For moving on from phone camera to ‘proper’ camera, a ‘compact’ or ‘bridge’ is the next typical step.
Phone cameras have the advantage of always being with us
Compacts are as their name describes, a compact camera. These do have the ‘advantage’ over phone cameras that they have more of a proper lens, but phone cameras have come a long way and can easily rival each other.
Compacts are aimed at general users so have a lot of auto & pre defined modes, making it easier to set but will have manual settings to take control.
An advantage of these over phones is they are shaped like a camera and if it has a viewfinder then can he held in the ‘natural’ way against your head which aids steadying the camera
A compact could be many sizes from tiny to a bit larger, so is easy enough to be with you in your pocket rather than when you plan to take photos
Bridge cameras are a ‘bridge’ between compact and DSLR.
The lens is more substantial, but is still fixed onto the camera.
These are a good step from phone/compact to DSLR/mirrorless.
If your circumstances are that you want to ‘upgrade’ from phones, and your husband is a bit ‘better’ at photography then this is a good point to move onto at the bridge stage
But as more of an amateur you can still up your skills quickly with DSLRs etc
Next up are DSLRs and mirrorless cameras
These are ‘proper’ cameras, with changeable lenses
Changing lens means you can build a collection of lenses which are more suitable for each type of photography you’re doing
With a DSLR you look through the viewfinder, down via a mirror and out of the lens. When you click the mirror pops out of the way and the lens now projects your view onto the sensor. (This method was an advantage over classic cameras as until then the viewfinder view was slightly above the sensor view - but nowadays with digital cameras you generally look at the back screen or a projected image in a viewfinder)
A mirrorless takes out the mirror, keeping the full range of settings and ability to change lens, but use a digital display instead of a mirror - you may or may not have a viewfinder projecting the display.
A mirrorless does not have the size needs of a mirror so can be as small as a compact
DSLRs & mirrorless give you proper photography, and can also be used in auto mode. So it doesn’t matter that you’re entering at a lower level then your husband
If a DSLR/mirrorless is big and chunky that could be disliked or preferred based on personal preferences (I prefer a camera to feel like a camera)
I recommend using auto mode and preset modes to take a photo seeing what the camera suggests and then changing some settings to see how things change - most photographers don’t use full manual, but set a ‘priority’ mode, adjust a setting and allow the camera to set the rest
For brands etc, all the known names make cameras to similar standards in similar price ranges. But they all have their own feel
If you use compact or mirrorless cameras then it’s easier to go to the next model if you stick to a brand, because you probably know where the button and menu options are
But if you use a DSLR or mirrorless then you will generally want to just get more lenses, then later upgrade a model would prefer to stick to the brand for button layouts
£300 will get you something in the compact ranges, but won’t go far in more ‘serious’ cameras
But on the second hand market you could get a setup at around £300
There was a guide here
www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/buying-advice/best-cameras-under-300-300-173002