With daily posts of "which camera should I buy".... I thought I would post a thread of a generic camera buying guide.
I am not an expert, and certainly can't give you details of every camera on the market.
But I think I have a fair understanding of the principles a purchaser might want to consider. I invite everyone to give their own feedback and advice. So without further ado:
When evaluating which camera is right for you, look at:
First -- SIZE. (Not price first, for reasons that will be explained below).
There is a saying, "the best camera is the one you have with you."
The size of the camera will be the biggest factor in determining when you will have this camera with you.
So consider, is this a camera just to pull out for special occasions? Or is it something you want to carry on a daily basis? If you are carrying it to Disney theme parks, do you want it to fit comfortably around your neck the whole day, or do you not mind carrying a large camera bag with you?
If your camera is too large or heavy, you may find yourself leaving it at home too often, and missing great pictures. On the other hand, if you don't mind larger size, bigger cameras generally have more options and higher quality.
Though camera sizes can run a large spectrum, lets break it down into 3 basic categories:
1 -- True compact. Can fit in your pocket or small purse. Easy to carry, 24/7.
2 -- In-between-er. These can be larger compacts, mid-sized mirrorless cameras, bridge cameras. They aren't heavy generally. They won't weigh you down incredibly. But they also won't be squeezed into your pocket. So you need to make the conscious choice to bring this camera with you, carry a camera bag or a neck/shoulder strap. Certainly not a chore to carry it around Disney World, but you're unlikely to carry this camera with you at every turn.
3 -- Large -- Generally DSLRs, some bigger mirrorless cameras. Within dSLRs, there is a decent range of sizes. But overall, these are cameras that may weigh you down if around your neck the whole day. It is very likely you will have additional lenses and accessories, so a camera bag. When celebrating Christmas at home, you won't mind pulling this camera out of the closet. But do you want to trudge around with it at Disney World? You certainly won't be carrying this camera on a day you plan on spending at the mall, for example. These cameras often produce the best quality, the highest performance. So if you don't mind having a camera bag strapped to your back, these are great options. But recognize that you may not want to carry it everywhere.
Once you have a general idea of the importance of size to you, next consider:
Second: What types of pictures are you most often using it for?
A camera that can really do everything -- super fast, great performance is low light, etc -- Can cost thousands of dollars. So assuming you are on a more limited budget, you need to start considering your priorities.
So within this category, consider:
1. Focal length, aka zoom. dSLRs and mirrorless cameras generally have interchangeable lenses, so with a bit of investment, you can get any zoom you want. But in compact and bridge cameras, there is generally a single lens incorporated into the camera. If you want to zoom on on the monkey while at the zoo, you may want a long focal length/camera with good zoom. If you are taking pictures of the kids in the house, you can get by with a much shorter zoom. Be aware though, that in budget cameras, this is often a trade-off. More zoom often comes with a lower quality lens.
2. Low light -- Are all your pictures outside in bright daylight? When indoors, do you mind the harsh light of a flash, or would you prefer the ability to take more pictures with available natural light? (Personally, I try to avoid using a flash if at all possible).
3. Hand in hand with low light, are most of your pictures stationary, or capturing a lot of action? Want to catch the kids posing for pictures, or capture candids of them at play?
For low-light and for action, a better lens and better sensor can go a long way. So a lens with a large aperture (small F number), and higher ISO, would let you shoot at a faster shutter speed -- freezing the action and producing a crisp picture without motion blur.
You'll also need to consider focus speed. dSLRs typically have much faster focus than compact cameras. And within each category, speed can vary.
4. Enjoy taking portraits? Where a lens capable of "bokeh" --- defocused background -- can be nice. Landscapes, where you might want a wide lens?
5. Video -- Most cameras these days include video, but the quality of the video differs widely. So how much of a priority is it for you? Want to be able to take pictures and video at the same time?
6 -- Image quality. Most cameras can give you a nice 4X5 of your kids smiling on the playground in the middle of the day. But are you looking for a picture that you can blow up and frame, that looks professional? (Though this is equal parts the ability of the camera, and the ability of the photographer).
For interchangeable lens cameras, different lenses will give you different benefits. For non-interchangeable lens cameras, different cameras will have different strengths and weaknesses.
Ok, now you have decided what size of camera you want to consider, and you have set your shooting priorities:
Third -- Consider adaptability. I considered whether to call this complexity or ease of use. But the reality is, almost all cameras have an easy to use, "auto" function. Almost all of them have basic modes for different types of scenes.
So consider, do you just want to turn on the camera, and keep it in auto mode all the time?
Or do you want/mind the ability to switch lenses?
The ability to apply more manual controls?
In challenging situations where the auto mode can't quite get it, want to have the ability to fix the shot yourself?
The ability to shoot in RAW mode, which gives you more post-processing options?
Fourth -- Bonus features. Is there anything extra that you'd like to have, or that you consider important? Wifi? GPS? The ability to shoot HDR pictures? Panoramas? A flip-out LCD screen?
Fifth -- Price. As I said above, if you truly want to have it ALL, you can spend thousands and thousands of dollars. But once you know what is important to you, you can generally find what you want in a reasonable budget. If you are willing to buy a used camera from a reputable seller, your options can open up even more.
For a compact -- Prices can go from $50 to $1000. Truthfully, for under about $150, new, you won't get anything much better than an iPhone. But for $200-$400, there are some pretty good compact cameras that can deliver on a lot of fronts, with some limitations. For $400-$1000, you can get cameras that can deliver amazing image quality and features, that can rival dSLRs.
For a dSLR -- New, starting prices are generally $400-$600 for an entry level. Mid-level dSLRs can be around $900-1200. And high end dSLRs can run thousands of dollars. But don't necessarily let the price scare you. If you are willing to look on the used market, and if a dSLR fits your needs better than a compact, then for $300-$400, you can find a used/refurbished dSLR that will still be better than a similarly priced new compact.
Bridge cameras/mirrorless -- Can run the whole range. In price and quality. Some can give you SLR quality, and often have SLR type pricing. Others can be ultra cheap, with very low quality.
So these are just the very basic issues to consider, when looking for the right camera for you.
I am not an expert, and certainly can't give you details of every camera on the market.
But I think I have a fair understanding of the principles a purchaser might want to consider. I invite everyone to give their own feedback and advice. So without further ado:
When evaluating which camera is right for you, look at:
First -- SIZE. (Not price first, for reasons that will be explained below).
There is a saying, "the best camera is the one you have with you."
The size of the camera will be the biggest factor in determining when you will have this camera with you.
So consider, is this a camera just to pull out for special occasions? Or is it something you want to carry on a daily basis? If you are carrying it to Disney theme parks, do you want it to fit comfortably around your neck the whole day, or do you not mind carrying a large camera bag with you?
If your camera is too large or heavy, you may find yourself leaving it at home too often, and missing great pictures. On the other hand, if you don't mind larger size, bigger cameras generally have more options and higher quality.
Though camera sizes can run a large spectrum, lets break it down into 3 basic categories:
1 -- True compact. Can fit in your pocket or small purse. Easy to carry, 24/7.
2 -- In-between-er. These can be larger compacts, mid-sized mirrorless cameras, bridge cameras. They aren't heavy generally. They won't weigh you down incredibly. But they also won't be squeezed into your pocket. So you need to make the conscious choice to bring this camera with you, carry a camera bag or a neck/shoulder strap. Certainly not a chore to carry it around Disney World, but you're unlikely to carry this camera with you at every turn.
3 -- Large -- Generally DSLRs, some bigger mirrorless cameras. Within dSLRs, there is a decent range of sizes. But overall, these are cameras that may weigh you down if around your neck the whole day. It is very likely you will have additional lenses and accessories, so a camera bag. When celebrating Christmas at home, you won't mind pulling this camera out of the closet. But do you want to trudge around with it at Disney World? You certainly won't be carrying this camera on a day you plan on spending at the mall, for example. These cameras often produce the best quality, the highest performance. So if you don't mind having a camera bag strapped to your back, these are great options. But recognize that you may not want to carry it everywhere.
Once you have a general idea of the importance of size to you, next consider:
Second: What types of pictures are you most often using it for?
A camera that can really do everything -- super fast, great performance is low light, etc -- Can cost thousands of dollars. So assuming you are on a more limited budget, you need to start considering your priorities.
So within this category, consider:
1. Focal length, aka zoom. dSLRs and mirrorless cameras generally have interchangeable lenses, so with a bit of investment, you can get any zoom you want. But in compact and bridge cameras, there is generally a single lens incorporated into the camera. If you want to zoom on on the monkey while at the zoo, you may want a long focal length/camera with good zoom. If you are taking pictures of the kids in the house, you can get by with a much shorter zoom. Be aware though, that in budget cameras, this is often a trade-off. More zoom often comes with a lower quality lens.
2. Low light -- Are all your pictures outside in bright daylight? When indoors, do you mind the harsh light of a flash, or would you prefer the ability to take more pictures with available natural light? (Personally, I try to avoid using a flash if at all possible).
3. Hand in hand with low light, are most of your pictures stationary, or capturing a lot of action? Want to catch the kids posing for pictures, or capture candids of them at play?
For low-light and for action, a better lens and better sensor can go a long way. So a lens with a large aperture (small F number), and higher ISO, would let you shoot at a faster shutter speed -- freezing the action and producing a crisp picture without motion blur.
You'll also need to consider focus speed. dSLRs typically have much faster focus than compact cameras. And within each category, speed can vary.
4. Enjoy taking portraits? Where a lens capable of "bokeh" --- defocused background -- can be nice. Landscapes, where you might want a wide lens?
5. Video -- Most cameras these days include video, but the quality of the video differs widely. So how much of a priority is it for you? Want to be able to take pictures and video at the same time?
6 -- Image quality. Most cameras can give you a nice 4X5 of your kids smiling on the playground in the middle of the day. But are you looking for a picture that you can blow up and frame, that looks professional? (Though this is equal parts the ability of the camera, and the ability of the photographer).
For interchangeable lens cameras, different lenses will give you different benefits. For non-interchangeable lens cameras, different cameras will have different strengths and weaknesses.
Ok, now you have decided what size of camera you want to consider, and you have set your shooting priorities:
Third -- Consider adaptability. I considered whether to call this complexity or ease of use. But the reality is, almost all cameras have an easy to use, "auto" function. Almost all of them have basic modes for different types of scenes.
So consider, do you just want to turn on the camera, and keep it in auto mode all the time?
Or do you want/mind the ability to switch lenses?
The ability to apply more manual controls?
In challenging situations where the auto mode can't quite get it, want to have the ability to fix the shot yourself?
The ability to shoot in RAW mode, which gives you more post-processing options?
Fourth -- Bonus features. Is there anything extra that you'd like to have, or that you consider important? Wifi? GPS? The ability to shoot HDR pictures? Panoramas? A flip-out LCD screen?
Fifth -- Price. As I said above, if you truly want to have it ALL, you can spend thousands and thousands of dollars. But once you know what is important to you, you can generally find what you want in a reasonable budget. If you are willing to buy a used camera from a reputable seller, your options can open up even more.
For a compact -- Prices can go from $50 to $1000. Truthfully, for under about $150, new, you won't get anything much better than an iPhone. But for $200-$400, there are some pretty good compact cameras that can deliver on a lot of fronts, with some limitations. For $400-$1000, you can get cameras that can deliver amazing image quality and features, that can rival dSLRs.
For a dSLR -- New, starting prices are generally $400-$600 for an entry level. Mid-level dSLRs can be around $900-1200. And high end dSLRs can run thousands of dollars. But don't necessarily let the price scare you. If you are willing to look on the used market, and if a dSLR fits your needs better than a compact, then for $300-$400, you can find a used/refurbished dSLR that will still be better than a similarly priced new compact.
Bridge cameras/mirrorless -- Can run the whole range. In price and quality. Some can give you SLR quality, and often have SLR type pricing. Others can be ultra cheap, with very low quality.
So these are just the very basic issues to consider, when looking for the right camera for you.
