GardShow

Buying your first digital slr (single lens reflex) camera can be a daunting experience. Competing brands vie for your money, and they offer a slew of choices and features. You are ultimately left with the choice of Canon, Nikon, or one of the very capable others: Olympus, Sony, Panasonic etc.

A digital slr kit is always evolving so it’s an ongoing investment in a sense. Your camera body may be replaced in as little as a year, or may last 10. Your lenses and other peripherals may be with you for decades. Buying a camera is a commitment. Once you’ve made your choice you are likely to stick with it for a long time. Even if one brand has a great deal on a certain model today, what will it have to offer in 5 years? And how serious do you think you’ll be as a photographer at that time? There’s plenty to consider.

First off, get the cameras in your hands and test them out. See how they feel and operate. The features of each model will differ and most will have strengths and weaknesses. Just keep in mind, digital camera bodies are evolving quickly, and an upgrade is likely over time. Lenses are what deserve the most attention. A quality lens can stay in your bag for 30 years or more. Save up and choose your lenses with care. Most are expensive, but there are some cheaper options that deliver great results.

One external factor to consider is, what kind of gear do your friends/peers have? If you live or travel with them, having compatible gear can be a great bonus or a life saver if something has gone wrong (like sharing lenses, or borrowing a battery when you don’t have a spare).

On a side note, if you are making your first purchase, factor in the cost of a second battery, at least 2 memory cards (several smaller ones (2GB, 4BG) is much better than one giant sized memory card (8GB, 16GB), some form of camera bag and cleaning tools (often included or thrown in if you negotiate), and potentially a UV haze filter or some form of protection for your lens. It may reduce quality slightly (so remove it if it’s a must) but it will save your lens from ever being scratched or damaged. Tripods are an asset so get one if you can afford it, but concentrate your first purchase on the camera and getting the best lens (or two) you can afford to go with it.

At the end of the day, there’s no wrong or bad choice. Find what works for you and go forward with confidence. You can compare cameras based on: resolution (megapixels); Frame Rate (how many pictures taken per second); AF (auto focus) speed and number of focus points; RAW mode (jpeg modifies the image and reduces quality); video capture capability; and image stabilization (some build it into the body, others into the lenses).

Good luck and happy shopping,

If you have questions, fire away!