How do I Make a Decision which Digital Camera to Buy?
“How do I make a decision which digital camera to buy?”
This question – or variations of it – is among the most common question that I get asked by Digital Photography School readers.
I’ve written a post with some of my own thoughts (How to Buy a Digital Camera) which I generally point people to but I thought it might also make a good Reader Question or Discussion Starter this weekend. I’ll point people to this thread as well as my other post.
- So how would you answer someone asking ‘How do I Make a Decision which Digital Camera to Buy?’
- What tips would you give someone searching for a digital camera?
- Are there recommendations that you’d made about questions that they should ask themselves?
Looking forward to reading your advice.
Further Reading – another post in our archives that might be useful to those asking this question is – Should you buy a DSLR or Point and Shoot Digital Cameras? and How to Choose a DSLR Camera.
28 Responses to “How do I Make a Decision which Digital Camera to Buy?” - Add Yours
June 14th, 2008 at 12:54 am
The first big issue is what are you really going to use the camera for? We may think we’re going to become the next Ansel Adams but in reality we’re gonna shoot some birthday and vacation pics. This changes the digital camera that you need. Another issue to look at is how familiar and comfortable are you with different camera settings? Do you think you can get your head around all of the different settings and options or are you one who wants to stay in automatic mode. I’m sure there are many out there that buy a camera way above their heads. What are you willing to spend? Not just on the camera but also on any accessories you may want or need. This could be anything from a camera bag to different lenses to a new printer. Next is to do some research. This is a great place to start. As well ask friends what they have and why. What do they like about their cameras.
I started with a point and shoot for a few years and then realized I wanted more control. I started searching sites like this for info on DSLR’s. I read reviews and asked friends as well as checked out the cameras I liked in stores (it’s amazing how different a camera can be in real life). I finally settled on a Nikon D40 and I couldn’t be happier!
June 14th, 2008 at 12:56 am
Great topic!
I always recommend that people consider a number of things upfront when buying a digital camera:
1) Am I looking to snap quick photos while I’m out, professional-looking photos in a studio or on location, or some combination of those?
2) Am I purchasing a digital camera for pleasure, as a hobbyist, or am I moving in the direction of becoming a professional?
3) What features and controls are important to me, and how much control do I want over things like lighting, depth of field, and focus?
4) Do I want to spend even more money on lenses after purchasing an expensive camera?
A combination of these normally points people in the right direction, but of course there are no right answers and many, many more questions!
June 14th, 2008 at 1:17 am
Tip: Come up with some basic idea of what you’re going to do with the camera.
Questions they should ask themselves:
1) What are you going to use it for (snapshots? MySpace? 4×6 prints or framed artwork?)
2) What’s your budget?
3) Portable or flexible?
Tip: Go to dpreview.com and use the side by side comparisons.
Tip: If you just want to share some snapshots with friends and family, almost anything modern will do. Built in image stabilization is a plus.
Tip: Unless you’re serious about photography, just buy something basic and easy to use. Most people do not need a SLR.
Tip: If you are serious about pursuing photography consider a DSLR, but be prepared for sticker shock especially on good lenses.
Tip: If you are considering photography as a hobby, get a camera with a hot-shoe (or a PC sync port). Built in flash won’t cut it.
Tip: Megapixels are overrated. Beyond 5 or 6 it probably won’t matter (unless you’re looking to do art prints).
June 14th, 2008 at 1:26 am
The question I ask myself is: Which camera will impress the ladies? :)
In all seriousness, price is super important to me. Also, sensor size and what lens kit comes with the camera? I may not be able to get another lens for some time, so I need to find the most versatile out of the box dslr possible.
June 14th, 2008 at 1:58 am
I like something solid in my hand. Having a weeny camera even if it shoots good pictures just isn’t fun for me. I like to be able to have a few options – I’m not really the point and shoot type although this is easier to get a picture.
Must be the memory i have of my mom always making me smile for the picture on holiday with her point and shoot camera. I would ask if i could borrow it to try and get some shots of elephant or close ups of weird beetles and would wonder why she treasured her little point and shoot.
June 14th, 2008 at 2:26 am
1) Purpose – what do you need it for?
2) Budget – are you a student or a working adult and knowing the extra $$ that is to be spent in lenses and accessories is essential.
3) Length – how long are you going to keep the camera for? Lifetime investment vs. short term (a couple of years).
4) Time – do you have the time to learn the camera/post-production?
5) Brand name vs. practicality – eg. Canon/Nikon vs. Tamron/Sigma/etc.
Raymond Chan
http://chanraymond.net
June 14th, 2008 at 4:43 am
Ask yourself these questions:
1) Do you want/need a DSLR or a point-and-shoot?
The primary determining factors here are cost, size, and image quality. Point-and-shoot cameras can fit in your pocket; this is a huge advantage for the non-pro, and worth weighing into your decision. You can get a great point-and-shoot for around $300, but if you buy a DSLR and actually use it expect to spend thousands of dollars (note the plural). Granted the costs of a DSLR are stretched over a long time period (a lens here and there), but they are significantly more than a point-and-shoot. Image quality is better (less noise) with DSLR simply because you have a larger sensor, and if you buy a quality lens because you have better glass than most point-and-shoots. Note that many people would advise you to get a point-and-shoot camera if you never want to move out of the auto mode, but with modern DSLR’s, DSLR can be fantastic point-and-shoot cameras with a quality general zoom lens (as long as your okay with the cost). Maybe someday you will switch over to manual mode on a whim and learn something.
2) If you want a point-and-shoot camera?
Look at reviews (my favorite site is dpreview.com) and buy one. It will last you for 3-5 years, and then you can buy another.
3) If you want a DSLR?
The thing you have to realize with buying a DSLR, is that you are buying into a photography system, not just buying a camera. If you are really using your DSLR you will spend much more on lenses than on bodies over a lifetime. So don’t worry so much about this camera or that one, and just choose which lens mount you want to use for the foreseeable future.
If you have aspirations of going pro or of at least producing professional quality images (i.e. you want to sell your photos, or you want to take fantastic photos and brag about them online, or you want to decorate your house with large prints of your photos), there are only two options: Canon and Nikon. These are the two systems that pros use and the only ones that make professional quality lenses.
4) Canon or Nikon DSLR system?
Here’s the secret… IT DOESN’T MATTER. They are both great, and you can’t go wrong with either. Look at reviews, look at which has lenses you want, choose the brand that your friends have so you can share lenses, or just flip a coin. Getting to this point in the process is what’s important. Just make a decision and don’t look back (have fun!).
June 14th, 2008 at 5:27 am
This is a vast area to cover, and can’t be covered in a single comment. I spent about 2 weeks working 10hours+ per day over the Christmas holidays 18 months ago purely doing research into what route to take when upgrading to a DSLR from a compact, and found out a great deal. If doing it again, I’d have sat down with someone and gotten a good grasp for more of the basics of the theory of things and the techniques involved first. The vast research is mandatory if you are to be even vaguely successfully however, the following 3 items are the gotchas that are not immediately apparent:
1) This was more relevant in the film days, and has been diluted in the digital age, but the principal still applies. When the shutter is open and the photo is being taken, the only thing between the sensor and the outside world is the lens, the lens forms the image — therefor it’s the most important element of the whole setup. If buying a DSLR, make sure that you budget at least as much for lenses as you do for the camera — and also budget for getting more lenses in the months/years later as your skills grow. I currently have 9 lenses, 4 of which have been totally superseded.
2) Lens reviews are fantastic — there are many online, and the online stuff is orders of magnitude better than magazine stuff. However a lens is reviewed against it’s competitors. For similar lenses, a $200 kit lens that is reviewed “great” is much worse than a $600 lens that’s reviewed “ok”. I fell foul of this one, and bought a cheap tele zoom that turned out to be a complete disappointment.
3) This is the killer, brand loyalty — it’s rife in the SLR scene because it’s so proprietary accessory based (see above for my 9 lenses) — you have to pick a system and stick with it (or spent obsurd amounts of money changing systems). Ask virtually any photographer and they will tell you thier system is better than all the others, infact this is not true (however hard they try to persuade you) every system has it’s advantages and disadvantages, but most of the major systems are very close overall. Shop around and don’t be pressured into one camp by anyone.
One final tip — don’t overlook the second hand market for lenses — in can be a minefield for the uninformed, but a goldmine for the informed — become informed and reap the benefits of 20 year old glass that’s as good as new, at quarter the price.
Also posted on my blog (link above)
June 14th, 2008 at 6:54 am
I think the NUMBER 1 THING you need to ask yourself, is “Where do I see this love affair with my camera going??” Do you want to go pro eventually? OR do you want to just take better day-to-day photos?? If you want to go pro and you’re on a budget, I’d say buy a cheaper camera and more expensive glass (lenses). . . Then you can upgrade that body when you’re ready, but you can still take stellar photos with the glass you have! I could go ON AND ON!! I have so many opinions on this subject. . . :) I’ll stop before I bore . . .:)
June 14th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Two things I tell my students: 1. a Camera does not make a photographer and 2. If you plan to buy a camera soon – get yourself a black one, the most expensive black one you can afford!
The reason being: no point-and-shoot (the metallic ones) can project the same sharpness through their (smaller) lenses onto their (smaller) sensors, as the “black” cameras with there larger lenses and sensors can do.
And at least will the the black one make you more trustworthy in the eyes of of the ordinary people (and the girls of course…)
Jokes aside, one should draw a line between point-and-shoot and the so-called prosumer cameras or SLR-like cameras, the latter being “almost” everything the DSLR can be – except for having a fixed lens (usually a good range zoom) and an electronic viewfinder – with the added advantage of shooting quite good quality video also.
Irrespective of what your intentions are, I would recommend Fujifilm finepix S…. (as high as you can afford) to anyone starting out with photography. (no, I’m not on their payroll). I started my digital life with an S5000 and soon upgraded to the S9100/S9600. And although today I own and use a DSLR with all the bells and whistles – I never go on a shoot without my trusted and respected S9600 (9Mp)as my second camera and believe me, I use it more often than not – for it has some advantages that no DSLR has! And it is cheap campared to any DSLR. (I will rather not sing its praises any more for fear of being charged advertising rates) but feel free to contact me if you want to know why I regard this the best camera any beginner can purchase.
June 14th, 2008 at 10:48 am
I’d say that if you need to ask this question, you should go with a point-and-shoot model within your budget and most brands will do. So, now, you want a big or a small one?
June 14th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Here’s my digital camera-buying process lately:
1. Decide to buy an old film camera instead.
2. Go to eBay and find something for under $50 that looks fun.
The last digital purchase wasn’t much of a thinker for me. The Sony a700 was the only logical step up from the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D.
June 14th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Set yourself a price range and stick to it. Seriously, you simply cannot buy a bad camera nowadays. Bear in mind that if you’re going for an slr you’re buying into a ststem and make sure that system provides an attractive upgrade path, but apart from that you really can’t go wrong
June 15th, 2008 at 12:53 am
What’s wrong with having both? hahaha
I usually recommend a point and shoot as a first digital camera. Chances are that if you buy a P&S and later decide you want better image quality and greater control with the DSLR, you’ll still use the P&S. Your not wasting your money.
The only time I would recommend a DSLR to some one who has never owned a digital camera is when that person is already familiar with film SLR. They probably have a cache of lenses so the brand they choose is predetermined too.
June 15th, 2008 at 1:36 am
How you plan to use it and Image Quality.
How you intend to use the camera will determine form factor and features. For example, if you want a very portable camera you can take anywhere in your pocket then you have to choose a small camera. However if you want a camera that is very flexible with lots of features, choice of lenses, and better Image Quality you will need a SLR. Of course, cost can be a critical factor as well.
Resolution: The cameras available today all have sufficient resolution to get the job done for 4×6 to 8×10, unless you plan to do a lot of larger prints I would not worry about the resolution too much, I would be more concerned with the quality of the image. A 5MP camera with an excellent lens can be a better choice than a another with a poor lens and 10MP.
Image Quality: or “IQ” should be a high priority regardless of form factor understanding that IQ varies especially between small compact point and shoots compared to DSLRs. What determines the quality of an image is combinations of factors including but not limited to, image processor, how it reproduces color, lens, sharpness, noise generated especially in shadow or dark areas of the photo.
Compare the Cameras: Once you determine what you really need in form factor then compare similar models by examining the IQ of each. I think comparing images taken at higher ISO such as ISO 800 is a useful method to partly determine the IQ of a camera, along with realistic natural color and sharpness. Keep in mind that some of these characteristics are greatly influenced by the lens used on a DSLR. With non-SRLs such as a compact camera, the lens can not be changed so the IQ is not likely to change given the same settings. I have noticed that most point and shoot compact cameras don’t come near the Image quality of a DSLR when using higher ISO settings. This will be important in many cases where there is not enough light and the camera will adjust up the ISO. Also, consider that many cameras allow the user to adjust how the image is processed within the camera which allows flexibility in color, sharpness, and so forth right out of the camera.
Ultimately the choice is a compromise. I have both. I am satisfied with a decent quality small pocket sized point & shoot to keep with me most any time, hiking, traveling, at work, etc… I would recommend one that allows manual operation. I also have a DSLR for when I plan to take more serious images with the best quality I can afford. For me… Compact Camera = Spontaneous shooting vs. DSLR = Planned Shooting
Having an expensive DSLR with great IQ will be of little use if you frequently don’t have the camera with you when you need it.
June 15th, 2008 at 1:37 am
For Point-and-shoot…I recommend getting a camera with an interface that you like and can use. Most of the P+S cameras out there are pretty decent, these days. But if you aren’t comfortable with it, it’s not worth having.
For SLR/dSLR – consider the lenses first and foremost. If you have lenses from an old setup, that should influence your decision. But if you don’t have any preconceived notions, I recommend looking hard at the lenses available for each camera. Then consider a body that will match the lenses you want. When I got my camera body, I seriously considered the Sony dSLRs. Don’t get me wrong, they’re great cameras, but I wasn’t impressed with the lens lineup. So it came down to Canon vs. Nikon for me. I already have some Nikon lenses, so that was the deciding factor for me.
Finally…regardless of what camera you choose…play with it a lot at the camera shop. Some cameras, especially dSLRs, may be available to rent for a time. I encourage you to do so. You need to be comfortable with the camera.
June 15th, 2008 at 4:48 am
Well, there are many detailed answers above, I’ll try to sum it up by making my suggestions only a few lines long… So:
If you JUST want to take snapshots, get a point and shoot.
If you’re interested in the process of making a PHOTO – get a DSLR.
The best thing: get both.
–Klaidas
http://www.klaidas.lt
June 15th, 2008 at 10:11 am
get both! But get the point and shoot first if you need practice with basic composition and the practicality of portability.
June 15th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
There are many fantastic fixed lens cameras available, most of them having manual zooms up to 400 mm, which is more than the average person will need.
Camera makers have capitalized on consumer ignorance that the higher the number of megapixels, the better the camera, which isn’t the case.
Make sure the lens has glass, and not plastic. Buy a camera that can shoot RAW, and while extra time is required for processing, the end result is worth it.
RAW also needs special software, but Bibble Labs has an excellent product for about $150.
I’m at the point where shooting RAW is the rule, rather than the exception. Consider what you can do with RAW images, that cannot be done with JPG…adjust the WB, color temperature, and exposure value. These three controls can “make or break” the photo.
Remember, high-end cameras don’t create a better picture…that’s your job, as the photographer. You must be able visualize the scene, compose it, and the camera is only a tool to achieve what you want.
The camera’s internal meter isn’t always 100% accurate, so my recommendation is using a hand-held meter. The one I use is the Sekonic L758-DR incident/spot meter.
June 16th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
I recently (~2 months ago) picked up a Nikon D-80 after a very lengthy shopping period. It’s my first SLR and I am so far very pleased.
I arrived at my decision by making a vow to understand everything about the point and shoot that I was currently using (an Olympus C7000). I wanted to make sure that I really understood the limitations of the P&S and was making a purchasing decision based on need rather than want.
Once I was satisfied that I could use an SLR (this process took six to twelve months), I was lucky enough to be able to borrow a friend’s Canon and another friend’s Nikon. I had a slight preference for the Nikon and I eventually decided on the 80 because of the greater flexibility for lenses (and, lucky for me, I was very financially sound at the time).
So, I guess my only advice, is take a long time! I wanted to make sure that I didn’t make an impulse buy (like I was tempted to a thousand times) and that I really new what I was buying and how it would help me. Once I knew I wanted an SLR, the process was really fun! I honestly think I would have been perfectly happy with either the Canon or the Nikon, so don’t sweat that part of the decision too much.
Sorry to any Sony or Olympus SLR owners. I never found any that I was able to try out, so my decision was really just Canon vs Nikon.
June 16th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Agree with most of the above, although I’d suggest that instead of asking what the buyer wants it for, you might better ask “what kind of pictures do you want to take?”
Ideally, they should be able to show you something that they wish they could have done. Do they want prints or will the shots stay digital? If printing, how large might they want to make the prints? 5×7? A4? A3? Larger?
June 18th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
One of my very first posts on my new blog Great Digital Cameras (http://www.greatdigitalcameras.com.au) goes into a general overview about how to choose the right digital camera based on what the users needs are. It also discusses some technical aspects of cameras that users should be aware of
June 20th, 2008 at 11:27 am
I went on-line to try to decipher what an inexpensive, user-friendly camera may be. As I waded in, I quickly realized I needed some advice. My best friend and I are putting together a website that will provide positive affirmation & resources for couples who are best friends. We presently have a blogspot that will be going to a live website in August. We’ve purchased pix from Dreamstime & Mediafocus, but are interested in taking some pix of our own.
Thank you, Mariah Edgington
caffection.blogspot.com
Please check out our blog & give us feedback.
June 21st, 2008 at 11:54 am
How does it feal in my hands and well designed is the user interface and controls. I want both an eye piece and a moveable LCD to help take pictures from unusual angles. A hot shoe is prefered. Size matters so your not tempted to leave it behind. Can’t take the picture if it’s not with you. For my taste the Canon S5 IS is a good choice.
June 23rd, 2008 at 11:56 pm
The choice is not between a very basic camera and a very expensive DSLR. There are many excellent advanced amateur cameras available that will keep you interested for many years and satisfy all your needs unless you decide to turn professional or have a need for many different lenses.
The price on these cameras is much below that of a DSLR. You can get a current model by shopping the internet for $300 or less, and if you buy the previous version, the price will be closer to $200.
I started with a Canon Powershot A620 and may never need another camera. I have just about everything that I would get on a very expensive DSLR, except the ability to change lenses. By means of a tube, I can use filters and I can also use a wide angle, macro and telephoto lens, maybe not quite as well as a with a DSLR, but at far less cost and with results not enough different from a DSLR to justify the might higher price.
My advice is to look for a camera, like the Canon Powershot A620, or its successor, that will let you start with automatic and allow you to make future use of all the shooting modes that you would get on a much higher priced camera. If your first camera is like that, you may never need another one.
June 24th, 2008 at 5:42 am
I would describe my very recent experience; I started with the
intention of buying a DSLR. I did not want to spend 2K for the body, and after much inet time, I decided on the newly-announced Canon XS. Lenses are expensive; opinions vary greatly on “walkaround” lenses. I decided on Canon’s 17-85 IS, and figured I would add lenses as I could afford. I could easily justify spending the resultant 2K (accessories inc) as my needs are determined by my work (retired law enforcement now PI). As a digital newby, I had begun the process thinking I HAD to get a DSLR to replace my SLR. ON THE CONTRARY! I learned via this and other sites of the many available options, and I settled on the Canon S5 IS,$300! 12x optical zoom, and does much more than my SLR did! It feels like a toy compared to the SLR body, but is a whole lot of camera for the money. I can buy 6 or 7 for the price I thought I HAD to spend to get this degree of quality in my shots! The purist will find faults, and I am not a professional photographer, but this camera surpasses my rather broad requirements.
July 6th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Hi, ive just bought an Olympus 420, wich does have an live LCD vieuw, self cleaning sensor, is small and relativley cheap so just wanted to let you know that this camera in my eyes is a bit different that the typical DSLR, and you might want to look in to this one. Good tips thoug!
July 9th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Could someone answer me this please?
I am a budding photographer. I am between minds on whether to buy a point and shoot or a DSLR.
Am i better off to get a point and shoot first to hone my skills or go straight for the DSLR?
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