Affordable Interchangeable Lens Camera
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 is the least expensive camera we've seen that offers interchangeable lenses, available for $329.00.

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
photo of butterfly with selective focus and bokeh blurThe 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 of a bench in the parkPhoto 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 of a model on a catwalkPhoto 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.

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-5N
from $599
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
77.0
Light sensitivity High ISO Help
25,600 ISO
Screen resolution High resolution screen Help
920k dots

Learn more about the Sony NEX-5N

Sony Alpha NEX-5
Sony Alpha NEX-5
from $569
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
69.0
Screen resolution High resolution screen Help
920k dots
Movie format Full HD Help
1080p @ 30fps

Learn more about the Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sony NEX C3
Sony NEX C3
from $499
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
73.0
Screen resolution High resolution screen Help
921k dots
Low light performance Low noise at high ISO Help
1,083 ISO

Learn more about the Sony NEX C3

Pentax Q
Pentax Q
from $699
Image stabilization Image stabilization Help
Sensor shift
Size Really small Help
Compact 98x57x31 mm
Movie format Full HD Help
1080p @ 30fps

Learn more about the Pentax Q

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Least Expensive Interchangeable Lens Cameras

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

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
from $329
Movie format Full HD Help
1080p @ 30fps
Touch screen Touch screen Help
Less buttons
Size Really small Help
Mid size 113x68x33 mm

Learn more about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Canon Rebel T3
Canon Rebel T3
from $379
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available Help
162 lenses
Battery life Great battery life Help
800 shots
Weight Light-weight Help
459 g

Learn more about the Canon Rebel T3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
from $439
Movie format Full HD Help
1080p @ 30fps
Touch screen Touch screen Help
Less buttons
Size Really small Help
Compact 107x67x32 mm

Learn more about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Olympus PEN E-PL2
Olympus PEN E-PL2
from $449
Image stabilization Image stabilization Help
Sensor shift
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available Help
26 lenses
Built-in flash Built-in flash Help
External flash not needed

Learn more about the Olympus PEN E-PL2

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Professional DSLRs

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

Sony SLT-A77
Sony SLT SLT A77
from $1,398
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
78.0
Color depth Great color depth Help
24 bits
Dynamic range Wide dynamic range Help
13.2 EV

Learn more about the Sony SLT-A77

Canon EOS 60D
Canon EOS 60D
from $899
Movie format Full HD Help
1080p @ 30fps
Screen resolution High resolution screen Help
1,040k dots
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available Help
162 lenses

Learn more about the Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 1D X
Canon EOS 1D X
from $8,515
Light sensitivity High ISO Help
51,200 ISO
Screen size Large screen Help
3.2"
Viewfinder size Large viewfinder Help
0.76x

Learn more about the Canon EOS 1D X

Nikon D800
Nikon D800
True resolution High true resolution Help
36.2 MP
Screen size Large screen Help
3.2"
Viewfinder size Large viewfinder Help
0.72x

Learn more about the Nikon D800

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Discussion

Showing 2 comments

Avatar for Snapsort 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.