Photography Tip #1: What Kind of Camera Should I Buy?

I decided to start off my post with a question of cameras, because this seems to be one of the most prevalent question among anyone who is interested in getting into photography. Unfortunately, there is no real right or wrong answer on this one. Cameras come in many sizes with varying abilities and features. Because people also vary in their abilities, features, etc. the best way to answer this question is to buy the camera that is right for you.

Its very hard to know what camera is right for you at first. The more people learn about photography, the more they can figure out the kinds of photos that they take and the kinds of situations where they take those photos. Once you begin to figure that much out, you will begin to see the limitations of your current camera (if you have one) and move on from there.

That being said, there are two basic types of cameras out there for most people: The point-and-shoot camera and the DSLR. Let's take a look at the differences.

Point-and-Shoot Cameras

Pros: Small, lightweight, less expensive, live-view, many varieties and styles, integrated movie and stop-motion options, purchase almost anywhere.

Cons: less rugged, fewer manual controls, poor low-light performance, no interchangeable lenses.

Many people ususally get into photography with a point-and-shoot camera. These cameras have come a long way in their ability to deliver great features and flexibility for the average person. Their small form factor make them easy to carry around, and they typically include a range of shooting modes which can help the novice shoot in any condition with varying results. Even a number of advanced amateurs carry one around for its portability. In my own experience, point-and-shoot cameras are wonderful for about 80-90 percent of shooting situations provided that you have enough available light. It is when you bring this kind of camera into low-light situations where one can have problems. Many of our family snapshots are taken indoors in poor incandescent lighting, which gives us noisy and yellowish images. If you allow the camera to use its flash, you end up with everyone looking like a ghost, or horrible red-eye. Many of these problems can be corrected with a little bit of knowledge, and we will discuss this in later posts, but even then your mileage may vary.

All of this info is not meant to scare anyone into purchasing a point-and-shoot camera. Their flexibility and wide range of features make them a great option for many. In many cases, a point-and-shoot camera can be all of the camera you may ever need. There are many brands available, from Canon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic and others. And jumping between brands is not quite the penalty that it can be if doing the same with DSLR's.

In conclusion, if you typically find yourself shooting the casual snapshots of family outings or other events and require features such as movie mode, stop-motion features, and live-view. And require a small form-factor, then I'd consider a point-and-shoot camera. There are many options within this category that will meet and probably exceed your expectations.

The next post will continue with a look into the DSLR option of cameras. If you have any questions related to photography or what I have just written, please feel free to post them in the comments, and I will do my best to answer them in future posts.