8 Factors to Consider to Buy a DSLR for you?

If you are thinking of buying a DLSR, one look at the range of models available on the market is enough to confuse the best of logical thinkers! Here are a few points to help you pick the right camera for you.

1. The Cost Factor – DSLRs are available in a huge range of prices, starting from a few hundred US dollars to a few thousand. Why not make a realistic budget? By doing so, you already narrow down your options a great deal. You could of course complicate things further by considering the second hand market. In any case, do keep in mind that your budget should include not just the camera body, but also the lenses of your choice, maybe an additional battery, memory cards, filters and a kit bag.

2. The Uses – Get a good idea of why you want a camera. While a DSLR is versatile enough to adapt itself to many different applications, you need to get the right additional gear to shoot the right subject. Make a list of the lenses you will need, keeping your requirement in mind. If you are buying a DSLR to primarily shoot interiors, you will want a range of wide angle lenses, for example.

3. The Physical Dimensions – Some DSLRs and small and light weight, while others are heavier with more durability and bigger batteries. If you are constantly traveling, you may want to get yourself a lighter model, especially if you do not plan on a dedicated camera bag.

4. Keep your Existing Gear in Mind – One of the best things about the SLR range is the compatibility it offers. If you have been a Nikon film SLR user up until now, and wish to get into digital – your old lenses will still fit into the modern DLSR NIkon camera bodies!

5. The Megapixel Factor – Although this is usually overrated, you do need to consider high MP if you plan to make enlargements out of most of your images.

6. Full Frame – A full frame sensor is the same size as the 35mm negative’s frame, meaning that lenses built for the 35mm frame would provide similar coverage. However, a smaller sensor could result in a crop factor or a tele effect unless you use digital format lenses built specifically for the camera body that you own. This is a crucial factor if you already own a few lenses from your film days.

7. Staying Updated with Technological Advances – Ask yourself if you can afford to upgrade your equipment when a better model is released. If you do not plan to make money out of photography, do consider all brands of camera makers and not just the top of the line. Top brands are usually more of a question of the professional image. Most known camera makers do make decent cameras!

8. Extra Features – DSLRs today are trying their best to outperform each other much to the delight of the user. Modern DSLRs are capable of shooting HD video! Look out for extras such as this, even if you are not really too keen on the extra features. Why not get as much for your money as possible?