This is, perhaps, the most frequent question people ask when it comes to digital photography. And it can be the toughest one to give a meaningful answer to. You see, the simple answer is “it depends”.
There is no one digital camera that meets everyone’s needs, contrary to what the camera ads preach.
Digital still image and video capture have merged. Modern Point-and-Shoot and digital SLR cameras now provide both features. Some cameras are better than others. But like any marriage of convenience, there are always compromises to be made. The camera manufacturers want you to buy their make and model. The camera stores simply want you to buy a camera – any camera. Oh and don’t forget all the extras – memory cards, filters, extra lenses, a camera bag, a tripod, etc.- to go with you new razzle-dazzle digital camera.
You can find all kinds of opinions on the web, in magazines or in your local camera store about which camera is the “best”, but opinions are just that opinions; nothing more. We are inundated with “expert opinions” all the time. In any field you care to mention, someone knows someone who is an expert and has “the” answer.
So rather than give you my opinion right now, I’ll give you some questions to ask yourself. How you answer these questions will help you make a more informed decision and a knowledgeable purchase.
What kind of pictures do you like/want to take?
- Do you want to shoot video? How important is the quality of the video to you. Not everyone needs to shoot 1080P movie/tv quality video. If you aspirations are Christmas and birthday parties, vacations at the cottage or down south, your kids sports, dance or theatre activities, and the like, then these are never going to make it to the Big Screen.
- Do you want to shoot still images? If yes, then what do you want to do with those images once you get them out of the camera? Share with family and friends on the web, load them on a digital frame, make small 3×5 prints and put them in a scrap book? Great! Or maybe you want to process them on your computer with the newest image software. Then print them, get them framed and hang them on your wall. Fantastic! You might even want to join a camera club for the fun, social and competitive value. Go for it!
How much can you afford to spend?
- You can spend a couple of hundred dollars or thousands of dollars on a digital camera today. Remember, this is an optional purchase. No one needs a digital camera to survive or even to live well. As hard as it may be, try to reduce the emotional input.
- Excellent Point-and-Shoot cameras can be purchased for a few hundred dollars. Entry consumer level digital SLR-like camera (fixed lens) can be bought for about $500.00 – $700.00. Entry level pro-sumer DSLR cameras will cost you about $700.00 – $1,000.00 (interchangeable lenses).
What make is the Best?
- Again, no simple answer.
- Point-and-Shoot – Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Sony, Olympus, Samsung, Leica (in no particular order of preference) as all good brands. You need to answer the first two questions, then touch and feel a couple of cameras and see how they feel.
- DSLR like (one fixed lens) - Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Sony, Olympus, Samsung (in no particular order of preference) These types of cameras offer one lens with a wide range zoom lens – 20 – 20+ optical zoom capabilities.
- DSLR (interchangeable lenses) - Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Sony, Panasonic (in no particular order of preference) Go out and touch and feel a couple of brands and models and based on your answers to the above questions, make a purchase.
How many megapixels do I need?
- That depends on what you want to do with the images after you take them. You need about 7 – 9 megapixels to make a decent 8 x 10 print on an inkjet printer. If you’re only sharing pictures over the web, emailing them to family and friends or loading them on a digital frame then 5 – 6 megapixels are more than enough. Most cameras today meet this requirement.
That is about it. Sure there is more to digital photography than 4 simple questions, but at least this information will help you make a more informed decision once you decide to take the plunge.
A final thought, if you are waiting for the next latest and greatest camera to come along before you decide to buy, then you are in for a long wait. Technological advances in digital imaging are made every day. Once you buy your camera and are happy with it, stop looking with envy at the newest camera to come along a year from now. I can guarantee you there will be a newer and greater camera to in the future, but it will not help you take better pictures. If your goal is better pictures, then you need to look at the person behind the camera; not the camera.
