BUYING DSLR CAMERAS
One of the basic choices you need to make while buying a camera is that between an SLR and a compact. During pre-digital times this meant a world of difference – it meant the difference between professionalism and amateurism. On the other hand, many semi professional compact digital cameras come in SLR-like styles- lots of features, manual over rides, and a zoom, which will serve for most standard uses. On the other hand, buying a DSLR provides you with still advanced features like interchangeable lenses, maybe the ‘B’ setting which so many compacts don’t have and attachable bellows extensions for extreme close up work, to name a few.
The ‘right’ camera for you and your family
If you have decided to go in for a digital SLR, there are a variety of models to choose from. Different makes have different features, and you will see a common standard to every price range. For example, the Nikon d70 and the CanonEOS series are both high standard quality SLR cameras. Nikon and Canon are the better-known makers of digital cameras, closely followed by Olympus and Minolta (the Dimage). The Olympus and Minolta, and Fuji as well offer extraordinary quality at an affordable price. Remember, whichever digital camera you buy, it is not for life! Unlike a film camera, a digital camera will get outdated soon. But for most uses a 5-mega pixel should do just fine. In other words, if you buy an 8MP camera, it should last you a few years. When buying a camera do ask yourself what purpose it is going it serve, and make a decision accordingly. For example, if you are an advanced hobbyist or professional, you will want a camera with maximum manual controls, and would not probably be concerned with too many of the automated features. On the other hand, if it’s a family camera you want, you will want something that can serve as a point and shoot, as well as some manual settings for the artistic. In fact if it’s a camera you would like the entire family to use, do ask yourself if buying a digital SLR would be better than a compact, for you. A compact may be easier to use, and cheaper by 50%! Also, when using a digital SLR, its easy to make a wrong camera setting, there are so many menus and manual over rides that even someone who doesn’t really want to use the manual modes can easily turn them on by mistake, and get frustrated with the whole idea of taking a picture in the bargain.
Digital Cameras in today’s world…
Until a few years ago (even now, occasionally) one could often hear the argument that a film based camera gives ‘better quality’ and so forth. Whatever said and done, in today’s world, whether you are an amateur or a professional, your image is going to be digitized at some stage – whether for producing an industrial image, or just for the sake of emailing family and friends, that’s why it makes sense buying a digital SLR.