Photographers shopping for a new camera should consider a few things before picking a brand. If you're after a mirrorless camera (or SLR) that works with interchangeable lenses, the company you pick determines what kinds of optics and accessories you can use with it.

Nikon is one of the first brands many of us think of when it comes to cameras. It entered the pop culture lexicon because of a decades-long track record of providing quality photo (and video) equipment to creative types.

Today, Nikon competes with a few others in the swappable lens space. Nikon's main focus is the Z system of mirrorless cameras, which includes both APS-C (DX, according to Nikon's marketing department) and full-frame (FX) models that work with Nikkor Z lenses natively and support many Nikkor F-mount SLR lenses via an FTZ or FTZ II adapter.

You can still buy an optical viewfinder SLR from Nikon, but only a couple of full-frame models remain in production. For the DX sensor format, you might need to fight others for remaining retail stock or navigate the second-hand market. We've included one SLR in our recommendation list, but with Nikon and third parties quickly discontinuing F-mount lenses, the Z-mount platform is a more attractive path.

We also included a fixed-lens model, the bridge-style P950, in our list. You don't have to worry about lens compatibility with a bridge camera, but if you already have Nikon cameras, you can use the same SnapBridge phone app (available for Android and iOS) and external Speedlight flashes with the P950 as you do with other bodies.

As is the case across the camera industry, Nikon no longer focuses on pocketable cameras—if you are shopping for a point-and-shoot today, you might have a hard time finding one that beats a quality camera phone.

Not Set on Nikon?

If you're not sure about buying a Nikon camera, don't fret. We've put together similar buying guides for the Canon and Sony systems, and have also selected our favorite mirrorless, full-frame, and compact cameras.

If you're looking for a new lens for your Nikon, we broke up our picks into separate stories for Z-mount mirrorless and F-mount SLRs. We also maintain guides for Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds, and L-Mount mirrorless lenses.