Learn aboutInterchangeable lenses

Affordable Interchangeable Lens Camera

The Pentax Q10 is the least expensive camera we've seen that offers interchangeable lenses, available for $222.49.

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.

	Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 from $748	Really small Compact 98x54x30 mm High resolution screen 1,036k dots High ISO 25,600 ISO Learn more about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1
	Samsung NX210 from $300	OLED Screen Bright and vivid Takes 3D photos View photos in 3D on 3D televisions Really small Mid size 117x63x37 mm Learn more about the Samsung NX210
	Samsung NX2000 from $470	Large screen 3.7" High resolution screen 1,152k dots High ISO 25,600 ISO Learn more about the Samsung NX2000
	Samsung NX1100 from $334	Takes 3D photos View photos in 3D on 3D televisions Light-weight 119 g 24p movies For that film look Learn more about the Samsung NX1100

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.

	Pentax Q10 from $222	Really small Compact 102x58x34 mm Image stabilization Sensor shift In-camera HDR Combines multiple exposures Learn more about the Pentax Q10
	Canon EOS EOS M from $245	External mic jack Record higher quality audio with a microphone High resolution screen 1,040k dots Really small Compact 109x66x32 mm Learn more about the Canon EOS M
	Nikon 1 S1 from $259	High speed movies 1,200 fps Really small Compact 102x61x30 mm Many focus points 135 Learn more about the Nikon 1 S1
	Nikon 1 J2 from $297	Rapid fire 60 fps High speed movies 1,200 fps Phase detection video autofocus fast and accurate Learn more about the Nikon 1 J2

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.

	Nikon D610 from $1,996	Low noise at high ISO 2,980 ISO Great image quality 94.0 Great color depth 25.1 bits Learn more about the Nikon D610
	Nikon D600 from $1,550	Low noise at high ISO 2,980 ISO Great image quality 94.0 Great color depth 25.1 bits Learn more about the Nikon D600
	Nikon D800 from $2,797	Low noise at high ISO 2,853 ISO Great image quality 95.0 High true resolution 36.2 MP Learn more about the Nikon D800
	Nikon DF from $2,747	Low noise at high ISO 3,279 ISO Great image quality 89.0 Large screen 3.2" Learn more about the Nikon DF

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.