Renowned photographer Ansel Adams once said, “There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs”. But you do need a camera to capture a photograph.
If you are taking your first steps into the world of photography, selecting your starter camera can be a confusing matter. Given that the photographic gear market is flooded with innumerable choices, how do you decide which will be the best starter camera for you? Let us take a look at some of the factors that you need to keep in mind when selecting and buying your starter camera.
Budget
More often than not, budget plays a big role in a consumer’s buying decision. Before you begin hunting for the best starter camera, be aware of how much you are ready to shell out. Your budget window will narrow down your choices and allow you to select without getting overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available in the market. While setting your budget, take into consideration the accessories you may want or need along with your camera.
Types of camera
One of the first things to decide is the type of camera you want. Cameras come in various types. Among the popular types are the DSLRs, compact digital cameras, and mirrorless cameras.
DSLRs (digital single lens reflex) come with fancy looks, great lenses, and a ton of user control options. What makes DSLRs so popular is their exceptional image quality. Compact digital cameras, also known as point-and-shoot cameras, are handy, durable, and light weight. They have inbuilt and non-interchangeable lenses and are convenient for use. When you want a merger of compactness and interchangeable lenses, mirrorless cameras fit the bill. They can capture impressive high-resolution images.
Sensor
Whether you are aware of the technical aspects of a camera or not, the sensor is one thing that you must pay attention to. Sensors come in varied resolutions (megapixels), sizes, and sensitivity to light. The sensor size impacts your image quality and lens functioning. Big sensors have better resolutions and higher sensitivity to light. All these help in producing more detailed images. The biggest sensors are the full frame ones and they are available in the size of a 35mm film. But most cameras use a smaller sensor version that is known as call cropped frame.
Lens
The camera lens is something that you cannot ignore while buying a camera. If you opt for a point-and-shoot camera that comes with an attached lens, take a look at its zoom range. Note that zoom is of two types: digital and optical. Optical zoom defines the capability of the lens. With DSLRs that allow you to use an assortment of lenses, your options are huge. So, decide wisely before making your pick.
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