Buying guides
Hand-picked cameras and lenses, with verified specs, the trade-offs and launch prices.
- Photo: Mathieu Delmestre, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Best Gear for Portrait Photography: Getting Started
Three camera and prime lens combos for portraits, from the Canon EOS R50 with RF 50mm F1.8 STM to the Canon EOS R5 Mark II with RF 85mm F1.2 L USM.
- Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0
Street photography gear: camera and lens combos
Five street photography combos by role: Ricoh GR IV, Fujifilm X100VI, Fujifilm X-E5 with XF 23mm f/2.8, Leica Q3 and Nikon Zf with NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2, with launch prices and who each suits.
- Photo: Henry Söderlund, CC BY 2.0
Lenses by Purpose: What Sports, Wildlife, Landscape and Portrait Photography Each Need
Sports, wildlife, landscapes and portraits each ask something different of a lens: the focal length, aperture and features each one needs, and where they overlap, so you can choose a lens by what you shoot.
- Photo: Henry Söderlund, CC BY 2.0
Mirrorless Camera Guide: Which One Fits How You Shoot
Five mirrorless picks by role: Canon EOS R10 for a first camera, Nikon Z f for hands-on stills, Nikon ZR for video, Nikon Z8 for action and Fujifilm GFX100 II for maximum detail.
- Photo: Greyfiveys, CC BY-SA 4.0
DSLR Camera Guide: Which One Fits How You Shoot
Five DSLRs still sold new, by role: Canon EOS Rebel T7, Nikon D7500, Nikon D850, Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Nikon D780.
- Photo: D. Benjamin Miller, CC0
Full-Frame Camera Guide: Which One Fits How You Shoot
Five full-frame picks by role: Canon EOS R8 for a first full frame, Sony a7C II for travel, Panasonic Lumix S5II for video, Canon EOS R5 Mark II for sports and wildlife, and Sony a7R V for landscapes.
- Image: Sony Electronics
APS-C Camera Guide: Which One Fits How You Shoot
Five APS-C picks by role: Canon EOS R50 for beginners, Fujifilm X-M5 for travel and vlogging, Sony a6700 for video, Canon EOS R7 for wildlife and Fujifilm X-T5 for stills.
- Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Full Frame vs APS-C: What Sensor Size Really Changes (and What It Doesn't)
What the 1.5× and 1.6× crop does to lenses, low light, background blur and reach, and how to choose by what you shoot.
- Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Mirrorless vs DSLR: What Actually Differs in 2026
A plain-English guide to mirrorless cameras and DSLRs: how each one works, what the mirror changes for viewfinders, autofocus, video, battery life, size and lenses, and which one suits you in 2026.
- Photo: Akairom, CC0
Best used mirrorless cameras under $500
Seven APS-C and full-frame mirrorless bodies whose used prices started under $500 at MPB on Oct 16, 2026: the Sony a6000, Sony a7 II, Canon EOS M50, Canon EOS RP, Nikon Z50, Canon EOS M50 Mark II and Canon EOS R100, with launch prices, what each does well and what to watch for.
- Photo: HellcatSRT, CC0
Best used full-frame cameras under $1,000
Seven full-frame mirrorless bodies from Canon, Nikon and Sony whose used prices started under $1,000 in our October 15, 2026 check, with what each does well, what to watch for and links to our full articles.
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