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Buyers Guide - DSLR

DSLR Buyer Guide | ShopClues.com

DSLR Buyer Guide

Do you have a passion for photography? Arm yourself with a DSLR and get the shots you've always wanted to capture.

This guide will inform you about:

  • The different DSLR mega pixel ranges and which best suits your needs
  • The different display sizes and how they help you view images
  • Choosing between a camera-only and a camera kit
  • The different sensor sizes for different photography requirements
  • The various sensor types used in DSLR cameras and how they differ
  • Shutter speed and the different values needed for different types of photography
  • Choosing a camera with the right aperture size for your needs
  • ISO and how it helps you photograph in different light conditions
  • Important DSLR features to keep in mind when buying a DSLR

DSLR Camera

DSLR Mega Pixel Range



DSLR Mega Pixel Range
Select DSLR By Mega Pixel
11 – 15.9 MP 16 – 20.9 MP 21 MP and above

Different DSLR Display Sizes




DSLR Display Sizes
Select DSLR By Display Sizes
2 – 2.9 inch 3 – 3.9 inch 4 inch and above

Important Features of DSLRs

DSLRs come loaded with features, some of which you may or may not need. Here's a look at the more prominent ones:


Viewfinder

Viewfinder


  • You want to make sure all viewfinders are bright and clear.
  • You can choose a camera with an optical viewfinder, an electronic viewfinder, and an LCD screen.
  • Optical and electronic viewfinders are both eye-level viewfinders, whereas an LCD screen displays the image on a screen, making it easier to take overhead shots.
Flash

Flash


  • While an inbuilt flash is convenient, a hot shoe mount (external flash) delivers higher quality flash photographs.
  • You can find DSLRs that have both too.

Video Recording

Video recording


  • DSLRs with video recording capability are ideal if you want to take photos and record video using a single device.
  • Full HD capability produces rich and detailed video recording.
  • Video files are very large so storage space must be factored in.

HDR

HDR

With HDR enabled, you can get the best images your camera can take in a given environment by combining overexposed, underexposed and balanced photographs.



Digital Stabilisation

Digital stabilisation

With digital stabilisation, images can be altered once captured.



Optical Stabilisation

Optical stabilisation

Eliminate shaky shots with optical stabilisation.



Burst Mode

Burst mode

Burst mode or continuous shooting mode is a nifty feature as it lets you take multiple images rapidly.


Face Detection

Face detection

Face detection is another handy feature as it locates faces in an image and fine-tunes them.



Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi

If you want to upload images and video directly to social media, Wi-Fi connectivity can help.


Storage

Storage

When selecting a camera, make sure you buy several storage cards. They should be compatible with your camera.


Other Features of DSLRs



Shutter Speed

Shutter Speed


  • A faster shutter speed such as 1/2000s can help you capture movements so they appear frozen in time.
  • If you plan to do sports photography, you should look for a DSLR that has a shutter speed of 1/1000s-1/4000s.
  • With a slow shutter speed such as 1/4s, you can capture moving images with a blurred effect. Ideal shutter speeds for such photography are 1/4s-1/8s.
  • For panning photography, choose a camera with a shutter speed of between 1/50s (for shooting runners) and 1/500s (for shooting cars).
  • DSLRs with high shutter speeds such as 1/8000s-a/16000s cost more as they can freeze very fast movements.
Aperture of Camera

Aperture


  • Standard aperture values are f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22. Since the smaller the f-stop, the more light that enters the lens, choosing a DSLR that has the aperture range you need is important.
  • For low light photography and for capturing faster images in low light, choose a camera with a large aperture of a maximum of f/2.8 or higher like f/1.2 or f/1.4.
ISO

ISO


  • Opt for a DSLR with a wide ISO range to allow you to work in different light conditions.
  • Typical ISO values can range from 100 to 3200, which is sufficient for everyday photography. However, professional photographers may require very high ISO ranges that can go up to 51,200.

Sensor Size



APS-C Vs. Full-frame Formats Capacity


Full Frame or APS-C Formats Capacity
  • APS-C:
    i) You spend less with an APS-C camera. Price aside, shooting with a macro lens can be easier since it fills the frame with a subject from farther away.
    ii) Shooting distant objects is simple since you can focus on the centre of a scene more easily.
  • Full-frame:
    i) Since full-frame DSLRs capture more of a scene, they're ideal for wide angle photography.
    ii) If shooting sweeping landscapes is what you plan to do, consider a camera armed with a full-frame sensor.
    ii) It allows you to move closer to your subject, which in turn reduces depth of field to blur distracting backgrounds.

Sensor Type



CMOS Vs. BMI CMOS

  • CMOS:
    i) DSLRs with CMOS sensors are typically less expensive.
    ii) They use less battery power.
    iii) They produce high quality images.
  • BMI CMOS:
    i) Compared to CMOS DSLRs, BMI CMOS cameras output images with lesser noise.
    ii) BMI CMOS capture more light and are hence, ideal for low light photography.
    ii) They're more expensive than CMOS cameras.

Choosing Only Cameras or Camera Kits



Camera-only

Camera-only


  • Camera-only DSLRs give you the freedom to choose your own lenses. They're also naturally cheaper.
  • You need to make sure that the lenses you purchase are compatible with the DSLR you plan to buy.
Camera Kit

Camera Kit


  • A camera kit includes the camera and a lens or two. This saves you from having to pick and choose compatible lenses.
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