Hi Rico,

Thanks for getting in touch. I recently wrote an article about the best cameras for beginners which will give you a good starting point. If you’re requirements are fairly straight forward training videos then a lot of cameras these days are more than capable of producing these for you, it just depends on your budget.
A couple of links to relevant articles that might help.
https://thecotswoldphotographer.com/best-cameras-for-beginners-in-2026-and-the-advice-most-guides-ignore/
https://thecotswoldphotographer.com/best-compact-cameras-travel-photography-2025/

All the best
David

Hi Jamie,

Thanks for the comment — this is a very common dilemma, and I think it’s made harder than it needs to be by the sheer volume of opinions out there.

Personally, I’d almost always choose the more modern option. In day-to-day use it will simply be quicker, more responsive, and more capable overall. IBIS alone is a genuinely meaningful upgrade for how most people actually shoot.

I haven’t personally used the GR II, but I’ve seen the same arguments you mention — colour and rear controls usually being the main ones. In my view, neither outweighs the gains in speed, usability, and features of the newer camera.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that some online content naturally leans towards contrarian takes — sometimes because people have strong personal preferences, and sometimes because those angles attract attention. That doesn’t make them wrong, but it does mean their reasoning won’t always apply universally.

Ultimately, the best choice is the one that fits how you shoot, not what others have sold or bought. If you decide based on your own needs, you’re very unlikely to regret it.

All the best,
David

Hi David,

I’m torn between the GR iii and the GR ii. I’m swayed by the addition of ibis on the iii but then am then put off by the countless articles/you tube videos of people that have sold their GR iii to go back to the GR ii.

Hi Mark,

Thanks for reading and commenting. It’s the kind of camera I would miss if I didn’t have it. Nothing else offers quite the same combination. Will you go for the GRIII again or are you considering the GRIV this time?

All the best
David

Probably will be looking to get one to go stop using my phone