Whether you’ve outgrown your smartphone, have a once-in-a-lifetime trip coming up that you want to capture or just want to get even more creative with photography, there’s a camera out there for you. With Black Friday on the horizon, now’s the perfect time to think about getting yourself kitted out and nab a deal on a great camera.

The good news is that there’s a wealth of choice out there to suit any budget, but how do you decide what type of camera to get this Black Friday? That’s where we come in – we’ll take a look at some of the key differences and features you should look out for to help you make the right choice come November 24th.

Compact, bridge, mirrorless or DSLR?

The first thing to get to grips with are the types of camera that are available. They can be divided down into four key groups – compacts, bridge cameras, DSLRs and mirrorless. 

Compacts come in all shapes and sizes, and while they’ve had a tough time rivalling smartphones, they’re fighting back with better image quality than ever (with some rivalling DSLRs), while packing in ever more creative features. 

Bridge cameras are an off-shot of compact cameras, but offering much larger zoom lenses and handling closer to a DSLR. They still offer an all-in-one solution.

DSLRs have traditionally been for those wanting to get serious with their photography, offering brilliant image quality and polished performance, as well as allowing users to buy extra lenses and accessories to build a system round their camera. 

Mirrorless cameras (also known as CSCs) are like DSLRs in that you can swap lenses, but are more compact because they do away with a DSLR’s internal mirror box. This means that they don’t feature optical viewfinders – some cheaper models rely solely on the rear screen for framing, while more advanced models have hi-res electronic viewfinders.

Key features to look out for

Looking at the spec sheet for a camera can be confusing, so we’ve picked out some of the key features you want to be looking out for when buying a camera to make sure it’s got everything you want.

Image quality

With their large sensors, DSLRs and mirrorless cameras offer the best image quality – don’t think because a compact camera has a 24MP resolution it’s a match for a DSLR with 24MP sensor, it isn’t. The large dimensions of sensors used by DSLRs and mirrorless cameras means the light-gathering capabilities are better, delivering richer detail – especially at higher sensitivities.

That doesn’t mean you should discount a compact. Some premium models offer 1-inch sensors. These are physically smaller, but offer a good balance between image quality and size, though some of the cheapest models feature sensors smaller than your fingernail and will deliver the least satisfying photos. 

Viewfinder or no viewfinder?

All DSLRs feature an optical viewfinder, and has been the preferred way to compose shots for years. Many mirrorless cameras are now incorporating electronic viewfinders (EVFs) into their design and are now so good, they’re seen as a match for optical viewfinders. You’ve also go the benefit of being able to see exactly how the shot’s going to look as you’re framing up. 

Some compacts and most bridge cameras are also now featuring EVFs, but their proportions often mean they feature a lower resolution, while there might be a bit more lag. In our opinion though, it’s always preferable to have an EVF than not at all. 

4K video

Most DSLRs, with the odd exception, only feature 1080p video capture. So for those wanting to shoot 4K footage, mirrorless is the way to go, while some high-end compacts and bridge cameras also offer this feature.

Connectivity

Camera firms are finally getting to grips with connectivity, but most new models support some form of wireless transfer so you can share your images instantly on social media. That said, some of the older models that might be discounted might not feature this – such as Nikon’s D3300. So if this is a dealbreaker, make sure you check the spec.

Our deal predictions

With a huge selection of cameras available, we’re pretty much certain they’ll be some decent deals to be had this Black Friday. While they might not be the latest and greatest model, there’s bound to be some diamonds amongst the rough that you should keep an eye out for. Here are some of our key Black Friday deal predictions.

Panasonic Lumix ZS100

Panasonic’s Lumix ZS100 flagship travel compact (known as the Lumix TZ100 outside the US) has now been around for almost two years, so with a replacement potentially just round the corner, there could be a good deal to be had. This is one excellent compact camera – packing a 20.1MP 1-inch sensor, image quality is very good, while the 10x optical zoom means you’ll be able to fill the frame. Factor in the built-in EVF and and 4K video capture and it’s easy to see why it’s our favorite travel compact.

Sony RX10 III

Bridge cameras come in a range of sizes and qualities, but the RX10 III is one of the best around. With a huge 24-600mm high-quality zoom lens, it’s incredibly versatile, while the 20.2MP 1-inch sensor delivers exceptional detail for a bridge camera. The only major sticking point has been the price, but with the Mark IV version now available, we reckon dealers are going to be looking to shift these at a decent discount, so keep an eye out for it.  

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II

The OM-D E-M10 Mark II is one of our favorite mirrorless cameras – compact with a great finish, it delivers decent (if not class-leading) images and most of all, it’s a joy to use. With the arrival of the Mark III, this is another camera we think dealers are going to be discounting heavily to make way for new stock.

Nikon D3300

Only until recently, the D3300 was our pick of the entry-level DSLRs. Image quality from the 24MP sensor is brilliant, while the controls and helpful Guide Mode make this a great choice for new users. Replaced by the D3400 last year, the only major difference is that the newer model offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. The D3300 is still a great camera and should be a bargain this Black Friday.