How To Choose A Camera

Hello Beautiful People!!!

I can’t believe January is already done! Boy, did it go by fast!!! I meant to start updating the blog earlier in the month, but I had to fall back for a while because of personal stuff, work stuff (from the other life) and prepping for a concept shoot that I was submitting for a competition (more on that another time).

Since it’s still relatively early in the year, people naturally have resolutions or want to make intentional changes to their lives, which often includes picking up a new skill. For the soon-to-be shutterbugs in my life, that means that I’m their de facto camera consultant.

As a rule, I don’t have a go-to camera that I recommend for people because there simply is no perfect camera. They all have trade-offs. Hence, the best camera is the one you have available (which for most people is likely their smartphone). However, I do have a general rubric to help people decide what camera is best suited for them. It goes something like this:

Step 1: What’s Your Budget?

By and large, this tends to be the biggest rate limiting step. Most newly-bitten shutterbugs are surprised to learn that cameras, lenses, other gear can get pretty pricey pretty fast. It’s best to go into your camera buying decisions with a clear sense of how much you want to spend and how much you want to spend. Many entry-level DSLR cameras (e.g. Micro 4/3rds and APSCs) come with at least one lens, but for higher end cameras (e.g. Full Frame and Medium Format), the bodies and the lenses are typically sold separately. Lower tier cameras typically start at a few hundred dollars (generally between $300 and $800) but higher cameras can start at $1200 or more for just the body (and that might be for a used body)!

Speaking of which, you consider whether or not your camera needs to be brand-spankin’ new. You can find great deals on used gear in good or even mint condition through sites like KEH* or one of their competitors. If money is no object, then you can theoretically get whatever camera you want and damn the consequences, but you’re probably still gonna be better off having an idea of what you want to do with the camera before buying it.

Step 2: What Do You Need A Camera For?

Are you looking to pick up photography as a new hobby? Do you want to document precious family moments, adventures, etc? Do you want to start a vlog? Or do you want build a career making and taking images for a living? All of these things make a huge difference in deciding which camera is right for you.

For example, if you plan to start a vlog or take a bunch of selfies with your loved ones, then one of the important features your camera needs is a fully articulated screen or a screen that tilts a 180 deThis a screen that flips completely out to the side, up above, or down below your camera so that you can see yourself in real time. Many entry-level and mid-tier cameras have this capability but that feature is harder to find on higher end cameras.

Step 3: How Often Do You Plan to Shoot?

Even if you’re picking up photography as hobby, this is worth considering. There are serious hobbyists who shoot relentlessly and have the skills and expertise to justify having a top of the line camera. But if you’re only planning to shoot few times a year, then it doesn’t make sense to get a camera with a lot of bells and whistles that you won’t understand and don’t need. However, if you plan to become a serious hobbyist or even a professional, then it’s probably better to get a higher end camera that you can use for many years as you grow in your craft.

Step 4: What Other Limitations Do You Have?

Lugging around cameras and lenses all day can get pretty tedious. If you have chronic back or joint pain, that can exacerbate the problem. Alternatively, you might be the type that likes to travel and wander through dangerous places. Having a big bulky camera in those situations could be like putting up a “Please Rob Me” signal. In both of these situations, having a camera with a smaller profile, like a Micro 4/3rd or even a smaller point-and-shoot camera could be beneficial.

Personality quirks are worth considering as well. Are the kind of person, who just wants to take the shot and and keep moving? Or would rather meticulously craft every detail of the frame, picking the exact lens, compositional elements, depth of field, etc? If you’re more the former, it’s may be better to keep your options more limited. In that scenario, it may be more beneficial to buy a single lens (if your camera allows you to change lenses) or get a camera that has a fixed lens system.

In the end, there’s no perfect camera; there’s just one that’s right for you and where you are in your photographic journey.

*(I’m not sponsored by KEH, but I like them a lot and I’ve never been disappointed using their site.)