A camera that exposes photographic film to light in order to take a picture. Used since the late 1800s, the film is a chemical emulsion on a plastic substrate that is sensitive to light.

The best camera phone is probably in my pocket right now, because I'm always taking photos and testing the best smartphone cameras against each other. I have a Galaxy S25 Ultra, an iPhone 16 Pro ...

That means we know exactly what makes a good camera for beginners to learn with. From premium compacts to entry-level mirrorless models, we’ve shortlisted our favorite beginner cameras below.