Some useful buying tips!
In this century, when everything is going digital, and photography is climbing new peaks every day, if you are crazy about catching every moment of your life with a DSLR Camera, well there’s nothing wrong with that either. The reason may be anything, you have got bored with your old “point and shoot”, or just an idea of surprising your loved ones on their upcoming birthday or may be some other reason that has prompted to shop for your first DSLR Camera.
Before you involve yourself deeper in that same old age dilemma; to go for canon or Nikon; which usually haunts most DSLR buyers, I will recommend you to pay a visit to the nearest bricks and mortar store, take it in your hands, and see how it feels. Hold all of them one by one, Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus or Pentax. Doing this will give you a bit of a feel for each DSLR.
Some things to look for when buying your first DSLR
Feel factor
Megapixles can be a matter of great discussion. But when you don’t feel good while holding your DSLR in your hands then what use is it to you; you may not even like to carry it around if it is too big. Some online reviews may have named it as the ‘wonder camera’ just because of its features, something that you simply can’t afford to miss according to them!
But if you don’t use it then it’s a criminal waste of money. What you should look for is something that you’re comfortable with, forget the reviews and the hearsay, every DSLR you buy these days is a great camera, it will do everything and more than you need, especially if it your first DSLR.
User Interface
Second aspect you need to think about is the navigation part of your DSLR menus. Different brands/models have different ways of accessing the features. Navigation may be fairly easy or it can be a puzzling and frustrating experience. Nikon’s menu, I am quite used to it and I feel comfortable with, on the other hand I find Sony’s to be a lot more confusing and a steeper learning curve. Usually the higher spec DSLR’s will have more of the features accessible with buttons and dials, as entry level DSLR’s make it a little more difficult to access some of the more common needed features such as changing ISO or White Balance.
Price
Of course, you need to look for a DSLR in your price range, there are many options that range from hundreds of dollars to thousands. Don’t be fooled into buying the latest or most expensive. For your first DSLR I would suggest looking at buying a kit, most manufacturers have a kit that will include the camera body and a couple of lenses too.
Conclusion
The best tip I can give you, buy the same brand as your friend or family already own. They will become your lifeline as you’re on your learning curve, if you have someone close to you that already owns a Nikon, then they will more than likely know their way around the menus etc and will be able to help you… PLUS… if you ask really nicely, they might lend you their lenses and accessories to try.