Buying Advice For Newbies Upgrading To A Digital SLR

Looking at taking the plunge into the fascinating world of Digital SLRs? If you answered yes, then I can only guess what's going through your mind! You might be wondering about the model, pixels, size, types of lenses, the camera's features and so on… it's enough to make your head spin! Well don't despair, I was in your shoes not so long ago and it wasn’t a nice feeling.

Now let me share with you my experience as a first time buyer, and just in case you’re wondering, DSLR stands for (Digital Single Lens Reflex).

So here’s my story. I started of with a Kodak EasyShare C1013 and at the time it suited my needs perfectly. I finally decided to upgrade and invested in my first DSLR. It was an entry-level Canon EOS 1000D. Why did I decide on that particular Camera? Arguably with Nikon and Canon being the best selling models on the market I decided to go with Canon. There was so much debate however. Nikon had a better this, Canon had a better that, Pentax outperforms both, Sony was also up there with the 'big boys' and on and on. Doing Google searches and reading countless product reviews made my head hurt! So I decided to keep it simple.

In the end I realized they all had excellent features and I decided that I didn't really need an expensive camera to take good photos. As I was just starting out as a newbie to the exciting world of photography I had also realized that I didn't need all the features that the more expensive models had to offer. Even though there were many, many different DSLRs to choose from I narrowed down my search based on a few factors – what I wanted out of my camera and affordability. Both these factors led me to the Canon EOS 1000D.

Below I’ve outlined some key points to consider when choosing your first Digital SLR. Keep in mind that Digital SLR technology is always evolving, similar to software products new features are constantly being added. With this in mind DSLRs are becoming more and more affordable. So when looking for your first Digital SLR base it on a couple of important factors and then narrow down your search from there.

Image Quality - You might hear people boosting about the size of their cameras megapixels. It is a common misconception that the size of megapixels influences the quality. Image quality depends on a range of factors, pixels is just one factor.

Tip: There is a definite connection between Sensor size and quality, so the premise is – It is more beneficial to have a camera that has a larger image sensor with less megapixels than the other way around.

Systems And Lenses – Opening up a universe of possibilities for photographers is the DSLRs ability to change lenses. Determining what kind of lens you can use on your DSLR depends on the kind of Lens Mount. Most DSLRs come with a kit lens. This is a great place to start as you can always acquire more lenses down the line.

Tip: As Lenses can be quite expensive to purchase you might want to check out an independent lens company like Sigma, Tamron and Tokina for cheaper alternatives.

Digital SLR Resolution - Having a high resolution will not in itself bring forth a great image quality, however, if enlarging your photos for printing this feature can be useful. Most digital cameras have a resolution of at least 10Mp which is quite sufficient for enlarging your prints and digital cropping.

Tip: Don’t feel pressured to pay extra for cameras with higher resolution unless you frequently use the methods described above. It’s also worth noting that the higher the resolution the more memory that’s taken up on your memory card, hard drive and even emails.

Size – DSLRs vary in size and weight. Some people prefer smaller to bigger and bulkier cameras where as others find smaller cameras quite fiddly to access. Ultimately you will decide whether you’re a small-camera or big-camera type person.

Affordability – Even though we would love to have all these great features, sometimes our budget just wont allow it. Even with all these new features and functions there are also compromises to be made, especially when manufacturers pitch their products at certain price points.

Tips: Start of with a cheaper model entry-level DSLR. It may not sport some of the great features described in this article but you can always upgrade later. This way will help you build familiarity with basic settings such as ISO, Shooting Modes and Aperture, as you become more knowledgeable your be more confident when it comes to using a more advanced model.

Camera Features – Here’s some really cool features you might want to check out…

• Live View
• Rotatable Screen
• Image Stabilization
• High ISO Performance
• Dynamic Range Optimization
• HD Video!
• In-camera creative effects
• In-camera RAW processing

Do Your Research - Find out about the specific features that will be most beneficial to your photography endeavors then find out which models include them.

Shop Around – for the best price. You don’t always have to buy brand new. Once you know what you’re looking for you can always checkout places like Amazon or Ebay.

Cash back Or Discounts - these are always great deals worth looking out for. The money you can save from these deals can always go towards useful accessories.

Haggle – Even though the term sounds ancient it still works in modern day society. If you can’t get a cash back or a discount, ask the retailer to throw something in like a memory card for example. They sometimes do this with large purchases but you might need to remind them if they don’t.

A No No - Don’t let pushy salesman confuse you with their techy jargon. Be armed with as much info as you can gather and get them to explain things clearly and in plain simple English!

Invest In Some Knowledge…

When the groundwork has been done and your sitting there with your stunning Digital SLR, you might be thinking… Now what… What do I do with this fine piece of equipment? Do a Google search or visit your nearest library for a photography guide. There are many resources on the net that will point you in the right direction. Amazon is a really good place where you can find reviews and they also provide previews into some of the pages of the book that you might be interested in. This handy little feature gives you a little more insight into what you might be looking for in terms of a good photography guide.