Want to know how to buy a DSLR Camera? With this article I aim to teach you everything you should look out for, so keep on reading and by the end of it I guarantee you will know which DSLR camera you are going to buy.
Here are a few things you need to look out for:
Nikon D3000
Price
Knowing your budget is always a great place to start. Sure we would all like the top of the range equipment but when you're starting off it would be impractical and unaffordable.
When purchasing a DSLR camera you should also take into consideration that you may want to purchase some lenses, batteries, memory cards and other accessories. Saving money on a camera by choosing a less expensive model may allow you to purchase a better lens or vice versa.
Size of the Camera
The size of your camera may also be an issue. When upgrading from a point and shoot digital camera to a DSLR you will notice a sizable difference. DSLR cameras also range in size and weight from model to model, however most entry level cameras are of the same size and weight.
Camera Usage
The type of usage you're going to use the camera for will determine the camera you're going to need.
A photographer looking to photograph beautiful women all day is probably looking for a camera with a high megapixel count that is going to capture every detail giving the best possible image quality. A photographer who shoots sporting events on the other hand is probably willing to give up a few megapixels for a camera that allows him to shoot at a fast frames per second rate in order to capture a burst of images.
When it comes to purchasing a camera it's important to take into consideration what you are going to be using it for, if this is going to be your first camera then chances are that you won't be shooting any NFL matches or NBA games soon, so frames per second really shouldn't be that much of an issue for you.
If you're looking to photograph events that have low lighting such as weddings, music gigs or any other event where a flash isn't allowed then you will want a camera that can work well at high ISO ranges (100-1600).
Megapixels
Megapixels are something that the whole camera scene are obsessed with and this is thanks to marketing campaigns saying that their latest cameras have 200,000 billion pixels, however in reality the quality of an image is often determined by the correct exposure settings and camera sensor than anything else.
Other Features to consider
ISO Levels
Without being too technical the ISO range of a camera determines along with aperture and shutter speed the amount of light that can get into the cameras sensor. The more light that reaches the sensor the quicker the shutter speed you're able to use. You may have heard the term "bumping the ISO", this means that the photographer will raise the ISO so that they can get quicker shutter speeds to capture their image.
Most entry level DSLR cameras will have a range of 100-1600 where as higher end models will often have ranges of 50-12800.
LCD Size
Having an extra half an inch over another camera's LCD can make a huge difference when reviewing your images back on your camera, the bigger the screen the better.
Creative Modes
When upgrading to a DSLR camera it can sometimes feel like a daunting experience however with the help of creative modes you can slowly start to understand your camera more and more with each picture taken.
Entry level DSLR cameras will have pre defined modes such as "sports, Portrait, Landscape and night" modes which can easily be selected at the turn of a dial. Don't expect this feature on the higher end models however because by the time you are using these types of cameras you will know how to set the correct exposure or camera settings.
Don't Buy a DSLR Camera Until You Read This Article