Does brand matter when buying a new camera?

Anyone who makes their living writing about cameras will frequently be asked for buying advice, and, more often than not, the first question that's put to them is: “shall I buy brand x or brand y?"

It’s a basic question that comes with the expectation of a basic answer, and because of that it can only be so useful. Without any indication of what skill level the photographer is currently at or what they intend to photograph, and whether they want a lens that’s permanently embedded within the camera body or the option to change it for another, a straightforward vote for brand x or y will do little more than uncover any brand bias in the person whose opinion is being asked.

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Matt Golowczynski

The former editor of Digital Camera World, "Matt G" has spent the bulk of his career working in or reporting on the photographic industry. For two and a half years he worked in the trade side of the business with Jessops and Wex, serving as content marketing manager for the latter. 


Switching streams he also spent five years as a journalist, where he served as technical writer and technical editor for What Digital Camera before joining DCW, taking on assignments as a freelance writer and photographer in his own right. He currently works for SmartFrame, a specialist in image-streaming technology and protection.