Choosing a camera

With the advent of several new camera models over the last few weeks a lot of questions have been asked regarding which one to buy, or whether an existing camera needs replacing. The answers are very simple and are condensed in this post. Let's start listing these points:

#1. Assess what you want.

Putting it simply there are different cameras for different purposes. Knowing what you want will narrow down the list of potential candidates and make decisions a little bit easier.

Other than the functions of the camera, put into consideration your budget and future aspirations with your new gadget. Will you take photography seriously and need room to expand your collection of equipment? Or do you just want a camera to take around in case there might be an opportunity for snaps?

#2. Trying the cameras.

Bring a memory card (if you have one) to a camera store to test cameras. It will let you record and take home test images to review later.

#3. How the camera feels in YOUR hands (IMPORTANT!).

There's a different camera for each one of us. How it feels physically is a key distinguishing feature. If the camera feels a little awkward or doesn't feel good at all, it really isn't going to persuade you to take more images.

Things to consider when you're handling a camera is the weight, size, grip, how easy is it to compose a picture on the screen or through the viewfinder, and build quality.

For this reason I'd recommend going to a camera store and play with the cameras before making a decision. You can always make a purchase online after careful consideration.

#4. Dispelling myths.

There are two long-standing myths out there - more megapixels doesn't mean a better camera, and a better camera doesn't mean better pictures. Confused? Here's why.

Digital cameras record images through a sensor. This sensor only has a finite amount of surface area. It is on this area that information from light is converted into pixels. So if you have a large number of pixels then they're more likely to be cramped on the sensor. In low light conditions the pixels will 'fight' one another for light and the result is a grainy image (digital noise). Then there are different sized sensors - in digital SLRs (DSLR) a common size is the APS-C sized sensor which is larger than a sensor in a compact camera. This means that each pixel on a DSLR sensor is bigger than in a compact for the same given number of megapixels. The underlying message is don't judge cameras by megapixels.

The second myth is a better camera doesn't mean better pictures - it's the photographer that chooses the subject for the photo and takes the picture. The camera merely facilitates. The camera is often only as good as the person behind it.



Now having said that - how can we actually compare cameras then? Well how they feel in our hands certainly will play an important part, but image quality is what we want and how we judge the ability of a camera by. Test shots taken from testing a camera in store is useful to help determine this, but reading reviews by trusted websites and magazines may also be of use. Having said this, do be aware of bias and amateur reviewers who don't necessarily know what they are talking about.

Choosing a camera isn't easy. It gets easier the more advanced a photographer you are when understanding builds up and you know what to demand from your equipment.

I personally use the Nikon DSLR range and their system of lenses and flashguns. That doesn't mean they are the best (in fact I dislike some of their products) - it just is the brand that provided the camera that felt right for me and gave exactly what I demanded and still demand. On occasions I use Canon and Olympus equipment to keep myself familiarised with what's on offer from the other manufacturers.

From a more advanced perspective, if you wish to take photography further then you should be considering the following:

- a DSLR (it will allow more room for future expansion than a superzoom or compact camera)
- good lenses that fit your purpose
- adding additional external flashguns
- accessories and peripherals (bags, straps, cleaning equipment)

But this doesn't rule out buying a compact or superzoom camera - remember that the camera is only as good as the person behind it.

All the best.