Follow this simple flow diagram to discover the perfect
camera for you, your shooting style and your budget.
Choosing your camera can be a very difficult process,
whether it is your first step into photography, replacing an old camera or
stepping up to one with more functionality. There are countless different
factors to consider and a huge variation in the type and style of cameras that
are currently available. Manufacturers are constantly adding new features, and
with technology moving at such a fast rate, purchasing a camera to suit all of
your photographic needs and more is very important.
With this in mind, we have developed a simple diagram that
should be able to guide you through the very basic questions you’ll be asking
when purchasing a camera. Follow the questions and answers across the page to
find out which type of camera suits you best, along with a few handy buying
tips.
If your ideal camera is a DSLR
Advanced digital cameras with interchangeable lenses
Nikon D3100 -
$650/14.2MP
The Nikon D3100 is a starter-level DSLR. It has a Guide mode
that will show you how to take control for each shot. There is also a
14.2-megapixel sensor, a large high-resolution LCD screen and full 1080p HD
video.
The top three features to look out for in a DSLR camera
- High megapixels: with large-enough sensors to handle them,
more megapixels can be a good feature to have.
- High-res screen: high-resolution LCD screens are a common
feature, and are ideal for reviewing your shots.
- Live view: it’s helpful to have a DSLR with Live View for
composing from difficult angles.
‘Interchangeable lenses allow DSLRs to be versatile and
ideal for any situation.’
DSLRs, or Digital Single-Lens Reflex Cameras, are very
popular with both beginners and professionals. Coupling full manual controls
with a selection of automatic modes, they are great for capturing any subject.
The larger sensors found within DSLRs give superior quality
in most situations, such as shooting in low light and when recording HD video.
DSLR cameras are bulkier than other cameras, but with good
ergonomics that make them easy to use, especially with lenses and accessories.
Interchangeable lenses allow DSLRs to be very versatile,
ideal for any situation, and different accessories allow DSLR users to shoot
anything and anywhere.
Although DSLR cameras are relatively expensive, they often
come with advanced technology that isn’t found in other cameras, and can
usually pave the way for features that will soon be found in more beginner-friendly
cameras.
Pros
Advanced manual and automatic modes allow for great shots
Image quality is great, with good optics and a superior
sensor
Lots of accessories are available for DSLRs to improve your
shots
Cons
The manual controls can sometime prove difficult to use
DSLR cameras are expensive compared to other camera types
Extra lenses and additional accessories are needed
If your ideal camera is a compact system camera
Advanced functionality and interchangeable lenses in a
compact package
Sony NEX C3 -
$600/16MP
The C3 is the smallest in the Sony NEX range, offering
DSLR-quality images with a 16.2 megapixel APS-C sized sensor, along with
HD-video recording and a selection of built-in creative photo effects.
The top three features to look out for in compact system
camera
- Manual control: most CSCs come with full manual control,
allowing you to take charge of how your shots look.
- Constant live view: see the real-time changes to your
image as you tweak the settings on your camera.
- Extra accessories: check out the accessories that are
available for each CSC model to improve your shots.
Compact system cameras (CSCs) are a relatively new
development, with most manufacturers now offering something in the CSC range.
The most notable feature of CSCs is that they are designed
to act like DSLRs with each lens being removable, and a range of different
lenses can be mounted on the front. This is beneficial for getting the best
image quality at different focal lengths, as well as helping to keep the size
of the entire camera to a minimum.
CSCs attempt to take the best parts of all different types
of camera and offer a complete package for both beginner and advanced
photographers. They have most automatic features available as well as having
full manual control and a host of new technology included in the compact
design. This makes CSCs great for the beginner looking for better image
quality, as well as advanced users looking for a more portable camera model.
Pros
CSC cameras are small, making them great for shooters on the
go
The advanced features allow for excellent images in any
situation
CSCs have lots of automatic features, perfect for the
beginner
Cons
CSCs can be expensive then compared to other cameras
These small cameras can be tricky to handle with large lenses
As a relatively new concept, there are limited CSC
accessories
