How To Choose a DSLR Camera

Piper O'Shanassy21 Mar 2022

Nowadays, everybody is busy snapping photos. People use their phones to take pictures, apply filters and effects, and share them on social media. Photography has become both a thriving passion and a booming career, but using a phone to do it may not be the most ideal way to take high-quality photos. While it's true that smartphone cameras are continuously improving, they will never rival the quality or the artistic freedom a DSLR can bring. A DSLR is every photographer's trusty device.  If you've never bought a DSLR before, there may be a few things you need to think about before whipping out your cash.

How To Choose the Right Camera

Getting a camera for the first time could be a daunting experience. There are so many things to consider and so many options to choose from that picking the right one can be tricky. Digital cameras are available in a variety of forms and quality standards. Purchasing a high-quality camera or a point-and-shoot camera is a big decision for many. You want to choose a camera that will meet your demands and offer high-quality photos.

Here are things to consider when choosing the right camera for you:

Why do you need a camera?

Considering why you want to get one is a smart place to start. Do you only need a basic camera to capture significant moments? Is it to pursue a new hobby? Do you want to be a professional photographer? You want to narrow down your options and select a camera that will be suitable for the purpose you want to use it.

What's your budget?

When it comes to choosing a camera, your budget will contribute significantly. You could buy a low-cost camera or spend a few hundred dollars on a more sophisticated one. It's critical to set a budget, say $500-1500, so you can reduce your options to cameras you can sensibly afford.

How will you be using the camera?

Will you be using your camera day-to-day or out in the wilderness? Do you want a camera to capture important milestones? Do you intend to shoot wildlife and the great outdoors? Knowing how you'll be using the camera will help you decide whether to go with a big, full-frame DSLR or a more compact camera.

What do you intend to do with the photos?

Some people take pictures to post them on social media. If you only intend to upload and share photos on social networking sites,  you won't need an advanced camera. Typically, a decent point-and-shoot camera will suffice. After all, when you upload photos to most social media sites, they are compressed so it's impractical to use a camera with large image files.

If you intend to work as a professional, you'll want a camera that renders higher-quality photos. You'll want a full-frame sensor, strong lens selections, a plethora of accessories, and even high-quality video capability.

What camera will you be comfortable with?

Ergonomics is an essential but often overlooked aspect of cameras. Make sure the camera fits properly in your hand and isn't too bulky for you to carry around. The camera you choose should provide quick access to the most frequently used features, and settings should be reasonably structured and easy to learn.

Touchscreen systems can provide a comfortable user experience, but they can also be bothersome if the settings and controls are disorganized. Much of this is subjective, so it's best to test a few cameras and see how they feel before making a buying decision.

How To Choose a Digital Camera

There's a plethora of digital cameras on the market, each with its own set of capabilities, and it can be tough to pick which one is best for you.

Cost

Price is likely to be the most important factor in selecting your digital camera. Photography is a costly passion to pursue, and you should avoid overspending on your first camera.

This is due to several factors. First is that you may discover that photography isn't for you, in which case your investment will remain in an unused box. There's also the possibility that you'll find photography challenging at first, mastering all the different techniques and skills, but will quickly discover that you've outgrown your first camera and want something with more functionality. This is especially true for photographers who realize they want to focus solely on a single area of photography using unique or specialized equipment that might be accessible only on certain cameras.

Ergonomics

Next is the physical dimensions of the camera you intend to buy. At this stage, it's worthwhile to visit a store and test out a few cameras.  Most photographers would tell you to choose a particular brand or model based on how it feels on your hands.

In general, the more compact and lightweight the camera, the easier it will be to carry. You might like something bulky and professional looking but this could entail less movement. Also pay attention to how the camera's buttons are positioned as well as their size. Smaller cameras have less area for buttons and switches, so they must rely on menu displays within the camera to change settings, which could easily become tedious.

Lens

The lens system is also a factor to consider. On digital cameras, there are two kinds of lens systems: fixed and interchangeable. Fixed lens systems feature only one lens which can't be changed from the camera body, thus you're limited to whatever the camera manufacturer opted to construct the camera with, but interchangeable lens systems offer various options for photographing different sorts of subjects.

Type of Digital Camera

DSLR and mirrorless cameras are two of the major players in the world of digital cameras.  The kind you choose will be determined by a variety of considerations, such as what you want to capture or record, how compact you want it to be, and the picture quality you desire.

DSLR

There is no match for a DSLR camera when it comes to adding a professional touch to your photos and getting the highest possible image quality. DSLR cameras are big, but they're also incredibly versatile, letting you change lenses and manage every element of your photography.

Mirrorless

A mirrorless camera is an excellent alternative if you want excellent picture quality and interchangeable lenses minus the bulk of a DSLR. They are smaller and more sophisticated than DSLRs, offering professional-level capabilities like 4K video and quick simultaneous shooting. However, when compared to DSLRs, they don't offer as many lenses or accessories options.

If you want to capture high-quality photos, investing in a digital camera will free you from the constraints of grainy, dim images. Sharp focus, reduced visual noise, and optical zoom is all within reach when you have a digital camera in your hands.

Piper O'Shanassy

Piper O'Shanassy

Piper grew up with a love of animals, which quickly turned into a love of photographing them. She shares her tips and tricks on photography, and hopes she can help you shortcut your expansion of a passion.

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