Learn aboutInterchangeable lenses

Affordable Interchangeable Lens Camera

The Canon Rebel T3 is the least expensive camera we've seen that offers interchangeable lenses, available for $333.00.

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

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.

	Sony NEX-5N from $598	Great image quality 77.0 High ISO 25,600 ISO High resolution screen 920k dots Learn more about the Sony NEX-5N
	Sony NEX C3 from $548	Great image quality 73.0 High resolution screen 921k dots Really small Compact 110x60x33 mm Learn more about the Sony NEX C3
	Samsung NX1000 from $1,001	High resolution screen 921k dots 24p movies For that film look High true resolution 20 MP Learn more about the Samsung NX1000
	Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 from $643	Touch screen Less buttons In-camera HDR Combines multiple exposures Full HD 1080p @ 60fps Learn more about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

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.

	Canon Rebel T3 from $333	Slightly more lenses available 162 lenses Great battery life 800 shots Light-weight 459 g Learn more about the Canon Rebel T3
	Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 from $376	Touch screen Less buttons Almost no delay when powering up 1000 ms startup delay Full HD 1080p @ 30fps Learn more about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
	Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 from $394	Touch screen Less buttons Really small Compact 107x67x32 mm Full HD 1080p @ 30fps Learn more about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
	Pentax Q from $403	Really small Compact 98x57x31 mm Image stabilization Sensor shift In-camera HDR Combines multiple exposures Learn more about the Pentax Q

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 D800 from $2,999	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 D4 from $5,999	Low noise at high ISO 2,965 ISO Great image quality 89.0 Great color depth 24.7 bits Learn more about the Nikon D4
	Canon EOS 5D Mark III from $3,499	Low noise at high ISO 2,293 ISO Great image quality 81.0 Large screen 3.2" Learn more about the Canon EOS 5D Mark III
	Sony SLT SLT A77 from $1,398	Great color depth 24 bits Wide dynamic range 13.2 EV Great image quality 78.0 Learn more about the Sony SLT-A77

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.