Affordable Interchangeable Lens Camera
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 is the least expensive camera we've seen that offers interchangeable lenses, available for $239.00.

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 C3
Sony NEX C3
from $549
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
73.0
Size Really small Help
Compact 110x60x33 mm
Screen flips out Flip-out screen Help
Great for movies

Learn more about the Sony NEX C3

Samsung NX200
Samsung NX200
from $773
Screen type OLED Screen Help
Bright and vivid
True resolution High true resolution Help
20 MP
Dynamic range Wide dynamic range Help
12.6 EV

Learn more about the Samsung NX200

Samsung NX1100
Samsung NX1100
from $599
Supports 24p 24p movies Help
For that film look
True resolution High true resolution Help
20 MP
Weight Light-weight Help
119 g

Learn more about the Samsung NX1100

Samsung NX2000
Samsung NX2000
from $649
Screen size Large screen Help
3.7"
Light sensitivity High ISO Help
25,600 ISO
Touch screen Touch screen Help
Less buttons

Learn more about the Samsung NX2000

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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-GX1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1
from $239
Touch screen Touch screen Help
Less buttons
HDR In-camera HDR Help
Combines multiple exposures
Movie continuous focus Movie continuous focus Help
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies

Learn more about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Pentax Q
Pentax Q
from $279
Size Really small Help
Compact 98x57x31 mm
Image stabilization Image stabilization Help
Sensor shift
HDR In-camera HDR Help
Combines multiple exposures

Learn more about the Pentax Q

Olympus PEN E-PM1
Olympus PEN E-PM1
from $299
Image stabilization Image stabilization Help
Sensor shift
Size Really small Help
Compact 110x64x34 mm
Movie continuous focus Movie continuous focus Help
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies

Learn more about the Olympus PEN E-PM1

Samsung NX1000
Samsung NX1000
from $325
Supports 24p 24p movies Help
For that film look
True resolution High true resolution Help
20 MP
HDR In-camera HDR Help
Combines multiple exposures

Learn more about the Samsung NX1000

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Professional DSLRs

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

Nikon D600
Nikon D600
from $1,997
Low light performance Low noise at high ISO Help
2,980 ISO
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
94.0
Color depth Great color depth Help
25.1 bits

Learn more about the Nikon D600

Nikon D800
Nikon D800
from $2,797
Low light performance Low noise at high ISO Help
2,853 ISO
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
95.0
True resolution High true resolution Help
36.2 MP

Learn more about the Nikon D800

Nikon D4
Nikon D4
from $5,997
Low light performance Low noise at high ISO Help
2,965 ISO
Battery life Great battery life Help
2600 shots
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
89.0

Learn more about the Nikon D4

Canon EOS 1D X
Canon EOS 1D X
from $6,799
Low light performance Low noise at high ISO Help
2,786 ISO
Light sensitivity High ISO Help
51,200 ISO
Continuous shooting Rapid fire Help
14 fps

Learn more about the Canon EOS 1D X

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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.