What Kind Of Camera Should I Buy And Which Features Should I Look For?

By Juan Colmervis


These days there are already different kinds of cameras you can choose from ranging from point-and-shoots, super zooms and DSLRs. To add to the confusion there are several brands competing for your patronage, for example, Canon, Sony, and Nikon cameras. However, for most photo enthusiasts, Nikon cameras are perceived as the most reliable as well as offer the best bang for one's buck.

Point-and-shoots are the most portable of the three. They have non-detachable lenses, but are very intuitive even children can use them. In fact, even those uninitiated to digital photography can learn how to use them in no time. Their operation is pretty straightforward, and as their name suggests, you simply have to point at the subject, and shoot. One downside to them though is that you typically don't have as much control over things like exposure and aperture. Still, they do come with plenty of preset picture modes which you can change according to the kind of subjects you are taking a picture of.All in all, they are great for beginners.

DSLRs, like Nikon D3x, are the biggest of the three. With size comes great power, and they are packed with features, have multiple controls, interchangeable lenses, and give the best image quality. Naturally, with so many bells and whistles, they are the most expensive and would take the most time to master. The uninitiated will have a hard time learning how to use DSLRs such as Nikon D3x, and are thus better for more experienced photographers.

Super zooms bridge the gap between compacts and digital SLR cameras with regards to cost and weight. That is, their price is more towards that of the point-and-shoot variety, but they have the functionality and versatility that would rival that of entry-level digital SLR. A super zoom's lens is non-detachable, but because of its adjustable zoom range, is extremely adaptable. These cameras have very long zoom ranges, from 15x to 35x, with photo quality rivaling that of entry level SLRs.

Cameras differ significantly in terms of their features and capabilities. Some may be essential to you while others are designed for more specialized use. Knowing what you need and what features you're comfortable paying extra for will help you narrow your choices. Still there are features that all cameras should have, and image stabilization (IS) is an example of such. The image stabilizer in your camera will compensate for shaking movement during hand-held picture taking. Another thing to check is the LCD screen. Camera enthusiasts suggest getting those with swiveling displays so you can take hard-to-reach shots easier. One often overlooked aspect is the camera's storage and battery life. The last thing you would want while taking pictures of breathtaking view is suddenly getting a "battery empty" or "not enough space" warning.




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