Jacobs Digital

09 480 5903

www.jacobsdigital.co.nz

9 Mokoia Road

Birkenhead, Auckland 0626

OPEN: 9am to 5pm

Monday to Saturday

Camera buying guide

Introduction

There is no single best camera. There is -however- the best camera for you. The main factors you'll want to consider are

  • What you're photographing
  • Your skill level and ease of use
  • If you want to capture video
  • Weight, portability and durability
  • Desired image quality
  • Budget

In this guide we will cover the factors which are most likely going to influence your decision: how much you're happy to pay for it and what you'll be willing to carry around. Yes, that top-of-the-range Fujifilm X-Pro 2 camera might look perfect, but if you can't afford it, you need to consider which specifications you are willing to sacrifice to come in on budget.

Compact Cameras

Great value entry-level cameras, these pocket-sized models are ideal for snapping away on holiday and at family events.

Pros:

  • Good value
  • Ideal for personal use
  • Easy to use
  • Good quality for printing and web viewing
  • Lightweight

Things to consider:

  • Usually no viewfinder – you rely on the LCD screen
  • Small buttons
  • Slower frame rates – less able to take action shots
  • Shooting modes are restricted – less flexibility

Bridge Cameras

Bridge cameras offer greater picture quality and functionality than compact cameras but are less customisable and lack features of more advanced cameras.

Pros:

  • Combines the power of a DSLR and the ease of use of a compact
  • Higher megapixel counts and a greater zoom than compact cameras
  • Great for amateurs looking to move up
  • More manual controls
  • Many have built in viewfinders

Things to consider:

  • Unlike a DSLR the lens is fixed to the body
  • Heavier and bulkier than a compact

DSLR Cameras

Powerful and modular, professional quality an a price to match.

Pros:

  • Great for professional, semi-professional and people who enjoy photography
  • Much greater image quality th
  • High megapixel counts
  • Interchangeable lenses, filters and flashes
  • Easy to edit on computers once shot

Things to consider:

While most DSLRs will have an 'Auto' mode like that of compacts or bridge cameras, getting the most out of it will require time invested in learning the camera and general photographic practices. They're also cumbersome, especially with a large lens.

Mirrorless Cameras

Mirrorless cameras offer many of the advantages of a DSLR in a smaller package.

Pros:

  • Smaller and lighter than DSLRs
  • Better shooting speed than most DSLRs
  • Detailed, clear photos
  • Interchangeable lenses, filters and flashes
  • Easy to edit, as it shoots in raw just like DSLRS.

Things to consider:

  • Poorer battery life than DSLRs
  • No optical viewfinder
  • Slower autofocus than DSLRs
  • Can also be quite expensive
  • Limited range of lenses relative to DSLRs

Other factors to consider

Resolution

The bigger the resolution the more storage space you'll need, but keep in mind that resolution is not an indicator of image quality.

 

Memory cards

The main form of storage for your images at present. SDHC and SDXC cards are high-capacity SD cards, and most cameras that can handle them can also use SD cards. This may not be the case in reverse as some older cameras will not recognise SDHC or SDXC cards. These cards are not normally included with the camera anymore.

 

Batteries

Generally digital cameras are power hungry and, as a general rule, rechargeable batteries are a good idea. There are some situations (such as travelling) where being able to use normal alkaline batteries is a real advantage. Fortunately some can, but many can't, so having a spare rechargeable is pretty important.

 

Video output

Many cameras come with some kind of video output that allows them to be plugged directly into a TV or computer monitor. This is a handy way to show your pictures to a group and makes your digital camera a highly portable display device as well as a camera. A modern camera that supports video output would typically have mini or micro HDMI port.

 

Viewfinder

Most compact digital cameras don't have a viewfinder these days. Those that do, usually have an electronic viewfinder. Sometimes, these can cause slow responses and colour shifts in low light conditions. For cameras that don't have a viewfinder at all, you have to use the monitor on the back to frame your shot. This can cause problems seeing what you're taking in bright sunlight, though.

 

Manual selection of aperture and shutter speed

Aperture controls the depth of field in your picture, allowing you to determine which parts of the image are in or out of focus. The shutter speed determines for how long the sensor is exposed to light. For example a higher shutter speed can be used to photograph fast moving subjects without blur, a lower shutter speed can be used for a brighter image on still subjects.

 

Manual focusing

Manual focus is useful for situations where the automatic focus is too shallow or deep. Low light and subjects behind glass or with little contrast can be tricky for some systems. Continuous manual focus is more useful than systems that only offer a number of pre-set distances as it allows for more precise control.

 

Shutter delay

Is how long it takes from when the shutter button is pressed until the shutter opens to take the picture. Some cameras can be pretty slow without pre-focus engaged, taking one second or more to respond - too slow to catch spontaneous photos. Only cameras consistently at or under a third of a second should be considered for sports and other fast action.

 

White balance

Light comes in many colours - fluorescent is usually greenish, tungsten (like a normal household bulb) is red/orange and daylight blue to red depending on the time of day. Automatic white balance should make sure whites always appear white regardless of the lighting conditions, however it may sometimes be desirable to capture a warmer or cooler image.

 

Image stabilisation

With longer lenses it can be difficult to hold the camera still, which can lead to slightly blurry pictures. Image stabilisation can help by adjusting internally for the camera movement. The best system is often referred to as 'optical anti-shake', where the lens elements move. Some cameras now have very effective mechanical system where the camera's sensor moves. Electronic systems tend to just increase the sensitivity of the sensor, open the aperture as wide as possible and use the fastest shutter speed possible. The result is often noisy as well as blurry pictures.



Accessories

If you're taking pictures in a low light situation or with a long lens you'd be best off using a tripod. There is no real replacement for using a tripod and it's normally the first accessory people buy.

Still need more help?

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Our staff are experienced experts and would be more than happy to talk about options for you. Please call or email us today.

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