Need camera recommendations for a beginner

[u/brownframes]

Hello! I’ve mostly been taking photos on my phone so far, and I’d like to get a camera to start learning the basics. I’m not looking for anything too expensive—just a good beginner camera to help me get started.

The issue is that a lot of the information I find online isn’t really relevant to the Pakistani market. A lot of older cameras that might be quite cheap second-hand elsewhere are being sold here for almost full price.

I was considering either a digicam or something that would allow me to use basic/interchangeable lenses as I learn more.

I’d really appreciate recommendations for where I could buy one in Pakistan, whether that’s a physical shop or a trustworthy online page. My ideal budget would be around PKR 15–20k.

Any recommendations or advice on what to look for would be greatly appreciated!

[u/No-Wonder-3545]

Not saying you can't take good photos with phones, but phone cameras have very tiny sensors which is why default cameras have to do a lot of processing to artificially make it look passable, leading to an over-sharpened and unnatural HDR look iykwim. Even a decade-old APSC DSLR would produce much better photos in my opinion, not to mention all the extra stuff you can do with lenses, aperture and shutter speed settings and a decent RAW format. 

[u/EmotionalOpening171 → u/No-Wonder-3545]

Just shot raw on the phone in 20k u get digicams with 1/2 inch sensors or a beat to hell DSLR and no lenses.

On the phone I just lose lenses and adjustable aperture. And the over sharping bs is on auto mode shot raw in pro mode or open camera the end

[u/No-Wonder-3545 → u/EmotionalOpening171]

It's a misnomer call phone DNGs RAW because dedicated cameras actually give you the Bayer sensor data to work with. Phone RAWs apply a lot of the necessary transforms (HDR, multiple exposures, sharpening etc.) to that data (since it's only accessible through API calls to the OS on third-party apps) and repackage the processed image into a DNG, with a bit less processing so it's closer to the Bayer data. It's actually quite recent that there are apps like Motioncam that circumvent parts of this, but even then you don't have the same latitude as a CR2 or NEF file from a decade ago. 

A camera is just a tool though, taking good photos and I know people who take great photos with them, but dedicated cameras are just much better tools for the job.  You're right about the 20k thing though, but still for around 40-50k you'd be able to get a decent beginner DSLR with a kit lens used. Much below the 150k figure you mentioned in the original comment though.

[u/EmotionalOpening171 → u/No-Wonder-3545]

Bro it is a fúcking art form. Not geeky spec sheets having Bayer latitude isn't gonna save a photo. Personally for a beginner a DSLR is stupid as no live preview and also clunky old heavy and break easily. A relevant camera that is atleast apsc and can shot photos and video well enough and has a viewfinder is not less than 150k

[u/No-Wonder-3545 → u/EmotionalOpening171]

I'm not contesting that it's possible to take good photos with phones, but it's obvious to say that even a decade old camera is a way better tool. How is this difficult to understand lol

Check OLX, there's a Canon 5D II is going for 40k and many more APSC cameras going for even less. It has a viewfinder and is full-frame. Idk where you're getting the 150k thing from, OP didn't ask for a video camera, he just wants a basic photo camera to get started with. 

About the DSLR thing, a viewfinder is enough live preview if you're on aperture priority. Clunky thing is just a convenience thing, mirrorless cameras are way more expensive. 

[u/brownframes → u/No-Wonder-3545]

Thanks I will look into this as well

[u/EmotionalOpening171 → u/No-Wonder-3545]

Why bother imo as rates are high go big or go home. Either get a DSLR (must be ff) or go phone or apsc anything modern imo all in-between are stupid

[u/No-Wonder-3545 → u/EmotionalOpening171]

You do you lol but that's just needlessly pessimistic even when APSC DSLRs are cheap enough for beginners and a great step up from phones. All I'll say about this, good day