Written on Nov 26th, 2008 by Dave Adams
Posted In: Camera Tips
Choosing which DSLR Camera to buy
Post Information and Notes
How to select which DSLR camera to buy, with tips on choosing the right model for your budget.
- Level:Beginner
- Tools:N/A
- Time:N/A
Selecting which DSLR camera you should buy can be a tricky business, with confusing specifications and prices making it difficult to compare like with like across different manufacturers.
The aim of this article is to highlight some of the features you should look for in your next DSLR, and some of the hidden costs that might not be apparent from reading the manufacturers sales material.
We’ll start off by assuming that you are used to using a camera in one form or another, whether it’s a simple point-and-shoot or a film DSLR that you wish to upgrade to digital.
Nikon D700, Nikon D90, Nikon D40 DSLR Cameras
Why upgrade to a DSLR camera
There are a number of reasons for wanting to upgrade to a DSLR camera, including the manual control they offer you over your work, the speed they operate (lack of shutter lag), functionality and final image quality. While a DSLR isn’t going to turn you into a photography god overnight, it can help extend your abilities and force you to think carefully about what you are doing in a way a point-and-shoot never will.
However don’t think that the point-and-shoot will become entirely redundant if you buy a DSRL, they still come in useful for those times when a larger DSLR isn’t convenient to bring out with you.
Upgrading from a film DSLR camera
If you are upgrading from a film DSLR (or wish to simply complement your film camera with digital,) one of your first considerations will be to the lenses you already own. Do you require compatibility between your current lens collection and your potential new digital back? If so, you will become tied to a particular manufacturer from the get-go.
However, there are a few things to consider before pushing yourself down this particular purchase route. Firstly, are the lenses you currently own compatible with the digital backs from your manufacturer? While some manufacturers have retained compatibility with older lenses in their back catalogue, some have dropped them due to technical constraints. Make sure that you will be able to use your lenses with a digital back before committing yourself financially.
Some lenses can be converted to work on a digital back, and some will work but without their auto focus ability. You also need to decide whether the quality of your film lenses is sufficient to justify being tied to a particular manufacturer. Lens technology is constantly improving and evolving, and a ten of fifteen year old lens that wasn’t expensive to start with might be better replaced with a modern equivalent.
Regardless of your choice of manufacturer, you still need to narrow down the list of different camera models within the manufacturers range to ones that are suitable and fit your needs.
Camera Budget and Pixel Count
For most people making their first DSLR purchase, there will be two key things that will motivate their selection - price and pixel count.
Price is dictated to by budget, but needs to be considered carefully, not only for the long term functionality of the camera and its ability to deliver as the photographers skills grow, but also the other incidental costs that are associated with the camera. Its no good spending all the budget on the best digital back, only to find you cannot afford to buy a lens, a couple of decent memory cards, a camera bag, tripod, cleaning equipment, filters and all the other items that are required to use the camera effectively.
Therefore it’s wise to put aside an amount from the budget to cover the items that you will want to buy alongside the camera itself. And if you think that you don’t or won’t need to buy some of these things, think again. Once you have had your camera for a while, you will get what’s known amongst photographers as ‘the kit itch‘. You soon find yourself searching eBay for that bargain prime lens or the latest carbon fibre tripod from Manfrotto.
No matter what you think, you will want to buy a tripod, and you will suddenly find that one memory card just isn’t enough, so budget for it now in anticipation of needing to buy them.
You also need to consider where you want to be in twelve months time. Does the camera have to offer you the ability to learn and grow as a photographer and provide all the features that you may not even know about today but will in a year’s time? Or is the camera simply a means to an end that can be upgraded or replaced as and when needed?
The other key feature that most people are quick to look for when purchasing a digital camera is pixel count. These days most DSLR are a minimum of 10 mega pixels, and stretch up to 25 mega pixels and beyond, and its normally one of the first questions a photographer gets about his or her camera from onlookers - ‘how many mega pixels is that thing?’ However, you shouldn’t be overly concerned about mega pixel count, as anything over 10 mega pixels is suitable for printing up to A3 without much tweaking.
You also need to bear in mind that the higher the pixel count, the more space each photograph takes up on your memory card, meaning you then need to buy bigger and more expensive cards to store your work while out in the field.
Lenses, the most important DSLR purchasing factor
While you may consider the camera itself to be the most important part of the purchasing process, I would counter that the lenses you buy are even more important. A good camera with a poor lens is always going to be handicapped when it comes to image quality whereas a cheaper camera with a good lens will always have more of a chance of getting a sharp and accurate photograph.
AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED
The price of lenses, especially the Pro lenses that all the manufacturers produce, range from expensive to very expensive. This is because they are generally better built and faster focusing than their budget lenses. Third party manufactures also produce ranges of lenses to fit the main camera manufacturer bodies, and can represent good value alternatives to the offering from the likes of Nikon and Canon.
It’s well worth spending the time investigating the different type of lenses that are available and making an informed decision as to which lenses you want to own, prior to buying a camera. While some cameras are bought with kit lenses (usually from the cheaper end of the manufacturers lens catalogue,) some are bought as ‘body-only’ meaning that you also have to buy a lens to be able to use the camera.
What are you going to use the DSLR for
While a DSLR is as multi-purpose as a point-and-shoot, and should be able to cater for most of your photographic needs, its worth narrowing down what its going to be primarily used for prior to making a purchase to ensure it does what you want and that you match it to a suitable lens and accessories.
For instance, a motor sport photographer will be drawn to high frames per second shooting speed and longer lenses, whereas someone who is more interested in fashion photography will be drawn to lighting control and short, wide lenses.
When the sales person in the shop (assuming you are at least going to get your intended purchase in your hands prior to buying) asks what the camera is to be used for (smart-ass answer is ‘to take photos’,) you can give him or her a run down of its main usage. This will allow the sales person to better match a camera to your needs.
DSLR Camera sizes and comfort
You will notice I mentioned above about getting the camera in your hands in a shop before buying. This is another important consideration before you purchase that DSLR. Does it fit in your hands? Does it feel comfortable? Can you reach all the dials and command features easily?
While buying online might be cheaper, it won’t save you anything if you find the camera is too heavy/light/big/small for you to use, or you don’t like the way the handgrip rubs your little finger. Even if you are not going to buy from a shop, there is no harm in going and looking and getting a feel for the camera before you commit yourself to a purchase.
DSLR Camera features to look for
While the technical jargon that you see when researching which DSLR to buy can be confusing at best, there are certain key elements that you should take note of when making your decision.
- Shutter Speed. The faster the better, especially if you are shooting fast moving objects such as motor sport or children.
- Highest ISO rating. Modern DSLR cameras are getting better at controlling digital noise, which means that cameras capable of shooting at ISO 3200+ and retaining image quality are becoming more common. Useful in low light conditions, especially when flash cannot be used.
- LCD Screen Size. Long gone are the days of small unviewable LCD screens. Nowadays, 2.5 to 3 inch screens are the norm, make sure you get a camera with an LCD screen big enough for your eyesight.
- Auto-Bracketing. Handy feature to have if you are planning on creating HDR images, bracketing allows multiple shots to be taken at varying exposure levels, creating a range of photos from dark to light. Being able to automatically perform this without touching the camera helps reduce camera movement and potential problems.
- Auto-modes. Some DSLR cameras (those at the cheaper end of the scale) usually come with auto-modes (sports photography, landscape, kids and pets etc,) if you are used to using these kind of modes and want a camera to do the work for you, make sure it comes with these features. Higher prices DSLR have dropped these auto-modes from their functionality (or never had it) so be mindful again of the use you are going to make of the camera.
- Image Stabilisation. Some DSLR cameras now come with built in stabilisation to help reduce camera shake. This is also catered for in some lenses - look for VR (Vibration Reduction) if Nikon, IS (Image Stabilisation) if Canon, OS (Optical Stabilizer) if Sigma.
Current Nikon DSLR Cameras
Note: affiliate links - purchasing any of the cameras listed below helps support this site.
- Nikon D3 Digital SLR Camera
approximately £2,629.99 - Nikon D700 Digital SLR Camera Body Only
approximately £1,649.99 - Nikon D300 Body Only
approximately £929.99 - Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera (18-135mm Lens Kit)
approximately £584.99 - Nikon D60 Digital SLR Camera - Black (AF-S 18-55 DX II VR Lens Kit)
approximately £339.99 - Nikon D40 Digital SLR Camera - Black (18-55mm Lens Kit)
approximately £249.99
Current Canon DSLR Cameras
Note: affiliate links - purchasing any of the cameras listed below helps support this site.
- Canon EOS 5D Digital SLR Camera (incl. EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens Kit)
approximately £1,794.99 - Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR Camera (incl. EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens Kit)
approximately £782.99 - Canon EOS 450D Digital SLR Camera Kit (incl EF-S 18-55mm IS f/3.5-5.6 non USM Lens Kit)
approximately £447.99 - Canon EOS 400D Digital SLR Camera (incl. EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens Kit)
approximately £375.99
Current Sony DSLR Cameras
Note: affiliate links - purchasing any of the cameras listed below helps support this site.
- Sony DSLRA700 Camera - Body Only
approximately £599.99 - Sony Alpha A100K Digital SLR Camera (18-70mm Lens Kit)
approximately £498.99 - Sony - Alpha DSLR-A350
approximately £387.99 - Sony - Alpha DSLR-A300 (10.2MP)
approximately £356.99 - Sony Alpha A200 Digital SLR Camera (18-70mm Lens Kit)
approximately £289.99
Post Summary
Digg This Article
If you like this article then please offer your support by submitting it to the Digg community. Digg is a place for people to discover and share content.
No Comments, Comment or Ping
Reply to “Choosing which DSLR Camera to buy”