If you already know whether you'd prefer a mirrorless or a DSLR camera, you can try our lists for the best mirrorless cameras for beginners or the best DSLR cameras for beginners, respectively.

We've bought and tested over 75 cameras, and below, you'll find our recommendations for the best cameras for photography beginners. Don't forget that a camera's overall performance will also vary depending on the lens you use. As a general rule, it's better to invest in a less expensive camera body and higher-quality lenses than it is to invest in an expensive camera body and cheap lenses.

This list is geared (no pun intended) toward users who want to buy a new model, but keep in mind that there's a huge used market for cameras, and you can often find great deals on older models that make for excellent starter cameras. We've included some mid-range options for those willing to spend more or who simply want the latest tech, but our best advice for beginners is to get whichever camera is within your means and work on learning the basics. For that reason, we've structured this article, for the most part, in order of ascending price, as our top pick also happens to be our top budget model. So, the best camera to start photography with is often the one that's most available to you. It might be tempting when you're just starting in photography to splurge on a brand new high-end camera with all the bells and whistles, but the truth is that all the gear in the world won't make you a better photographer if you don't know what you're doing.

Nikon best camera 2015