What is the most important thing to look at when buying an SLR digital camera?
I want to buy an SLR digital camera. I want one that is best for its price, but unfortunately i have limited money to spend considering i only have a part time job at a book store..SO what is the most important quality or thing should I be looking at? The most money i am willing to spend is 500-600 dollars… can you recommend a good camera for that price range? anything better that is cheaper?
thanks!!!
Related posts:
The few things you should consider before buying are:
- AutoFocus / manual focus
- View Finder
- Flash
- Lens type ((Interchangeable lenses / fixed)
Canon Digital Rebel XSI 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens -$599.95
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012Y6HC8?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwbestdisc08-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0012Y6HC8
Olympus Evolt E520 10MP Digital SLR Camera with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 ED Zuiko Lenses – $492.11
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001Q3M4IQ?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwbestdisc08-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001Q3M4IQ
These are some of the cameras with in your range.
For UK visitors you can find wide range of slr cameras at :
http://www.best-discount-deals.co.uk/1_6_compare-prices_slr-digital-cameras_0_1.aspx?gridorlist=1&pageno=1
Try here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830120262&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-DSLR-_-Canon+USA-_-30120262
Hope this helps!
Hey,
Most important things?
How does the camera feel in your hands, is it too big, too small or perfect. What’s the brand, megapixels, features, stuff you need and stuff you don’t need, video, live view etc.
I have an article on my blog about ‘Which DSLR to buy’, what’s important, what’s not and what you really need. You can read it here – http://the-digital-photographer.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-dslr-should-i-buy.html
I also posted a few cameras I recommend, if you scroll to the bottom. You can get good DSLRs for 500-600$.
Well that ends yup with a budget DSLR trust me they perform way beyond most compacts.
You can get kits, with one or two lenses in what the send lens is the longer focal length zoom. Kit lenses are fine as starters but don’t expect wonders :)
Now I would say go to the shops and keep an eye on the following points. Auto focussing, does the body has a Focus engine or does your lens requires to have it. If the lens requires to have it then the lens gets more expensive.
Anti shake technology is another thing that some put in their bodies others put in the lenses. And trust me it is nice to have it again anti shake technology makes lenses more expensive
Now you can’t buy a bad DSLR these day all are good some are better then others.
Ergonomy matters to some cameras are on the big side. DSLR’s are more heavy then compacts but some really ARE more heavy. Professional models can both be big and heavy while many budget lines are well a bit lighter and easier to Cary around.
So whatever you do whatever brand you plan to buy hold the camera in the shop. See if your fingers can easily use the buttons see if the grip is big enough for your hand to hold grip to the camera. Understand a camera might feel a bit heavy but once you begin to buy good lenses oh boy The lenses can be quite a weight.
So it isn’t weird to wear two pounds of camera material around your neck. Not at all!
Well things you should not keep an eye on:
Megapixels – This is overrated even the budget 10Megapixel Models give great quality already.
Full frame versus APS-C/fourth third – You have a budget so you can’t buy the best
I’m not sure there is one important quality you should be looking for, but I can tell you which one not to be distracted by: megapixels. Megapixels don’t matter. (well, at least not as long as you get 6 or more, and as long as you’re not shooting fashion models for billboards.)
having eliminated that, focus on ergonomics. How it feels in your hands and whether you can reach and find all the controls. Then, look at speed. How long does it actualy take to take each picture, and how long between pictures? How fast can it focus? Don’t count focus points, I’ve always felt that more of those just complicate things and ruin my pictures.
Go to a camera store. Not a Best Buy, where the sales people think megapixels matter and the cameras are all but bolted to the counter, but a store run by an amateur photographer who will let you handle and shoot each camera.
Personally, I would recommend a Nikon D40 or D60 or a Canon Rebel. The Nikon D3000 is not a terrible choice either but the D60 takes better pictures for less money if you can find one.
I’m with James.
All DSLRs are essentially the same. They are all digital sensors and the controls to affect the light hitting that sensor. As you go up in price point the biggest difference is in the build quality of the camera. More expensive models will also have better low-light performance, perhaps better autofocus, and maybe faster burst speed.
The bottom line is, you can pretty much take the same pictures with a $500 DSLR as you can with a $3000 DSLR. The difference is in how easy it is to do that. Pick a camera that fits your budget and feels good in your hands. Get the 18-55mm kit lens. You should be happy with that.