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Think before you buy your next camera!
By Steven Dale
Which camera should I buy?
If you are an established photographer you are possibly already committed to one format or another. However, if you are thinking of changing your camera or buying your first digital camera, you may be wondering which kind to buy. There are several formats on the market and new models are being added on a regular basis. Lets break down the choices on the basis of your needs: 1. General photography for own pleasure and no professional needs 2. Still not a professional photographer but an enthusiast who likes to print out images to a reasonable size (7 x 5 inches or bigger) 3. A keen photographer who likes to enter competitions and/or seeks to have their work published occasionally 4. Professional photographer who seeks paid work as a photographer (published, weddings, portraits, freelance for magazines etc.) Now, if you fall into into the first two groups almost any camera on the market today would meet your needs. Basically it comes down to factors such as: a) weight and size - compact cameras are lighter and smaller than Digital SLR's (DSLR) b) budget - the more you pay the more features you get (such as zoom range, megapixels, RAW capability etc) If you fall into the third group you are probably willing to pay more for the right camera and will be looking for a decent resolution (10 mega pixels or above). However, you may still wish your gear not to be too heavy or bulky and so a Four Thirds/Micro Four Thirds camera (such as the Panasonic G1 or Olympus E620) may be suitable for your needs. If you prefer a more traditional DSLR design then the Sony range may be of interest (A230, A450 or A550 for example). If you would see yourself as a professional photographer or are thinking of going down that route, then a DSLR from the likes of Canon or Nikon are your best choice. I say this because they still have the greatest range of lenses, bodies and accessories. Their top of the range cameras are also designed for heavy use, being built of metal bodies instead of all plastic, and they come with features that you will need as a professional (such as RAW mode, faster shooting modes and higher ISO performance with well-controlled noise). So, it would seem simple, just work out which type of photographer you are and look for something in line with what I have said above... not quite. In recent months we have seen some announcements that have muddied the water somewhat. Namely, Samsung has announced its NX10 range, which is similar to the Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds format in that it dispenses with the mirror that is characteristic of the DSLR but it has a bigger sensor, so promising better quality whilst retaining the weight and size advantage over DSLRs. Also, Sony has just announced a new compact range that is similar to the Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds cameras already available, but again comes with a bigger sensor. No doubt others are also working on similar cameras, with rumours that Canon and Nikon may be doing so behind the scenes. On a final note, several cameras now come with a HD Video mode and although this doesn't mean (in most cases) that you can get the same performance as a dedicated camcorder will give, for some people it may be an attractive feature, especially if you are thinking of using it occasionally. Indeed, some of the higher end DSLRs offer excellent video performance and some film-makers are using them to make actual films. Certainly, if you can afford to wait a few months before deciding, I would suggest you do, until it becomes clearer which way the market is going. Also, its always worth remembering that its better to wait for at least six months after launch before buying a particular model... that way the price will almost certainly have fallen and you could save yourself a significant amount of money. Also, be sure to read lots of reviews online (they are free!) before making your final decision. I wish you well and hope you get many years pleasure out of whichever camera you choose. Photography is a wonderful thing and has brought me many years of pleasure.
A keen photographer who has worked as a freelance photographer in the past for "Professional Nurse" journal and other clients. Many years experience of using cameras (both film and digital) in several formats, of developing my own negatives and printing my own images. Works exclusively with digital and computer graphics software.
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Thank you Steven for some very useful advice, delivered in a clear, and unbiased manner.
A well reseached and well written intel, Steven.
Thank you for sharing all of this valuable information.
Good external links.
Best wishes.
Frederick
I think my next camera will be a Canon EOS 50D I like your point about there being a larger options of lens for the Canon line of cameras. The lens are the key to professional photography.
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