Does it matter ? Depends on who you are, and of course, who you ask! Let’s get one thing out of the way though: imaging technology has matured to the point now that you can make great images with pretty much any entry-level photo equipment you can buy on the market, and that includes mobile devices. If you are reading past this line though, you are probably at least curious to find out what, if anything, you can do better if you step up from a smartphone, particularly the related question that the title of this post refers to. So here we go.
Every one the major manufacturers has capable models to choose from, and it’s a great time to take up photography as a hobby, albeit one that could grow into an expensive one!The consumer-level compact camera is a dying breed because of the rise of smartphone photography, but stepping up to a significantly superior photo-making instrument without the bulk is now possible with a number of goof fixed lens compact camera, although they are not necessarily the cheapest. The Canon G-series, Fuji XE series, Panasonic ZX series travel zooms are all good options. At the high end are the Sony RX series and Leica cameras.
If you want more flexibility and don’t mind a little bigger camera, there is the world of interchangeable lens cameras (ILC), which include compact system cameras from the likes of Panasonic and Olympus, powerful mirrorless offerings from Sony, Fuji, and Canon, and a plethora of DSLR models to choose from all major manufacturers. What you get upgrading to these larger cameras are more creative control, including the ability to blur out the background in those portrait shots that we all love, and cleaner images in low light and night photography, and action and wildlife photography. Those are the big reasons. If you are the casual vacation and birthday party shooter, and primarily want to share photos with family and friends on social media, you really don’t need to spend money on these machines!
Coming back to the central question the answer is it really doesn’t matter which manufacturer you go with. Just choose an entry level camera from any manufacturer should you want to step up from a smartphone and you will be all set.