Picking Your First Camera
If you’re reading this, it’s too late. Wait… That’s not true. It’s never too late.
Whether you’re looking to start a business or simply upgrade from your phone, it’s never too late to get your first camera. There are many factors that can play a part in making this decision, but ultimately it comes down to how you feel about that camera. Camera technology continues to evolve and will keep doing so, but it’s not always necessary to have the latest and greatest. Most DSLRs and mirrorless cameras have the same essential functions, and as you work your way up the models, those functions become more developed and better integrated within the camera. When I was upgrading from my iPhone X, I was overwhelmed due to a multitude of options that I could choose from, but I soon learned that there were a few things that I should think about and look for. My first instinct was to look up reviews for top of the line cameras and see what their specs were; however, that was a bad approach. Rather than looking for the top of the line models and specs, you should first do a few things that will help you find your camera.
1) Determine Your Price Range
Money can always be a touchy subject, yet it is an important one when you are looking to purchase a camera. There are a lot of options you can consider based on your personal preference. First, if you are someone that doesn’t have a phone with a nice camera, a low-risk option would be to upgrade to a phone that has a better camera. This way if you don’t get time to continue pursuing photography or if it’s a once in a while thing, you won’t have a camera sitting around collecting dust, and you’ll get the most bang for your buck. I have used my iPhone 11 Pro Max along with my DSLR and they take comparable pictures, but the downside is that the editing becomes limited since the images you get are .JPG, at least on iPhones. On the other hand, some Samsung and Android phones allow you to take RAW images directly from their stock camera app, which could prove useful unless you are already comfortable with Apple’s ecosystem. Alternatively, if you are looking for something a little more professional but compact, a point and shoot camera should be considered. They can range from $100 to $900, so there is a wide variety to choose from and options that won’t break the bank. The benefits of point and shoots come from the fact that they are light, super portable, and you can still get good quality images. The caveat, though, comes from their limitations of power since they are so small, the fact that they have fixed lenses, and most do not give you the option to shoot in RAW format. Nonetheless, point and shoots can be a great option if you’re just looking to upgrade from your phone’s camera or if you are just trying to get the waters of photography. The most common option you probably hear about are DSLRs. DSLRs are on the pricey side, but there are a lot of cheap entry-level DSLRs you can buy that are below $700 and they are still capable of taking good quality pictures. These cameras give you more power than the last two options and allow you to buy interchangeable lenses for the various situations you may encounter. Similarly, mirrorless cameras give you similar power and capabilities, but ultimately it comes down to what technology you want to buy into and how much money you are willing to spend. When I started looking for my first camera, I was stuck between choosing the Canon EOS 80D or the Sony A6400 mirrorless camera. The main reason I chose the 80D was because the mirrorless camera lenses were a lot more expensive, so in the long-run, I would have had to spend more money; however, that does not mean that they should not be something you look into (the technology is becoming more common and less expensive). Sony mirrorless cameras take excellent pictures and compare to the quality of Canons and Nikons and sometimes have them beat, so if you want to know more then click here. Personally, it helped to know I wanted a step up from an entry-level DSLR, which narrowed down the price range, but, knowing that it would cost me between $900 - $1200 was intimidating. To make it easier on yourself, knowing your price range can help you narrow down the options you can pursue and find the best option for you. Remember to think about your options and that you don’t need the best that money can buy!
2) Determine Its Use
If you’re thinking about buying a camera because you’re into food and/or travel photography, then maybe upgrading your phone or buying a point and shoot would be your best option. They are easier to carry around, give those good close up images, and won’t cost you a fortune. While point and shoots may have their limits with bigger landscapes, a phone may have an easier time, especially with newer and better camera technology being added. On the other hand, if you are looking for something that will give you more power and prove useful in multiple situations, then a DSLR or mirrorless camera is what you need to think about. Buying a camera or camera body is just one part of the puzzle. In order to set yourself up for success, it’s important to also think about the type of photography you’d like to be doing. This is important because it can help you understand which lens you’ll need. Remember that the lens matters just as much as the camera body itself. If you’re thinking of getting a camera bundle, they usually come with a kit lens which work just fine. I’ve been using them and they’ll get the job done, however at some point you’ll have to think about getting a lens that is suited for your type of photography. I like to take cityscapes and landscapes, so I recently invested in a Sigma 10-20mm lens. If you’re interested in portraits, then using something the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4. The videos below should explain what f/1.4 means but it essentially ties into the aperture. The higher the f-stop, the less light is being let into the lens and vice versa. This is important because if you are taking portraits in a darker situation, having a lens that can go to a lower f-stop, like f/1.4, can be very beneficial. Using the kit lens is a great way to get started, but once you better understand its use, having a more advance lens (prime lens) will open you up to more opportunities to get creative and unique shots.
Buying a camera can be a big step both financially and for your business/hobby, so taking your time and understanding your needs is a must. There are a lot of options to consider from what fits your budget to what you are looking to do with the camera. Cameras are an investment either into your hobby and/or business’s future, but more importantly, it’s also an investment in yourself. I started using my iPhone 6 and I still use my iPhone 11 Pro Max sometimes, but knowing that I wanted a more versatile camera led me to choose between a DSLR or a mirrorless camera. Understanding what you want out of the camera will help you to be more confident in your choice. This can be an exciting step, but remembering to be patient and doing your research can pay-off in the long-run, so take your time because the cameras are not going anywhere.
Let me know what camera you use or want to buy below!
TL;DR
If you’re deciding to get your first camera, you can pick from multiple options. You can upgrade your current phone to one with better camera capabilities, get a point and shoot camera, or a DSLR/mirrorless camera. Each option has its pros and cons and determining its use can help you better understand which option is right for you.
