Choosing a camera system
With the amount of camera manufacturers around currently being of such large proportions, there truly is something for everyone these days; from the best selling manufacturers like Nikon or Canon to the specialist medium/large format producers of hasselblad or the compact, point and shoot makers like Panasonic, there are even novelty camera makers like digital blue, you really do need to check out their Lego camera it is masterful.
So when it comes to making your choice of camera or camera manufacturer you really do need to do your research. The first choice you have to make is what type of camera do you want (and I don't mean film or digital, although that is still an option)? If it is a simple point and shoot camera you are after then the best advice I can give is to go our and try a few to see what you feel comfortable, there will not be much difference in the quality of cameras all at the same price range. If however you want a camera with interchangeable lenses you choices really open up.
There are 4 basic types of interchangeable lens camera system: Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR); large format; Medium format and the latest entrance into the market the mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras (sometimes known as micro 4/3s or EVIL cameras). But what is important to remember is that you are not just going to be buying a body you like but will in fact be buying into a system, camera bodies change frequently (roughly every 1.5 to 2 years there is an upgrade) camera lenses do not change so quickly, lenses are seen as an investment that will be used for years, sometimes even decades, the bodies are not held with the same regard.
As with pretty much everything photographic when picking your camera it is important to consider what it is that you would like the camera to actually do. If you are simply after pointing it and clicking then a simple compact point and shoot will probably suit you. If you are after more advanced options then a DSLR or an mitrrorless interchangeable lens camera will be more aimed at you, these will allow you to change lenses to suit each situation. But it is not only the lenses that should help you make a choice. Sports and wildlife photographers often require a fast focusing camera with quick shot rates, for these a cropped sensor (1.3/1.6) is normally useful as it will add to the effect of magnification (sort of), however a landscape photographer would not need this fast focus speeds or high frame rate, but a full frame camera is usually beneficial. Or even looking to take photographs in low light conditions will need a camera that can cope and will have noise free high ISO capabilities. So yet more questions.
A few questions to ask yourself:
It seems a complex issue and it is, but once you know what you want the next step is to get out there and hold a few cameras, believe it or not often your final decision will be made because you like how one camera feels in your hands over another that just feels odd. The different manufacturers will have dials in different places so this is actually a very important aspect of your choosing.
So when it comes to making your choice of camera or camera manufacturer you really do need to do your research. The first choice you have to make is what type of camera do you want (and I don't mean film or digital, although that is still an option)? If it is a simple point and shoot camera you are after then the best advice I can give is to go our and try a few to see what you feel comfortable, there will not be much difference in the quality of cameras all at the same price range. If however you want a camera with interchangeable lenses you choices really open up.
There are 4 basic types of interchangeable lens camera system: Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR); large format; Medium format and the latest entrance into the market the mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras (sometimes known as micro 4/3s or EVIL cameras). But what is important to remember is that you are not just going to be buying a body you like but will in fact be buying into a system, camera bodies change frequently (roughly every 1.5 to 2 years there is an upgrade) camera lenses do not change so quickly, lenses are seen as an investment that will be used for years, sometimes even decades, the bodies are not held with the same regard.
As with pretty much everything photographic when picking your camera it is important to consider what it is that you would like the camera to actually do. If you are simply after pointing it and clicking then a simple compact point and shoot will probably suit you. If you are after more advanced options then a DSLR or an mitrrorless interchangeable lens camera will be more aimed at you, these will allow you to change lenses to suit each situation. But it is not only the lenses that should help you make a choice. Sports and wildlife photographers often require a fast focusing camera with quick shot rates, for these a cropped sensor (1.3/1.6) is normally useful as it will add to the effect of magnification (sort of), however a landscape photographer would not need this fast focus speeds or high frame rate, but a full frame camera is usually beneficial. Or even looking to take photographs in low light conditions will need a camera that can cope and will have noise free high ISO capabilities. So yet more questions.
A few questions to ask yourself:
- What do I want the camera to do?
- Do I need fast frame rates?
- Is the size of the camera important?
- Are high ISO capabilities important?
- Does the system have the lenses I want?
- Is the quality of the lenses good?
- Will I need to change everything, camera and lenses in future to move my photography forward?
It seems a complex issue and it is, but once you know what you want the next step is to get out there and hold a few cameras, believe it or not often your final decision will be made because you like how one camera feels in your hands over another that just feels odd. The different manufacturers will have dials in different places so this is actually a very important aspect of your choosing.