So you’re about to embark on a thrilling journey—buying a shiny new camera! Exciting! But you might also be a bit intimidated… What are all the different types? What accessories do you actually need? What do all those crazy letters and numbers mean?

When you think of a big, fancy, expensive camera, you’re probably picturing a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera. These cameras are made up of two main parts—the body and the lens. The lenses can be taken off and changed (aka interchangeable).

Video Source

But you’ll need both parts – the body and the lens – in order to take a photo. In recent years, mirrorless cameras have become increasingly popular.They have a lot of the same features as a DSLR but in a smaller body, without the mirror. Point-and-shoots are the smallest cameras dedicated primarily to photography (camera phones are typically smaller). The big advantage of the point-and-shoot is its size. Camera phones are the most widely used cameras today. The pros are impressive: a camera that you can carry in your pocket, giving you incredible convenience to shoot anytime, anywhere, with minimal effort. Many photographers are showing great proficiency with the camera phone, taking photos more regularly and getting in more practice, honing their skills.
.