I have free access to a family member’s camera but it really isn’t the best. I think it has a 1/2" sensor though the sensor is not listed anywhere on the box or in the manual which I guess is a red flag. Should I wait and save up more money to buy a better camera or could I use this one to learn on?
Wait, they changed the name of “super zoom” cameras, are they now called “bridge” cameras?
Why?
As for learning on that camera, you can learn on any camera, even an iPhone camera, however, what you will learn differes form camera to camera.
This camera looks like it is decent for beginners wanting to learn the basics of framing and easier concepts.
Do you have to buy the camera, or can you borrow it, you mention waiting and saving up for something else…
If you do have to buy it, what is the cost and how much money do you have saved up for a camera?
This camera is free to us. I do not have to buy it though I have already run into some issues with it. My budget would probably be around $200.
If the camera is free, then use it while saving up for a better camera.
200USD is quite a low budget for a camera here in Sweden, but I don’t know where you are located.
I’d tentatively recommend the used camera market to start off with, if you go that route read up on how many exposures are resonable for the camera you are looking at and then ask the seller for that info, it is not a be all end all value, but gives an idea of how hard a camera has been used, it is sort of like a car’s milage.
Some models to look for on the used market is:
Panasonic Lumix GX80 or GX85 depending on your location, it is an excellent small camera with interchangable lenses and plenty of settings to play with, note however that the rear control dial often breaks, and may need servicing.
Panasonic Lumix G80 or G85 is similar to the GX moddles but has much better ergonomics and control dials.
Sony RX100 has been released in several versions, it is an excellent small camera but without interchagable lenses.
Olympus have made cameras using the same lens mount as the Panasonic cameras I mentioned above, they have released cheaper and more expensive cameras, and are common to find second hand. I don’t have personal experience with them so I can’t give you detailed info about them.
Canon and Nikon are large camera makers, they make great cameras, but their entry level cameras can feel a bit cheap, if you are looking at Canon, then know that they have recently replaced their lens mount, going from EF to RF, that means that there is plenty of EF gear on the second hand market, but know that the EF cameras use an analoge viewfinder and not a digital one, they take brilliant photos, but for me who is used to a digital viewfinder with all the tools they provide I find the analoge style lacking, other really like them.
Nikon also changed their F mount to the new Z mount and like with Canon there is plenty of F mount gear on the market, F mount also means an analoge viewfinder.