that with a good point and press or compact camera. If you want to really get into photography, you’d be better with a DSLR.

I have an Olympus OM-D E-M5 compact which takes fabulous photographs and has a range of lenses. My husband uses it to take photos more than me. I tend to use it to film videos of interviews.

I also have a Canon EOS D50. Nine times out of ten, I take my Canon out to take photos. The Olympus is more convenient and it’s less obtrusive but I like having the control provided by my Canon. I want to be able to change the settings and shoot in manual mode. It’s not the best camera out there, but it’s good enough to do anything I need to do.