Ted’s Best Cameras for Beginners

31 October 2023

Taking the first step into the world of photography is so exciting. Whether you’ve chosen an entry level DSLR or a cheap digital camera, your first camera is a pathway into an inspiring new world full of creative possibilities. The best cameras for beginners are ones that combine ease of use and versatility with all the bells and whistles you need to start shooting stunning images.

To help you choose the best camera, Ted’s Cameras’ team have compiled a list of the 5 best cameras for beginners.


1. Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay Instant Camera

  • Camera type: Instant
  • 28mm wide-angle equivalent focal length
  • Record and print sound to your images - QR code
  • Add fun and exciting frames to your images
  • Bluetooth connectivity

While it is still capable of the same feature that still draws us to Instant Cameras to this day, that is the ability to make a printed copy of an image just moments after it is captured, it is its modern edge that makes the Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay one of our favourite cameras for beginners.

Ted’s Top 5 Best Cameras for BeginnersTed’s Top 5 Best Cameras for Beginners

The LiPlay can uniquely record sound bytes and print them on your image for playback in the form of QR codes. Now when you take a photograph of a special moment with your family and friends, you can also record what this moment sounds like, which will bring a new layer of enjoyment when you are reminiscing.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay instant camera features a wide-angle lens with a fast f2 aperture to take pictures which can be printed on the wide range of Instax mini films from Fuji. There are 30 fun and exciting frames for you to add to your images, and you can also store your images digitally for sharing or printing later on. Thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity, the LiPlay can even print off your favourite smartphone happy snaps.

2. Ricoh WG-6 Tough Digital Camera

Ted’s Top 5 Best Cameras for BeginnersTed’s Top 5 Best Cameras for Beginners
  • Camera type: Compact
  • Sensor size: 1/2.3”
  • Megapixels: 20MP
  • 20m Waterproof
  • 4K Video Recording

One of the best photography gifts for adventurers, the Ricoh WG-6 is a sturdy yet budget-friendly digital compact camera. Perfect for life on the road, it’s as rugged as it gets: freezeproof, dustproof, shockproof and waterproof to 20m. In other words? You can let the kids use the camera without fearing for its safety!

The 20MP sensor of the WG-6 produces clear, detailed photos with next-to-no noise, as well as stunning 4K resolution videos. There is a versatile 5x optical zoom lens means you don’t need to physically move to get the shot, while built-in LED lights can be found around the lens, providing bright and vivid images, even in the dim conditions underwater.

The Ricoh WG-6 is ideal for daily snapshots as well as travel, while it must even be considered for aspiring content creators, thanks to its range of easy-to-use built-in movie editing features, and its ability to be used as a plug-and-play webcam.

3. Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera

  • Camera type: Instant
  • Simple Selfie Mirror
  • Optical Viewfinder
  • Built-In Flash
  • Compatible With Instax Mini Instant Film

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 is a portable and stylish instant camera, which will appeal to all types of beginners, including families that want to create high-quality instant photographs, and socialites looking for a cool and practical accessory to take along to the next party; it comes in a range of attractive colours to help you find the perfect fit for you.

Ted’s Top 5 Best Cameras for BeginnersTed’s Top 5 Best Cameras for Beginners

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 is simple to use, so kids will enjoy being given free reign to create their own instant artworks, while if the only interesting subject that can be found is the photographer, that's fine too - the Instax Mini 11 includes an easy to use selfie mirror to help with accurate selfie framing.

This compact instant camera runs on easy to find AA batteries and prints out instant images in as little as 90 seconds, so even the youngest users won't feel too impatient. Photography with the Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 instant camera is fun and easy both indoors and out, thanks to its powerful built-in flash.

3. Ilford Sprite II 35mm Film Camera

  • Camera type: 35mm Film
  • Classic Retro Style
  • Optical Viewfinder
  • Built-In Flash
  • Runs on 1xAAA Battery

The Ilford Sprite II is a simple point-and-shoot camera that is perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy the wonder of film photography. It is easy to use and produces stunning results, even for beginners.

Ted’s Top 5 Best Cameras for BeginnersTed’s Top 5 Best Cameras for Beginners

The Sprite II uses basic 35mm film, so you can load up a colour or black-and-white camera film of your choice. It has a fixed focal length lens of 31mm, which is a great all-around lens for most types of photography, and this camera also has a built-in flash, which is useful for low-light situations.

The Ilford Sprite II is available in a range of stylish colours, making it a great choice for anyone who wants to enjoy the magic of film photography, and look great while they ply their new trade. So users can enjoy some of the hands-on experience of film photography, this camera has a manual advance lever to prepare the camera to expose the next frame, while for simplicity it runs on a solitary AAA battery, making it incredibly easy to pick up a spare.

4. Canon EOS 200D Mark II+ 18-55mm IS STM

  • Camera type: DSLR
  • Sensor size: 22.3 x 14.9mm
  • Megapixels: 24MP
  • 4K video recording
  • Continuous shooting speed: 5 fps

Being Canon’s smallest DSLR camera yet, the Canon EOS 200D Mark II is a great choice for students of all ages, as well as anyone wanting to take great family photos without lugging around large and heavy camera equipment.

Ted’s Top 5 Best Cameras for BeginnersTed’s Top 5 Best Cameras for Beginners

The EOS 200D Mark II features a 24MP APS-C sized image sensor which captures brilliantly detailed images, as well as 4K resolution videos. If you are coming from a smartphone or compact camera background, you will be blown away by the image quality that this larger sensor is capable of. Canon has a huge range of lenses and accessories for their DSLR range, so you can expand your kit as you develop as a photographer. 

Perfect for beginners, the 200D Mark II features an easy-to-understand button layout and simple interface. You can enjoy classic photographic composing, using the bright and clear optical viewfinder, or rely on the tilting LCD screen when shooting from tricky angles and recording video. With its Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, you can access Canon’s camera connect app for quick and easy file sharing, as well as controlling the camera remotely.

5. Nikon Z50 Body + 16-50mm

  • Camera type: Mirrorless
  • Sensor size: 23.5 x 15.7mm
  • Megapixels: 20.1MP
  • 4K video recording
  • Continuous shooting speed: 11 fps

Nikon impressed pros and enthusiasts with the introduction of their full-frame Z Mirrorless system not too long ago, and with the DX format Z50, they have introduced this system to beginners. The Nikon Z50 has the looks and some of the functionality of the high-end Z6 and Z7 but in a much smaller, more affordable package.

The DX-format sensor of the Z50 features 20.1MP resolution and can capture video in 4K30p. The EXPEED 6 image processor has been included in this excellent Mirrorless release, which enables brilliant low-light performance right up to the top ISO speeds, as well as a fast 11 frames per second burst shooting rate and a speedy 209-point Hybrid AF system.

Despite its portable size, the Nikon Z50 is made tough with a magnesium build and weather-resistance. Nikon have also managed to cram both an electronic viewfinder and a huge 3.2-inch LCD screen at the rear of this Mirrorless body. The screen is touch-sensitive for ease-of-use, while it tilts to allow easy video and selfie shooting. WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity allow users to pair their Z50 with Nikon’s SnapBridge app, for fast and easy image sharing between you and the rest of the world.


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Shop the best cameras for beginners this Christmas

Choosing your first camera should be an exciting experience, rather than a confusing one. Start your photography journey at Ted’s, where our expert team is always on hand to help you choose the best camera for your budget or skill level - or for the perfect gift.

For Christmas 2023 and beyond, our expert team is always on hand to help you to choose the best camera for your budget or skill level - or the perfect gift. Head to your local Ted’s Cameras store to browse our selection of beginner cameras, and don’t forget to ask about our Total Care Packages!


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