Learn aboutInterchangeable lenses

Affordable Interchangeable Lens Camera

The Nikon D3400 is the least expensive camera we've seen that offers interchangeable lenses, available for $325.99.

Cameras with interchangeable lenses do not have built-in lenses, instead they provide the option of using many different lenses. Compact cameras tend to have a single built-in lens and make compromises in order to fit the lens on a small body, achieve a good price point and ensure the camera can take wideangle and telephoto (zoom) shots. Cameras with interchangeable lenses do not compromise as much, they provide what are generally higher end camera bodies and permit the user to decide which lenses they'd like to own. A wider array of lenses will permit more creativity and photographic control in your photographs if you learn how to use them.

Examples of How to Use Different Lenses

The following photos demonstrate some of the different creative options with various lenses. Each lens has its own personality, capabilities and flaws. Sometimes the flaws make for great photos of a certain type, sometimes a lenses unique performance characteristics, such as a very wide aperture or a extremely large max focal length, will permit photos you couldn't otherwise take. For a serious photographer one can argue that the lenses are more important than the camera body.

Bokeh Butterfly

The following photo by aussigall shows a butterfly taken with selective focus and a unique bokeh / blur pattern in the background. 100mm at f3/5 on a Canon 400D (XTi).

Bench in the Park

Photo by rawheadrex shows a wonderful park shot taken with a Kern Switar 25mm f1.4 lens on a GF1 - Micro Four Thirds mirrorless interchangeable lens camera.

Oslo Fashion Week 2010

Photo by gcardinal shows the versatility of a wide aperture at 200mm telephoto. Taken on a D3X DSLR via a 70-200mm VRII at 200mm f/2.8, the camera captures a model on the catwalk for NICE at Oslo Fashion Week 2010.

Smallest Cameras with Interchangeable Lenses

You want interchangeable lenses but you don't want to give up your compact size camera - these cameras offer the best of both worlds.

	Fujifilm X-A3 from $533	Really small Mid size (117×67×40 mm) 24p movies For that film look Light-weight 339 g Learn more about the Fujifilm X-A3
	Canon EOS M100 from $449	Really small Mid size (108×67×35 mm) Phase detection autofocus fast and accurate Light-weight 302 g Learn more about the Canon EOS M100
	Fujifilm X-E3 from $898	Really small Mid size (121×74×43 mm) Phase detection autofocus fast and accurate External mic jack Record higher quality audio with a microphone Learn more about the Fujifilm X-E3
	Panasonic Lumix DC-GX850 (Lumix DC-GX800 / Lumix DC-GF9)	Really small Compact (107×65×33 mm) Slightly more lenses available 108 lenses Light-weight 269 g Learn more about the Panasonic Lumix DC-GX850 (Lumix DC-GX800 / Lumix DC-GF9)

See more of the top small cameras with interchangeable lenses

Least Expensive Interchangeable Lens Cameras

The following are some of the cheapest interchangeable lens cameras on the market.

	Nikon D3400 from $326	Great battery life 1200 shots Slightly more lenses available 230 lenses Built-in focus motor Autofocuses with more lenses Learn more about the Nikon D3400
	Olympus PEN E-PL8 from $430	Really small Mid size (115×67×38 mm) Slightly more lenses available 108 lenses Thin 1.5" Learn more about the Olympus PEN E-PL8
	Canon EOS M100 from $449	Really small Mid size (108×67×35 mm) Phase detection autofocus fast and accurate Light-weight 302 g Learn more about the Canon EOS M100
	Nikon D5600 from $526	Large screen 3.2" High resolution screen 1,037k dots Really small Prosumer size (124×97×70 mm) Learn more about the Nikon D5600

See more of the top affordable cameras with interchangeable lenses

Professional DSLRs

The following are some of the best professional digital SLR cameras on the market.

	Canon EOS 5D Mark IV from $2,749	Large screen 3.2" Large viewfinder 0.71x High true resolution 30.1 MP Learn more about the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

See more of the top pro DSLRs

Discussion

Showing 2 comments

Snapsort (0:35 PM, April 20, 2011)

what tends to make a camera pro is: being weather proofed, having a shutter rated to many actuations, having advanced focus systems, having many features accessible as buttons on the body, the body being made of metal rather than plastic etc. e.g. pro cameras have advanced features and durability.

Allen Valino (4:58 AM, April 20, 2011)

Just want to know where is Nikon D90 considered as entry level? I'm new to photography and I am very interested on learning more about it. Thanks.