Digital Camera Buying Guide
The decision to buy a digital camera, especially a digital SLR camera, is quite a big decision.
In fact, it is such an important decision that it is more apt to call it an investment rather than a simple purchase. From the pretty steep prices, to the myriad of models, to the slew of features, characteristics and performance issues, this is one investment that could easily become overwhelming.
But don’t be dismayed or frustrated. You have made a good move by making the decision to get yourself a digital SLR camera and you have made an even better one by reading this before you actually make the investment. You will find all the help you need in choosing the best camera for your needs here. Read on and find out which digital SLR camera is the right one for you.
First of all though, what is a digital SLR camera?
Well, the letters “SLR” actually stand for “single lens reflex”. This means that the camera uses a mirror to reflect light from the lens towards the viewfinder. This mirror then moves out of the way to let the light have a direct line to the sensor once the shutter has been pressed to take the picture.
Film cameras that used this technology were called SLR cameras. With the development of digital technology though, the SLR technology has been adapted to digital cameras which paved the way for the production of digital SLR cameras.
Biggest advantages of a DSLR camera
Let us reinforce your decision to invest in a digital SLR camera by mentioning the biggest advantages a DSLR camera has over point and shoot cameras and other lower end camera models.
The biggest advantage of course is that DSLR cameras offer you the versatility of using a wide variety of lenses in conjunction with the main camera body. Having this option allows you to use the right kind of lens for the right purpose.
For example, a wide angle lens would be used if you need to take photos of landscapes and group gatherings. A zoom lens on the other hand, would be more appropriate for long range shots and close up pictures.
Another advantage of a DSLR is the very high quality of photos that it can produce. This is mostly due to the quality and the size of the sensor that is used in a DSLR camera which is superior to those that are used in regular cameras. DSLR cameras also have powerful image processors and a host of manual options which give you total control of the final output.
The Sensor
At the heart of every digital SLR camera is its image sensor. Image sensors are classified according to their type and to their size. The two main types are CCD sensors and CMOS sensors. The three main sizes (arranged from smallest to largest) are: Four thirds size, APS-C size and Full Frame size.
The size of the sensor mostly affects the amount of detail that a sensor can detect and store. Four thirds size sensors cannot absorb enough light to capture a huge amount of detail in a scene so they have to “crop” their images.
This gives the lens a longer focal length which is favorable if you plan on taking sports photos or taking pictures of wildlife. However, because the sensor had to crop the image, the overall quality would not be as good and the image would lack a noticeable amount of detail.
APS-C sized sensors also crop their images but at a much more marginal degree with most of them cropping images at 1.5x or 1.6x crop factors only. These provide good enough quality images especially when paired with the right kind of lenses.
The lenses that are packaged with a DSLR camera that has an APS-C sized sensor usually provide enough range to give you a good enough images for both wide angle shots and short telephoto pictures.
Full frame sensors on the other hand do not crop images at all. They provide the best quality and the most amount of detail among the three sizes of sensors. Unfortunately, they also come with the highest price tag. DSLR cameras with full frame sensors are usually just used by professional photographers who get paid for the photos that they produce.
Anti-shake systems
Camera shake occurs when the photographers hand moves while taking a shot. This is most obvious when taking pictures in low light conditions and when using a long telephoto lens where the images tend to look blurry. To correct this, manufacturers have developed Images Stabilization (IS) systems.
These systems counteract camera shake by either moving a lens element or the sensor itself. Anti-shake systems that move the lens element are called Optical Image Stabilization while those that move the sensor are called Sensor Shift Image Stabilization. Specific manufacturers meanwhile have their own image stabilization marketing terms. Examples of these are: Super Steady Shot, Vibration Reduction, Anti-Shake and Mega OIS.
Shutter speed
Entry level DSLR cameras usually are capable of taking continuous shots of up to 3 frames per second. This is usually more than enough for the average user who will not be taking shots of fast moving objects such as race cars or professional athletes.
Midrange level DSLR cameras improve this capability by being able to take continuous shots at a minimum of 5 fps.
At the end of this spectrum are the professional level DSLR cameras that are able to take continuous shots at up to 11 frames per second. They also have a much bigger buffer capacity which allows you to take more shots at a time.
Screens and Live View
The most obvious difference between DSLR cameras (all digital cameras for that matter) and old fashioned film cameras is the screen that digital cameras have. This screen allows an immediate preview of a shot without having to wait for the film to be developed.
Some DSLR cameras even have “Live View” which allows the screen to be used to take shots in place of the viewfinder. Live view is best for DSLR cameras that have movable screens. This lets the user comfortably take accurate and well framed shots even when the camera is positioned close to the ground or over the head.
Movie Modes
The ability to capture movies or videos used to be the ace that lower end digital cameras had over DSLR cameras. This has changed however with many entry level and mid level DSLR cameras offering video recording capability. DSLR actually now have the advantage because their much larger sensors and much more powerful processors enable them to record movies in full HD quality.
Ease of Use Features
Just like the movie mode, the ease of use features of lower end point and shoot cameras has also made their way to DSLR cameras. Such features such as face detection, intelligent auto focus, scene modes and on screen tips are all now standard features on entry level DSLR cameras.
Advanced Photography Features
These advanced features are what separate a DSLR camera from a compact, point and shoot camera. DSLR cameras offer advanced controls which will let you customize almost all of the settings that are available. You can fine tune your camera as much as you want until you get the exact effect and performance that you are looking for.
Things to think about
There is a DSLR camera that is right for you. All you need to determine is the main purpose you have in store for the camera. If you are going to use the camera for casual photos and snapshots, you should get an entry level DSLR camera that offers the most ease of use features.
If you plan to take pictures of wildlife and other subjects that are fast moving, look for a DSLR camera with fast continuous shooting capabilities. Finally, if you want to take pictures of subjects that you can not get close too, get a DSLR camera that supports the best long telephoto lenses.
Video Buying Guide
