Choosing Your First Digital SLR
We sometimes get asked about what to consider when buying your first Digital SLR (dSLR) camera, so here are some tips on what to look for, and questions to ask yourself. Some people decide to start looking into dSLR cameras because they have started to feel limited by point and shoot digital cameras.
They want to know that they can adjust the focal point, the ISO settings, and ensure that when they zoom in on the shot, they aren't going to come away with photos that do nothing to capture the scene or the moment they had initially seen.
Others who are thinking about buying their first dSLR are hold outs. These individuals often spent a great deal on lenses and camera bodies in the past and are still attached to the darkroom experience and they are often looking for a camera that doesn't feel like a downgrade - they tend to choose entry level dSLR cameras after reading reviews that point to the glass, the lenses, being at least as important as the number of megapixels available to them.
Whether you are in one of the previously defined groups, you are somewhere in between and thinking about buying a dSLR, or you are looking into entry level digital SLR cameras as a gift for someone else, there are some key points to consider. After all, buying a new camera is about more than determining whether you should go with a Canon EOS Rebel XS kit or the Nikon D40 because the pros are perpetually torn between the Canon and Nikon camera families.
No matter what brand of dSLR you choose - a Canon, Olympus, Nikon, Pentax, or Sony - there are important details to consider.
First, consider the weight and ease of use of the camera. Ensure that the controls are easy to navigate. If you will be traveling with you dSLR, you will need to transport it; you should be able to carry it comfortably. Keep in mind that lenses add weight - and that can throw off the balance of the camera and, ultimately, result in blurred photos.
If blurring is a concern for you, consider whether or not you should buy a dSLR with built in image stabilization. Some have it, others don't; in some cases, image stabilization is built into the lenses.
How many lenses do you anticipate buying? Many pro photographers will tell you that the glass - the lenses - really make the camera (even more than the number of megapixels available). Whether you're interested in autofocus lenses, having a wide angle lens as well as a telephoto lens available, or simply want to be sure to keep you options open, remember that the cost of lenses adds up - especially if they are not produced by other vendors. Look at lens cost (as well as lenses you have available if you have a traditional SLR camera), and factor it in to your dSLR choice.
Just these three considerations can go a long way to help you choose a dSLR. Factor in whether or no you wish to shoot video, how you'll be using the camera, and what type of viewfinder feels comfortable to you, and you'll be ready to test a few cameras and make your decision.
