Rather frequently I receive a text message from a friend or family member that reads something along the lines of "Hey, I was thinking about buying this type of camera, what do you think?" or "I'm looking for a new camera, what would you recommend?" When confronted with these questions I often start by asking another question "How do you plan to use your new camera?"
When entering the market for a new camera it is important to first think about how you plan to use the camera and what you want to take pictures of. For example, if you are looking for something relatively easy to use that will work well in most situations, then you might choose a point and shoot camera. If you are in need of a well-rounded camera that offers some advanced features and an interchangeable lens system, but do not want the bulk or price of a DSLR, then you might choose a mirrorless camera. Then again, if you are looking to delve more seriously into photography and require a camera with more specialized features that will grow with you over the years, then you might consider a DSLR.
After deciding on the type of camera--point and shoot, mirrorless, or DSLR--that will suit your photographic needs, you need to start thinking about the features that you would like in your camera. For example, consider asking yourself the following questions: Do I need video? How many megapixels are right for me? What is the optimal camera weight? What is the appropriate sensor size (full frame, micro four thirds)? How much zoom do I need? Now, if you know nothing about photography, answering these questions might seem like a daunting task. However, it really is not! There are a lot of great articles on the internet that explain terms such as megapixels and sensor size in plain language. A short list of the articles that I prefer are listed at the bottom of this post.
Once you finally have a grasp on the terminology, I recommend that you put-pen-to-paper with a broad internet search, such as "mirrorless camera buying guide" or "best mirrorless camera." These searches tend to produce results that outline different brands of cameras and their features so that you can begin to identify what features matter most to you and, thus, what camera is best for your particular circumstance.
However, a few notes of caution to the wise: First, don't just pick the camera with the highest resolution (largest megapixels) or biggest zoom. Ensure that you are paying for the features that you will need. Additionally, do not focus on having the "best" in the line. If you are new to DSLRs, go for the midrange DSLR; as you grow as a photographer, you will grow into the features and it is not so high-tech that you will find it overwhelming. And, finally, once you have narrowed your decision down to a couple cameras, go to an actual store and test each camera out. Even if you plan to buy the camera online, go into an actual store and test out your top choices.
While the process might seem daunting, it really is quite manageable. Once you have a firm grasp on how you intend to use your new camera, then the more likely you will buy the camera that is best for you and the happier you will be with your purchase.
Helpful Camera Buying Articles
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-d5toFgwctjw/learn/learningcenter/home/digitalcameras.html
http://www.gizmag.com/camera-sensor-size-guide/26684/
http://cameras.about.com/od/buyingguide/a/zoom_lenses_und.htm
http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/333/do-more-megapixels-mean-better-photo-quality/
http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-choose-the-right-digital-camera-for-you/
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2404196,00.asp
No comments:
Post a Comment