The simple answer is yes! Most cameras do not come with a memory card, so you will have to buy one (and a backup as well). You can still take photos without a memory card, but your images will only be in the camera for a moment, not stored permanently. Check your camera’s manual for memory card requirements.

Yes, digital cameras produce outstanding video quality. All Canon mirrorless and DSLR cameras have video capability. Some models can record for over an hour. (The EOS R1 and EOS R3, for example, can record for up to six hours, depending on the resolution and frame rate used.) Make sure to check the manual to ensure you’re using the right memory card; you’ll need a higher-end card to shoot in higher resolution. One big benefit of using a digital camera for video is the large sensor size, which will help you produce cinematic-quality videos that you can watch on your TV or other bigger screens.

While there’s something nostalgic about holding negatives in your hand, the technology of digital cameras now far exceeds that of film. For example, the ISO – the image sensor’s sensitivity to light – of digital cameras can now reach into the hundreds of thousands. You can also change the ISO with every shot; with film, it can only be changed with a new roll. With digital cameras, you can see your photo immediately and make adjustments before you click the shutter again. With film, you won’t know what you have until you develop the images.