If you are reading this, then you are probably new to Digital photography and looking for information to get you started on the road to the perfect pictures. And have probably already asked or at least thought of the three most common questions asked by newcomers (and indeed old timers!) to photography.
- Which camera should I buy?
- Which camera is right for me?
- Which is the best camera?
Well, let us start with the first two questions. They are the same question, and whenever I am asked these questions, I always counter them with more questions. I know it’s annoying, but hey, you want to get the right camera, don’t you?
Let’s look at the questions I would ask you after you asked me what camera I should buy.
Question and Answer time
Question – What do you want to do with it, or more precisely, what type of pictures will you be taking?
Explanation – Snapshots, Portraits, Nature, Landscapes, Macro, Sports? These can all influence your camera choice as a simple point-and-shoot will not be much good if you” ‘re serious about getting into Nature photography, but equally, a DSLR with a 600mm lens is a tad overkill for some holiday snaps.
Question – How important is size and portability to you?
Explanation – Cameras come in all shapes and sizes; well, OK, maybe not all shapes, but they come in different sizes and, more importantly, weight. Do you want to carry around a pro DSLR with a bag full of lenses if you are popping out with friends for a few drinks?
Question – What experience level do you have with cameras?
Explanation – Are you a beginner, amateur, semi-pro, or professional? This will influence the type and features you want from your camera and the price. So, as a beginner, for instance, you would probably be better off with a lower-end DSLR than the top pro model; it will be easier to use, a lot less confusing, and a hell of a lot cheaper, too.
Question – Do you want or need a particular feature type?
Explanation – Modern cameras have tonnes of features literally, and these will affect the price sometimes quite considerably, so if you know you’ll never need that Long Zoom, Image Stabilisation, Large LCD Display, etc., then you can go for a cheaper model.
Question – What type of light conditions will you mainly be shooting?
Explanation – Photography is all about capturing light, and as a rule of thumb, the more expensive the camera, the better it will be at capturing that light, so will you be mainly shooting indoors, outdoors, low light or bright light, etc.
Question – Will you primarily stay in auto mode, or do you want to learn the art of photography?
Explanation – If you are not interested in learning how to adjust your ISO, f-stop and shutter speed to get the effect you’re after, then buying a top-of-the-range DSLR is overkill when a simple point-and-shoot would fit your needs better.
Question – What is your budget?
Explanation – Photography, in general, can be a costly hobby, and buying a camera is a significant part of it, so set your budget to something you are comfortable with and can afford!
As you can see, “What camera should I buy?” is not straightforward! But hopefully, you are now thinking about your answers to my questions, which will help guide you to the right camera for you.
Thanks for reading. Please feel free to leave your comments and questions.
