Types of Cameras: You can Buy in 2023

We will discuss the many Types of cameras for photography in this post. This article assists you in choosing the best camera if you’re seeking to purchase a new one.

As everyone is aware, there are many types of cameras on the market. So, the user can choose the right one based on the features and usage.

Different types of cameras

Types of Cameras

DSLR Cameras

The abbreviation for a DSLR camera is Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera. It is one of the most widely used varieties of cameras available. 

Every professional photographer’s equipment will include one DSLR camera. In reality, it combines a single-lens reflex camera with a digital image sensor.

Detachable lenses are standard on DSLR cameras. Hence, depending on the genre of photography, you may alter the camera lens. You can attach a wide-angle lens for landscape photography and a telephoto lens for wildlife photography.

With a DSLR camera, the optical viewfinder allows you to see the scene clearly. DSLR cameras come with choices for both full-frame and half-frame cameras.

The two most well-known DSLR camera manufacturers are Canon and Nikon. DSLR cameras are also available from Fuji, Pentax, and Sigma.

Choose the one that best suits your needs in terms of both price and the kind of photography you do. One aspect of the widespread use of DSLR cameras is their many lens possibilities. The majority of modern DSLR cameras can also capture videos. Some people can even capture 4K video.

You may capture pictures in RAW format with a DSLR. Images may subsequently be edited in Lightroom or Adobe Photoshop.

The Nikon D6 and Canon 1DX Mark III are two common DSLR models.

Read: 11 Best Budget DSLR Cameras


Mirrorless Cameras

A DSLR camera becomes mirrorless if the optical viewfinder is removed. Hence, the mirrorless camera would not have an optical viewfinder. The camera body loses part of its weight as a result.

The viewfinder displays the image that is falling on the camera sensor. Mirrorless cameras are hence portable and lightweight.

Both crop (APS-C) and full-frame camera bodies are available for mirrorless cameras. The greatest full-frame mirrorless camera body right now is the Sony A1. Also offering mirrorless camera bodies are Nikon and Canon.

Moreover, they include a removable lens. As they are relatively new to the market, the lens selections are limited. To allow users to use their current DSLR lenses with mirrorless cameras, Nikon and Canon have produced adapters.

Mirrorless cameras enable you to take RAW images just as DSLRs do.

Some mirrorless cameras are the Sony A1, Canon EOS R3, and Nikon Z9.

Read my article on 14 important parts of a camera to understand better.


Point and Shoot Cameras

Compact cameras called point and shoots are helpful for folks who wish to take images of their family or while on vacation. These are for those who just wished to take pictures without being engaged in photography.

They have fixed lenses and adjustable focal lengths. The telephoto reach is not possible with a point-and-shoot camera. As a result, it is the perfect camera to use for documents.

The picture would be saved in JPEG format in this case. Aa batteries are used in the majority of point-and-shoot cameras. Few cameras are sold with bespoke batteries. Point-and-shoot cameras are among the numerous sorts of photography cameras that are lightweight and convenient to carry in a small bag.


Smartphone Cameras

Currently, smartphones come with high-quality cameras. Almost all smartphones are equipped with two cameras: one for selfies up front and one for photos in the rear.

Some smartphones even include triple or quad cameras on the back—one for wide-angle, one for telephoto, one for macro, and one for portrait photography. You may use software to add blur effects to your images that are similar to those from a DSLR.

Those who want the functionality of DSLR cameras in a small form factor will find smartphone cameras more appealing as a result of this feature.

The fall of point-and-shoot cameras was brought on by the emergence of smartphones with capable cameras. You can also take RAW photos with certain smartphones, which you may edit afterward.

But, don’t anticipate that this RAW file will contain as many photo details as a DSLR or mirrorless one. These kinds of cameras are best for people who like to always have a camera with them or who don’t want to carry many cameras.

Smartphones with strong photography features are the Apple iPhone 13 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10Pro, to name a few.


Bridge Cameras

As the name implies, a bridge camera sits between point-and-shoot and DSLR cameras. Most bridge cameras of this sort have a fixed lens that covers the telephoto focal range.

Hence, if you have a tight budget or are not interested in a DSLR or a mirrorless camera, it is a great alternative to capture animals and sports.

Several bridge cameras are RAW format compatible. In comparison to DSLRs and Mirrorless cameras, it is lighter to carry. If you like watching birds but aren’t a photographer, you may spend money on one to record your views.


Medium Format Cameras

120mm films were first used by medium format cameras. The digital camera sensor, which has a size comparable to 120mm film, has taken the position of film in this age of digitization. Medium-format film cameras are no longer produced by several companies. It is more expensive and has a larger camera sensor.

Hence, medium format cameras are the way to go if you want incredibly high-quality photographs with great noise performance. Hence, for fashion photographers, this is the camera of choice.

One of the well-known manufacturers of medium-format cameras is Hasselblad. The other well-known manufacturers of these kinds of cameras are Fuji and Pentax. Compared to DSLR cameras, they are a bit heavier and larger. The huge camera sensor is mostly to blame for the bulkiness.

Medium format cameras like the Fujifilm GFX 100s and Hasselblad 907X 50C are both very well-liked.


Film Cameras

Not least among them are film cameras. With film cameras, everything began. At the beginning of photography, we used film as the recording medium. Subsequently, the camera sensor and memory cards took the role of film. It is a model of an older camera.

The film feature is where the ISO portion of the picture is found. Hence, in order to meet our ISO requirements, we must update the film rolls.

The camera has controls for aperture and shutter speed. Due to a lack of demand, camera manufacturers have since discontinued making these kinds of cameras for photography.


Rugged Cameras

Shockproof and water-resistant cameras are rugged cameras. It more or less has the same specifications as a point-and-shoot digital camera.

The difference, in this case, is in the construction quality. Adventurers are the target market for rugged cameras, which are all-terrain and all-weather cameras. In other words, even if you drop the camera into water or from a height. It will be somewhat resilient to the fall. Hence, if you like exploration or adventure, this camera is for you.

Some of the well-known models in this category of cameras are the Olympus Tough TG-6, Ricoh WG-6, and Fujifilm FinePix XP140.

I assume you are now aware of the many sorts of photography cameras. Hence, depending on your needs, you may purchase any. One thing to keep in mind is that purchasing a high-end camera alone won’t make you an excellent photographer; you also need to know how to operate it.


Instant Camera/ Polaroid Cameras

As the name implies, instant cameras have the ability to print pictures right away. This category of cameras was first offered by the Polaroid Company. Hence, Polaroid cameras is another name for these cameras.

Films were used in the first generation of Instant cameras, but paper printouts have since taken their place. Polaroid and other Instant camera manufacturers provide a wide range of models. The other well-known producers of Instant cameras are Kodak and Fujifilm.

Popular instant cameras include the Polaroid Now+ and the FujiFilm Instax Mini 11.


Digital Cine Cameras

High-end digital cine cameras are used to capture motion pictures and documentaries. They have possibilities for interchangeable lenses. Cine cameras are used by movie industry experts. They are mostly used for video recording, and all of the versions can handle resolutions of 4K or higher.

Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 4.6K, Canon EOS C100 Mark II, and Sony PXW-Z150 4k XDCAM are a few of the well-known Digital Cine cameras.


Action Cameras / GoPro Cameras

Action cameras and GoPro cameras are renowned for their small size, which allows them to be mounted in a variety of locations that are difficult for regular cameras too.

An action camera may be used to take pictures, make movies, and do time-lapse photography. They have several mounting options available. It may be mounted to a body part, a wrist, a vehicle, or clothes.

To shoot movies underwater, you may utilize special camera housings. The majority of action cameras are 4K capable.

You can link certain action cameras to your smartphone for live view and remote activation.

Some of the well-known manufacturers of action cameras are YI and GoPro.

Read my article on the best action camera for vlogging to know about different action cameras


360-degree Cameras 

These days, 360-degree camera models are becoming more and more common. They have the ability to take 360-degree pictures. Even certain smartphones, with their expanded panoramic capability, are able to do this task.

Using a special 360-degree camera allows you to shoot a single 360-degree picture with a single click. Hence, only if you are really interested in 360-degree images should you purchase one.

Some of the most well-known 360-degree camera models are the JVC Theta 5, Nikon Keymission360, Samsung Gear 360, Rylo, and GoPro Fusion.

Read: how big is an 8×10 photo