What Kind of camera do I need
First you need to determine what you are going to use your camera for before you can attempt to decide what kind of camera that you need. If you have not done that as yet, please look at the article “What equipment do I need” before tackling this topic.
There are three fundamental types of digital cameras and each has their strengths and weakness. Keep in mind that I am not even talking about brands of cameras here. The three types are the compact cameras, the superzoom cameras, and the digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras.
Compact Cameras are small, lightweight, and very easy to take on the go with you. This is probably the most common camera on the market and its price range goes from $100 to around $350. The higher the price the more features, longer lasting the batteries, the larger the megapixel size, the better the lenses, and smaller the size.
Most of the cameras in this level have 3x zoom lenses, some will have video capabilities allowing you to shoot good quality clips that can be later uploaded to sites like YouTube, some can shoot underwater, and most are good for a wide range of subjects like people, actions shots like the kids soccer game, landscapes, and even close up items to display on places like eBay.
Compacts also have their limitations as well. First and foremost are the settings. With many compacts, you can’t adjust ISO, aperture, or shutter speed. You usually get a program mode for generic spots like in the sun, indoors, cloudy, and possibly low light situations.
This kind of camera is for the casual shooter who needs something convenient, easy to use, and easy to carry with them. The perfect candidate is the person who wants to take family shots quick and easy, the artist who wants to take quick location shots for use with their painting, and the person who needs to take pictures for the web for sites like eBay.
Return to “Where Do I Start”
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- Book Review: Mastering Digital SLR Photography by David Bush
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- Book Review: Light and Lens by Robert Hirsch
