How Do You Know Which Digital Camera to Buy?

As the weather becomes more comfortable to venture outdoors, the grass is green, and the flowers are blossoming everywhere, some of us are starting to get the photo bug. If our current camera is not quite up to our expectations or we lag behind in the technology it might be time to think of upgrading. With so many different types of cameras, features, and prices how can one know that they are getting what they want and need?

The first question to ask yourself is what kind of pictures do I like to take?

If you currently use your cell phone and are satisfied with it then stop reading.

If you don’t see yourself having the time or desire to learn much about photography and your images consist of snapshots then most point and shoot cameras that were made in the last few years will be fine. Try to get one with a built in flash, which will help in low light situations, and one that will take a short movie, for recording stupid things your teenager does that you can use against them later. These cameras usually take excellent photographs but the file format (jpeg) used to record the images doesn’t process well with image software. Also remember that they are made to take average types of images. You probably won’t be able to safely zoom up close to that grizzly in the park or focus as close to that flower as you like. These cameras may have limited options for creativity but everything is set up to safeguard against most camera shooting mistakes and for general shooting they produce excellent images. These cameras cost $150-$350 and, for the price, are way better than anything made five years ago.

If the lag time in shooting with point and shoot cameras is starting to bug you and you have started taking your camera off “auto” to gain more control over your images then a digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera might be your choice. These cameras have removable lenses so you can use different focal lengths and more choices in file formats, focus, exposure, shooting modes, etc. By experimenting, reading books, and/or taking classes these cameras will serve as learning tools for many years and have more technology than most people will know or use. When looking at these cameras make sure it feels comfortable in your hands and has easy access to important features like the white balance, exposure, focus, shooting modes, ISO, formats, quality and image size without having to go to a menu to change them.

The advantage of the DSLR is the negligible shutter lag time and the ability to buy different lenses for the type of shooting you wish to do.

If you like flowers you can get a nice macro lens, if you like to photograph wildlife without putting your own life in danger you can buy a long telephoto, or if you like portraits you can get a high quality mid-focal length lens with a wide aperture setting for the nice effect of isolating your subject. Even though the camera takes the picture professionals know it is the lens that makes the quality of the image. Always buy the best lens you can afford. I have found that I can try a lens that I think I might like by buying it used on Ebay. If I end up not liking it I can sell it for just about what I bought it for. I did this with two lenses. Usually the lens that comes with the camera is a low grade lens so it is often better to buy the camera body and lens separately. Start with the lens you will think you will use the most first. You might also think about getting a zoom lens that will cover the type of shooting you do most. When buying a camera or lens remember that price usually reflects quality. DSLR bodies start around $600 and go into the thousands. It is unreasonable to expect to get a quality lens for less than $300-$400. Most professional quality lenses start at over $1,000 and long telephotos are easily $8,000. Try and purchase a lens that is the same brand as the camera. There are some companies that make excellent aftermarket lenses that have mounts that fit most popular cameras. They are Tamron, and Sigma. Avoid Vivitar, Phoenix, ProOptic, and Quantaray as well as the less expensive Tamron and Sigma lenses as they are low quality products.

One more feature worth considering is sensor size. When DSLR cameras first came out the sensor coverage was less than that of 35mm film. The focal length of a lens is partially determined by the size of film or sensor in the case of digital cameras. On my camera the factor is 1.5 so my 20mm lens is actually a 35mm. Quite a disappointment when I expect to get a nice wide angle image that is truly 20mm. There is, however, an advantage to this for wildlife photographers. Their 300mm is now a 450mm and their 600mm is now a 900mm. Great for those grizzly bear shots at a safe distance. When buying your camera find out if it has a DX sensor (small) or a FX sensor (full size). Also remember that if you buy a DX lens and later buy a camera with a full size sensor the image circle of the lens may not completely cover the larger sensor.

Anyone into photography knows that the technology changes rapidly and it can sometimes be less expensive to upgrade your car rather than your camera. With every new camera there is upgraded software, memory, and storage to buy. So what camera should you buy? How deep are your pockets?

Gene Rodman
Montana Photographic Arts
http://mtphotoarts.com
For a copy of my FREE REPORT “How to Avoid The 12 Mistakes People Make When Purchasing Art” which will help you avoid making the wrong costly decisions when buying art including photography and how to get the most out of your purchase visit my website at http://mtphotoarts.com/site/#/page/free-reports-newletters/