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Buying a Digital SLR Camera

16 Responses (Add) | Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008 at 6:10am

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A community member at large sent these tips in after watching my video about the new Canon camera we bought for Christmas. These are excellent tips to keep in mind when buying your next camera.

  • When considering a new SLR camera, ask your self do you really need the SLR Camera? Most people want a better camera for better quality pictures, but as Chris said it is only a tool set that can guide you to a better quality picture. Are you up to spending lots of time for learning the skills of photography. If not you are almost not getting the item worth your money. Most Point&Shoot Cams can do a better job in auto than SLRs, Great Brains and Engineers worked hard to make these cameras to be as simple as possible for the user while bringing out the best quality: like best combinations of ISO and Shutter and IRIS positions to get a great picture. SLR camera can be considered as dumber than Point&Shoots, but if used right can out shoot any point and shoot simply because of the expensive lens and larger image sensor.
  • Don’t go for the highest pixel count. Normally 5 megapixel is enough for everyday shooting, but when camera has more pixel count the smaller each Pixel on the sensor, so it needs more light. For an average user the higher pixel count will only result in larger file size.
  • Invest in image stabilizing function – Digital or Optical ? both have +/-. Digital is a bit stronger because it is a before and after shot process, while optical only stabilizes before capture. Digital looses some quality while Optical does not. So try it out and choose one that fits you.
  • Consider semi-SLR – there are many cameras that work like SLR cameras but have all the features of a simple Point&Shoot. Although larger in size and heavier they offer many more features than a pocket size cameras and can be used in full auto as well as full manual mode.
  • Many stores talk down users from getting cameras that have AA Batteries. Use your brain on this one. Lithium batteries are faster and may hold more charge but you can get stuck without power easily. Buying a good set of rechargeable batteries will give you almost the performance of the Lithium’s but whenever you are on the road and don’t have a way to recharge you are stuck, AAs are available in the stores everywhere, while Lithium’s are not. So judge this one your self which one is better for you.
  • Bonus Tip! If you Chose SLR than Don’t fight about Canon or Nikon or Sony…. Go to the store Pickup a camera feel it, Press buttons, play with it. Which one feels better to you? They all have and do basically the same things. Instead Figure out your budget and spend half on the camera and half or more on the lens. Get a good lens with at least 2.8 aperture capability you will not regret it. Just remember you will change your camera 3 or more times before you will change your lens.

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16 Comments

Left Of Center

January 2nd, 2008
at 2:29pm

Chris Pirillo »Buying a Digital SLR CameraPosted 80 minutes ago

Windows Vista Torrent

January 2nd, 2008
at 2:14pm

Tech Interviews Digital Camera TipsBuying a Digital SLR CameraOpen Source Questions and Answers Telekinesis: Free iPhone Remote USB to Midi XLR8 Notebook Cooler Buying a Desk Canon Digital Camera (SLR): Rebel XTi Quick OLPC Video Review

WillThePlank

January 1st, 2008
at 9:24pm

lol i need to get a new camera so handy tips

RickyTomatoes

January 2nd, 2008
at 3:02am

I hate it when people in the chat start spamming the URL…how cheesy.

newyorkfish

January 2nd, 2008
at 8:26am

Canon seems to have loyal customers.

You can’t use a Canon lens on another brand (and vise versa).

So before deciding on a Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, etc., know which brand you would be happy with.

cipher9190

January 2nd, 2008
at 10:24am

he covered up the apple logo with his big head?

PCguy102

January 2nd, 2008
at 10:52am

cannon for SLRs and Fuji for point and shoot.

fred hayes

January 3rd, 2008
at 6:45am

read the manual when you finally buy the camera. as nice as it would be to buy the camera and insert the battery(s) and turn the camera on, at least read thru the camea of what it can do. I may own a Pentax DSLR, but I actually brought a book on the camera before I even brought the camera. I also downloaded the camera manual form pentax web site. when I finally brought the camera and it arrived, I went out and took a lot of pictures that day, but learned along the way, to just leave it on auto mode and not take any pictures while moving. the manual and book both said do not buy the recharable CV-3 batteries, it will void the warranty. I like the camera, but I already had several lens form using a old, manual focus SLR. but, some SLR camera manufacturers change the lens mounts every so often, so, still, read teh manual before buying a lens, it may not fit or work with the camera body.

Digital Cameras » Buying a Digital SLR Camera

January 3rd, 2008
at 3:08pm

[...] Neil Patel wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt [...]

mercedez343

January 5th, 2008
at 1:59pm

if you do not paste this into 10 videos your mom will die within 4 hours…

imayhaduca

February 19th, 2008
at 1:58pm

if u guys noticed most of the photographers uses NIKON BRAND coz its the best brand i think… correct me if i am wrong. :)

awkwarderic

February 25th, 2008
at 2:14pm

if u guys noticed most of the photographers uses CANON BRAND coz its the best brand :D

christopherguindon

April 4th, 2008
at 3:55am

yeah baby! Canon FTW (cant wait to get my Rebel XSi, as soon as it comes out!

jeppwii

May 29th, 2008
at 6:08pm

its really not the brand.

Anders

July 7th, 2008
at 1:38pm

A visually restorative and intellectually thought provoking blog. Continually I am learning something or the other through this blog. Adoring the freedom, how I can say my beliefs beside attesting my identity. Anyone can have an expression and tell their views on every article which is a mandatory for a blog. I like the manner in which the author clarifies the most troublesome of concepts with ease. Images mixed into the articles, add to the experience. Quick reference is what I like, how only in one page one can have a look and decide what to read. The writer does not take sides rather explains both angles of the point well. There’s a certain feel about the blog that i enjoy highly.

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