Purchasing a new camera can seem overwhelming. It’s not really that daunting, however, if you follow some simple common sense purchase rules. The best piece of advice anyone can give you is to research, research, and research some more. Learning about prospective cameras to purchase is by far the hardest part involved with purchasing one. The internet, however, makes searching for a prospective digital camera to purchase quite a bit easier than it was in times past. You can read online reviews about certain digital cameras. You can even join forums to discuss camera purchase items directly with people that know much more about the subject than you. Equipped with a decent amount of knowledge you should be perfectly able to make a great camera purchase decision when the time comes.
- Keep The Camera Body Price Low
In the day and age of digital camera technology, the real beef of photography equipment lies with the camera lens. It is always the best idea to spend a low amount on a digital camera body, as a lens can be quite expensive. You should also be sure to purchase a camera body that can fit numerous lens options. You don’t have to purchase all your lens at once, rather, you can do it over time as you become more accustomed to each lens type and range.
- Think Long and Hard About Your Long Term Use of The Camera
This might not always be easy to do, but it is a helpful technique for ensuring that you purchase the correct camera. Try to see yourself 10 years from now and try to envision how you would still be using your camera. Try to consider whether or not you might make changes in how you use a camera down the line. Knowing how you’ll be using a camera in 5-10 years could be an absolute lifesaver when it comes to making the right purchase decision.
- Hit The Bullseye With ISO
A major golden rule when selecting a prospective digital camera to purchase is to select a camera with a great ISO. The ISO is the ability of a digital camera to capture a variety of different light circumstances. With a high-quality ISO you can take photos at night, in bright sunlight, near reflective surfaces, and even in foggy or misty conditions. ISO is a core feature that you should never overlook.
- Megapixels Are Overrated
Don’t get too lost in focusing on megapixels alone. While it is great to have a super high-resolution camera, a high megapixel count doesn’t always translate to a better quality camera. ISO, lens quality, and many other components dictate the photographic quality and capabilities above and beyond a simplified megapixel count.
- Consider What Subjects You Plan to Photograph The Most
Before purchasing a digital camera you should carefully consider what subject you plan to photograph the most. If, for example, you plan to take culinary-based photos like Porfyri Food Photography, then you will obviously want to get a camera with great close up capabilities. If you plan to take mostly landscape photos, then obviously you will want to get a camera that is more geared towards distance and landscape photos. If you plan to shoot a variety of mixed photographic subjects, then there are also cameras that can do it all.
- Research The Importance of Sensor Size
This is an arena where size matters a lot. When it comes to sensor size, always be sure to research exactly what it means and how you will eventually use it. If you take mirror or close-up images then you are going to want a large camera sensor. If you choose a camera with an inadequate sensor size then you could be left badly disappointed with your overall camera choice. If you take a lot of long-range outdoor photos, however, then the sensor size will not be hugely important to you.
- Decide What Flash Options You Need
It is always great to have highly reviewed flash options on your camera, however, it is not an absolute necessity. Before purchasing a camera you should give a lot of thought to what sort of flash capabilities you truly need. Away from meticulously arranged studio lights, strong flash options can really be awesome to have. This is especially true if you like to take a lot of spontaneous photos in dim or compromised light settings.
- Heavily Research Camera Brands
Before making any final decision on a digital camera purchase, always be sure to thoroughly research the brand you hope to choose. Knowing exactly what to expect from the brand can tell you a lot. Some brands take better photos than others, it is just a simple fact. Other brands are far more durable and long-lasting than others. Some brands retain their value quite well. There are many brand-specific things to consider before making a final purchase. Always do your proper brand-based due diligence.
- Thoroughly Test The Camera in Person First
It is extremely foolish to purchase a camera without having ever held it first in person. Knowing exactly how the camera feels in your hand is extremely important. You will likely be using this camera for many years into the future. If it isn’t shaped or weighted to your liking then you will need to move on and find another camera to buy. There are many camera shops that will let you experiment with showroom cameras first before making a final purchase decision.
- Consider Photo vs Video Options
Most digital cameras these days can take still photos and videos as well. The downside is that some cameras take wonderful photos but don’t take particularly impressive videos. The opposite is true for other cameras. If both still photography and video options are a must for you then be sure to find a camera that delivers cutting edge output quality for both media types. It should be noted that you might need to spend a bit more for a camera that can do both regular photography and video photography really well.
